Tag: backlash results

WWE Backlash live results: Roman Reigns vs. Jacob Fatu, IYO SKY vs. Asuka

Posted on by Steve Khan

Date: May 9, 2026
Location:  Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, FL

***************

Show Recap — 

COUNTDOWN SHOW 

Wrestlers were shown arriving. Triple H was shown, too, and he was booed by fans outside the arena watching the pre-show. Everyone else was cheered. 

Michael Cole, Big E, Corey Graves and Peter Rosenberg hosted the first portion of the pre-show. I believe this would be Big E’s first live appearance since the departures of Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods. 

There was a sit-down interview with Seth Rollins. They were open about Rollins turning 40 soon, and he acknowledged he may not be doing this much longer. 

Fans chanted, “New Day rocks” as Big E talked about Rollins. He ignored it.

Jacob Fatu cut a backstage promo. He said he would kick Roman Reigns’ ass. Cole demonstrated the Tongan Death Grip on Rosenberg, who passed out. Rosenberg was pretending, unfortunately. 

Cathy Kelley interviewed Sami Zayn. He calmly stated that he didn’t appreciate people, including Kelley, disrespecting him, and it was Trick Williams who enabled them to do so. Zayn planned on winning the US title back. 

Because Backlash is held in Tampa, there was an FCW video package, which included interview clips of Bayley, Charlotte Flair, Rollins, Big E, and Sheamus. They also credited Dusty Rhodes, particularly when it came to wrestlers learning promos. Triple H was credited with transforming the old FCW into the new, shiny Performance Center. 

The Usos showed up to the panel to continue the FCW discussions. The fans were excited to see Jimmy and Jey. They also spoke briefly about tonight’s world title match.

The Miz and Kit Wilson told Kelley that they would get rid of Danhausen tonight. Byron Saxton interviewed Danhausen and asked for a hint about his partner. Danhausen warned him not to ask that question again, or else he’d be cursed. 

They counted down the top ten Roman Reigns title defences. Not included in that list was Reigns beating both Edge and Daniel Bryan at WrestleMania 37. 

Sonya Bryson-Kirksey sang the American national anthem. 

**********

BACKLASH 2026 RESULTS

Wrestlers arrived, the show intro aired, fireworks exploded in Tampa, and it’s time for the opening match. Michael Cole and Wade Barrett are tonight’s announcers. They didn’t waste time getting going, as the opening match began at 6:07 pm local time.

On the pre-show, they mentioned repeatedly that Seth Rollins was on the verge of turning 40, and he acknowledged that he wouldn’t be doing this forever. Bron Breakker, obviously, is a guy looking to take his place. Barrett said that seems to be the theme tonight (along with Jacob Fatu/Roman Reigns and Trick Williams/Sami Zayn). 

Seth Rollins vs. Bron Breakker (w/ Paul Heyman) 

They battled back and forth and fought around ringside, but Breakker cut Rollins off in the ring with a suplex and took over. The crowd was really behind Rollins. 

Breakker cut him off again by hitting a running shoulder tackle and multiple German suplexes. (With Brock Lesnar gone, at least for now, I wonder if Heyman suggested that Breakker start using this move more.) 

Rollins bit Breakker’s face out of desperation while on the top rope, but it wasn’t enough because Breakker hit a Frankensteiner anyway for two. With Rollins outside the ring, Breakker tried a running sneak attack, but Rollins superkicked him out of mid-air. 

Rollins hit a clothesline back in the ring for two. Rollins set up for a curb stomp, but Breakker got up to his knees, so Rollins hit a knee strike instead for two. (Rollins seemed to say something to Breakker as he made the cover, so I’m not sure if this spot got screwed up, but it looked fine.) 

Rollins went for the stomp, but Breakker blocked it by simply catching his foot. Breakker hit a press slam gutbuster and went for a spear, but Rollins kicked him to block it. 

Rollins tried a tilt-a-whirl into a DDT or a Pedigree attempt, but he slipped and fell down by accident. It seemed like they couldn’t get on the same page on the spot, but Breakker made up for it by immediately hitting a standing moonsault for two. 

Rollins responded with a buckle bomb, but Breakker popped right back with a clothesline. The crowd chanted, “This is awesome.” Rollins wound up outside the ring, leaning against the announce table, so Breakker hit a flying clothesline off the apron. 

Breakker went to the top rope, but Rollins met him there and hit a superplex. Rollins tried to transition into the Falcon Arrow, but Breakker hit the Falcon Arrow instead for a nearfall. (The crowd popped big for that.) 

