Cody Rhodes managed to make AJ Styles say, “I quit,” to retain his championship at WWE Clash at the Castle.
The finish of the match saw Rhodes threaten to smash the steel steps into Styles’ skull in the corner while The Phenomenal One was handcuffed. At that point, Styles had no choice but to say he quit.
Following the match, Rhodes was attacked by The Bloodline in the aisleway but was quickly saved by Randy Orton and Kevin Owens.
WWE Clash at the Castle results
Check out a recap of the match, courtesy of our live coverage page:
Undisputed WWE Championship “I Quit” Match: Cody Rhodes (c) vs. AJ Styles
Rhodes lands a flurry of right hands. Powerslam by Rhodes. Rhodes tries a disaster kick, but Styles reverses it into a Manhattan drop. Styles sends Rhodes into the buckle, chest first. Rhodes escapes a slam from Styles and lights him up with a few jabs. Bionic elbow by Rhodes. Rhodes knocks Styles off the apron. The referee asks Styles if he quits. Styles tells the referee to get away from him. Rhodes pulls a table from under the ring. Styles gets to his feet while Rhodes sets up the table. Rhodes launches Styles into the ring step. The referee asks if Styles quits. Styles says no. Rhodes runs Styles into the barricade, sending Styles into the crowd.
Rhodes lands an axhandle off the barricade. Styles and Rhodes fight into the crowd. Rhodes and Styles fight into the control room backstage. Styles chokes Rhodes with a headphone cord. Styles and Rhodes fight out onto the stage area. As the fight spills back into the ring, Rhodes locks Styles in the figure four. Styles screams in pain as the referee asks him if he quits. Rhodes yells, “Ask him,” as Styles tries to crawl to the ropes. Styles manages to get to the bottom rope to break the hold. Rhodes tries a suplex. Styles reverses it into a suplex of his own, sending both men tumbling over the top rope. Rhodes struggles to his feet. Styles DVDs Rhodes on the commentary desk. Styles picks Rhodes up and lands a brainbuster on the commentary desk.
Cody Rhodes refuses to quit…
Rhodes refuses to quit. Styles uses the mic the referee is holding as a weapon, hitting Rhodes in the head with it. Styles slams Rhodes’ head into the ringbell. Rhodes’ Mother is in the crowd. Styles trash-talks her while she screams back at him. Rhodes’ head is busted open. Styles works over Rhodes. The referee asks Rhodes if he quits. Rhodes says absolutely not. Styles is livid as Rhodes refuses to give up. Rhodes and Styles trade punches. Rhodes hits the ropes and runs right into a beautiful high-angle dropkick to the face. Styles sets up a Styles Clash on the ringsteps. Rhodes counters with a back body drop. After a strike exchange, Rhodes drops Styles with a disaster kick.
Styles knees his way out of Crossroads and lands a Pelé kick. DDT by Styles. Rhodes refuses to quit. Styles continues his assault. Styles wraps a chair around Rhodes’ neck. The crowd boos as Styles drops a knee on the chair, crushing Rhodes’ throat. Rhodes emphatically refuses to quit. Styles brings a kendo stick into the ring. Rhodes stumbles around the ring as Styles wears him out with the kendo stick. Styles holds Rhodes’ head in the air and demands Rhodes quit while he’s staring at his mother. Rhodes screams, “hell no!” Styles takes off his belt and whips Rhodes with it. Styles traps Rhodes in an STF. Styles tells Rhodes to quit in front of his mother. Rhodes says no. Rhodes passes out.
The closing moments…
Styles tells the referee to call the match. The referee tells Styles that Rhodes has to say he quits. Rhodes it out cold. Styles pours a water bottle on Rhodes and tells him to wack up. Styles brings a pair of handcuffs from under the ring. Rhodes writhes in pain as Styles wacks him with the kendo stick. Rhodes still won’t quit. Styles rolls out of the ring and gets in Rhodes’ mother’s face. Rhodes’ mother slaps Styles in the face three times. Styles grabs a chair and bows up to Rhodes’ mother. Styles hits Rhodes with the chair several times, yelling that it’s his mother’s fault. Rhodes grabs a chair while Styles wraps a chain around his elbow. Styles sets up a Phoeniminal Forearm.
Rhodes tosses a chair in Styles’ face as he springboards. Styles falls through a table. Rhodes finds the handcuff key in the bag the handcuffs were in and uncuffs himself. Rhodes hits 3 Crossroads in a row. As the referee motions towards Styles, Rhodes tells the referee not to ask Styles if he quits. Rhodes handcuffs Styles to the ropes and wails on him with a steel chair. The referee asks Styles if he quits. Styles tells Rhodes to go screw. Rhodes brings the ringsteps in the ring, and as he walks towards a still handcuffed Styles, Styles feverishly quits to avoid being murdered live on Peacock.
Winner and STILL Undisputed WWE Champion, Cody Rhodes!
READ MORE: Cody Rhodes Recalls Matt Cardona’s ‘Insanely Awkward’ First Meeting With Tony Khan
What are your thoughts on this match result? Did the right man leave Clash at the Castle with the Undisputed WWE Championship? Let us know your thoughts by sounding off in the comments section below.
