Match Predictions and Heat Index Anticipation Levels
Temperature Scale = Scorching > Hot > Lukewarm > Temperate > Chilly > Cold > Freezing
Heat Index is my assessment of how interesting the segment is, including how excited I am for the match and how intriguing the feud has been. The hotter, the better. Scorching translates to not being able to wait to see it, while Freezing means I couldn’t possibly care less and think it will be awful.
UNDISPUTED WWE UNIVERSAL CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH:
Roman Reigns (c) vs. Drew McIntyre
Heat Index = Hot
Prediction: Roman Reigns wins.
Thoughts: This match would be fine as is, but its all the surrounding buzz that makes me more interested. So much speculation is going around that Tyson Fury, Austin Theory, Bray Wyatt or possibly others will interfere and cause chaos. Titles could be split. We could get one or two new champions. This could be a fiasco, but in a good way. I’m hoping Reigns keeps the Universal Championship, but I’m totally down to see McIntyre walk out with the WWE Championship, depending on what future plans could be. Theory isn’t ready yet, but I wouldn’t write him off. Anyway, all the buzz has me intrigued. Maybe WWE wants to do something big and special for Cardiff.
SMACKDOWN WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH:
Liv Morgan (c) vs. Shayna Baszler
Heat Index = Cold
Prediction: Liv Morgan wins.
Thoughts: Snooze. Morgan’s been booked terribly. She’s in the same camp of “only won the title on a fluke and can’t put up a fight after” champions that have never worked before. They inevitably lose the titles rather fast. It wouldn’t shock me if she dropped it here. However, I’ll still say she retains, as I’m just not sold that they’ve built up Shayna Baszler enough for that spot, either. Maybe a Triple Threat is on the horizon between these two and Ronda Rousey at Extreme Rules and that’s where the belt will change hands, with Morgan just squeaking out a victory here with another roll-up or something lame like that.
SIX-WOMAN TAG TEAM MATCH:
Bianca Belair, Alexa Bliss and Asuka vs. Bayley, Dakota Kai and Iyo Sky
Heat Index = Temperate
Prediction: Bayley, Dakota Kai and Iyo Sky win.
Thoughts: All six of these Superstars are great. Unfortunately, this is a meaningless tag team match that should have just been on Monday Night Raw. I can’t give it a high Heat Index on that principle alone. I’d actually go more Chilly, since we’ve seen them fight in various other tag team and singles matches, but I’m feeling more positive enough at this particular moment to just bump them ever-so-slightly up to Temperate. By tomorrow, I’ll probably be back to Chilly. This card could have been better with some tweaks.
TAG TEAM MATCH:
Edge and Rey Mysterio vs. The Judgment Day (Damian Priest and Finn Balor)
Heat Index = Freezing
Prediction: The Judgment Day wins.
Thoughts: Snooze. Rey’s fought Finn and Damian like 100 times. Edge has had more than his fair share of brawls and such, and fought Finn a bunch, as well as Priest recently. I was only interested in Beth Phoenix against Rhea Ripley, but that isn’t even happening. Instead, the main hook is whether or not Dominik will turn heel. If he does, it was predictable, and I’m honestly not too interested in tracking that story, since I’m not fond of his acting. Even if he doesn’t, and I’m surprised, then that likely just means nothing happens here. It seems kind of meh. That’s a shame to say, too, considering I like all four of these guys. This match just doesn’t feel exciting.
INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH:
Gunther (c) vs. Sheamus
Heat Index = Hot
Prediction: Gunther wins.
Thoughts: Finally! The Intercontinental Championship has been off pay-per-views since WrestleMania 37. That’s insane! Not only am I glad to see this belt being defended, I’m also looking forward to these two going to war. Sheamus is a perfect opponent for Gunther. When the champion retains, he’ll have beaten a veteran and former multi-time champion. If Sheamus were to get a victory, he’ll capture a title he’s not yet won. It’s a win-win scenario, and I can imagine they will have great chemistry in the ring.
SINGLES MATCH:
Matt Riddle vs. Seth “Freakin” Rollins
Heat Index = Lukewarm
Prediction: Seth Rollins wins.
Thoughts: Some little touches of this feud have been great, like the post-interview comments Rollins made about Riddle’s family. This could be a show-stealer, but it doesn’t bring as much to the table as two other matches for me to rank it as high. I could see Riddle winning if this is the end of the feud, but since I think it will carry over into Extreme Rules in a gimmick match, let’s go with Rollins winning here and losing in Philadelphia.
OVERALL PPV:
How excited am I for the event as a whole?
Heat Index = Hot
Thoughts: It may seem weird to put this at Hot when more things were on the Temperate or lower side, but I do think there’s a chance I’m just wrong about all that. Triple H being in charge has produced much better content as of late. I haven’t agreed with all the decisions, and it isn’t perfect, which leads to me not gushing over this card, but I still think I need to see how it plays out before I rule out my excitement in general. I’m more than up for these segments wowing me, and there’s a chance that happens.
What do you think is going to happen at WWE Clash at the Castle? Which matches are you most excited to see? Keep the discussion going in the comments below!