Breakker hit another Frankensteiner moments later. He tried another, but Rollins landed on his feet and fired up as Breakker looked on in disbelief. Rollins hit a superkick and a Pedigree. 

Rollins followed with a curb stomp, but Heyman went on the apron to distract the referee. Rollins smiled and grabbed a steel chair, realizing what was coming. 

Austin Theory and Logan Paul tried a sneak attack, but Rollins attacked them with the chair. He gave Theory a curb stomp and chased Paul to the back. 

Rollins sprinted back into the ring but was met with a Breakker spear for a nearfall. Breakker went for another spear, but Rollins countered it into a Pedigree (which didn’t look great). 

Rollins went for a stomp off the ropes, but Breakker speared him out of the air. Breakker followed with another spear for the pinfall win. 

— Cole called this the biggest win of Breakker’s career and stated, “Bron Breakker has arrived.” 

Match result: Bron Breakker defeated Seth Rollins (21:25)

This was a strong match despite some miscommunication in the middle, and it helped that the crowd was hot for the whole thing. It was nice to see Breakker go over; I was expecting Rollins to win after weeks of Breakker getting the better of him. Rollins has a bit of an out after the Vision got involved, so this isn’t over. 

******** 

Cathy Kelley interviewed Trick Williams in Gorilla. He said he was the puppetmaster, and this was his world. The time for games was over, and Sami Zayn would find that out tonight. 

United States Championship match: Trick Williams (c) (w/ Lil Yachty) vs. Sami Zayn

Williams booted Zayn in the corner to the cadence of “Whoop that Trick.” Zayn rolled to the outside to recover and chucked Williams into the steel steps when he joined him. Zayn was about to use the steel steps as a weapon, but stopped when Lil Yachty got in the way. 

Zayn hammered away at Williams in the ring. Fans booed this, and Zayn smirked while looking around in confusion. A few fans chanted for Zayn, but they were drowned out by chants of “Sami sucks,” and Zayn looked around at them again. 

Williams fought back with an upkick and neckbreaker. They traded counters until Williams hit a Book End for two. Zayn responded later with a sunset flip powerbomb off the ropes for two. They traded counters again, but this time Zayn got the better of it and hit a Blue Thunder Bomb for two. 

Zayn feigned a knee injury after springboarding off the ropes. Williams waited a moment before going after him, and Zayn caught him in a small package for two. Lil Yachty argued with the referee, and the distraction allowed Zayn to hit Williams with a candy cane kendo stick for a nearfall. 

Zayn aggressively booted Williams until the referee stopped him for some reason. As the ref checked on Williams, Lil Yachty hit Zayn with the kendo stick, and Williams followed with a Trick Kick for a nearfall. 

They wound up outside, and Zayn decked Yachty with a right hand. Yachty went down like a man who’s never taken a bump in his life (not an insult). Zayn also hit him with a kendo stick. 

Williams went after Zayn, but Zayn gave him a DDT onto the top of the steep steps. Before entering the ring, Zayn gave an unsuspecting Lil Yachty a Helluva Kick into the barricade. (I laughed, especially when Lil Yachty went down awkwardly again.) 

Back in the ring, Zayn went for a Helluva Kick, but Williams dodged it and hit a Trick Shot for the pinfall win. 

— Lil Yachty quickly recovered from Zayn’s finisher and joined Williams in the ring to celebrate. He tossed cash into the air. 

Match result: Trick Williams defeated Sami Zayn to retain the United States Championship (12:45)

This match was alright. They worked around Williams’ limitations as best they could. The crowd liked Williams, and they resented Zayn. 

Zayn has lost two in a row to Williams, so he’ll have to find something else to do now. 

******** 

The Miz and Kit Wilson entered first, and there was a long video package to explain why this match was happening. 

Danhausen entered on his custom vehicle and walked over to the cloning machine box to reveal his partner. The box opened, and a little person dressed as Danhausen popped out. They entered the Danhausen-mobile and rode around ringside. They entered the ring, and Miz laughed at Danhausen’s partner. 

The crowd seemed to play along during the entrance, but there was a smattering of boos when the bell rang and the match actually started with this man as Danhausen’s partner.

Danhausen & Mini-hausen vs. The Miz & Kit Wilson

The Danhausen clone could actually wrestle and used a tilt-a-whirl leg scissors takedown to knock Miz out of the ring. This cheered up the paying audience. 

The heels took control after posting Danhausen. They beat up little Danhausen for a while until he hit a springboard moonsault to knock down Wilson. Danhausen made a hot tag and ran wild on both guys, and his offence included a German suplex on Wilson and a tornado DDT on Miz. 

