- WWE Backlash 2020
- June 14, 2020
- WWE Network
WWE United States Title Match: Apollo Crews (c) vs. Andrade
They brawled out to the floor to start the match, which led to Crews hitting a backdrop on the ramp. Crews hit a moonsault off the apron. Back in the ring, Crews hit a suplex for 2. Andrade sent him into the turnbuckle, which turned the tide. They brawled on the top rope until Andrade missed a double foot stomp. Crews hit a belly-to-belly suplex that sent Andrade into the buckles. Crews hit a splash in the corner before landing a spinebuster for a near fall. Andrade traded chops before hitting a springboard DDT for 2. Andrade went to the top rope but Crews caught him with a kick then a standing moonsault twice, but Angel Garza jumped on the apron until Kevin Owens took him out with a stunner. Crews hit his powerbomb finisher for the win in 7 Minutes.
Winner: Apollo Crews (c)
Match Rating: ***. Good Match. Apollo is extremely talented Wrestler. He should be pushed to upper mid card level at least from here on. I loved the match but the story is not as exciting as WWE is portraying it to be. The Powerbomb finisher by Crews is a treat to eyes.
Welcome to the Backlash PPV! We get an intro video package to hype the matches that will be taking place tonight. Our opening contest is…
WWE Women’s Tag Team Title Triple Threat Match: Bayley & Sasha Banks (c) vs. Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross vs. The IIconics
There was a series of quick tags in the early going and pin attempts. Bayley took advantage and beat down Cross into the corner. Kay took out Cross with a big boot for 2. Banks hit a knee strike to the face of Kay until Cross broke up the pin attempt. Cross with a spear and bull dog to Bayley and Cross. Three new stars in that resulted in Royce hitting a crossbody outside of the ring to take everyone out. There was a double team move by Royce and Kay to Banks. Cross and Bliss hit a double team face buster. Bliss went to the top rope and hit Twist Bliss. Banks knocked Bliss out of the way and pinned Royce for the win at 8:50.
Winner: Bayley & Sasha Banks (c)
Match Rating: ***1/2 . I loved the finish. Surprised to see Bayley and Sasha retaining. Banks Vs Bayley is currently pencilled for Summerslam but things might change. IIconics Need a gimmick change.
Jeff Hardy vs. Sheamus
It was a brawl to get things started. Hardy hit an outside dive off the steel steps. Sheamus sent Hardy flying onto the top of the ring post, which his legs hit. This is where the tide turned and Sheamus beat him down. Moments later, Hardy fought back with a back suplex. Hardy landed a series of strikes and signature moves. Sheamus reversed the twist of fate with a roll up. Hardy with a spinning kick then a sling blade. Hardy went to the top rope and tossed Sheamus off. Hardy went for a dive but Sheamus knocked him down then hit white noise for 2. Sheamus missed a spear and Hardy hit the Twist of Fate followed by the Swanton Bomb for the near fall. Hardy went for an outside dive but Sheamus caught him with a big boot. Back in the ring, Sheamus hit another boot for the win at 16:50.
Winner: Sheamus
Review: ***3/4. Man, Jeff Hardy can pull off a good match against anyone. Nothing to take away from Sheamus but Jeff Hardy carried this one on one. He proved why he belongs to the very top. The match was Sheamus dominating most of it, Jeff making the big comeback to nearly win and then Sheamus found a way after hitting his finisher. Is this the end of this rivalry? I don’t think so. They’ll probably fight again at Extreme Rules with a stipulation and I am not complaining.
WWE Raw Women’s Title Match: Asuka (c) vs. Nia Jax
Asuka went for an arm submission right out of the gate, but Jax powered out and hit a clothesline. Jax tossed her around then locked in a bear hug before Asuka caught her with a guillotine choke. Jax hit a suplex for 2. Asuka fired back with a running knee strike then head kicks. Jax cut her off with a powerbomb for 2. Jax missed a spear and ate the turnbuckle. On the floor, Asuka locked in an armbar, but Jax broke it by slamming her into the barricade. Asuka kicked her in the head but failed to get back inside of the ring before the count of 10 at 8:25.
Winner: Asuka (c)
Review: *. Asuka tried but Nia is just very boring. WWE should push other women. Nia Jax makes me change the channel.
WWE Universal Title Handicap Match: Braun Strowman (c) vs. The Miz & John Morrison
Strowman tossed around Morrison in the early going before Miz got the tag and was attacked by Braun. Finally, once outside of the ring, the numbers game caught up to Braun as Morrison hit an outside dive.
Back in the ring, the challengers beat down Braun. Moments later, Braun missed a spear and ate the ring post, which allowed Morrison to hit a series of springboard kicks. Braun fired up and hit a chokeslam to Miz then a big right hand to Morrison before hitting his finisher to Morrison for the win at 7:23.
Winner: Braun Strowman (c)
Review: **. This match was better than what I expected. Too predictable and under 10 minutes. What’s next for Braun? Strowman could be headed to another rivalry with Bray Wyatt as The Fiend.
