Orlando, FL - June 2020
CHAMPIONSHIP RUNDOWN: Coming into the show, the WWE Champion was Drew McIntyre, the Universal Champion was Braun Strowman, AJ Styles held the Intercontinental Championship, and the US Champion was Apollo Crews. The RAW Women's Champion was Asuka and the SmackDown Women's Champion was Bailey - who was also one-half of the Women's Tag Team Champions with Sasha Banks. Speaking of tag teams, the SmackDown Tag Team Champions were The New Day, while the RAW Tag Team Titles were held by The Street Profits. Finally, the 24/7 Champion was R-Truth.
Backlash 2020 began with a video package highlighting some of the best matches ever to further heap on the hype for tonight's main event - Edge vs. Orton in what was advertised as "The Greatest Wrestling Match Ever." We then cut to the Performance Center, where we got our first match - Sasha Banks and Bayley defending the WWE Women's Tag Team Championships against Nikki Cross and Alexa Bliss and The IIconics in a Triple Threat Tag Match. There was some really good work out of Bliss and Sasha, striking just because it feels like forever since either were given a real spotlight in singles. Some probably loathed seeing Bliss clean house, but the fire and spirit were there (and the precision too). The IIconics were the weakest workers of the bunch, several of their spots looking sloppy or overtly choreographed or a weird mix of both. At one point the NXT "students" tried to start an undeserved "This is Awesome" chant. A few moments later we got a solid finish that saw Sasha Banks get the roll-up cover clean after Bliss hit the Twisted Bliss. This didn't overstay its welcome and Bliss looked fantastic (maybe Vince is finally comfortable enough with her health to give her another legit "run" on RAW?). Solid opener. (2.5/5)
Before the next match, we got a video package recapping the Jeff Hardy/Sheamus feud, which is based on Hardy's real-life problem with addiction and, at one point, featured a phony DUI angle. Ignoring the tastelessness of such an angle, Hardy and Sheamus needed something to sink their teeth into and give them some direction and this, at the very least, did that. Both physical workers, there were some quality hard-hitting moments here - a vicious front-suplex by Sheamus that crotched Hardy in the corner, a back-to-back Irish Curse sequence, Hardy putting all of himself into his signature spots. There was a spot towards the end where Hardy looked like he was going to try one of his big high-flying finishers but couldn't keep his balance as Sheamus attempted to toss him off. They ended up in a heap in what could be seen by some as a "botch" but felt organic and natural to me - an unscripted moment of real exhaustion and "anything can happen" physics. Sheamus locked in a cloverleaf, but Hardy got to the bottom rope, the match entering "extra innings" at this point. As Sheamus hit Hardy with some of his trademark forearms across the chest, a weird "Hardy" chant started that was more distracting than anything. Hardy rallied after Sheamus hit the post, connecting with the Swanton Bomb for a very close 2 count. Sheamus rolled the outside and Hardy followed him, running across the barricade only to get caught by a Brogue Kick on the floor! Sheamus followed it with a second Brogue Kick to get the win. I wouldn't call it "must see," but that match was darn good. (3.5/5)
Asuka defended her RAW Women's Championship against Nia Jax next. Jax has been a big IWC Punching Bag recently for her recklessness so seeing her get kicked and elbowed with fury by Asuka should've felt like a cathartic victory for some fans. Unfortunately, this one was wrestled relatively safely, most of the action taking place within the ring and built around Asuka trying to tire Jax out with various submissions (and not any of the "rag dolling" that Nia did against Kairi Sane and others. In terms of logic and storytelling, it made total sense and referenced their previous matches (which were built around the same dynamic), but it didn't make for a particularly exciting match (with Asuka in "serious" mode and not coloring her performance with any of the zany fun that had made her so must-see this spring). The finish, a double count-out, also seemed to fall flat and doesn't make me particularly excited about their inevitable rematch. (2/5)
Backstage, MVP and Lana talk about Lashley's big title shot tonight. There was a time when Lana was considered one of the best managers in the company, but those years seem like a distant memory. Its not even Lana's fault, really - she was part of a good act with Rusev, but with one lame storyline after another, she became "just another chick." Even her look has become generic.