Danhausen hit a running boot on Wilson, but he wasn’t the legal man. Miz booted Danhausen into the corner, so little Danhausen tagged himself in and wiped out both heels with a suicide dive. Mini-hausen chased Wilson up the ramp, but Wilson kicked him in the head and shoved him back into the box. 

The cloning box percolated and reopened, and about five or six more little Danhausens entered. The original clone gave Wilson an airplane spin. He tried to curse Wilson, but Wilson held up a mirror, so Mini-hausen wound up cursing himself. Miz gave him a Skull Crushing Finale, but Danhausen broke up the cover. 

Danhausen tagged in and gave Miz a Thesz press (at least he tried to). Miz tried to use a fire extinguisher, but he was cursed, I guess, and it went off in his face and in his partner’s. 

Mini-hausen wiped out Wilson with a dive, and Danhausen hit Miz with a pump kick for the pinfall. 

— Cole said, “This is wrestling!” and Barrett vehemently disagreed, asking, “What happened to the business I love?” 

Match result: Danhausen & Mini-hausen defeated The Miz & Kit Wilson (11:38) 

This nonsense match was longer than every women’s match on both nights of WrestleMania 42. 

********

They announced a two-night AAA Triplemanía in September (over two non-consecutive nights). 

There was a commercial for Riyadh season. 

IYO SKY vs. Asuka

Kairi Sane did not appear. The post-match could leave people speculating on Asuka’s future. 

The match started with chants of, “We want Kairi.” It wasn’t super loud at first, but it got much louder as Asuka controlled the opening moments of the match. 

Sky fired up with some offence, which got the crowd to focus on the match instead. Asuka took control after driving Sky’s head into the ring post. The crowd chanted for Sky to get back into the match before once again chanting for Kairi Sane. (The chants pretty much stopped after this.)

Asuka hit kicks to the chest until Sky blocked one and hit a double foot stomp. Sky followed with a back elbow, an uppercut, a missile dropkick, and a running meteora in the corner for two. Asuka responded with strikes of her own and a knee strike for two. 

Sky hit a German suplex into a bridging cover for two. Asuka tried an armbar, but Sky quickly escaped. They traded kicks, and both women went down. Asuka tried an armbar again, but Sky slipped out and applied her own version of the Asuka Lock until Asuka got a rope break. 

Asuka went to the top, but Sky hit an uppercut and hurricanrana. However, Asuka rolled through into a cradle for a nearfall. Sky avoided a running hip attack and dropkicked Asuka out of the ring. Asuka blocked a dive and placed Sky on the announce table. 

While standing on the announce table, Asuka tried to mist Sky, but Sky held up Barrett’s laptop to block it. Sky tripped Asuka and hit a flying crossbody off the table. The crowd chanted for Sky as she hit an Asai moonsault. 

Asuka dodged a moonsault and locked in the armbar. Sky countered it, but Asuka caught her in the Asuka Lock. It looked like Sky was about to pass out, but she just barely caught Asuka in a cradle for two. 

Asuka blocked a kick and hit a German suplex. However, Sky blocked a kick moments later and hit a German suplex of her own. Sky followed with a running corner meteora and a moonsault for the pinfall win. 

— Sky bowed to Asuka after the match. Asuka broke down in tears and gave Sky a big hug. They embraced and Asuka held up Sky’s hand. 

That’s interesting. 

Match result: IYO SKY defeated Asuka (18:06)

A really good match that built as it went. 

******** 

Steve Keirn and Dan Spivey were in the crowd, along with members of the Tampa Bay Lightning, who have some extra time on their hands. 

John Cena’s announcement 

Cena entered. He said he had to consider what the next stage of his career would be. The crowd chanted, “One more match,” and Cena said he knew that was coming. He thought a lot about his final match and how it went. 

Cena was happy with it and happy with the event being a showcase of the future. He wanted his final opponent to earn the spot, and that’s what happened. 

That night gave a spotlight to some of the new NXT stars like Sol Ruca, Je’Von Evans, and Oba Femi. (Femi got a big reaction.) Cena was impressed with Femi and his win over Brock Lesnar. 

Cena was so happy with how that night went that it led to his announcement tonight: the John Cena Classic. 

Over one evening, the best of today would face the best of tomorrow. Members of WWE and NXT would battle for the chance to win a new championship. The championship would have Cena’s name on it, and he would strive to make the event a memorable one. 

Cena also announced that fans would vote to determine the champion. During this showcase event, even if a wrestler didn’t win their match, they could win over the fans with their performance, and that wrestler could still be voted by the fans to become the new champion. 

Cena was excited and wanted to make this an annual event. He thanked the company for making this happen and thanked the fans for their support.

