Roman Reigns Survives Jacob Fatu in Tribal Combat, Cody Rhodes Retains in Controversial Finish at WWE Clash in Italy

Roman Reigns walked out of Turin, Italy, still the head of the table. In a brutal Tribal Combat match that served as the main event of WWE Clash in Italy on Sunday, Reigns defeated Jacob Fatu to retain the World Heavyweight Championship, going a perfect 3-0 in the stipulation and silencing the most threatening challenger to his throne in years. The show, WWE’s first premium live event on Italian soil, also delivered a title change, a pair of retentions, and a controversial finish that has fans talking heading into Monday Night Raw.

Held at the Inalpi Arena in Turin, Clash in Italy drew a passionate international crowd for what turned out to be one of the more eventful PLEs of the 2026 calendar year. From Brock Lesnar evening the score with Oba Femi to Sol Ruca stunning Becky Lynch for her first championship, the event had no shortage of moments. But it was the main event Tribal Combat and a disputed finish in the Undisputed WWE Championship match that generated the most conversation after the final bell.

Reigns Goes 3-0 in Tribal Combat, Fatu Must Acknowledge

Roman Reigns has now won all three Tribal Combat matches in his career, having previously defeated Jey Uso at SummerSlam 2023 and Solo Sikoa on the Raw on Netflix premiere in January 2025. Fatu, who entered the match with an injury according to reports, came agonizingly close on multiple occasions, kicking out of multiple Superman Punches and surviving a Spear before Reigns ultimately put him away with a spear through an in-ring table followed by a second Spear for the pinfall victory.

The finish confirmed Reigns’ position atop the Bloodline hierarchy and, per the match stipulation, means Fatu must now acknowledge Reigns as the Original Tribal Chief on Monday Night Raw. The crowd, many of whom appeared to be pulling for Fatu, watched the underdog challenger fall short despite coming closer to dethroning Reigns than any previous challenger in the Tribal Combat setting. Pre-match sportsbook odds had Reigns as a heavy favorite at -500, with Fatu listed at +300. Bettors who backed the champion were rewarded, while those who took the value on Fatu came up agonizingly short.

Cody Rhodes Escapes Gunther in Controversial Fashion

The Undisputed WWE Championship match between Cody Rhodes and Gunther produced the night’s most debated outcome. Rhodes entered the bout as a slight favorite with sportsbooks listing both competitors near -120, making it arguably the most competitive betting matchup on the card. The match itself was a physical, hard-hitting war, with Gunther locking in his devastating Sleeper Hold that had Rhodes fading at one point. Rhodes fought back with a Pedigree, a Disaster Kick, and ultimately a Cross Rhodes to retain the title.

However, the finish immediately sparked controversy. Gunther appeared to have his foot underneath the bottom rope during the three-count, a moment that was clearly visible on replay and that the Ring General protested vehemently to the official. The referee allowed the decision to stand. Whether WWE revisits this finish in the weeks ahead or uses it to extend the feud remains to be seen, but it was the kind of disputed finish that keeps a rivalry alive heading into the summer. Heading into the event, betting markets had the two men nearly dead-even — and the result reflected just how close the match actually was.

Title Change and Record-Setter: Sol Ruca Dethrones Becky Lynch

Perhaps the most clean-cut result of the evening was Sol Ruca defeating Becky Lynch for the Women’s Intercontinental Championship. Ruca, who entered the match as a -260 favorite, delivered a breathtaking performance that included a moonsault to the outside and a top-rope X-Factor. Lynch hit her Man-Handle Slam, but Ruca answered with one of her own before finishing the champion with the Sol Snatcher to claim her first title on the main roster. The result was a significant rub for Ruca, whom WWE has clearly identified as a long-term investment.

Rhea Ripley retained the WWE Women’s Championship against Jade Cargill in a match that saw outside interference from Cargill’s associates Michin and B-Fab, as well as an unexpected appearance from Charlotte Flair, who helped neutralize them before Ripley finished with the Riptide. Ripley, who had been listed as the heaviest favorite on the card at -500 to -900 depending on the book, came through as expected. Brock Lesnar also got his revenge on Oba Femi, flooring the powerhouse with a seventh F-5 in a match that evens their series at 1-1 and all but guarantees a rubber match at SummerSlam.

What Comes Next for WWE’s Top Stars

With Clash in Italy now in the books, attention turns to the next chapter in WWE’s summer calendar. The Money in the Bank ladder match looms with a stacked field, and sportsbooks have already posted odds for both the men’s and women’s versions of the contest. Among the names listed for the men’s briefcase, Trick Williams sits as a notable favorite at +150, while Sami Zayn and Gunther follow close behind. The women’s briefcase features competitive pricing with Roxanne Perez, Chelsea Green, and Bianca Belair among the frontrunners.

Roman Reigns’ path forward is fascinating given that Solo Sikoa was spotted staring down the champion in the post-match moments. The Bloodline saga, which has dominated WWE programming for the better part of four years, shows no signs of slowing down. For Cody Rhodes, the controversial finish against Gunther could signal a rematch on the horizon, while Sol Ruca’s championship win positions her as a major figure in the women’s division going into the back half of the year. If Sunday night in Turin was any indication, WWE’s premium live event schedule is building toward a loaded SummerSlam.