WWE Clash in Italy results, grades: Roman Reigns, Cody Rhodes retain; Brock Lesnar runs over Oba Femi

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Roman Reigns and the Bloodline’s New Hierarchy

The main event of the evening saw World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns face his cousin, Jacob Fatu, in a Tribal Combat match. It was a violent affair that functioned more as a high-stakes street fight than a traditional wrestling match, with the stipulation that the loser would essentially serve the winner moving forward. Reigns managed to neutralize Fatu’s Tongan Death Grip by slamming the challenger’s hand with a toolbox. The finish arrived after a series of destructive spears, including one that sent Fatu through a table, allowing Yahoo Sports reported Reigns to emerge victorious and retain his title. While the match succeeded in its brutality, the pacing struggled. The slow speed of the contest dampened the energy of the Turin crowd, and the result effectively stalls the momentum Jacob Fatu had built. The real story, however, unfolded after the bell. Reigns confronted Solo Sikoa and the MFT ringside, declaring they were next. By positioning Fatu between Reigns and Sikoa, WWE is clearly attempting to recapture the lightning of the original Bloodline run, though the challenge remains whether this iteration can evolve beyond a simple repeat of previous storylines.

Cody Rhodes’ Controversial Defense Against Gunther

Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes opened the show with a defense against Gunther. While the match was widely praised for its technical quality, the finish left a sour taste for many. Following a Cross Rhodes, Gunther’s foot grazed the rope during the pinfall. The referee missed the escape, leading to a victory for Rhodes. According to reporting from Yahoo Sports, this clunky, botch-like ending seemed designed specifically to protect Gunther from a clean loss. Rhodes acknowledged the oddity of the finish post-match, granting Gunther a rematch. This decision extends a feud that some analysts view as forced, turning a potentially definitive victory into a narrative bridge to a future encounter.

Brock Lesnar’s Return and the Oba Femi Rivalry

Brock Lesnar ended a brief one-month retirement to settle the score with Oba Femi. The match was less a contest and more a demolition, as Lesnar utilized his full arsenal to overwhelm “The Ruler.” The sheer volume of offense was staggering:

• Seven total F-5s, including one through the announce table.
• Repeated kimura locks.
• A final F-5 in the ring to secure the win.

By evening the score in Italy, WWE has set the stage for a rubber match. With Lesnar’s home state of Minnesota hosting SummerSlam later this year, the trajectory points toward a final showdown at the mid-year super show.

Title Shifts and Chaos in the Women’s Division

The Women’s division saw both a title change and a high-drama defense. Sol Ruca successfully captured the Women’s Intercontinental Championship from Becky Lynch, marking a significant shift in the division’s hierarchy as detailed by WWE’s official results. Meanwhile, Rhea Ripley retained her Women’s World Title against Jade Cargill in a match that surpassed their previous encounter at WrestleMania 42. However, the ending devolved into overbooked madness. Cargill’s associates, B-Fab and Michin, attempted to interfere until Charlotte Flair intervened to aid Ripley. Flair’s appearance serves as a catalyst for a long-awaited program between her and Cargill, suggesting that while Ripley kept her belt, the real story is the new rivalry sparked by the interference.

Streaming Logistics for International Audiences

Accessing the event required different strategies depending on the viewer’s location. In the United States, the event streamed exclusively on ESPN Unlimited, which costs $29.99 per month. For international viewers, Billboard noted that the event was available via Netflix when paired with a VPN. This workaround allowed fans to bypass regional restrictions, with some VPN services starting as low as $2.49 per month. The event’s footprint in Turin—supported by the presence of local celebrities like rapper Capo Plaza and soccer player Davide Frattesi—underscores WWE’s aggressive push into the European market. As the company looks toward 2026, the focus remains on expanding the global reach of its premium live events.