(To summarize, there will be an event with matches where the actual results don’t matter, only the individual performances, because a fan vote will determine the winner. At least, the results will matter as much as the fans determine they do. It doesn’t really sound like a title that will be defended; rather, an annual trophy like the Andre the Giant battle royal, but we’ll see. The live fans cheered the pandering announcement. It certainly different.) 

******** 

World Heavyweight Championship match: Roman Reigns (c) vs. Jacob Fatu

Reigns knocked down Fatu with a shoulder tackle and posed to the crowd, but Fatu immediately got to his feet and stared down Reigns. Fatu no-sold a clothesline and knocked Reigns out of the ring. Fatu went for a dive, but when it seemed like Reigns blocked it, Fatu applied the Tongan Death Grip instead. 

Fatu let go of the hold because they were outside the ring. When Fatu went after him again, Reigns wrenched him against the ropes. Reigns drove Fatu’s hand into the ring post to prevent him from doing the move again. There were loud duelling crowd chants. 

Reigns hit clotheslines in the corner, but Fatu stopped it by simply grabbing Reigns’ arm. Fatu hit a clothesline and drove Reigns shoulder-first into the ring post. Fatu missed a corner splash, and Reigns came back with more clotheslines and a big boot. 

Reigns hit a Superman punch, but Fatu kicked out at one and popped right to his feet. Fans chanted for Fatu, who no-sold Reigns’ offence before hitting a clothesline and a senton. Fatu headbutted Reigns ten times in the corner and hit a running hip attack. 

Fatu set up for another hip attack, but Reigns exploded out of the corner with a Superman punch for two. They went to the outside, where Fatu powerbombed Reigns through the announce table. Fatu rolled Reigns back into the ring, but Reigns speared him for a nearfall. 

Reigns went for another spear, but Fatu countered into a pop-up Samoan drop. The crowd went crazy as Fatu followed with the Mighty Moonsault, but Reigns kicked out. 

Fatu went for a senton bomb, but Reigns got his knees up to block it. They slowly got to their feet and traded right hands. Fatu got the better of the exchange as Reigns fell into the corner. Fatu immediately hit consecutive running hip attacks. 

Fatu applied the Tongan Death Grip. Reigns appeared to be going out, but he fired up and put his fingers in Fatu’s eyes. Reigns shoved Fatu into the corner as he did, and the referee was knocked down (he was only dazed, not knocked out). 

Fatu tried a pop-up Samoan Drop, but Reigns countered with a Superman punch, and he followed with a spear for a close nearfall. (This was one of those nearfalls that was probably a three, but it wasn’t the finish, so the ref held up the count.) 

Fatu applied the Death Grip, and Reigns held onto the top turnbuckle for leverage. The buckle cover came off in the process. Fatu still held the Death Grip, but Reigns shoved his head into the exposed buckle and followed with a spear for the pinfall win. Reigns retains. 

— Fatu attacked Reigns after the match and put him in the Death Grip. The ref tried to stop him, so Fatu gave him a Samoan drop. 

Officials ran out to stop Fatu, but he superkicked Shane Helms and shoved Adam Pearce out of the ring. Fatu put Reigns in the hold again as five officials desperately tried to stop him, and he eventually let go. 

Fatu left the ring, but he returned to put Reigns in the hold again. Fatu let go of the hold and held the title belt up high as the show ended. 

Match result: Roman Reigns defeated Jacob Fatu to retain the World Heavyweight Championship (18:03)

This was a really good match. On some level, we’ve probably seen a few too many Reigns main events, but Fatu comes across as totally unique from everyone else on this show, so this felt different, and he should really win the title at some point. 

WWE Backlash live results: Bad Bunny vs. Damian Priest street fight

Posted on by Steve Khan

Date: May 6, 2023
Location: Coliseo de Puerto Rico in San Juan, PR

********** 

Show Recap —

KICKOFF SHOW — 

The pre-show hosts Jackie Redmond, Peter Rosenberg and Matt Camp aren’t hosting live in Puerto Rico but rather in-studio. 

They aired various video packages and called the Bad Bunny/Damian Priest match the co-main event.

I admittedly watched most of this on mute but I turned the sound on in time to hear Rosenberg gleefully celebrate the internet being wrong about the World Title tournament inevitably coming down to Seth Rollins against Cody Rhodes which can’t happen now that it’s been announced that the finals will come down to Raw vs. Smackdown. 

Wade Barrett was shown drinking at the beach.

This was quite literally the most pointless preshow ever. Even the usual pointless preshow has a few new interviews and appearances. This had none of that. 

