The John Report: WWE Clash In Italy 2026 Review

This is WWE Clash in Italy, featuring Roman Reigns battling Jacob Fatu in Tribal Combat, Cody Rhodes facing Gunther, an Oba Femi-Brock Lesnar rematch, and more.

The year’s WWE “Clash” PLE is in Italy for the first time ever. There have been many reports over the years about how much the Italian fans love WWE, so it will to see how they react to a WWE PLE taking place in Turin with four title matches, plus the huge Femi-Lesnar rematch. Backlash three weeks ago was only a 2:45-length show, so it will be interesting to see if this is kept under three hours as well or if it goes longer.

Before I begin, I did watch the El Grande Americano battle at the AAA Noche De Los Grandes event on Saturday night and I thought it was awesome. Great performances from Ludwig Kaiser and Chad Gable. My review of Mask vs. Mask is here if you want to check it out.

There was a two-hour Clash in Italy Countdown Show on WWE’s YouTube channel, but I don’t review those shows. I’m watching on Netflix in Canada with a 2 p.m. ET start time. Let’s get to the main show.

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WWE Clash in Italy
From Inalpi Arena in Turin, Italy
Sunday, May 31, 2026

They showed some superstars before the show, including Roman Reigns, Jacob Fatu, Sol Ruca, Becky Lynch, Rhea Ripley, Jade Cargill, Oba Femi, and Brock Lesnar with Paul Heyman.

A video package aired to set up the show. Great video as usual.

It’s major title match time at the start of the show as GUNTHER made his entrance for the Undisputed WWE Title match. I’m picking him to win.

Michael Cole and Corey Graves were on commentary. Wade Barrett is usually with Cole on PLEs, but sometimes on the European shows, they change it up. The Italian commentary team was at ringside too.

The Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes made his entrance as the Italian fans sang his “Kingdom” song, as most fans do. Cody was wearing a gold helmet on his head, which he took off before going down to the ring. Alicia Taylor was the ring announcer who did a great job with the championship introductions.

Undisputed WWE Championship: Cody Rhodes vs. GUNTHER

It was mentioned by Cole that Cody beat Gunther at Crown Jewel 2024. Gunther was in control with some big chops to the chest early on. When Gunther went for a sleeper, Cody got out of it and then Gunther kicked Cody to knock him down. Cody tried to get some punches, but Gunther hit a shoulder tackle to knock Cody down. Cody caught a charging Gunther with a powerslam. The fans were loud, supporting Cody, but there were Gunther chants too. Cody hit the bionic elbow combo and a Pedigree for a two count. Cody went up top, jumped over Gunther and then Gunther hit a running dropkick. Gunther hit a Powerbomb into a stack pin for two. Gunther jumped off the top, Cody got his knees up and Cody hit a Disaster Kick off the ropes. Cody hit Cross Rhodes for just a two count. Cody jumped off the top, but Gunther caught him with a Sleeper. Cody got out of it, but Gunther put on another Sleeper and took Cody down to the mat. Cody had Gunther on his back and dropped back with him to break free. Gunther applied another Sleeper. Cody managed to get his left foot on the bottom rope to force a break.

Cody and Gunther got into a strike fest. Gunther with a clothesline, Cody with two clotheslines, and then Gunther with a big clothesline. Cody went for a Cody Cutter, Gunther caught him and Cody broke free with a Cody Cutter that connected. Cody hit a running clothesline as the crowd was fired up. Cody hit Cross Rhodes again for a three count, but the camera angle they shot it from missed Gunther’s foot being under the bottom rope. It went 11:35.

Winner by pinfall: Cody Rhodes

Analysis: ***1/2 This felt like a TV main event with a controversial finish rather than a major WWE Title match. It’s still good, but not a classic or anything like that. It wasn’t the classic WWE Title match that I was hoping for and I was expecting. When the ending happened, it was clear that they were doing the “ref missed the foot under the bottom rope” spot and I figured they’d restart the match, but it didn’t happen. Gunther and Cody worked well together as usual. However, it felt rushed and like they wanted to get their spots in because they knew it was going to be a shorter match. I’m very surprised they didn’t get more than 15 minutes.

