Chris King’s Revisiting History: WWE Clash In Paris

Chris King is going back and rewatching all the Clash PLEs ahead of WWE Clash in Italy on May 31st.

Clash in Paris was such a fun PLE Roman Reigns goes one-on-one against Bronson Reed; Sheamus battles Rusev in a Good Old-Fashioned Donnybrook, The Wyatt Sicks defend their WWE Tag Team Championships against The Street Profits; The G.O.A.T. John Cena faces off against Logan Paul; and Seth Rollins looks to retain his World Heavyweight Championship against CM Punk. Jey Uso and LA Knight in a fatal four-way match. 

Roman Reigns vs. Bronson Reed 

For weeks, Bronson Reed, dubbed ‘The Tribal Thief,’ has been beating up ‘The Tribal Chief’ and stealing his shoes. The Big Auszilla made his entrance flanked by ‘The Oracle’ Paul Heyman wearing the Shoe-La-Falla for this big fight. The pop Roman Reigns received on the first note of his theme song was thunderous! The Paris crowd was on their feet for the “Original Tribal Chie,” chanting, “Roman, Roman Reigns.” 

Reigns is running into a wall as Reed stands unfazed by his shoulder blocks. The OTC answers back with ten punches in the corner. The Aus-Zilla is too heavy for Reigns to lift and takes over on offense. Both superstars battled outside, proving who’s the true alpha of WWE. Reed drilled Reigns with a World’s Strongest Slam for a near-fall. The Tribal Thief is taking the former longest-reigning undisputed champion to his limit in this colossal clash. 

Every time Reigns looks to try and gain some momentum, he’s cut off by Reed, who is looking fantastic in this match. The Tribal Thief was trying to add another pair of his opponent’s shoes to the Shoe-Lafalla, but Reigns denied him. A Superman punch was countered into a urinagi and a big senton splash gave Reed a two-count. Two massive Superman punches earned The OTC a near-fall. 

The Aus-Zilla hit a massive suicide dive to the outside. The young upstart went up top for The Tsunami but to no avail. A spear was beautifully countered into a sit-down powerbomb for another near-fall. The OTC hit a Superman Punch followed by an avalanche Samoan drop and the Spear for the valiant victory! 

Following the match, Reigns got his revenge against Paul Heyman after betraying him at WrestleMania 41 and took his shoes back. Bron Breakker came out of nowhere and obliterated the former undisputed champion with a thunderous Spear through the

announce table! Breakker hit another devastating Spear to Reigns on the entrance ramp! The Aus-Zilla hit multiple Tsunamis on Reigns, who’s being stretched out. 

• Roman went out of his way to make Reed look like a freaking monster here, showing exactly why Seth Rollins added him to The Vision. Roman getting his revenge on Heyman was the cherry on top. 
• Bron Breakker looks to be next on Roman’s path to Seth Rollins and the World Championship. Breakker vs. Reigns has the potential to steal any show. 

The Wyatt Sicks vs. The Street Profits (WWE Tag Team Championships) 

There’s something so special about seeing Bray Wyatt’s brother Uncle Howdy (Bo Dallas) enter the arena to his brother’s “Shatter” theme song filled with fireflies. Dexter Lumis and Joe Gacy will be the ones defending the titles against Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins. Dawkins and Ford both want the smoke, as both trade some interesting tags in the match. Lumis stopped Ford in his tracks with his creepy, sliding stare. 

A distraction by Gacy allowed The Sicks to take control of the match. A rear-naked chin lock slowed down Ford’s momentum, as Lumis and Gacy worked as a well-oiled machine. Ford hit a suplex on Gacy on the ring apron to start to make a tag to Dawkins. The big man is all fired up, with a splash on the outside. Dawkins gained a near-fall after hitting his signature twisting neckbreaker. 

The numbers game allowed The Sicks to take advantage of their challengers. Howdy, hit Sister Abigail on Ford. Lumis made the tag to Gacy, and they hit The Plague for a successful title defense. 