**********

BACKLASH 2023 — 

Michael Cole announced a sold-out crowd of 17,944. Cole and Corey Graves are on English commentary, while Marcelo Rodriguez and Jerry Soto handle Spanish commentary.

Bianca Belair defeated IYO SKY to retain the Raw Women’s Championship (18:00)

SKY was the crowd favourite. Belair got a big reaction on the way out but the crowd booed her offense like she was John Cena and wildly cheered SKY’s offence.

SKY was in control until Belair came back with a backbreaker, dropkicks, and delayed vertical suplex. Belair held SKY up with a one-arm press slam and dropped her but they mistimed it and SKY landed on her face. Belair followed with a moonsault for two. SKY missed a charge and Belair went into the buckle with her previously hurt arm. SKY followed with a springboard dropkick.

Belair shoved SKY off the top but SKY got her knees up on Belair’s 450 splash attempt. SKY applied a crossface but Belair countered out of it. Belair tried a powerbomb but SKY countered into a facebuster for two. SKY followed with double knees in the corner and they traded counters until SKY blocked a second KOD attempt and chucked Belair out of the ring.

SKY hit Belair with a moonsault off the top to the outside which drew a two count in the ring. SKY tried a hurricanrana off the top but Belair held on and hit an avalanche powerbomb for a nearfall.

Bayley and Dakota Kai marched out to distract Belair and SKY grabbed her by the braid. Belair used SKY’s body to knock Kai off the apron and SKY rolled her up for a very close nearfall. (The way the ref countered made it look like it was three but it wasn’t. The crowd was going nuts.)

Bayley got in the way so Belair tossed her aside. As the ref checked on Bayley, Kai kicked Belair in the head. SKY went to the top for the moonsault as Bayley held Belair down by the braid. The ref caught Bayley and a slight hesitation from SKY allowed Belair to avoid the moonsault.

Belair followed with KOD for the pinfall win.

This was great and the crowd made it even better. They should turn SKY babyface as soon as possible.

******** 

Rey Mysterio approached Bad Bunny as he got ready in the back. Savio Vega popped in and the crowd went nuts. He presented Bad Bunny with a Puerto Rico flag kendo stick.

Seth Rollins defeated Omos (w/MVP) (10:31)

Before the match started, Omos dropped Rollins with a boot as Rollins basked in the crowd singing his song. The ref checked on Rollins before starting the match and Omos immediately dropped him with a shoulder tackle when it began.

Rollins posted Omos and hit a suicide dive but Omos barely budged. Rollins tried another but Omos caught him and slammed him on the apron.

Rollins came back with a flying knee, kicks to the leg, and a dropkick to the leg, bringing Omos to one knee. Rollins hit a thrust kick but Omos countered a Pedigree with a back body drop. Rollins managed to hit Omos with a tornado DDT and he followed with a frog splash but only got a one count.

Rollins followed with strikes but he couldn’t hit a curb stomp because Omos no-sold it by not budging (like Bobby Lashley has done previously). Omos followed with a chokeslam for two.

Rollins hit a stomp as MVP distracted the ref so Rollins superkicked MVP off the apron. Rollins stomped Omos again for a nearfall. Rollins acted shocked as the crowd sang his song.

Rollins climbed the ropes and hit a stomp off the top for the pinfall win. The crowd was very happy.

(This match was fine and Rollins did well but they could have cut a few minutes out of it.)

******** 

Triple Threat Match: Austin Theory defeated Bronson Reed and Bobby Lashley to retain the United States Championship (6:51) 

An AI studied every heel win in a WWE triple threat and generated this match. 

Lashley was working over Theory until Theory and Reed worked together to take down Lashley. That unit didn’t last long because Reed dropped Theory with a body block. Lashley held Theory in the Hurt Lock until Theory was able to use the ropes to escape. With Lashley down, Reed hit Tsunami but Theory broke up the cover.

Theory gave Reed a rolling blockbuster and got the big man on his shoulders but Reed slipped out before he could hit A-Town down. Reed hit a powerslam and tried a moonsault but Theory moved and Lashley speared Reed. Theory chucked Lashley from the ring and rolled up Reed for the pinfall win.

******** 

Rhea Ripley defeated Zelina Vega to retain the SmackDown Women’s Championship (7:10)

Vega received a huge ovation during her in-ring introduction and she was practically in tears. Vega wore Puerto Rican flag-themed gear with a huge flag cape. Ripley wore white with purple lining.

Vega’s mother Monique gave her a chancla and she chucked it at Ripley. It didn’t matter because Ripley took control anyway. Vega fought back with forearms as the crowd cheered her on but Ripley cut her off with a headbutt. Ripley tried Rip-tide but Vega spiked her with a DDT.

