Clash at the Castle 2022

WWE Clash at the Castle was a professional wrestling live event produced by the American promotion WWE. It was held for wrestlers from the promotion's Raw and SmackDown brand divisions. The event aired on pay-per-view (PPV) worldwide and was available to stream through Peacock in the United States and the WWE Network internationally. It took place on Saturday September 3, 2022 at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales, marking WWE's first major stadium event to take place in the United Kingdom (UK) since the 1992 SummerSlam and the company's first major event in general to take place in the UK since the 2003 Insurrextion. The event's title is a reference to Cardiff Castle, which is situated near the Principality Stadium.
==Production==
===Background===
On October 25, 2021, the American professional wrestling promotion WWE revealed its major event schedule for 2022 for the Raw and SmackDown brands, with an event slotted for either Saturday, September 3, or Sunday, September 4, at a to be determined location. On April 12, 2022, while the event's title was not revealed, WWE confirmed that the event would be held on September 3 at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales, marking the company's first major stadium event to be held in the United Kingdom in 30 years. Although WWE's last major event to take place in the UK was the 2003 Insurrextion, the promotion's last major event to be held in a stadium in the UK was the 1992 SummerSlam at the original Wembley Stadium. On April 29, 2022, during a WWE Live event at London's O2 Arena, WWE wrestler Drew McIntyre revealed the event's title as Clash at the Castle, a reference to Cardiff Castle, which is situated near the Principality Stadium. The event will air on pay-per-view worldwide and will be available to stream on Peacock in the United States and the WWE Network in international markets.
In the first 24 hours after the event's initial announcement on April 12, it was reported that 59,000 people had pre-registered for tickets. This broke a company record, with more fans registering for pre-sale tickets than any other WWE event, including the promotion's flagship event, WrestleMania. Tickets will go on sale on May 20, with travel packages also available.
===Storylines===
The event included matches that resulted from scripted storylines where wrestlers portrayed heroes, villains, or less distinguishable characters in scripted events that build tension and culminate in a wrestling match or series of matches. Results are predetermined by WWE's writers on the Raw and SmackDown brands, while storylines are produced on WWE's weekly television shows, Monday Night Raw and Friday Night SmackDown.
On the June 6, 2022 episode of Raw, Edge, leader of The Judgment Day, introduced Finn Bálor as the newest member of the stable. However, Bálor, along with fellow Judgment Day members Damian Priest and Rhea Ripley, attacked Edge, removing him from the group. The Judgment Day would soon attempt to recruit Rey Mysterio's son, Dominik Mysterio, into the stable. At SummerSlam, Rey and Dominik Mysterio defeated Bálor and Priest in a No Disqualification Match after Edge made his return, assisting the Mysterios. Edge would go on to defeat Priest on the August 22 episode of Raw, however, Edge was attacked by The Judgment Day following the match before Beth Phoenix made the save. The following week, after Bálor and Priest had defeated AJ Styles and Dolph Ziggler, Edge helped Rey and Dominik ambush The Judgment Day. Later that night, it was announced that Edge would partner with Rey Mysterio to take on Bálor and Priest at Clash at the Castle.
After retaining the WWE Raw Women's Championship against Becky Lynch at SummerSlam, Bianca Belair was confronted by a returning Bayley, who was joined by Dakota Kai and IYO SKY. Lynch would come to Belair's side during the confrontation, turning face as a result. On the Raw following SummerSlam, Lynch was attacked backstage by Bayley, Kai, and SKY, putting Lynch out of action. Later that night, during a match between Asuka and Alexa Bliss, Bayley, Kai, and SKY appeared again, attacking both women. However, Bianca Belair came to the aid of Asuka and Bliss, fending off the attacking trio. The following week, Bliss, Asuka, and Belair confronted Bayley, Kai, and SKY. Bayley proposed a six woman tag team match for Clash at the Castle, which Belair accepted, making the match official. 
