Bleacher Report's WWE Staff Predictions for Clash at the Castle 2022 Match Card

WWE Clash at the Castle will take place this Saturday from Cardiff, Wales, marking WWE's first UK stadium show since SummerSlam 1992 and the first UK pay-per-view since Insurrextion in 2003.

Here is a look at the card for Saturday's show, according to WWE.com:

• Roman Reigns vs. Drew McIntyre (Undisputed WWE Universal Championship)
• Liv Morgan vs. Shayna Baszler (SmackDown Women's Championship)
• Gunther vs. Sheamus (Intercontinental Championship)
• Bayley, Iyo Sky and Dakota Kai vs. Bianca Belair, Alexa Bliss and Asuka
• The Judgment Day vs. Edge and Rey Mysterio
• Matt Riddle vs. Seth Rollins

Here's our lineup of contributors:

• Chris Mueller (CM) (@BR_Doctor)
• Erik Beaston (EB) (@ErikBeaston)
• Jeff J (JJ) (@JeffJSays)
• Donald Wood (DW) 
• Graham Matthews (GM) (@WrestleRant)
• Kevin Berge (KB) (@KevinBerge)
• Anthony Mango (AM) (@ToeKneeMango)

Roman Reigns vs. Drew McIntyre

Do you think Drew McIntyre will win the title or will WWE keep it on Reigns?

When the Clash at the Castle event was announced earlier this year, it was clear that WWE had plans for McIntyre to win the world title in front of European fans and receive the coronation he never received when he beat Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania 36. Reigns has been the champion for over two years, so it’s time for a change. McIntyre has the look, in-ring skills and mic work needed to be the likable face that carries the company through its current transition.

Edge and Rey Mysterio vs. Finn Balor and Damian Priest

What would you rather see, Dominik join Judgment Day or a singles match between Rhea Ripley and Dom?

While a match with Ripley would be entertaining, Dominik should turn on Rey and Edge, and align with the heel stable. Not only would the swerve give Judgment Day legitimate credibility in the eyes of casual fans, but it would also set the stage for a long-term feud between Rey and Dominik that culminates in a match at WrestleMania 39.

Liv Morgan vs. Shayna Baszler

Offer an argument for why Shayna Baszler should win the title.

One of Triple H's top priorities since taking over has been to rebuild Baszler and it's been nice to see her get a real chance to shine on the main roster for a change.

She won't be total "damaged goods" if she loses to Morgan, but putting the title on her would really shake things up, put Morgan back in chase mode (where she thrives), and make for an interesting situation if Ronda Rousey comes for her. There are plenty of positives to Baszler becoming champ and I wouldn't be opposed to seeing it happen.

Gunther vs. Sheamus

Both of these men are European but neither is from Wales. Who do you think will get the bigger crowd pop at the PPV?

It should be a fairly even split in terms of crowd reactions, but I'm thinking Sheamus will get the slightly bigger pop between the two. Both men have been positioned as heels, but Sheamus has illustrated the importance of him winning the Intercontinental title and the crowd will want to witness history. He'll likely do more to get the crowd behind him than Gunther, who is perfect in the heel role.

Bianca Belair, Alexa Bliss and Asuka vs. Bayley, Iyo Sky and Dakota Kai

Who do you think will get the pin for their team and who do you think will take the pin on the other team? Why them?

I think Bayley pins Belair. If I recall correctly, Belair hasn't been pinned in 2022. What a way to send shockwaves through the Raw Women's division if a returning Bayley, who was set to have an epic match with the champ before injury sidelined her for almost a year, comes back to score a heelish, shenanigan-infused victory over the EST? I'd love to see it to add some much-welcomed spice to their rivalry.

Matt Riddle vs. Seth Rollins

Forget who is the heel and who is the babyface. Who will you be rooting for on Saturday?

Seth Freakin Rollins. He's my Wrestler of the Year. Throughout 2022, he's done nothing but put out bangers. His trilogy with Cody Rhodes was legendary. He's 0-3 and still came out looking like a megastar.

He elevates anyone in his orbit and has the personality, mic skills, wardrobe, and work rate all operating on god mode. He's one of my favorite wrestlers in the modern era and All-Time. I think this is the rare moment where a heel needs a win to solidify their current credibility. Riddle is certified. Rollins laying waste to Riddle makes him a legit threat to take any title in WWE.

Matt Riddle vs. Seth Rollins

Who do you think should win this match based on how the feud has been booked?

