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I didn't think WWE did a good job with WWE Backlash at all, and I can understand why too. Not only is Backlash one of the not-so-anticipated pay-per-views of the year, but the company is also impaired by the loss of legends such as Bray Wyatt, Becky Lynch, and Roman Reigns in the active roster.
Edge and Randy Orton did their best at Backlash, under the circumstances, but honestly, it did feel like they came into the event with unrealistic expectations. Also, while cinematic matches have been 'hit and miss' in the past, I thought that what we saw with The Viking Raiders and The Street Profits at Backlash 2020 was mostly a 'miss', more than anything else.
As always, my views are my own and I would love to hear what you thought about WWE Backlash in the comments section below.
#1 Best: No title changes at Backlash
Usually, I would slot this point as a worst, but it was not the right place nor was it the right time to do a title switch. Had a title change happened at Backlash, it would have undone all the momentum that Braun Strowman, The Boss 'n' Hug Connection, Drew McIntyre, and Apollo Crews have. Also, thanks to Braun Strowman's match against Miz and Morrison at Backlash, we may finally get to see the end of the team.
Miz and Morrison dropped a tune at Backlash that I am sure that many of you will be humming for a long way to come, but the fact that both men wanted to pin the Universal Champion to capture the title, just played against them even when they had the match won.
I'd have been happier with a little more drama between Sasha Banks and Bayley, but one can't have everything.
#1 Worst: Injuries, unlimited kick-outs, inside jokes, and unrealistic expectations at WWE Backlash
In the days leading up to WWE Backlash, we saw Randy Orton and Tommaso Ciampa from NXT engage in online banter about leg slapping and I even had a chance to talk to The Apex Predator about the same. In the ultimate trolling move at Backlash, Randy Orton won the big match with a leg slap when he delivered the Punt Kick to Edge.
Listen, I thought that it was a fun match but had WWE not burdened the two legends with the tag of the greatest wrestling match ever, the contest at Backlash would have sat well with me. As it is, I thought that the injury that Edge sustained at Backlash ruling him out for a significant period of time pretty much negated all the positives of the match.
Honestly, I couldn't tell if it was Backlash or Wrestle Kingdom based on the number of kickouts that I saw during the match and while that may work for some, it didn't work for me personally.
#2 Best: Lashley and McIntyre tear the house down at WWE Backlash
I haven't been to a lot of live wrestling events myself, but the best match I've ever seen live was at an Impact Wrestling taping in Mumbai, India with Bobby Lashley against Moose in a singles clash. I knew that if he was unleashed upon the WWE roster, Bobby Lashley could showcase to the world what he was made of, and he did just that at Backlash. Even though he came up short at Backlash, Bobby Lashley proved to the world what we already know...that he is a legend and then some.
I also love the fact that we saw a backstage moment between MVP and Lana at Backlash which would lead to her coming out during the match and then being the reason why Bobby Lashley did not win the WWE Championship. The story is clearly far from done and it proves that WWE has a very dramatic few weeks planned for Bobby Lashley, Lana, and even MVP now that Backlash is done and dusted for good.
#2 Worst: Going a little too far with comedy at Backlash
I am not opposed to the idea of innovation in wrestling at all. I love it when someone thinks out of the box and takes risks, such as the Boneyard match at WrestleMania 36. I just thought that the cinematic match between The Viking Raiders and The Street Profits at Backlash wasn't any good at all, and that is okay because it is the risk one runs when doing something different.
In case you missed it, Backlash saw the two teams start in the backstage area and then, Tozawa showed up out of nowhere with a giant of a man, whose identity you can see in Gary Cassidy's tweet. The match was funny in parts, but it just went into the realm of the ridiculous with Jedi Mind Tricks, ninjas, and turkey legs flying in the sky.
The segment at Backlash reminded me of AEW where Orange Cassidy was attacked with a sack filled with oranges. Sometimes, you just have to pull back the creativity.
#3 Best/Worst: Sheamus wins a big match at WWE Backlash
Okay, I know that a lot of you are upset that Jeff Hardy did not get his big win at Backlash, but I am glad that they took a chance with Sheamus who probably has a few more good years under his belt than Hardy does at this point. Obviously, the two men aren't done with one another and I can totally imagine a Jeff Hardy vs. Sheamus clash at Extreme Rules to finally settle the score.
I genuinely thought that Sheamus has needed a big win since his return to WWE and this was probably the best-case scenario for him, under the circumstances. I know that the story should have ended with Jeff Hardy getting the victory at Backlash, and yes, the match went on a little too long for my liking as well, but Sheamus winning was not the worst decision in the world, in my opinion.
As I said, this is only my personal assessment and I welcome you to chime in about Backlash if you feel differently.