The replays were shown of Cody’s Cross Rhodes. They showed the other angle where Gunther’s right foot was under the bottom rope. Gunther argued with the referee about it, but there was no change.

Analysis: I assume they use this cheap finish to give Gunther another title shot at Night of Champions next month. It seems like the obvious next step in the story.

They showed WWE superstars in the crowd like LA Knight, Montez Ford and The Judgment Day trio of Liv Morgan, Roxanne Perez and Raquel Rodriguez.

The Rhea Ripley-Jade Cargill match was next

A video package aired about the Rhea Ripley-Jade Cargill match. That was followed by Netflix letting us know that they will be back in a few minutes. It was about two minutes of moving WWE graphics while some fans likely got commercials.

There was a Club WWE video, narrated by John Cena.

Oba Femi was shown backstage getting ready. Cole said it’s the third match.

The Rhea Ripley-Jade Cargill video package was shown again. Ripley won the WWE Women’s Title from Jade Cargill at WrestleMania, and Ripley moved over to SmackDown. That led to Jade getting her rematch at Clash in Italy.

Jade Cargill was up first as the challenger. Cole noted that she pinned Rhea Ripley in a tag team match at Saturday Night’s Main Event last weekend.

Rhea Ripley got a huge ovation from the crowd as the WWE Women’s Champion. That’s pretty consistent with everywhere she goes. Ripley is awesome and very popular with the crowd.

WWE Women’s Championship: Rhea Ripley vs. Jade Cargill

Jade slapped Ripley early on, Ripley fought back with strikes and Jade hit a body slam. Jade did some push-ups to taunt, so Ripley slapped Jade in the face. Ripley dropkicked Jade on the floor. Jade came back by tossing Ripley into the ropes and hit a knee to the face. Jade hit a fallaway slam on the floor. Jade was in control in the ring with some choking across the middle rope. Jade sent Ripley hard into the turnbuckle. Jade hit a suplex for two. Ripley fought back with chops, but Jade sent Ripley into the turnbuckle again. Jade hit another suplex for two. Jade missed a corner charge, so Ripley hit multiple clotheslines, a kick to the face, and a slam, sending Jade face-first into the mat. Ripley hit a German Suplex, so Jade left the ring. Ripley hit a senton off the apron onto Jade on the floor. Back in the ring, Ripley hit a missile dropkick for two. Jade countered a Ripley move with a back body drop. Ripley hit a rising kick to the head. The fans were into it, chanting that this is awesome. Rhea and Jade exchanged strikes (a common spot on this show already). Jade avoided a dropkick, went for a knee, Ripley moved and Ripley hit a headbutt. Ripley hit a jumping kick to the body. Ripley hit a Razor’s Edge and a Shining Wizard knee for two.

Ripley put Jade on her shoulders to go for a move, but Jade sent Ripley out of the ring. They were on the floor with Ripley slamming Jade into the ring apron for a two count. Ripley tried a lift, Jade countered and went for a lift, but Ripley came back with a Riptide…only for Jade to counter with a DDT! Great counter by Jade for a two count. Jade hit a Blue Thunder Bomb for a two count. Jade went up top, which is rare for her, so Ripley went after her with strikes. Ripley hit a belly-to-back superplex for a two count. Michin and B-Fab showed up, Ripley was looking at them, and Jade hit a pump kick. Ripley countered Jaded and hit a Riptide. B-Fab messed up putting Jade’s foot on the bottom rope, so Jade had to do it herself. The referee ejected B-Fab from ringside. Charlotte Flair was at ringside and she hit a cross body block on Michin and B-Fab. Flair beat them up at ringside. Jade hit Jaded on Ripley and Flair put Ripley’s right foot on the bottom rope for a two count. The referee didn’t see that. Ripley countered a Jade move and hit a headbutt. Ripley hit Riptide for the pinfall win at 16:57.