Braun Strowman defended the WWE Universal Championship in a handicap match next - his opponents being the comedy duo The Miz and John Morrison. The build to this match has been mostly silly, with Miz and Morrison having no credibility - which is a shame because, years ago, The Miz and Strowman had a bit of a feud going on that was actually kinda fun. Morrison, meanwhile, came back earlier this year but has zero buzz as a singles guy (or even a tag wrestler). Before the match began, though, we got a purposefully ridiculous music video that was...just...not even all that funny. Before the video could play out, Braun arrived and the match started. Miz and Morrison showed off some good strategy early, making quick tags in an effort to tire and confuse Strowman. I liked seeing Miz and Morrison use their teamwork to get and maintain control, their partnership allowing them to deliver some strong double-team maneuvers. At one point it seemed like Miz and Morrison might even win the match, but Miz broke up Morrison's pinfall attempt - which would've been a more interesting wrinkle in the match if it had been foreshadowed in any way at all. For what this was, it wasn't too bad. (2.5/5)
The WWE Champion, Drew McIntyre, defended his title against Bobby Lashley in the contest that followed. The second McIntyre came in, MVP distracted the Champ and Lashley applied the Full Nelson, wrapping his legs around him. Three referees were needed to remove Lashley from the Champ. As McIntye sold the damage, the referee rang the bell and Lashley inflicted more damage, including an impressive suplex. I've read plenty of criticisms about Lashley over the past few days in anticipation of this match - that he's boring, that his matches lack drama - and those criticisms are fair (though I did like his brief match against Finn Balor from a couple Manias ago), but I wouldn't necessarily call Drew McIntyre a great worker either. McIntyre has impressive size and a good look. His execution is good. His timing is fine. What he lacks is "It" factor, the magnetism that reaches through the TV screen and makes you care. This match had some good moments in it - some impressive feats of strength, some unexpected counters from Lashley, and good work out of MVP on the outside - but I'm not sure what it was designed to accomplish. If this was supposed to be a "Good Match for Good Match's Sake" endeavor, it didn't need the Lana shenanigans at the end. If it was supposed to further cement McIntyre's status as RAW's top guy, Lashley was given too much offense. If this was designed to further the Lana/MVP storyline, well, having the WWE Championship be the backdrop of that angle seems like backwards thinking. (2.5/5)
The next "match" started out was one of WWE's increasingly uncreative "cinematic" matches - The Viking Raiders challenging The Street Profits for the RAW Tag Team Championships. The brawl began outdoors, made its way inside, and then went into a silly series of moments that involved one of the Raiders' drifting into dreamland after every big spot or moment (providing the viewer a recap of their lengthy feud). The ridiculousness continued as the Raiders and Profits decided to team up to take out Akira Tozawa and his army of ninjas, who had shown up on motorcycles. After wiping out the ninjas, Tozawa then unveiled his newest teammate - a gigantic ninja with a sword. Retreating like cowards, the match continued on top of a truck, only ending when all four men found themselves in a garbage bin. This went on way, way too long (despite the Profits and Raiders actually having some chemistry). Was this "match" better or more entertaining than a typical wrestling match between these teams would've been? Probably. But it was also at least 5-10 minutes too long, overstaying its welcome and could've used some editing. (1.5/5)
Before the next match, we got a video recap of what happened during the pre-show - Apollo Crews defeated Andrade and his back-up, Angel Garza, got stunned by Kevin Owens. Right there I can pinpoint two problems with the WWE right now: Kevin Owens is now a "pre-show" act and Andrade, a former NXT Champion, is losing to Apollo Crews.
Main event time - Randy Orton vs. Edge. This match was hyped as "The Greatest Wrestling Match Ever" and while it didn't quite clear that (impossibly) high bar, it was (surprisingly) pretty damn good. My biggest complaint was the runtime - a lengthy, lengthy 35+ minutes (just like their much more meandering and underwhelming WrestleMania match), but this one kept my attention from start to finish with Randy Orton putting on the best performance he's done in years. Edge, meanwhile, was as spry and agile and impressive as he's ever been in a straight-up singles match. This match really did seem like a Top 5-10 singles match for him (especially if that list leaves out matches with TLC, Ladder, or Hell in a Cell stipulations - a "crutch" that Edge often relied on to put together truly great matches). The fake crowd audio was distracting at times, but was generally, in my opinion, less intrusive than the over-mic'd NXT students. Similarly, I've read multiple criticisms about the fact that the match was "edited" and that certain spots were re-shot, but I didn't see any glaring botches and felt the whole presentation came off seamless. To criticize the match for any shortcuts they took seems silly - especially considering that, for the most part, most every match the WWE has presented since the end of March has likely been edited (and may have featured re-shots). If Orton/Edge benefitted from such treatment, every match theoretically has (or could've). There was some cutesy nods to some of the "greatest" performers in WWE history - Eddie Guerrero, Triple H, The Rock - as well as the classic Flair/Steamboat series from the late 80s (Edge hitting Orton with a huge crossbody for 2 and an chest chop exchange), but these moments didn't overshadow what this match was really about (Edge and Orton's history and status as two of the biggest stars of the past 20 years). The length of this match and the setting prevent me from calling this "must see" - the fact is, in this setting, without real fans and real ambiance, it just doesn't seem possible to put on a real great 25+ minute match, which has never been Orton and Edge's strength anyway - but it was definitely a huge improvement from their WrestleMania match and a potential Top 10 WWE Match of the Year. (3.5/5)
With a Kwang Score of 2.57-out-of-5, Backlash was an improvement from the rocky and underwhelming Money in the Bank show in May, largely thanks to a strong main event and a quality Sheamus/Jeff Hardy match, both of which exceeded my expectations. The two major title matches and the opener weren't anything special (those I have read some reviews that praised McIntyre/Lashley more than I did), but they were fine and arguably would've been more enjoyable had they occurred in front of a live audience. Jax/Asuka wasn't my cup of tea as it never felt like it really picked up momentum and then ended rather flatly. The worst "match" on the card was the endless Raiders/Profits segment, but I'll at least give credit to the WWE for trying to offer some variety on the show.
FINAL RATING - Watch It...With Remote in Hand
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