| FOODFIGHT | What could cause a mess in a mess, and a hint to 18-, 24-, 57- and 63-Across |
| SAYSAYSAY | Paul McCartney/Michael Jackson hit ... or a hint to the starts of 17-, 24-. 57- and 65-Across |
| ONKP | Cleaning a mess in a mess, maybe |
| SEAMEWS | Gulls can cause a mess we have to tidy up! (3,4) |
| CLOUDBURST | What could cause torrential rain...could, perhaps (10) |
| INRUSHES | What could cause floods where Moses was found? |
| SELFSAME | Fairy creature in a mess, in a muddle, the very one! (4-4) |
| CLUTTER | Has to deal with a mess in a small ship, on line (7) |
| SMH | "What a mess," in a text |
| PRO | Expert, and what's in motion in 1-, 20-, 40-, 57- and 71- Across |
| BLUNDERUPON | Blonde to run up in a mess and come across clumsily (7,4) |
| MOPPEDUP | Dealt with a mess, in a way |
| SPLATTERED | Made a mess, in a way |
| AUNATUREL | Rule aunt a mess in a natural state (2,7) |
| ASHAMEDNESS | He's in a mess and collapses in embarrassment |
| PRIMROSES | The prior is in a mess and it's all because of some flowers |
| STARTUP | With 40-Across, money required to open a business ... or a hint to 18-, 24-, 47- and 57-Across |
| SINGULAR | Atypical ... or like the first word in the answer to 18-, 24-, 51- or 62- Across |
| MESSENGERS | Greens are in a mess and have sent for the postmen (10) |
| AMUSES | You are in a mess and this really entertains us (6) |