WWE Title Match: Drew McIntyre (c) vs. Bobby Lashley
As McIntyre was making his entrance, Lashley attacked him and locked in a full nelson choke until referees got him to let go of the choke. The bell sounded and McIntyre was beaten down. Lashley tossed him out to the floor and hit a slam that was botched before sending him into the ring post. Lashley went for a spear but McIntyre countered and sent him into the barricade. Back in the ring, they traded strikes. McIntyre went to the top rope and hit a clothesline. McIntyre hit a spinebuster for 2. Lashley went back to the full nelson, but couldn’t get it. McIntyre hit a face plant for 2. McIntyre went for a dive off the top rope but Lashley caught him and locked in a crossface. McIntyre powered out, but Lashley reversed and locked in the ankle lock, but McIntyre got out. Lashley went for a spear, but McIntyre caught him with the kimura. Lashley fought out and later received a suplex off the top rope. Lashley with a spear for a near fall. Lana came out to the ring and got on the apron, which led to her being knocked off. This allowed McIntyre to hit the Claymore Kick for the win.
Winner: Drew McIntyre (c)
Match Review: ***1/2. Oh I liked this match. No complains. Drew McIntyre and Bobby Lashley were very compatible in the ring. The addition of Lana in the finish means this rivalry will continue. I look forward to see them both. Finally, Bobby is in a meaningful feud and I am more than satisfied with it.
WWE Raw Tag Team Title Match: The Street Profits © vs. The Viking Raiders
Before the match started, both teams were backstage where the Street Profits had golf clubs while the Viking Raiders had shields. They started brawling. Ivar tossed a bowling ball into the balls of Dawkins. Ford tackled Ivar through a window. There was footage of their segments that have recently aired served as flashbacks. We then see Akira Tozawa show up on a motor circle with several other people wearing ninja costumes and told them that they can do it better than the Profits and Raiders. Everyone squared off and a lame fight scene broke out. A large ninja arrived but Ivar’s power to a turkey leg pumped him, but then they retreated on top of a truck. Profits and Raiders started brawling before everyone jumped into a garbage container. An alligator’s tail with monster noises was shown and it ended the segment.
Match Review: – Mild Comedy with no result. WWE tried to make us laugh but this was a miss.
Singles Match: Edge vs. Randy Orton
They locked up before Edge hit a series of arm drags until Orton stopped feeding to him. Orton was getting the better of Edge with basic wrestling moves until Edge caught him with a big boot. Edge went to the top rope but Orton knocked him down and went for a suplex to the floor, but Edge blocked it and landed a series of headbutts.
Edge hit a clothesline from the second rope. Orton was busted open just above his eyebrow after getting headbutted. Back in the ring, Edge hit a series of knee strikes to the gut before locking in the crossface, which Orton got out of. Edge blocked the RKO and went for an arm head choke, but Orton got the ropes, and hit a neck breaker. Orton sent Edge into the plexiglass and barricade. Orton hit a back suplex onto the announce table. Orton went for three suplexes but only got 2 and Edge did the same suplexes, but got three of them. They traded chops with Edge getting the better of them. Orton with a drop kick that sent Edge to the floor. Orton hit a suplex off the top rope. They did a double crossbody spot. Edge went to the top rope, but Orton stopped him. Edge reversed a DDT attempt by Orton with his own DDT. Edge with a running elbow strike for 2. Edge with a crossbody off the top rope for 2. Edge missed a spear that led to a roll by Orton that led to Edge getting the crossface. Orton got out of it and Edge went back to it. Orton with an angle slam for 2.
Orton went for a leapfrog but caught and Edge hit a powerbomb. Orton hit a second rope DDT. Edge blocked an RKO and hit a powerslam for 2. Edge missed a spear and Orton missed an RKO, which led to Edge hitting the unprettier for 2. Orton went for the Pedigree and hit it for a near fall. Edge hit a Rock Bottom for a near fall. Orton kicked out of two spears. Orton connected with a punt kick for the win at 44.45.
Review: ****1/4. This was a brilliant match which went too long just like their Wrestlemania Match. But I liked this one better. Orton and Edge were slow for the first 15 minutes but then picked up pace. They gave tributes to guys like Eddie Guerrero, Kurt Angle, Christian, Triple H and The Rock through their moves. It was very cool and added excitement in the match. The finish was done well. The return of the Punt is interesting. Is this rivalry over? I guess yes, for now. Is this the best match ever? No. Best match of the night? Oh Yes!. I congratulate both Edge and Orton for pulling this off even without a real crowd.
WWE Backlash 2020 Rating: 7/10
Decent PPV which was hurt due to lack of crowd, bad comedy and Nia Jax. I enjoyed Edge and Orton even though it went long, Braun was dominant in an average and predictable match. The Tag team match was a joke but Bobby Lashley and Drew McIntyre suprised me with a great evenly timed match. Sheamus and Jeff Hardy were poetry in motion. I will remember this PPV for the tributes to different Wrestlers Edge and Orton paid through move set. It was impressive.
Three Stars of the show.
- Randy Orton
- Edge
- Jeff Hardy
- Drew McIntyre/Bobby Lashley
- Sheamus
Sorry, I added six names. They all deserved it.