• Both teams have great chemistry, and if they were allotted more time, they could have stolen the show. The finish indicates that this feud will continue, and The Wyatt Sicks will continue to dominate the tag team division on SmackDown for the foreseeable future. 

Sheamus vs. Rusev (Good Old-Fashioned Donnybrook Match)

‘The Bulgarian Brute’ has been bullying Tozawa and The Alpha Academy for weeks, so Sheamus stepped in to even the playing field. For weeks both former League of Nations members have traded victories on Monday Night Raw, and there was only one way to end this massive rivalry: a Donneybrook match. The Paris crowd was red-hot for ‘The Celtic Warrior’ as he made his way down to the ring. The bell rang, and both rivals were beating the tar out of each other inside and outside the ring. 

A suplex through two tables by The Bulgarian Brute was countered by Sheamus. Back in the ring, weapons were used by Rusev on his opponent, including a kendo stick and steel chair. The Celtic Warrior is screaming at Rusev, “Come on!” to continue the fight. 

Sheamus is in full control as he hits multiple sets for 10 Beats of the Bodhran all over the pub set. Rusev went headfirst into the steel chair set up in the corner, and a Celtic Cross gave Sheamus a near-fall. 

Rusev hit a home run with a kendo stick, nailing his rival with it as Sheamus attempted a flying attack. Rusev slammed Sheamus through the pub. Now, The Accolade is locked in, but The Celtic Warrior countered it, dropping his rival through the chairs. Rusev locked in The Accolade on top of the whiskey barrels at ringside. Sheamus delivered a massive White Noise off the barrels and through the tables. 

The finish of the match saw Sheamus hit a Brogue Kick for a near-fall. Rusev utilized his rival’s shillelagh to lock in the Accolade, and Sheamus had no choice but to tap out! 

• It’s no secret that Sheamus and Rusev have great chemistry in the ring, whether as rivals or as partners. These two just love to beat the hell out of their opponents for their own sick enjoyment. I enjoyed the setup at ringside with the pub and the whiskey barrels; it really helped set the tone for their huge fight. 
• Sheamus losing here was the right call after Rusev just made his return back to WWE after years in AEW. The Bulgarian Brute should be pushed straight into the main event title scene quickly. He’s been ready for that spotlight for a long time now. 

John Cena vs. Logan Paul

‘The Unseen 17’ John Cena teamed up with ‘The Maverick’ Logan Paul at Money in the Bank, where they were defeated by Cody Rhodes and Jey Uso. This was during Cena’s failed heel turn and his attempt to try and ruin wrestling for the WWE Universe. Now that he’s a good guy now, who is the best foil for him…the most hated superstar in WWE, 

Logan Paul? The Maverick came out to resounding boos from the Paris crowd. Cena’s pop was unlike anything I’ve ever heard as Mr. Hustle, Loyalty, and Respect made his way down to the ring. 

The former WWE undisputed champion and his opponent locked up, and this match is underway as Cena tries to beat some respect into Paul. The Maverick is fully in control as he pummels the last real champion. Paul delivered a long suplex for a near-fall, as Cena just stayed in the match. Cena finally gains a little momentum with a hard clothesline. Here come the Five Moves of Doom as The GOAT goes on offense. Paul fired back with his buckshot lariat for another two-count. 

Cena locked in the STFU and hit a beautiful tornado DDT for a near-fall. Paul countered a suplex into a Zig-Zag for a two-count. Cena countered the lariat and hit End of Days. The Maverick hit a stunning Swanton Bomb and a standing moonsault for another near-fall. Cena hit an Angel’s Wings, a nod of respect to his former UPW peer, Christopher Daniels. Paul delivered a Cesaro-esque pop-up uppercut. 

Cena bounced back with a Code Red for a two-count in this terrific match. Paul answered back with his signature titanium punch for a near-fall. Paul mocked him with a five-knuckle shuffle, and Cena delivered a freaking Styles Clash. What the hell are we watching? Cena finished off his opponent with two back-to-back Attitude Adjustments for the victory! 

