WWE Intercontinental Champion Gunther and number one challenger Sheamus put on a barnburner of a match at Clash at the Castle.This match was the first time that the Intercontinental Championship was defended at a premium live event since WrestleMania 37. Gunther walked out after having an Imperium reunion with Ludwig Kaiser and Giovanni Vinci. Even before the bell was sounded, Butch and Holland brawled with Kaiser and Vinci.The two juggernauts put on a brutal fight for the prestigious IC title. They traded heavy blows and chopped each other till their bodies started showing clear bruises. After a point, Gunther's chops became uncomfortable to watch as welts started to appear on Sheamus' chest. The Celtic Warrior put on a brave fight, but his back gave out after taking punishment throughout the match. The Ring General picked up the win with a vicious lariat. Fans shared their thoughts on social media and called the hard-hitting affair a stellar wrestling match.Stu Bennett@StuBennettWow. @Gunther_AUT @WWESheamus 🏻 🏻 🏻 Perfect match. Nothing but respect.#WWECASTLE2491303Wow. @Gunther_AUT @WWESheamus 👏🏻 👏🏻 👏🏻 Perfect match. Nothing but respect.#WWECASTLEFADE ⓿@FadeAwayLeBron@WWE @Gunther_AUT @WWESheamus uncle dave needs to give that 10 stars42@WWE @Gunther_AUT @WWESheamus uncle dave needs to give that 10 starsANTI AEW BOT- #420@xBlacKIcEx73@WWE @Gunther_AUT @WWESheamus 6 STAR MATCH, TAKE NOTES TONY37@WWE @Gunther_AUT @WWESheamus 6 STAR MATCH, TAKE NOTES TONYUNdisputedJoey@UndisputedJoey@WWE @Gunther_AUT @WWESheamus GOD LIKE MATCH!40@WWE @Gunther_AUT @WWESheamus GOD LIKE MATCH! https://t.co/E4SSZjUZ4Ytimmy🧀@rodgersmanman@WrestleFeatures @WWE @Gunther_AUT @WWESheamus IC TITLE IS BACK ON PPV AND 28@WrestleFeatures @WWE @Gunther_AUT @WWESheamus IC TITLE IS BACK ON PPV AND 🔥Florida Public Affairs Consultants@FLPublicAffairs@TJKeternal @WWE @WWESheamus @Gunther_AUT It really hurt to have Shaemus lose in the UK 🤬1@TJKeternal @WWE @WWESheamus @Gunther_AUT It really hurt to have Shaemus lose in the UK 💔😪🤬emmanuel@emmanuel200734@reigns_era @WWE @WWESheamus @Gunther_AUT ima have to rewatch it i missed like 10 mins29@reigns_era @WWE @WWESheamus @Gunther_AUT ima have to rewatch it i missed like 10 minsRitam Rakshit@Ritamrakshit516@WWE @Gunther_AUT @WWESheamus Sheamus Gunther extreme Rules please 451@WWE @Gunther_AUT @WWESheamus Sheamus Gunther extreme Rules please 😭JGlry🇦🇷🇵🇷@jakeliftsw8s@WWE @WWESheamus @Gunther_AUT That was the most physical wrestling match of the year55@WWE @WWESheamus @Gunther_AUT That was the most physical wrestling match of the yearThe Essential TJK@TJKeternal@WWE @WWESheamus @Gunther_AUT The way the crowd treated Sheamus after that match tells you how damn good that was.We need a rematch. Shaemus deserves to be The Ultimate Champion. Then you have have Gunther win in back in a Last Man Standing rubber match!6@WWE @WWESheamus @Gunther_AUT The way the crowd treated Sheamus after that match tells you how damn good that was.We need a rematch. Shaemus deserves to be The Ultimate Champion. Then you have have Gunther win in back in a Last Man Standing rubber match!The WWE Universe gave Sheamus a standing ovation after the matchHe may not have been able to capture the IC title, but Sheamus managed to win the hearts of the 60,000-strong fans in the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales. After the match, the WWE fans in attendance applauded the 44-year-old for the match and all his years in the business.Wrestle Ops@WrestleOpsSheamus got an unreal standing ovation from the UK crowd after the match.Couldn’t have happened to a better person.#WWECastle1825263Sheamus got an unreal standing ovation from the UK crowd after the match.Couldn’t have happened to a better person.#WWECastle https://t.co/5F6JFQQmZFWith this loss, The Celtic Warrior's dream of becoming the first-ever Ultimate Grand Slam Champion will have to wait. The in-ring veteran has nothing to be ashamed of as he threw everything he had at the champion during the matchup.It will be interesting to see what lies next for Sheamus and the rest of the Brawling Brutes after this encounter.What did you think of the Intercontinental Championship match? Sound off in the comments section below. RECOMMENDED VIDEO: 5 WWE Superstars attacked by fans