Winner by pinfall: Rhea Ripley

Analysis: ***3/4 I thought they had a very good match at WrestleMania, and this was probably a bit better. The first part of the match was about Jade being in control, and that led to Ripley making the big babyface comeback. Ripley got the best out of Jade in these two matches, so credit Ripley for being an awesome performer, and also to Jade for improving. I think the pin attempts near the ropes so that people could put their feet on the ropes was a bit repetitive. I get why it was done to show that Flair was there to help Ripley to show they are on the same page now. It also sets up Jade against Flair as a rivalry. Anyway, I expected Ripley to win here, so it was a result that didn’t surprise me at all. Once again, great effort by both women as Jade continues to impress and Ripley remains one of the best women in the company.

A commercial aired for SummerSlam.

It was “We’ll Be Right Back” time as three plus minutes of commercials aired for some viewers.

There was a video package for the Oba Femi-Brock Lesnar match. It’s excellent.

Brock Lesnar got a huge reaction from the fans due to his legendary status in WWE. The fans were very loud as Lesnar walked out to the ring with his advocate, Paul Heyman, by his side. The crowd loved Lesnar because they probably thought they’d never see him, so it felt like a big moment for them. They showed the Tale of the Tape with Femi at 6’4” and 310 pounds, while Lesnar is 6’3” and 290 pounds.

Oba Femi made his entrance to a huge ovation and loud “Oba” chants. The fans were very into Femi’s entrance as well, as he strutted down to the ring. They kept on chanting “Oba” for a few minutes.

Brock Lesnar (w/Paul Heyman) vs. Oba Femi

Brock Lesnar tackled Oba Femi into the turnbuckle as soon as the bell rang, and it was actually before Femi looked ready. Lesnar hit an F5! Lesnar picked up Femi again and hit another F5. There’s Lesnar with a third F5 to Femi. Lesnar picked up Femi and there’s a fourth F5…for just a two count. Lesnar was stunned by it. Lesnar applied a Kimura Lock on the left arm and his legs wrapped about Femi’s waist, but Femi tried to get out of it. Femi got back to his feet while Lesnar was holding the left arm and Femi slammed Lesnar to the mat. Femi ran Lesnar into the turnbuckle to avoid another Kimura Lock. Femi went for a Chokeslam, Lesnar landed on his feet and Lesnar hit a fifth F5…for just two. Lesnar was frustrated. Femi gave Lesnar a Chokeslam for a two count. It wasn’t a great Chokeslam, but they got through it. Femi clotheslined Lesnar over the top to the floor. Femi cleared off the commentary table. Lesnar sent Femi’s left arm into the ring post. Femi sent Lesnar into the ring post. They battled by the commentary table, Femi tried a move, but Lesnar countered and Lesnar gave Femi an F5 through the commentary table. It broke the table and the fans cheered Lesnar. Femi slowly got back up, and was able to beat the ten count to avoid the countout loss. Lesnar was shocked. Femi was back in the ring with three running uppercuts and Femi tossed Lesnar across the ring. Femi went for Fall From Grace, but Lesnar avoided it and landed on his feet. Lesnar hit another F5 for the pinfall win at 6:21. That was the 7th F5 that Lesnar hit, including the F5 through the commentary table.

Winner by pinfall: Brock Lesnar

Analysis: ***1/4 It was a lot of fun, like their WrestleMania match, but it was also shorter, just like at WrestleMania. When Brock Lesnar is in a match, we know it’s not going to be that long, so they started with big moves right away. Lesnar got most of the offense in this match and hit those 7 F5’s, yet Femi was able to keep fighting after all that punishment. Since Lesnar worked on the left arm, it helped tell the story that Femi couldn’t hit Fall From Grace because his arm was damaged. I picked Lesnar to win this because I figured he would do so to keep the feud going.

Brock Lesnar celebrated the win while the fans hummed along with his song. Lesnar liked that.

Analysis: I expect there to be a third Femi-Lesnar match, and Femi should win that. SummerSlam would be a nice spot for it, unless it’s at Night of Champions next month. I think SummerSlam would be better.

They showed the WWE World Tag Team Champions – The Vision’s Austin Theory and Bron Breakker. They also showed Giulia at ringside. TNA’s Director of Authority Santino Marella was also at ringside. Cole noted Santino won the Intercontinental Title in Italy in his debut match.

Analysis: It’s cool to see Santino there. I would have had him do a promo for the crowd.