Vega followed with a 619 and Meteora for two. Ripley kicked Vega in the head and hit a Rip-tide for the decisive pinfall win.

— The crowd gave Vega a big ovation post-match.

******** 

Damian Priest wore the same vest he wore when he teamed with Bad Bunny two years ago at WrestleMania. Like Ripley earlier tonight, Priest also wore white. Corey Graves said it was because Priest considers himself the good guy in this story.

Bad Bunny received a massive reaction.

San Juan Street Fight: Bad Bunny defeated Damian Priest (25:04)

This was a genuinely great WWE street fight.

Priest tried toying with him early but Bad Bunny responded with a damn Michinoku Driver a minute into the match for a two count. Bad Bunny grabbed a kendo stick but Priest cut him off, ripped the stick in half and slammed him.

Bad Bunny tried fighting back a few times but Priest worked him over easily and hit his South of Heaven finisher. Priest pinned him had it won less than five minutes in but he pulled Bad Bunny up at two.

Priest wasted too much time before trying a dive and Bad Bunny chucked a chair at his face. Bad Bunny followed with kendo stick shots and a tornado DDT. Bad Bunny went to the top and hit a flying crossbody to the outside. Bad Bunny smacked Priest with trash can lids and hit a falcon arrow for two.

Priest realized he was bleeding as Bad Bunny invited him back into the ring. Priest acted like he would leave but as Bad Bunny came after him with a trash can, Priest turned around and booted it into his face. Priest hit Bad Bunny with the kendo stick that Savio Vega gave him as the crowd chanted “Benito” (his name).

They fought into the crowd which led to Priest giving Bad Bunny a falcon arrow off some high equipment boxes through tables. Adam Pearce and other officials ran out to check on Bad Bunny but Priest brushed them off and carried him back to ringside.

Priest tried a roundhouse kick but Bad Bunny ducked and Priest kicked the ring post. Bad Bunny attacked Priest’s injured leg with the kendo stick and drove it into the post. Priest pleaded with the ref as Bad Bunny smacked his knee against the post with a steel chair.

Bad Bunny was about to finish the job with one final chair shot but Priest begged him off. Bad Bunny hesitated so Priest kicked him in the face. Priest grabbed the chair so Bad Bunny gave him a low blow.

Dominik Mysterio and Finn Bálor ran out to ambush Bad Bunny. (Dom wore white, Bálor was still in black. Bálor did have on a white bandana.) Rey Mysterio ran out to make the save but they knocked him down.

Carlito ran out to his music and the place went absolutely nuts. He assisted Rey and gave Bálor a backstabber. Carlito took a bite out of an apple but Dom tried attacking from behind. Rey gave Dom a 619 and Carlito spat the apple in Dom’s face.

Dom and Bálor backed away up the ramp when they were cut off by Savio Vega who also got an insane reaction. Vega brought out LWO who went to town on Bálor and Dom. Actually, they put the boots to Dom as Bálor left but Vega beat up Bálor and dropped him with a roundhouse kick. Vega also decked Dom. Dom and Bálor ran for their lives and were chased to the back.

Back in the ring, Bad Bunny put Priest in a figure four. Priest grabbed him by the throat and tried a chokeslam but Bad Bunny countered into a cradle for two. Priest tried a charge but crashed into a steel chair and Bad Bunny followed with a sliced bread #2 for two.

Bad Bunny beat the crap out of Priest with a steel chair and hit a Canadian Destroyer for the pinfall win. Crowd exploded.

Rey, LWO, Vega and Carlito came out to celebrate with Bad Bunny. 

********

Six-man tag team match: Solo Sikoa, Jimmy Uso & Jey Uso defeated Matt Riddle & Tag Team Champions Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn (22:05)

(This was a good match but the main thing coming out of this was Sikoa almost going for the Samoan Spike on Jey Uso.)

The babyfaces worked over the Usos until Sikoa tagged himself in to get the better of Zayn and the Bloodline took over from there. There was a brief “we want Roman” chant and Jimmy Uso told them, “he’s not here.” Zayn fought back but his partners were taken out.

Zayn dropped Sikoa with a tornado DDT and made the tag to Riddle who went to town on the Usos before wiping out the Bloodline with a dive. Jimmy nailed him with a superkick back in the ring for two. Riddle suplexed Jimmy off the top and Owens followed with a senton bomb for two.

Owens avoided a superkick which resulted in Jimmy superkicking Jey by accident. Owens took out Sikoa and hit Jey with a pop-up powerbomb for two. (Graves noted that we almost never see miscommunication like that from the Usos.) Owens tried a senton but Jey got his knees up. Owens and Jey traded superkicks until Owens dropped him with a clothesline.

