WWE made its return to France for the much-anticipated WWE Clash In Paris Premium Live Event on Sunday, held at the Paris La Défense Arena. The enthusiasm of European fans at WWE events is always remarkable, and France has consistently provided one of the best audiences in combat sports, which was once again evident during the show.
The evening’s main event, featuring the WWE World Heavyweight Championship, brought high stakes and excitement. Despite The Vision’s enforcers, Bronson Reed and Bron Breakker, being banned from the venue after Reed’s match with Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins successfully defended his title against CM Punk, Jey Uso, and LA Knight. Punk almost clinched the victory, thanks largely to the unexpected intervention of Rollins’ wife, Women’s Intercontinental Champion Becky Lynch.
Lynch’s surprise collaboration with Rollins was a twist that fit perfectly into the ongoing narrative, especially given Rollins’ recent trend of relying on antics for success. Her addition to The Vision adds fresh intrigue to the storyline, although it remains to be seen how long-lasting this dynamic will be. Interestingly, Rollins’ followers, dubbed “Seth Riders,” are starting to resemble AEW’s Jon Moxley-led faction, the Death Riders.
While the main event was thrilling, it felt slightly brief, primarily focusing on Lynch’s influence on Rollins’ storyline. Earlier in the evening, Lynch successfully defended her title against WWE Hall of Famer Nikki Bella, though the match had moments that reflected Bella’s lingering challenges in returning to singles competition.
Notably, Lynch and Rollins were not the only champions to protect their titles. The Wyatt Sicks, WWE’s Tag Team Champions, managed to defeat The Street Profits, albeit with interference, in their ongoing convoluted saga within the “SmackDown” tag team division. As previously highlighted, the Wyatts’ reign may serve as a promotional strategy, with the stable engaging in a new haunted house attraction in Orlando’s Universal Studios.
From an in-ring perspective, the clash between Sheamus and Rusev, along with John Cena vs. Logan Paul, were the standout matches of the night. These contests, along with the main event, were truly the highlights of the Clash in Paris. Although it started slowly, the show culminated in a thrilling finish, earning WWE Clash in Paris a rating of 👑 6.5/10. 👑
WWE Clash in Paris Uncrowned Awards
MVP: John Cena
Although Cena was the MVP during SummerSlam Night 2, he continues to excel since returning to his babyface persona. His presence is unmatched in WWE, with incredible crowd reactions and performance. At 48, Cena continues to impress, especially in matches against formidable opponents like Cody Rhodes and Logan Paul.
Uncrowned Gem of the Night: Becky Lynch
In addition to contributing to the event’s biggest moment, Lynch was instrumental in carrying her match against Bella. Despite other rough patches, her presence is crucial for WWE’s current landscape.
Match of the Night: Rusev vs. Sheamus
This pairing is unsurprising, as Rusev and Sheamus complement each other perfectly. Their “Good Ol’ Fashioned Donnybrook” precisely celebrated their feud and provided a memorable standalone match.
Best Spot of the Night: Sheamus’ White Noise to Rusev off whiskey barrels through two tables
This spot alone was a highlight of the night, outshining even impressive sequences in Cena vs. Paul. The impact of this moment secured its top position.