A video package aired about the Mask vs. Mask El Grande Americano battle at the AAA Noche De Los Grandes event on Saturday night. It led to El Grande Americano beating the Original El Grande Americano, which led to the Original Americano getting his mask taken off, and it was Chad Gable, as we know. The match was excellent.

There was a video package to set up the Becky Lynch-Sol Ruca match. That was followed by some commercials for some fans and “We’ll be right back” graphics as well.

A video aired featuring WWE superstars promoting “Scary Movie,” followed by clips of the movie. I enjoyed the first Scary Movie 26 years ago, and I hope this one is as funny as that one was.

Sol Ruca made her entrance as the challenger for the Women’s Intercontinental Champion, even though she hasn’t won by pinfall or submission since joining Raw. Ruca beat Becky Lynch by disqualification last Saturday, so that’s why it’s a title match. That led to Becky Lynch making her entrance as the Women’s IC Champion, and she looked confident as usual.

Women’s Intercontinental Championship: Becky Lynch vs. Sol Ruca

Becky Lynch started off arguing with referee Jessika Carr, whom Lynch doesn’t like. Ruca knocked Lynch down and hit a standing moonsault. Lynch avoided a leaping Ruca, leading to a clothesline out of the ring. Lynch kicked Ruca, while she was on the floor. Lynch tried to slap Ruca on the apron while Ruca was doing a handstand, and Lynch hit the ring post with her hand. Ruca hi an impressive moonsault onto a standing Lynch on the floor. Ruca got a sunset flip for two. Ruca went for a move off the ropes, so Lynch swept her feet to knock her down. Lynch sent Ruca out of the ring, leading to Lynch hitting a forearm to knock Ruca down on the floor. Lynch sent Ruca into the barricade. Lynch went up top, and I think she was saying “other way” to tell Ruca to move into position, so Lynch hit a top rope leg drop for two. Lynch and Ruca exchanged uppercuts. Ruca got some momentum going with elbows and a German Suplex. Ruca followed up with a missile dropkick. Ruca hit a running knee for a two count. When Ruca went for a Sol Snatcher, Lynch caught her left arm and wanted an armbar, but Ruca got out of it. Ruca applied an STF. Lynch got out of it and Ruca got a rollup for two. Lynch got a rollup after the referee had to leave the ring due to getting nearly run over, so Lynch can complain about that. Lynch it a reverse DDT for a two count. Lynch argued with referee Carr. Lynch went for a Manhandle Slam, Ruca avoided it and hit a dropkick. Lynch put Ruca on the apron and hit her with punches. Lynch sent Ruca into the ring post. They were both on the top rope and Ruca hit a sitout X-Factor for a two count.

Ruca went up top, Lynch grabbed the referee’s arm and Carr hit the ropes so that Ruca was tripped up on the top rope. Lynch capitalized with a superplex and a DDT, but Ruca landed on her feet and hit a superkick. Ruca did a backflip over the top rope and kicked Lynch on the floor to knock Lynch down. Ruca went for a springboard 450 Splash in the ring, but Lynch caught her and hit a Manhandle Slam for just two. Lynch went for a move (Sol Snatcher) off the turnbuckle, but Ruca countered and hit a Manhandle Slam of her own for two.  They exchanged holds as Lynch tried a Manhandle Slam, but Sol jumped off the turnbuckle with the Sol Snatcher for the pinfall win. It went 14:04. Sol Ruca is the new Women’s Intercontinental Champion!

Winner by pinfall AND NEW Women’s Intercontinental Champion: Sol Ruca

Analysis: ***1/2 A very good match as usual from Becky Lynch on a PLE while Sol Ruca proved she’s more than capable of performing at a high level with a main roster star. There’s a title change that I predicted because it just felt like Lynch didn’t need to have a long title reign this time, and putting over Sol as the new champion is a great idea.

Sol Ruca celebrated with the Women’s Intercontinental Title, and the fans were happy for her. Fireworks went off for Sol’s celebration.

They showed Raw’s Je’Von Evans, Iyo Sky, Ethan Page and Lyra Valkyria in the crowd.

The next Saturday Night’s Main Event is July 18th in New York City. I have a wedding that day, so I won’t see it live.