• I gained a ton of respect for Logan Paul after this match. The former YouTube streamer is so fluid in the ring; it’s crazy. His timing with moves and pacing is unmatched. He knows how to play the crowd and ensure he gets the most boos. Like it or not, The Maverick will be a world champion one day. 
• Cena paying homage to Christopher Daniels, Dolph Ziggler, Baron Corbin, and one of his greatest rivals, AJ Styles, was such a classy touch during his farewell tour. The Unseen 17 continues to prove that he can go to the highest level with young up-and-coming superstars. The way he sold for Paul showed that he believes his opponent has serious potential in WWE despite all the hate.

Seth Rollins (c) vs. CM Punk vs. LA Knight vs. Jey Uso Fatal 4-Way (World Heavyweight Championship) 

‘The Visionary’ Seth Freakin’ Rollins pulled the ruse of the century, cashing in his Money in the Bank briefcase on CM Punk at SummerSlam after faking a knee injury for weeks. The new World Heavyweight Champion has found himself in the way of several enemies, all gunning for the top prize on Monday Night Raw. For the first time since the night after WrestleMania, he is completely alone, as there are no members of The Vision to help him retain his title. 

The bell rang, and all three challengers stared down the world champion as Punk drilled Uso with a kick. Knight tried to roll up the former champion for a one-count. Rollins went after Knight, and Punk and Uso fought inside the ring. The champion took out Punk, tossing him into the crowd, and now ‘The Megastar’ and Uso formed a temporary alliance against the champ. All three challengers are back on their feet as Rollins yells for his Oracle, who was taken out earlier by Roman Reigns. 

Knight started calling the shots for a table outside; Uso superkicked Punk and Knight, taking his cousins’ advice to only worry about yourself. Now, both bitter rivals are in the ring as Punk takes control of the world champion. Uso and Knight are back into the fray, taking out their opponents. A series of fast-paced maneuvers from all three challengers, but Rollins hits a picture-perfect Pedigree for a near-fall. Rollins hit his signature Buckle Bomb on Knight for a two. 

The raucous Paris crowd is serenading their world heavyweight champion as he beats down The Megastar in the corner with vicious kicks. Here comes Knight with some power moves, followed by his signature big elbow drop to the champion. Punk intercepted a superplex in the corner with a Tower of Doom for a series of near falls. All four competitors are giving everything they have for the richest prize in sports entertainment. 

Knight tossed Punk through the table on the outside, a callback to when Punk accidentally tossed him into one a few weeks ago. The Megastar hit BFT on Rollins, but Uso broke up the pinfall. With Knight and Punk taken out, the world champion forces on Uso as he countered a spear into a Pedigree! The Yeetman hit a Spear and a Uso splash, but Punk broke up the pin. Punk hits a GTS on Uso, and while he’s pinning him, Rollins hits The Stomp on Punk for a long two-count.

The finish of the match saw Rollins try to break Punk’s neck and deliver a stomp through the steel chair, but Punk moved. The world champion fell victim to a GTS and collapsed right onto Punk’s shoulders for another. A masked person came out and low-blowed Punk, who was revealed to be Rollin’s wife, Becky Lynch. The Visionary recovered and delivered a Stomp to his hated rival onto the chair to successfully retain his world title! 

• This was a great fatal 4-way match where all four superstars were given their time to shine. I found it hilarious how Punk played this temporary alliance card, but the second the match started, he nailed Uso with a Superkick. I’m not exactly sure where Knight and Uso go after this. 
• Becky Lynch’s interference to help her husband retain his title almost certainly guarantees that AJ Lee, Punk’s wife, could make her long-awaited return to the company. I could see WWE booking a mixed-gender tag team against both real-life couples. The Visionary proved again that he’s two steps ahead of everyone in order to hold onto the World Heavyweight Championship!