3 reasons why CM Punk costing Drew McIntyre at WWE Clash at the Castle 2024 may have been a huge mistake
CM Punk made a surprise appearance at WWE Clash at the Castle 2024, attacking Drew McIntyre in the main event. The Voice of the Voiceless interfered in McIntyre's World Heavyweight Championship match against Damian Priest disguised as a referee, proceeding to low-blow his bitter rival. Priest then did the rest, delivering the South of Heaven Chokeslam for the win.
The result sucked the air out of the OVO Hydro arena and caused fierce polarization among online fans. A section of the audience thought it was a great move that furthered arguably the most personal feud in the business today. Another part of the watching public, however, was irate to see another moment slip through The Scottish Warrior's fingers yet again.
Here are three reasons why CM Punk costing Drew McIntyre at WWE Clash at the Castle may have been a huge mistake.
#3: It arguably made Damian Priest appear somewhat weak
Ever since Damian Priest won the World Heavyweight Championship at WWE WrestleMania XL, his reign has received mixed reactions. Given that he won the title by cashing in on a fallen Drew McIntyre, and his first defence against Jey Uso featured Judgment Day interruption, he was yet to win a title match completely on his own heading into Clash at the Castle.
The Glasgow PLE was Priest's chance to solidify himself as a self-sufficient champion by defeating McIntyre one-on-one. Instead, CM Punk interfered, potentially feeding the narrative that The Punishment is too weak to defend the world title by himself. Throw in the fact that the Punk-McIntyre rivalry stole the headlines from the champion coming out of the event, and it seems like a huge mistake.
#2: It may have made the World Heavyweight Championship match at WWE Summerslam more predictable
Gunther is one of the most protected WWE Superstars today. In his five years with the company, The Ring General has only been pinned four times, including just once in over two years since joining the main roster. As 2024 King of the Ring, he has earned the right to challenge for the World Heavyweight Championship at WWE Summerslam.
As the biggest party of the summer draws closer, the record-setting former Intercontinental Champion is the overwhelming favorite to end Damian Priest's reign at 118 days. Whether this comes to pass or not, the predictability in fans' eyes will affect interest leading up to the event.
It would arguably have been more intriguing to have McIntyre win, throwing the result in Cleveland into doubt. That match would then potentially provide a better stage for CM Punk's interference.
#1: The WWE Universe may be tired of seeing Drew McIntyre lose his big moments
WWE Royal Rumble 2020 was a star-making moment for Drew McIntyre. The Scottish Warrior announced his arrival as bonafide world champion material by winning the iconic match, but has since seen multiple moments slip through his fingers. He won his first and second world titles without any live fans in attendance, with his third win cut short by a Damian Priest cash-in.
In addition to his imperfect world championship wins, McIntyre has come close multiple times, most notably at Clash at the Castle 2022, the first UK PLE in thirty years. Many fans believed that all that adversity was leading to a huge win in the first ever PLE held in his home country.
After CM Punk cost him yet another big moment, a section of the audience is wondering if it's one loss too many. That move may have dented the three-time world champion's main event credibility for good by robbing him of a win on a stage that he may not compete on ever again. Only time will tell if Triple H and co have, indeed, made a mistake.