WWE hosts a pay-per-view occasion in Scotland for the primary time this Saturday when Conflict on the Citadel goes down at OVO Hydro in Glasgow. In the principle occasion, Drew McIntyre is hoping to realize a brand new career-best second in his residence nation.
McIntyre will problem Damian Priest for the world heavyweight championship in what is bound to be a wild environment as his countrymen cheer him on. McIntyre has been spiraling of late, viewing himself as a sufferer of many various circumstances blocking him from the success he deserves. One of many important antagonists in McIntyre’s story is CM Punk, who ought to quickly be getting back from damage, however value McIntyre the title at WrestleMania by establishing a simple spot for Priest to money within the Cash within the Financial institution contract.
There are a complete of 5 title matches on the cardboard Saturday evening. Cody Rhodes will once more defend his undisputed WWE championship towards AJ Kinds. Their first match occurred at Backlash in Could and is likely one of the finest wrestling matches of the yr. This time round, the pair meet beneath “I give up” stipulations, the place the primary man to say these phrases will lose.
Let’s check out who the CBS Sports activities consultants are choosing to win in every match on Saturday’s card.
WWE Conflict on the Citadel 2024 predictions
World Heavyweight Championship — Damian Priest (c) vs. Drew McIntyre
McIntyre getting the win in entrance of his residence crowd can be an ideal second, and one he deserves for the work he has accomplished for WWE, particularly throughout the peak of the pandemic. After Priest cashed in at WrestleMania to finish McIntyre’s title reign in minutes, somebody on X identified that nobody has ever paid for a ticket to observe McIntyre defend a world title. That is not a shot at McIntyre, however a product of the pandemic and the cash-in. The factor is, the story of McIntyre being screwed out of the title — ideally by CM Punk — at this occasion is simply too good to move up. McIntyre has the last word villain factor working for him proper now in that almost all of his complaints are legitimate, it is simply his response that’s the problem. Priest hasn’t come throughout as “the man” who can lead a present as world champion, however most wrestlers aren’t, if we’re being sincere. However the story is healthier with McIntyre being screwed over and in addition being free for the approaching Punk return whereas the winner of this match is kind of locked in to face Gunther at SummerSlam. Decide: Damian Priest retains the title — Brent Brookhouse (additionally Shakiel Mahjouri)
I do know the overwhelmingly fashionable decide proper now could be to have CM Punk value McIntyre as soon as once more, however I can not shake the sensation WWE needs to go in a special route. With out Rhea Ripley, Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch, Uncooked has been starved of star energy recently and has been closely leaning on The Judgement Day to hold the majority of the present every week. And no disrespect to Priest, however he hasn’t been capable of correctly fill the position of “high man” the present wants. There are merely higher choices proper now with McIntyre, Gunther, Jey Uso and Sami Zayn. And in the event that they booked Punk to screw over Drew but once more they’d want to right away pivot to that match, and I’ve heard nothing that definitively confirms Punk is cleared from his triceps tear. McIntyre vs. Punk remains to be the endgame and Gunther will seemingly be world champion by the top of the summer season. However, a minimum of for now, it is time to shake issues up and get the title off of Priest. Decide: Drew McIntyre wins the title — Connor Casey
Undisputed WWE Championship — Cody Rhodes (c) vs. AJ Kinds (“I Stop” Match)
So after the most recent Saudi Arabia filler arc with Logan Paul, Cody is again to enterprise with AJ Kinds. Whereas I’ve at all times believed Kinds is at his finest as a heel, there is not any probability they’re having Cody drop the title through the “I Stop” Stipulation. Additionally, they should hurry up and get to the Cody vs. Randy Orton program folks have been ready for. In a panorama the place Roman Reigns and The Rock’s returns are inevitable, the very last thing Rhodes’ title reign wants is to start out spinning its wheels. Decide: Cody Rhodes retains the title — Casey (additionally Brookhouse and Mahjouri)
WWE Ladies’s Championship — Bayley (c) vs. Piper Niven
Anybody who has spent any time round wrestling is aware of a stay-busy short-term title feud after they see it. It is nice Niven is getting a giant spot in Scotland however I do not assume anybody is shopping for her as a winner right here. Bayley’s championship run hasn’t been nice and that makes such an apparent match a bit extra disappointing, however we all know Nia Jax will get the title shot at SummerSlam and Bayley vs. Jax is the apparent play there over a heel vs. heel showdown. Decide: Bayley retains the title — Brookhouse (additionally Casey and Mahjouri)
Intercontinental Championship — Sami Zayn (c) vs. Chad Gable
It might be nice to see Gable lastly seize singles gold however I am dropping religion in it taking place quickly. A triple risk match with Bronson Reed appeared like a handy strategy to get the title on Gable whereas extending the Zayn feud, however the reigning champ retained. It is also clear WWE’s present regime favors lengthy title reigns. The internal turmoil of Alpha Academy is strong professional wrestling tv. Otis’ position particularly makes the end result of their title match a wild card. Otis, nonetheless reluctantly, has sided with Gable at each flip. He’ll be the distinction maker on this match a method or one other. I will facet with Zayn however can be thrilled to listen to “and new.” Decide: Sami Zayn retains the title — Mahjouri
Assuming Gable is staying, WWE can simply pivot to having him feud with Otis and the remaining members of Alpha Academy alongside his new proteges in The Creed Brothers. In the meantime, assuming WWE needs to shake up Uncooked’s important occasion scene, Zayn can simply transition into the principle occasion through The Cash within the Financial institution Ladder match and/or a program with Drew McIntyre and a rematch with Gunther. Decide: Chad Gable wins the title — Casey (additionally Brookhouse)
WWE Ladies’s Tag Workforce Championship — Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill (c) vs. Alba Fyre and Isla Daybreak vs. Shayna Baszler and Zoey Stark
Belair and Cargill are a few of the largest favorites on the cardboard. The champs defeated Baszler and Stark on a current episode of Uncooked, making their inclusion within the match head-scratching. The identical goes for Fyre and Daybreak who’ve been non-factors on the principle roster. In contrast to a lot of the matches scheduled for Conflict on the Citadel, that is all about getting our bodies on the cardboard. Belair and Cargill are excessive priorities for the promotion and have to rack up title defenses. The abrupt inclusion of Fyre and Daybreak is primarily to get Daybreak a match in her residence nation of Scotland. No complaints there. It is nice WWE is showcasing a lot Scottish expertise on a significant present. Chalk this up as a simple title protection for the champs. Decide: Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill retain the titles — Mahjouri (additionally Casey and Brookhouse)