It was main event time up next, and there were some commercials for some fans as well, as we got our last “We’ll Be Right Back” videos.

The next WWE PLE is Night of Champions, on Saturday, June 27th, in Saudi Arabia.

There were comments from Joe Tessitore, Big E, and Peter Rosenberg.

A video package aired for the Roman Reigns-Jacob Fatu Tribal Combat Match for the World Heavyweight Title.

Jacob Fatu was up first for the main event. The crowd likes him. Roman Reigns got a massive ovation as the WWE World Heavyweight Champion. The Italian fans love the Tribal Chief, just like most fans around the world. I’ll be honest with you when I say I went to the bathroom during the entrances and I didn’t mind that Reigns takes a lot of time because it allowed me time to return just as the match was beginning.

WWE World Heavyweight Championship – Tribal Combat Match: Roman Reigns vs. Jacob Fatu

A Tribal Combat Match means anything goes. Roman Reigns was wearing the gold/black boots, and a left elbow pad is a new addition, likely due to some minor injury he’s dealing with. Fatu knocked Reigns down with a shoulder tackle. Reigns did a leapfrog and a clothesline. Reigns sent Fatu into the turnbuckles a few times. Fatu ran the ropes and hit a spinning elbow to knock Reigns down. Fatu tried the Tongan Death Grip, so Reigns bailed to the floor. Fatu hit a suicide dive to send Reigns into the barricade. Fatu and Reigns fought into the crowd. The fans were chanting “OTC” for Reigns as he worked over Fatu with punches as they battled near the fans. Fatu sent Reigns into a staircase railing. Fatu hit Reigns with some headbutts and they fought by the concession area, so Reigns hit Fatu with an object to knock him down. Fatu sent Reigns into another steel structure near some stairs. They were back at the ringside area as Fatu put his boot on Roman’s throat. Reigns was back up to his feet and punched Fatu, followed by Reigns sending Fatu into the ring post. Reigns found a table from under the ring and the fans cheered for it. Fatu knocked Reigns down and Reigns was back up with a kick. The fans chanted, “Roman, Roman Reigns” for the OTC. Fatu was back up to send Reigns into the ring apron and sent Reigns into the steel steps. Fatu put the top half of the steel steps into the ring.

Reigns recovered and got a hold of the steel steps in the ring, so he tossed the steps at Fatu on the floor. Fatu got his hands up, but it still looked good. Reigns hit a Drive By kick on the apron to send Fatu into the ring post. Back in the ring, Reigns hit a leaping clothesline. Reigns worked over Fatu with ten short arm clotheslines by the turnbuckle. Reigns hit a boot to the face. There were more “OTC” chants for Reigns. Fatu came back with punches and a senton splash. Fatu hit a running splash against the turnbuckle. Fatu worked over Reigns with headbutts, along with a running hip attack by the turnbuckle. Fatu launched Reigns into the air, and Reigns hit a Superman Punch. Reigns wanted a Spear, but Fatu stopped that with a superkick. Fatu applied the dreaded Tongan Death Grip and Reigns was down to a knee. Reigns was back up with punches, so Fatu sent Reigns over the top to the floor. Fatu tried a suicide dive, but Reigns stopped that with a Superman Punch. Reigns grabbed a toolbox from under the ring, and he smashed Fatu’s right hand with the toolbox. Reigns used the toolbox to hit Fatu’s right hand against the steel steps. Reigns rammed Fatu’s right hand into the mat, and Reigns stomped on the right hand.

