WWE Backlash 2020: 5 Little-known facts heading into the PPV

WWE's main roster returns to pay-per-view this weekend as the company presents Backlash. Historically this event has taken place in the months following WrestleMania, but in recent years WWE has pushed the show to later in the year.

Back in 2016, Backlash took place in September, whilst this year the event will be taking place in June, following last month's Money in the Bank show.

The very first Backlash aired back in April 1999 and became a staple of the WWE pay-per-view calendar from then on. There was a six-year break from 2010 until 2016 where the show did not take place (and there was also no event last year), but Backlash remains an event with a rich history for WWE.

Unlike every other WWE pay-per-view since March, Backlash will take place in front of an audience, albeit one made up of Performance Center recruits. This will mean that the show have a better atmosphere than either Money in the Bank and WrestleMania - and that can only be a good thing!

Ahead of this weekend's show, here are some interesting little-known facts about Backlash that every WWE fan should know.

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#5. Bobby Lashley and Drew McIntyre have faced off in the past outside of WWE

This weekend, Bobby Lashley will challenge Drew McIntyre for the WWE Championship in the first showdown between the two stars in a WWE ring.

Lashley and McIntyre have been on the same page for much of their time in WWE, but since McIntyre's Championship win, MVP has managed to turn the head of "The All Mighty" and now he's on a mission to win his first World Championship in WWE.

Both McIntyre and Lashley have wrestled outside of WWE, most notably in Impact Wrestling where the two men crossed paths when they fought for the TNA World Championship. Interestingly, Lashley was the man who went on to end McIntyre's 89-day reign as Champion at Slammiversary back in 2016.

Lashley has the chance to put a stop to McIntyre's 71-day reign as WWE Champion this weekend at Backlash.

#4. Asuka has defeated Nia Jax in a Championship match in the past

Asuka defends her RAW Women's Championship against Nia Jax this weekend just weeks after Becky Lynch handed the Money In The Bank ladder match winner the Championship - having been forced to walk away from WWE due to her pregnancy.

Asuka has been a force to be reckoned with throughout much of her time in WWE. "The Empress of Tomorrow" is both a former Royal Rumble winner and a Grand Slam Champion. Recently, Nia Jax cut a promo in the build-up to the match where she stated that when she and Asuka step in the ring there is only ever one outcome, indicating that she believes that she has Asuka's number.

History tells a different story, though. When Asuka and Jax have crossed paths in the past, it's been Asuka who has come out on top. In fact, Asuka has already defeated Jax with a version of the Women's Championship on the line, back at NXT Takeover: The End in 2016 when Jax failed in her bid to win the NXT Women's Championship.

Asuka also feuded with Jax upon her arrival to WWE's main roster and once again got the better of "The Irresistible Force".

#3. The first time the Women's Tag Team Championships have been defended at Backlash

The last Backlash event to take place was back in 2018, meaning that the WWE Women's Tag Team Championships have never been defended at the pay-per-view - since the titles were not unveiled in WWE until Elimination Chamber 2019.

Interestingly, this weekend it will be a triple threat Championship match with current Champions Sasha Banks and Bayley defending against Nikki Cross and Alexa Bliss, as well as The IIconics.

This is the first time that the WWE Women's Tag Team Championships have been defended in a triple threat match on pay-per-view. The titles have been defended in multi-person matches in the past including a fatal four-way at WrestleMania last year, but this is the first triple threat on pay-per-view.

Bliss and Cross and Banks and Bayley are both two-time Champions. The IIconics were the stars to dethrone Banks and Bayley last time and so could well become two-time titleholders themselves at Backlash. Sunday night could leave all three teams on an even playing field when it comes to championship reigns.

#2. Braun Strowman has lost a Championship in a handicap match in the past

Braun Strowman steps into a 2-on-1 handicap match this weekend at WWE Backlash with his Universal Championship on the line. The Miz and John Morrison are former Tag Team Champions in WWE and have had Strowman's number in recent weeks. The pair can become dual Universal Champions if one of them is able to pin the reigning titleholder this Sunday.

Interestingly, Strowman doesn't have a great history when it comes to handicap matches, since he most recently lost the WWE Intercontinental Championship in a 3-on-1 handicap match against Sami Zayn, Cesaro, and Shinsuke Nakamura back at Elimination Chamber in March.

Strowman was easily able to bounce back from this defeat when he replaced Roman Reigns at WrestleMania and became Universal Champion, but things could change this weekend. Miz and Morrison have shown in the past that they have each other's back and their teamwork could be enough to dethrone Strowman.

Will history repeat itself this weekend or will "The Monster Among Men" find a way to retain his World Championship?

#1. Edge vs Randy Orton has already been recorded

WWE icons Edge and Randy Orton have been feuding since the beginning of the year. Their rivalry kicked off when "The Viper" attacked "The Rated R Superstar", looking to put him back on the shelf following his shock Royal Rumble return.

Edge had been out of action for almost a decade, but made his return back in January before he was then sidelined for more than a month at the hands of the "Apex Predator". This led to a huge match between the two men at WrestleMania where Edge was able to gain some revenge on his former tag team partner, but this wasn't enough to settle the issue between the two.

The former friends will face off again this weekend in a match that has been heavily touted by WWE as being "The Greatest Wrestling Match Ever". In an effort to help the bout live up to the hype, Edge Vs. Orton is the only match on the card that has already been recorded. Of course, having had such a huge build-up, Edge and Orton will want to steal the show. Through the power of editing, WWE will be doing all it can to ensure a memorable clash between these two legendary veterans.