Rollins needs to win. He is coming off a feud with Rhodes where he lost badly, and he also ended his rivalry with Edge on the mat. Riddle can easily survive a loss, especially if Rollins uses some cheap tactics, but The Messiah may very well fall off the map with another loss. He deserves better and still has a rematch with Reigns waiting.

Bianca Belair, Alexa Bliss and Asuka vs. Bayley, Iyo Sky and Dakota Kai

What would be the most logical outcome? Should WWE go for the babyface pop or book the newly formed heel group to win?

Bayley, Sky and Kai are the fresh stable and need momentum. They cannot fall on the same hurdles as The Judgment Day, a cool idea for a group that has lost credibility. This is a chance to sell that all three of these women are dangerous threats to Belair and the Raw Women's Championship. They are the reset the women's division needs, beginning with a premium live event win.

Gunther vs. Sheamus

Both of these guys are technically heels but will likely be cheered by their fellow Europeans. What outcome do you think would get the biggest pop?

Gunther should win, but if WWE was purely looking for the biggest pop, that would happen with Sheamus capturing the title. Not only do title changes typically get bigger reactions than a champion retaining by default, but it would also be a surprise as Gunther seems the clear favorite to win. The Celtic Warrior winning the belt that has eluded him all this time would be history-making, too.

Liv Morgan vs. Shayna Baszler

Offer an argument for why Liv Morgan should retain the title.

Morgan won the title on a fluke with Money in the Bank. Her story since then hasn't been one of proving that she deserves it, but reinforcing the notion that she never would have become champion without that easy pass.

Unless WWE is willing to write her off as never being worthy of that top spot, she is in desperate need of fixing her credibility, which will only come out of strong wins and retaining her title. She can't just survive with a roll-up, retain by DQ or count-out, or flat out lose, or that's it. The jury's out, Morgan will be classified as a definitive weak champion who peaked the moment she won the title and went downhill ever since.

Bonus Question

The crowd in Europe is always hot for the WWE product. Why do you think WWE has avoided doing more PPVs outside of the U.S.?

Probably the timing situation. A primetime PPV in Europe is an afternoon show here on the East Coast or a morning show on the West. The Crown Jewel and other Saudi Arabia events have probably given management enough confidence in the audience's willingness to tune in to justify returning to a market that has longed for one of these events.

Roman Reigns vs. Drew McIntyre

From your own personal perspective, what is the ideal outcome of this match?

Ideally, Reigns retains. I know there is all of momentum behind McIntyre right now, what with the home-field advantage he will have in Cardiff, but Reigns is the guy. He's the undisputed top star in the business. At a time when the company is in the midst of a transfer of power and undergoing a new creative direction, staying with the proven attraction and sticking to that overall vision is hardly the worst idea in the world.

Edge and Rey Mysterio vs. Finn Balor and Damian Priest

What would you rather see, Dominik join Judgment Day or a singles match between Rhea RIpley and Dom?

WWE hasn't had much intergender wrestling in its history, but this is one match the company has to book at some point. Ripley is the first woman since Beth Phoenix that fans have vocally expressed a desire to see fight the male wrestlers, and with her power and athleticism, she would convincingly beat many men on the roster. Even if it's a short squash that The Nightmare wins, it would be fun.

Bonus Question

The crowd in Europe is always hot for the WWE product. Why do you think WWE has avoided doing more PPVs outside of the U.S.?

It's likely a combination of several factors. The U.S. is its main money-making market, so putting anything at a time when American fans would have a harder time watching it live is something they are going to think twice about. There is also the matter of logistics, marketing and that side of the business. It's much harder to get everyone to another country for one show than it is to get them to any of the states.

Respondents' picks will be represented by their initials.

• Reigns (EB, KB, AM) vs. McIntyre (DW, GM, JJ, CM)
• Liv Morgan (EB, KB, AM, DW, GM, JJ) vs. Shayna Baszler (CM)
• Gunther (EB, KB, AM, DW, GM, JJ, CM) vs. Sheamus 
• Bayley, Iyo Sky and Dakota Kai (EB, KB, AM, DW, GM, JJ, CM) vs. Bianca Belair, Alexa Bliss and Asuka
• The Judgment Day (EB, KB, AM, DW, GM, JJ, CM) vs. Edge and Rey Mysterio
• Matt Riddle (DW, GM) vs. Seth Rollins (EB, KB, AM, JJ, CM)