Reigns set up the table against the turnbuckle. Reigns wanted a Spear, but Fatu splashed Reigns against the turnbuckle. Fatu hit a running hip attack on Reigns against the turnbuckle. Reigns rolled out of the ring by the barricade, so Fatu ran around the ring, and Reigns was back up with a Superman Punch. Fatu was by the barricade, and Reigns hit a Spear through the barricade. Two security guys bumped as well, so hopefully they knew it was coming. Back in the ring, Reigns hit a Spear for just a two count because Fatu got his right shoulder up. Reigns pulled the top turnbuckle off three of the four turnbuckles, so that the steel was exposed. Fatu applied the Tongan Death Grip, but then he let go because the right hand was hurt. Reigns with a Superman Punch, then another Superman Punch and Fatu was still on his feet. Reigns sent Fatu into two steel turnbuckles and Reigns charged, but Fatu hit a Spear for a two count. Fatu went for the Mighty Moonsault off the top, but Reigns moved. Reigns charged and Fatu hit a Popup Samoan Drop. Fatu hit a Mighty Moonsault for a two count with Reigns kicking out while doing a low blow on the pin attempt. Graves mentioned it right away and they replayed it to show that Reigns did the low blow kickout. Reigns and Fatu exchanged punches. Fatu went for the Tongan Death Grip again, but Reigns punched his way out of it. Reigns sent Fatu into the exposed steel repeatedly. Reigns hit Fatu with a Spear through the table that was against the turnbuckle. Fatu was back up before Reigns, so Reigns ran the ropes and hit a Spear for the pinfall win. It went about 26 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Roman Reigns

Analysis: ****1/4 I thought it was an excellent World Heavyweight Title match with an outcome I expected, with Reigns keeping the gold. It told a story similar to Backlash, where Reigns gave Fatu everything he had, but Fatu kept coming back. Fatu got some good nearfalls, like when he hit that Mighty Moonsault, but it wasn’t enough. Reigns had to hit multiple Spears, including one through a table, to put Fatu away, which put over Fatu’s toughness. The reason Fatu is so beloved by the fans is his aggression and toughness. Anyway, I enjoyed the match a lot. I actually thought it would be more violent than it was, but I did like the creativity in the weapon use and Reigns working over Fatu’s hand throughout the match.

After the match, Roman Reigns had this look on his face like he was stunned that Jacob Fatu was able to take as much punishment as he did.

The Usos – Jimmy & Jey Uso – went into the ring. Jey presented Reigns with the Ula Fala around his neck. Jacob Fatu looked on from the turnbuckle as Cole said that Jacob has to acknowledge Reigns on Monday’s Raw. Reigns looked into the crowd, where Solo Sikoa was standing with Tama Tonga and Talla Tonga. Jacob Fatu left the ring and looked over at Solo in the crowd while Reigns left with The Usos. Jey Uso shouted at Jacob to come with Reigns and The Usos, so Fatu went up the aisle behind Reigns. The show ended with Reigns talking smack into a camera.

WWE Clash in Italy had a runtime of 2:49. WWE Backlash was 2:45.

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Five Stars of the Show

1. Roman Reigns
2. Rhea Ripley
3. Jade Cargill
4. Jacob Fatu
5. Sol Ruca

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Final Thoughts on WWE Clash in Italy

I’m going 7.5 out of 10 for this show.

It was a five-match show with all singles matches, so there wasn’t much variety other than the main event being a Tribal Combat Match. Speaking of Tribal Combat, I thought Roman Reigns and Jacob Fatu had the best match on the show, even though it was the most predictable. They got by far the most time of any match, so that certainly helped.

I was surprised by the Cody Rhodes-Gunther match. It was good for the time given, but I expected more and a better match. It just didn’t feel like a WWE Title PLE match. Obviously, the feud is going to continue. I was impressed by Jade Cargill in her match with Rhea Ripley again. Clearly, Ripley brings out the best in Jade. It was a fun match.

Brock Lesnar beating Oba Femi was booked in a smart way, and I’m not worried about Oba losing for the first time on the main roster. That dude will be just fine. Sol Ruca winning the Women’s IC Title made sense to me because Becky Lynch didn’t need another long title reign. Kudos to Lynch putting over Ruca in a big way.

I have rated the five WWE PLEs around the same this year. None of them have stood out more than the others, but all of them have been pretty good too.

My WWE PLE Rankings for 2026 so far:

WrestleMania 42 – 7.88 (April 18 & 19)

Backlash – 7.75 (May 9)

Royal Rumble – 7.75 (January 31)

Clash in Italy – 7.5 (May 31)

Elimination Chamber – 7.5 (February 28)

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As a reminder, I have a listing of every WWE PPV that I reviewed in order by year. Thank you for supporting us at TJRWrestling. We appreciate you.

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