{"id":124828,"date":"2024-06-11T07:30:08","date_gmt":"2024-06-11T11:30:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/?p=124828"},"modified":"2024-06-11T01:03:50","modified_gmt":"2024-06-11T05:03:50","slug":"what-happens-if-drew-mcintyre-loses-at-clash-at-the-castle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/2024\/06\/11\/what-happens-if-drew-mcintyre-loses-at-clash-at-the-castle\/","title":{"rendered":"A Cursed Clash: What Happens if Drew McIntyre Loses at Clash at the Castle?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">At WWE&#8217;s first <strong><em>Clash at the Castle<\/em><\/strong>, <strong>Drew McIntyre<\/strong> received a hero&#8217;s welcome from the people of Whales in his losing effort against the Bloodline. Returning once again to his home country of Scotland, what happens if Drew McIntyre loses at <em>Clash at the Castle<\/em>? While that seems <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/2024\/06\/04\/making-a-case-for-drew-mcintyre-to-win-or-lose-at-wwe-clash-at-the-castle\/\" target=\"_self\">almost impossible<\/a> to imagine, anything can happen. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"><strong>Damian Priest<\/strong> may very well lose, but he is a brand-new champion. His reign could use a signature win. McIntyre in Scotland would provide that for Damian Priest, leaving a less than certain future for the &#8220;Scottish Psychopath.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Scotland\u2019s own <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/DMcIntyreWWE?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@DMcIntyreWWE<\/a> returns home for his country\u2019s first-ever <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/WWE?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@WWE<\/a> Premium Live Event\u2026 and his eyes are on the World Heavyweight Title.<\/p>\n<p>WWE Clash at the Castle streams live June 15 at 2pm ET from Glasgow\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/OVOHydro?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@OVOHydro<\/a>. <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/WWECastle?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#WWECastle<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/AOjikK7Hnn\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/AOjikK7Hnn<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Triple H (@TripleH) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/TripleH\/status\/1795518826651496487?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">May 28, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h3><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Drew McIntyre Will Heat Up His Rivalry With CM Punk <\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">A loss at <em>Clash at the Castle<\/em> will pretty much dash any chance that Drew McIntyre will be the World Heavyweight Champion in 2024. As a former three-time world champion, one more title can be an acceptable sacrifice to gain something more significant. McIntyre losing would require a return by <strong>CM Punk<\/strong> at this point. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">CM Punk suffered an injury thanks to McIntyre back in January. Since the <em><strong>Royal Rumble<\/strong><\/em>, this feud has grown and is long-running at this point. Nobody has said when CM Punk will return, so a surprise in Scotland would shock most of the fans in attendance and at home.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">And\u2026<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; 2 x WWE Champion <br \/>&#8211; \u2060Soon to be 2 x World Heavyweight Champion<br \/>&#8211; \u2060Intercontinental Champion<br \/>&#8211; \u20602 x Tag Team Champion<br \/>&#8211; \u2060Royal Rumble winner<br \/>&#8211; \u20602 x Elimination Chamber winner <br \/>&#8211; \u2060NXT Champion<br \/>&#8211; \u2060First and only British WWE Champion<br \/>&#8211; \u2060TNA World Heavyweight Champion\u2026 <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/mgCOd5pTeH\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/t.co\/mgCOd5pTeH<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Drew (@DMcIntyreWWE) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/DMcIntyreWWE\/status\/1798801141028827280?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">June 6, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">It is hard to imagine Punk and McIntyre getting hotter now. The rivalry has played out primarily through interference and social media clashes. Yet despite the lack of physical interactions, fans are thoroughly invested in seeing the two clash. Their feud has eclipsed the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/2023\/11\/30\/cm-punks-first-wwe-feuds-revealed\/\" target=\"_self\">teased rivalries<\/a> between Punk and anyone else, including <strong>Seth Rollins<\/strong> and <strong>Cody Rhodes<\/strong>. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Punk and McIntyre are hot right now, and they probably do not need a championship to help sell it. If CM Punk is ready, WWE may see one more interference by the voice of the voiceless being the spark to what would almost certainly be wrestling&#8217;s biggest story of the summer. <\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Seth Rollins Has a Major Feud Ready When He Returns<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Seth Rollins, the former champion who lost to McIntyre at <em><strong>WrestleMania 40<\/strong><\/em>, has been out since that event. He has recently been seen recovering; his return is also an open question. If Drew McIntyre loses at <em>Clash at the Castle<\/em>, he could be a great way to reintroduce Seth Rollins to Raw. Seth needs a big match upon his return. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">However, Damian Priest<a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/2024\/04\/07\/andnew-damian-priest-cashes-money-in-the-bank-wrestlemania-xl\/\" target=\"_self\"> didn&#8217;t defeat him<\/a>, so jumping to the front of the line would be odd. Likewise, Priest winning means he stays at the top for a bit longer. Priest vs Rollins doesn&#8217;t have the same big fight feel as a potential grudge match with Drew McIntyre. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Freeing Drew up for Seth also means that Damian Priest will still be champion, bolstering whatever feuds he engages in in the summer months. It is a win-win for WWE. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Seth &quot;Freakin&quot; Rollins vs Drew McIntyre \u2014 World Heavyweight Match: WrestleMania XL Sunday highlights\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/OdcQylvxVuk?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Rollins vs. McIntyre being the best match for a returning Rollins is a testament to how well Drew has carried raw since 2024 began. No matter who you are, Drew McIntyre has been heavily involved in your story. He can feud with anyone in an entertaining and profoundly personal way. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Some of the greatest WWE superstars of all time did not need to hold the World title, and McIntyre appears to have joined that elite group. Acts like <strong>Booker T<\/strong>, <strong>Roddy Piper<\/strong>, and <strong>Diamond Dallas Page<\/strong> all rarely, if ever, held the world title. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Each talent is a revered talent by fans of their eras, even today. McIntyre eclipses all of them in his athleticism and ability, and a loss at <em>Clash at the Castle<\/em> shows that WWE thinks he&#8217;s their peer as a WWE character as well. <\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Damian Priest Can Thrive if Drew McIntyre Loses at Clash at the Castle<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Nobody gains more if Drew McIntyre loses at <em>Clash at the Castle<\/em> than the man who&#8217;d beat him, obviously. Damian Priest losing isn&#8217;t the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/2024\/06\/09\/what-happens-if-damian-priest-loses-at-clash-at-the-castle\/\" target=\"_self\">worst outcome for him<\/a> necessarily, which is a rarity in early title defenses like this one. Still, he could use this victory a lot more than Drew McIntyre. Partly, it is about how little McIntyre needs the belt as previously established. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Mostly, though, it is how much Damian needs it. Priest is the third most important faction member and is often presented as leading them. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">He has feuded with everyone as a member of Judgment Day, so nothing feels particularly fresh, especially now that Raw is out of top faces. Aside from breaking up the group, which is well underway, no Damian Priest match feels all that interesting. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Watching somebody try to win a world title, especially their first one, is a worthy co-main event to whatever Drew is doing.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Seth Rollins &#8211; took himself beyond the limit against me <\/p>\n<p>Jey Uso &#8211; Had to use more than 2 moves against me <\/p>\n<p>CM Punk &#8211; Is showing he ain\u2019t washed (he is) against me<\/p>\n<p>Damian Priest &#8211; Finally proved he has some chops\u2026 against me <\/p>\n<p>I\u2019m the one setting the bar on Raw. I\u2019m bringing\u2026<\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Drew (@DMcIntyreWWE) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/DMcIntyreWWE\/status\/1790800104502231165?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">May 15, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">What Raw lacks in certified stars, they make up for in popular young talent. Guys like <strong>Sami Zayn<\/strong>, <strong>Iljia Dragunov<\/strong>, and <strong>Jey Uso<\/strong> are all fresh acts. Even the heel <strong>Gunther<\/strong> is still in the hunt for a WWE world championship. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Watching them try to accomplish that makes for exciting shows. Damian Priest is a great talent and can have a good match with all those superstars. He can&#8217;t have a main event match with any of them, though, unless he is the champion. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Drew McIntyre can and has on multiple occasions. Sometimes, the title elevates a champion. Sometimes, a champion must rise to the occasion of his title. People have their preferences as fans, but neither is wrong. Showcasing more people in prominent roles and fun matches is what wrestling is all about. WWE can make that happen most efficiently if Drew McIntyre loses at <em>Clash at the Castle<\/em>. <\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Would it Make Sense if Drew McIntyre Loses at Clash at the Castle?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Drew McIntyre clashes with Damian Priest: Raw highlights, June 3, 2024\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/U8litL8rx2I?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">None of the rationales for why Drew should lose are about him. They are about other people he can make look better, with or without the title. He can do that, so in some ways, his losing works. Regardless of the outcome, his feud with CM Punk will be the biggest story on Raw. It would give Damian Priest a lot of momentum, although the case can be made that he doesn&#8217;t especially need the title, either. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The truth is, though, that in Scotland, Drew McIntyre winning will create a moment that WWE should not pass up. The totality of the WWE Universe from the first <em>WrestleMania<\/em> onward is crafted by these moments that excite fans old and new. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Hearing the Scottish fans cheer for the hometown hero during his much-deserved win will be one of those moments. A lasting memory added to the tapestry of professional wrestling moments. That alone is reason enough for WWE to make it official at <em>Clash at the Castle<\/em>.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>More From LWOS Pro Wrestling<\/h3>\n<p><em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Header photo \u2013 WWE \u2013 Stay tuned to the\u00a0<\/span><\/em><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\"><em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Last Word on Pro Wrestling<\/span><\/em><\/a><em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0for more on this and other stories from around the world of wrestling, as they develop. You can always count on LWOPW to be on top of the major news in the wrestling world, as well as to provide you with analysis, previews, videos, interviews, and editorials on the wrestling world. You can check out an almost unlimited array of WWE content on the\u00a0<\/span><\/em><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/watch.wwe.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">WWE Network<\/span><\/em><\/a><em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span><\/em><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.peacocktv.com\/watch\/home\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Peacock<\/span><\/em><\/a><em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>At WWE&#8217;s first Clash at the Castle, Drew McIntyre received a hero&#8217;s welcome from the people of Whales in his losing effort against the Bloodline. Returning once again to his home country of Scotland, what happens if Drew McIntyre loses at Clash at the Castle? While that seems almost impossible to imagine, anything can happen. [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4470,"featured_media":124854,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2192,4,3],"tags":[8439,140,6558,686,76,4834],"class_list":["post-124828","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-wrestling","category-wwe","category-wwe-universe","tag-clash-at-the-castle","tag-cm-punk","tag-damian-priest","tag-drew-mcintyre","tag-seth-rollins","tag-wwe-world-heavyweight-championship"],"modified_by":"Michael Joseph Sugue, Manager","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/124828","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4470"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=124828"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/124828\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/124854"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=124828"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=124828"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=124828"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}