4 takeaways from WWE Clash at the Castle: Scotland

WWE Clash at the Castle: Scotland is in the history books. A night of fine in-ring action and good storytelling, the premium live event delivered on many parameters.

Cody Rhodes prevailed over AJ Styles in an "I Quit" match to retain the Undisputed WWE Championship. New Women's Tag Team Champions were crowned as The Unholy Union won the Triple Threat Tag Match.

Bayley had a memorable birthday as she thwarted the challenge of Piper Niven. CM Punk also flew across the Atlantic Ocean just to cost Drew McIntyre the World Heavyweight Championship in front of a red-hot home crowd.

On that note, let's delve into 4 key takeaways from Clash at the Castle: Scotland.

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#4. Solo Sikoa is coming for Cody Rhodes

Cody Rhodes' Undisputed WWE Championship victory celebration quickly went awry as Solo Sikoa appeared on stage to end the party. Tama Tonga and Tonga Loa jumped the champion as a typical 3-on-1 Bloodline assault ensued.

Fortunately, Rhodes received much-needed help from Kevin Owens and Randy Orton, two good friends. The babyface trio forced The Bloodline into retreat, but the message was clear.

The current Tribal Chief, i.e. Sikoa, has put a target on Rhodes' back at Clash at the Castle. Unfortunately, he couldn't foresee Owens' and Orton's involvement, which nullified any advantage he had over The American Nightmare.

Nevertheless, it seems as if Rhodes will re-ignite his feud with The Bloodline, minus Roman Reigns, The Rock, and Jimmy Uso.

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#3. AJ Styles can go as a heel

This one is something many fans already knew but was solidified last night in Scotland. AJ Styles is one of the most gifted and revered pro wrestlers of his generation with an unparalleled legacy.

Styles' in-ring work and story make him an inspiration. Add his charisma to the picture, and The Phenomenal One comes across as a natural babyface. However, as he showed at Clash at the Castle, the former WWE Champion can go as a heel.

The veteran has reverted to the dark side quite a few times, but he has only gotten better with time. Scotland heavily booed Styles out of the building, which was enough of an indication that he was excelling.

Furthermore, targeting Mama Rhodes at ringside was a stroke of creative genius, giving the saga a touch of the well-received Cody-Rock angle at WrestleMania XL. Using handcuffs and gloating all over ringside were other effective strategies deployed by Styles.

It is difficult to boo someone so respected and talented at the tail-end of his career, but Styles is giving the fans a reason to despise him, as was evident at Clash at the Castle: Scotland.

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#2. Otis will be the breakout star of The Alpha Academy

Otis walks away at Clash at the Castle 2024 [Image courtesy wwe.com]

Speaking of heels, Chad Gable has been receiving stronger negative reactions with each passing week. Gable has been obsessed with winning the Intercontinental Championship.

The obsession not only led to him turning on the fans and long-time friend, Sami Zayn. But, it is Gable's despicable treatment of Otis that has seriously upset fans. On the contrary, The Number One Guy of The Alpha Academy has earned the respect and love of the fan base.

Clash at the Castle showed just how far Otis had come from his Heavy Machinery days. The commentators referred to "Stockholm Syndrome," but hardcore wrestling fans call it stellar character development.

Otis showed a conflicted personality throughout the match. He wanted to help his desperate master, Gable, but his docility didn't allow him to take unfair advantage. The confusion, however, disappeared when Gable inadvertently knocked out Maxxine Dupri.

A chivalrous Otis left his master alone to fend for himself while he carried Dupri backstage. The character growth he showed in the segment was commendable, and given the praise being showered upon him, he will likely be the break-out star of The Alpha Academy.

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#1. After his loss at Clash at the Castle, Drew McIntyre may never win the big one

Drew McIntyre had everything in place. He was set to compete for WWE RAW's top championship in his hometown. The Judgment Day was barred from ringside, and the live crowd gave him a strong psychological advantage.

However, McIntyre couldn't anticipate CM Punk's involvement. The referee was knocked out at a crucial juncture of the main event, and The Scottish Warrior nearly decapitated Damian Priest with the Claymore.

A new referee ran to the ring and counted to two before stopping the count to stare a hole through McIntyre. The camera cut to show CM Punk dressed in a white shirt with black stripes, which he had borrowed from Jessica Carr before the run-in.

The Straight-Edge Superstar then low-blowed McIntyre, allowing Priest to take advantage and retain hit title. This was The Scottish Warrior's moment and he squandered another opportunity again at Clash at the Castle.