When and where did WWE Clash in Italy take place?

WWE Clash in Italy was held on May 31, 2026, at the Inalpi Arena in Turin.

Who won the main event match between Cody Rhodes and Gunther?

Cody Rhodes retained his championship title against Gunther after a match that lasted 11 minutes and 35 seconds.

What is the primary criticism regarding WWE's booking of Cody Rhodes?

Critics argue that the booking has become predictable, specifically citing the repeated use of the Cross Rhodes as a finish, which some fans compare to Roman Reigns' reliance on the Spear.

How did fans react to the Roman Reigns vs. Jacob Fatu match?

The match received mixed reactions, with some fans describing it as a tepid affair that failed to capitalize on the existing heat and momentum surrounding Jacob Fatu.

What alternative wrestling events does the article recommend watching?

The article suggests checking out AEW Collision for matches like Takeshita vs. Garcia or the indie wrestling scene, specifically highlighting the VIII-man Ultraviolent Invitational at CZW Devil Deals In Death.

Clash in Italy was a wild ride, but can we talk about the booking?

The Turin spectacle that split the internet

If your weekend didn't involve screaming at a screen while watching WWE Clash in Italy, what were you even doing with your life? Turin turned out for the Inalpi Arena show on May 31st, 2026, and the fallout online is absolute carnage. We saw Cody Rhodes retain his strap against Gunther after a back-and-forth thriller that clocked in at 11:35. It was stiff, it was desperate, and half the IWC is still nursing a blood pressure spike.

The enthusiasts are losing their minds over the work rate. You’ve got the 'Pure Wrestling' crowd acting like this was a religious experience. One forum user posted: "Gunther vs. Cody is the gold standard for how to pace a main event without needing smoke and mirrors." It is hard to disagree when the finish actually feels earned, even if we were all praying for a shocking title change that never landed.

The skeptics are sharpening their pitchforks

Not everyone is buying the clean finish though. The contrarians have taken to the message boards to complain about the booking predictability. "Cody winning via Cross Rhodes is the new Roman winning via Spear," one skeptic jabbed. It is a valid gripe; we love the American Nightmare, but watching him dodge Gunther’s chops for five minutes only to hit his signature move feels like we have seen this movie before.

Then you have the Roman Reigns vs. Jacob Fatu drama. That match left a bitter taste for a lot of people who expected more chaos. Some folks are calling it a "tepid affair" that failed to capitalize on the heat Fatu had coming into the building. If you are going to put these two in the ring together, I want a car wreck, not a technical exhibition that ends in a shrug.

The wider wrestling world is spinning

While the WWE stans fought over the main event, the rest of the industry kept grinding. Did you catch AEW Collision from Huntsville? The Takeshita vs. Garcia bout was arguably a tighter wrestling match than anything we saw in Italy. If you prefer your grappling with a bit more grit, the indie scene is where the actual stories are happening this month.

Let’s talk about that VIII-man Ultraviolent Invitational at CZW Devil Deals In Death. That is the true heart of this sport, even if it leaves you needing a tetanus shot just for watching. It’s impossible to compare that kind of carnage to the glossy, Netflix-streamed production of a WWE Premium Live Event. Different flavors of the same poison, folks.

The verdict: Is the luster fading?

Here is where I land: WWE might have the budget, but they are getting lazy with the finishes. A 11:35 main event for a global title feels short-changed when you have that much talent sitting in the ring. They are leaning too hard on the "Cody needs to struggle" narrative. It’s working for now, but that goodwill is a finite resource.

However, the skepticism about the Roman-Fatu booking is misplaced. They are slow-burning a story that people act like they want, then complain when it isn't resolved in one night. You cannot have a decade-defining arc if you give away the milkshakes for free every single Sunday. Sometimes the best booking choice is to leave the fans frustrated enough to keep buying the ticket.

At the end of the day, Italy looked spectacular on camera. The atmosphere in the Inalpi Arena managed to cover up some of the booking cracks. If next month’s cards don't bring more variety, though, the "predictable" label is going to stick. Keep your eyes on the upcoming title defenses, because if we get another 11:35 finish, the trolls are going to be insufferable.

Final tally for the weekend? A solid B-minus. Great effort in the ring, but the finish line for the stories felt like it was painted an inch too short. Go watch the Collision highlights if you want a palate cleanser, because the main roster is playing it a bit too safe for my liking.