They tagged out and Zayn gave Jimmy a Blue Thunder Bomb for two. Zayn fought off both Usos but they caught him mid-air with superkicks for two.

Jey yelled at Zayn for trying to destroy their family. Jey set up for a running hip attack but Sikoa tagged himself in. Before Sikoa could do the move, Jey tagged himself in by smacking Sikoa in the chest (which got a reaction from the crowd).

Zayn gave Sikoa a Helluva Kick after Jey ducked. Zayn caught Jey with a Helluva Kick anyway but Sikoa broke up the cover.

The crowd buzzed as Sikoa seemed to turn his attention to Jey but Riddle cut him off with a knee strike. Jimmy chucked Riddle from the ring, Owens superkicked Jimmy, and Sikoa turned Owens inside out with a Samoan spike.

Sikoa felt someone touch him and he grabbed them to set up for the Samoan Spike. It was Jey Uso. Jey didn’t fight out but instead asked Sikoa if he would hit him. This was broken up by Zayn.

Riddle tagged in and gave Jey the Bro Derek. Sikoa had tagged himself in and he gave Riddle a Samoan Spike for the pinfall win.

— Jimmy was all smiles after the match because of the win, perhaps not realizing what happened with his brothers. Jey and Sikoa gave each other looks as they individually celebrated the win. 

********

Cody Rhodes defeated Brock Lesnar (9:41)

Rhodes attacked Lesnar during his entrance and hit him with the steel steps and a steel chair.

The ref started the match and Rhodes hit a Disaster Kick but Lesnar caught a Cody Cutter and hit a big German suplex. Rhodes tried fighting back but Lesnar hit a fallaway slam. Lesnar easily hit Rhodes with suplex after suplex after suplex.

As Lesnar hit another German suplex, Rhodes accidentally ripped off a turnbuckle cover. There were chants of “Suplex city” and “let’s go Cody.”

Rhodes dodged a charged and Lesnar went face-first into the exposed buckle. Lesnar immediately came up bleeding and his entire face was quickly covered in blood. Rhodes hit a cutter and Disaster Kick.

Rhodes hammered away at Lesnar, whose blood was all over Rhodes’ midsection. Rhodes followed with a Cody Cutter and consecutive Cross Rhodes for a nearfall.

Lesnar blocked another Cross Rhodes and hit an F5 for a nearfall. The ref had a handful of towels but perhaps someone in his ear told him to put them away because he kicked them aside before using them.

A bloody Lesnar put Rhodes in a Kimura Lock but Rhodes countered into a cradle for the pinfall win.

(They went off the air pretty quickly after this ended at about 11:05 pm ET.) 

WWE Backlash live results: Edge vs. Orton in ‘Greatest Match Ever’

Posted on by Steve Khan

Tonight’s Backlash pay-per-view is being headlined by what WWE is billing as the “Greatest Match Ever.”

WWE has used that tagline for Edge vs. Randy Orton, which was announced last month after Orton challenged Edge to face him in a straight-up wrestling match. Edge defeated Orton in their last man standing match at WrestleMania, but Orton has tried to make Edge doubt himself by saying that Edge hasn’t actually had a traditional match since being forced to retire due to injury in 2011.

Six title matches have also been announced for tonight. Five of those will take place on the main card: Drew McIntyre vs. Bobby Lashley for the WWE Championship, Asuka vs. Nia Jax for the Raw Women’s Championship, Braun Strowman vs. The Miz & John Morrison in a handicap match for the Universal Championship, Bayley & Sasha Banks vs. Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross vs. The IIconics for the Women’s Tag Team titles, and The Street Profits vs. The Viking Raiders for the Raw Tag Team titles.

Apollo Crews vs. Andrade for the United States title will also take place on tonight’s pre-show. 

Plus, tonight’s PPV will feature a grudge match between Jeff Hardy and Sheamus.

Show Recap — 

KICK-OFF SHOW 

Charly Caruso interviewed Ric Flair and Christian early in the pre-show. Flair talked about how great Orton is. Christian said Orton was the most talented person he has ever stepped in the ring with but he still always looked for the path of least resistance. Christian said Edge wasn’t on vacation for nine years — he scratched and clawed to get back and had the grit to win. 

Apollo Crews defeated Andrade (w/Zelina Vega & Angel Garza) to retain the US Championship (7:23) 

Apollo Crews has new music. Kevin Owens came out to join commentary. He wore a tie with his sleeveless shirt. Byron Saxton complimented him on the tie and Owens thanked him for letting him borrow it. Owens was out there to make sure Garza didn’t screw things up for Crews. 