After Randy Orton was sidelined due to injury, his partner, Riddle, was targeted by Seth "Freakin" Rollins. Riddle and Rollins were scheduled to face off at SummerSlam, however, the match was postponed due to Riddle being unable to compete after Rollins curb stomped him into steel steps on the July 25, 2022 episode of Raw. On the August 15 episode of Raw, Riddle made his return, announcing he was able to compete before a brawl broke out between him and Rollins. Following the brawl, Riddle challenged Rollins to a match at Clash at the Castle, which was made official that night. 
On the August 19, 2022 episode of SmackDown, Sheamus defeated Sami Zayn, Madcap Moss, Happy Corbin, and Ricochet in a Fatal Five Way in order to earn a match against Intercontinental Champion Gunther at Clash at the Castle.
On the August 5, 2022 episode of SmackDown, a gauntlet match was held to determine who would challenge SmackDown Women's Champion Liv Morgan at Clash of the Castle. Shayna Baszler won the match after pinning Raquel Rodriguez, making a match between Morgan and Baszler official. 
On the July 8, 2022 episode of SmackDown, Drew McIntyre was scheduled to face Sheamus in order to determine who would challenge for the WWE Championship and WWE Universal Championship at Clash of the Castle. However, Sheamus, simulating illness, did not compete. Instead, McIntyre defeated Sheamus' ally Butch. McIntyre and Sheamus faced off on the July 29, 2022 episode of SmackDown in a Donnybrook match, with McIntyre emerging victorious. At SummerSlam, WWE Champion and WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns defeated Brock Lesnar, confirming that McIntyre would face Reigns at Clash at the Castle.
==Match Preview==
Edge & Rey Mysterio vs. The Judgment Day	Preview
Six Woman Tag Team Match 	Preview
Riddle vs. Seth Rollins 	Preview
Gunther vs. Sheamus 	Preview
Liv Morgan vs. Shayna Baszler 	Preview
Roman Reigns vs. Drew McIntyre 	Preview
==Results==
;
;
*Pre-Show: Madcap Moss & The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford) defeated Austin Theory & Alpha Academy (Chad Gable & Otis) in a Six Man Tag Team Match (6:31)
*Bayley, Dakota Kai & IYO SKY defeated Alexa Bliss, Asuka & Bianca Belair in a Six Woman Tag Team Match (18:45)
*Gunther (c) defeated Sheamus to retain the WWE Intercontinental Championship (19:35)
*Liv Morgan (c) defeated Shayna Baszler to retain the WWE SmackDown Women's Championship (11:00)
*Edge & Rey Mysterio (w/Dominik Mysterio) defeated The Judgment Day (Damian Priest & Finn Bálor) (w/Rhea Ripley) (12:34)
*Seth "Freakin" Rollins defeated Matt Riddle (17:21)
*Roman Reigns (c) defeated Drew McIntyre to retain the WWE Championship & WWE Universal Championship (30:46)
==Other on-screen talent==
;Commentators
*Michael Cole
*Corey Graves
*Byron Saxton
*Marcelo Rodríguez 
*Jerry Soto 
;Pre-show Panel
*Jackie Redmond
*Matt Camp
*Peter Rosenberg	
;Ring announcer
*Samantha Irvin
;Referees
*Charles Robinson
*Dan Engler
*Eddie Orengo
*Jessika Carr
*Rod Zapata
*Shawn Bennett
;Guests
*Tyson Fury
*Bret Hart
*Adrian Street
*Miss Linda
*Johnny Saint
==See also==
*List of WWE pay-per-view events
*WWE Event History
*Event gallery
==DVD release==
* [ Clash at the Castle 2022 on DVD]
==External links==
* Official Website
* Kickoff on WWE Network
* on WWE Network
* Kickoff at CAGEMATCH.net
* at CAGEMATCH.net
Category:Clash at the Castle
Category:World Wrestling Entertainment pay-per-view events
Category:2022 pay-per-view events
Category:Clash at the Castle 2022