Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes both retained their world titles during the WWE Clash in Italy event on May 31, 2026 [1].
The event marks a significant expansion for the organization as it is the first pay-per-view held in Italy [3]. By maintaining their championships, both Reigns and Rhodes keep their hold on the top tiers of the company's hierarchy while advancing current storylines.
The festivities took place at the Inalpi Arena in Turin, Italy [1], [2]. During the event, Roman Reigns successfully defended the World Heavyweight Championship [1]. Simultaneously, Cody Rhodes retained the Undisputed WWE Championship [1].
Beyond the title defenses, the event featured a high-profile backstage encounter where Reigns and Rhodes came face-to-face. This meeting occurred as both men remained the focal points of their respective divisions following their victories.
Other results from the evening included a successful title defense by Rhea Ripley [1]. The event was designed to showcase the global reach of the brand and provide a platform for the top world titles to be defended in a new international market [3].
While some reports indicated a controversial finish in the match between Cody Rhodes and Gunther [4], the primary outcome remains that Rhodes retained his title [1].
“Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes both retained their world titles”
The successful execution of Clash in Italy demonstrates WWE's strategy to diversify its international revenue streams by establishing permanent footprints in European markets. By ensuring both top champions retained their titles, the company maintains stability in its primary storylines while building anticipation for future clashes between the two champions.
