WWE Clash in Italy Predictions: Ripley Retains, Fatu Acknowledges Reigns
This Sunday in Turin, Italy, World Wrestling Entertainment will return to Europe to put on the PLE Clash in Italy. It's a five-match card highlighted by a rematch between Roman Reigns and Jacob Fatu for the World Heavyweight Championship, this time in Tribal Combat. We're also getting a WWE Championship defense from Cody Rhodes versus Gunther, as well as a pair of title matches on the women's side.
With the particulars out of the way, let's get straight into my predictions:
Cody Rhodes (C) vs. Gunther: Undisputed WWE Championship Match
I can see the logic for a title change here. Brock Lesnar is back, he beats Oba Femi, Gunther wins the belt, and we get Career vs. Title at SummerSlam in what has long been rumored will be Lesnar's actual final match. It's also airing free on ESPN, and that would certainly qualify as a newsworthy moment. Still, taking the belt off Rhodes in the opener of a "B" show doesn't sound like something WWE would do. Maybe Randy Orton returns-he has been MIA since punting Rhodes at WrestleMania-to reignite that feud. Either way, I expect Rhodes to retain. Winner: Cody Rhodes
Rhea Ripley (C) vs. Jade Cargill: WWE Women's Championship Match
The build for the rematch has been better than the one for WrestleMania, though the outcome appears clearer. Back in April, it was at least plausible Cargill would retain to face a returning Bianca Belair. With that possibility currently off the table, there's no reason for Cargill to go over. Winner: Rhea Ripley
Brock Lesnar vs. Oba Femi
Just weeks after working a retirement angle, Lesnar returned to drop Femi with multiple F-5s to set up this rematch. As with the match above, the outcome seems clear. The only real question is whether this leads to a rubber match between Lesnar and Femi or if Lesnar simply moves on to something else, such as Gunther. Winner: Brock Lesnar
Becky Lynch (C) vs. Sol Ruca: Women's Intercontinental Championship Match
Ruca's opening weeks on the main roster have not gone smoothly. She's lost matches, cut uninspired promos, and botched her finisher multiple times. She beat Lynch at the most recent Saturday Night's Main Event via DQ to set up this match, but I don't know where WWE goes here. Having Ruca lose again further stalls any momentum. Having Lynch relinquish the title so soon after winning it back from AJ Lee makes little sense. While this feels like the most likely spot for a title change, I think Lynch finds a way to keep her belt. Winner: Becky Lynch
Roman Reigns (C) vs. Jacob Fatu in Tribal Combat: World Heavyweight Championship Match
WWE has done a great job building up Fatu as a monster and the Tongan Death Grip as a lethal finisher, and the prospect of switching the Bloodline dynamic with Fatu at the head of the table and Reigns relegated to the enforcer role he filled in The Shield is intriguing. Reigns is WWE's top star, though, and he just regained the championship a little over a month ago. Reigns wins, Fatu reluctantly acknowledges him, and we start the countdown timer to the eventual betrayal. Winner: Roman Reigns
Related: WWE Backlash 2026 Predictions: Rollins Tops Breakker, Punk Joins Danhausen
This story was originally published by Men's Journal on May 29, 2026, where it first appeared in the Entertainment section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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This story was originally published May 29, 2026 at 7:36 PM.