Clash in Paris: WWE’s Finest European Moments
WWE’s recent Clash in Paris event was yet another epic from European shores. Fanbases across the pond are perhaps the proudest on the planet, and this one in the City of Lights was no different, erupting on regular occasions for the likes of Roman Reigns, John Cena, and Logan Paul. Ultimately, however, the show would end with Seth Rollins once again standing tall.
The visionary managed to escape the French capital still clutching the World Heavyweight Championship following a riveting main event in front of over 30,000 at La Défense Arena. Rollins’ secret weapon: a perfectly timed assist from real-life wife Becky Lynch. Disguised at ringside, ‘The Man’ delivered a low blow to Punk as the Second City Saint was about to secure the title, turning the tide and giving Rollins the crucial opening to stomp his way to victory.
Lynch Ensures Husband Rollins Leaves Paris With the Gold
Heading into Clash in Paris, Rollins had the odds stacked against him: three top-tier challengers, each hungry for the heavyweight championship of the world. Punk, hoping for redemption after his first WWE world title reign in well over a decade was ended after just three minutes by Rollins at SummerSlam. Jey Uso, full of post-Bloodline fire, desperate to reclaim the title he held at WrestleMania. LA Knight, still riding a surging wave of popularity that would hopefully take him to a maiden world title.
The deck was stacked even more in the opposition’s favor after Rollins’ villainous cohorts – the powerhouses Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed – were banned from the arena after their earlier onslaught of Roman Reigns. But despite that, and the fact that his oracle, Paul Heyman, also wasn’t around, the champ still had an ace up his sleeve. Wife Becky Lynch.
The match’s decisive turn came as Punk lined up his second Go To Sleep finisher on Rollins. With the Visionary on his shoulders, Lynch struck, her disguise dropping as she delivered a blow Punk never saw coming. One stomp from Rollins onto a steel chair sealed the veteran’s fate, and the former Architect of the Shield escaped once again with his championship in tow.
This wasn’t just another title defense; it was another absolute barnstormer on European soil. But whose footsteps did the four ways epic ultimately follow in? Here are the finest WWE moments in Europe.
British Bulldog’s Wembley Masterpiece
August 29, 1992—Wembley Stadium. Before a UK-record 80,355, The British Bulldog overcame personal and professional rivalry to defeat brother-in-law Bret Hart for the Intercontinental title.
The contest felt like a huge deal from the outset, with famous Canadian boxing sensation Lennox Lewis walking the Bulldog to the ring for the biggest night of his life. Lewis was already considered boxing royalty in two countries, having won an Olympic gold medal under the Canadian flag four years prior. That triumph gives the former heavyweight champion the distinct honor of being considered both one of the most famous Canadian boxers, alongside the likes of Arturo Gatti, as well as one of the best Brits next to the likes of Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua.
His walking his compatriot to the ring at the iconic Wembley Stadium already generated a big fight feel. However, Diana Hart at ringside ramped up the emotions tenfold, with the Bulldog’s wife clearly torn between husband and brother, with an entire nation willing the Bulldog to victory.
This match is considered a masterclass in storytelling and athleticism. Hart’s chain wrestling and sustained holds contrasted with Bulldog’s explosive strength. After 25 unforgettable minutes, a sudden reversal—Bulldog countering Hart’s sunset flip—secured a shock pinfall victory for the Brit and sent Wembley into delirium.
Bloodline Civil War
Money in the Bank 2023, London’s O2 Arena—a moment that officially brought to an end one of WWE’s most dominant factions. Since the summer of 2020, Roman Reigns’ Bloodline was untouchable, leading the Head of the Table to dominate the professional wrestling landscape as the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion. However, following Reigns’ shock victory over Cody Rhodes in the main event of WrestleMania 39, cracks began to form.
Things imploded at Night of Champions in Saudi Arabia, with Jimmy Uso turning on his real-life cousin and Tribal Chief in shocking fashion. Jey Uso would ultimately side with his brother, while Solo Sikoa remained loyal to Reigns. As such, the two teams were on a collision course that ultimately came to a head in London.
Before that night, Reigns hadn’t been pinned since December 2019, and his championship reign was well over 1,000 days long. To put it bluntly, the Tribal Chief felt unbeatable. But in this cauldron of noise, Jey Uso’s top-rope splash and subsequent three-count broke one of wrestling’s most untouchable streaks.
More than a result, The Usos’ shock triumph was a seismic emotional payoff. London’s 20,000 fans turned the arena into a pressure cooker—jeering, singing, willing upheaval. Jey’s win wasn’t just a pin; it symbolized a generational power shift. Reigns would have his revenge when he defeated his cousin two months later at SummerSlam, but the beginning of the end was nigh for the Head of the Table.