Crews gave Andrade a back body drop onto the ramp early in the match. Later on, Crews gave him an overhead belly-to-belly suplex into the turnbuckles (Andrade’s legs hit the buckles, so it wasn’t like a buckle bomb). Crews followed with a spinebuster for two. Andrade followed later with a nice DDT for two. 

Crews hit a press slam, standing moonsault and standing shooting star, but Garza got on the apron and this distracted the referee for some reason. 

Owens gave Garza a stunner as Crews looked on. Andrade tried to attack from behind but Crews countered into a spinning sit-out powerbomb for the pinfall win. Crews retains. Good match for the time they got but nothing special. 

Sheamus cut a promo backstage, speaking to the camera. Basically, he called Jeff Hardy a fraud who would show his true colours. Sheamus threatened to kick him back into obscurity. 

BACKLASH MAIN SHOW 

Triple threat tag team match: SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley & Sasha Banks defeated Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross and The IIconics to retain the Tag Team Championships (8:50) 

Corey Graves and Michael Cole did commentary for this match. Cole said tonight’s winners would defend the titles on Wednesday’s NXT against Shotzi Blackheart and Tegan Nox. 

Kayla Braxton interviewed the champs backstage before the match. Bayley called them the greatest tag champs ever. Braxton asked if their friendship would be over if they lost the belts tonight. They were offended by the question and Banks said their friendship was unstoppable. 

One of the big spots in the match was Peyton Royce doing a dive effectively onto everyone. Bliss gave Royce a Twisted Bliss but before she could go for a cover, Banks caught her in a rollup for the pinfall win. Banks and Bayley retain. 

This match was fine and a bit shorter than I would’ve expected. They also must have set a record for the highest number of camera cuts ever in a match. 

Braun Strowman was shown arriving in his Plymouth Grand National. 

Sheamus defeated Jeff Hardy (16:48) 

Hardy teased using the steel steps but thought better of it. Sheamus dropped him over the top turnbuckle which caused Hardy’s leg to slam against the top of the ring post. Sheamus had control for a while until Hardy hit a Whisper in the Wind. 

Hardy ducked a Brogue Kick and hit a slingblade. He was on the top rope but Sheamus tripped him off and they sort of fell on top of each other. Sheamus followed with White Noise for two. Sheamus applied a Texas Cloverleaf but Hardy got a rope break. 

After what felt like a long time, Hardy tossed Sheamus shoulder-first into the post, hit a Twist of Fate and Swanton Bomb, but Sheamus got his foot on the rope. Sheamus rolled outside, so Hardy ran around the barricade and tried a dive but Sheamus gave him a Brogue Kick. Sheamus followed with another Brogue Kick for the pinfall win. Graves said Hardy let everyone down. 

This match was going along well for the first few minutes but it went way too long and got clumsier the longer it went. 

Braxton interviewed The Miz and John Morrison. Miz said they didn’t have time for her. Braxton had news for them: if one of them pinned Strowman, that person would become the champion (as opposed to co-champions). They seemed surprised but acted like they were fine with this development. Otis and Mandy Rose appeared. Otis teased cashing in on them if they won. 

Raw Women’s Championship: Asuka vs. Nia Jax ended in a double countout (8:27) 

Asuka applied an octopus hold but Jax got out of it and took over. Asuka applied a guillotine but Jax countered into what looked like a jackhammer. Jax talked trash about Kairi Sane so Asuka came back with strikes and a shining wizard for two. Asuka followed with a dropkick and a running hip attack for two. 

Asuka used Yes kicks but Jax caught one (late) and hit a sit-out powerbomb for a nearfall. Jax ran into the post so Asuka went to the top. Jax went after her but Asuka applied an armbar. This led to Jax falling out of the ring, which didn’t look good. 

Asuka applied an armbar on the outside but Jax sort of slung her into the barricade. Asuka kicked her in the head but the referee counted to ten before she could get back in the ring. The match ended in a double countout. Asuka retained. Asuka was stunned. She gave Jax a running hip attack on the outside before leaving. 

This match was a massive struggle and the finish obviously sucked. 

MVP was on the phone ordering champagne. Lana interrupted him and talked about her importance to Bobby Lashley’s success. MVP informed her that he wasn’t the one telling Lashley to keep Lana backstage for his matches. MVP left to get ready for his championship celebration. 

2-on-1 handicap match: Braun Strowman defeated The Miz & John Morrison to retain the Universal Championship (7:20) 

Miz and Morrison made their entrance and showed their dumb music video until Strowman interrupted it. Cole explained that Miz and Morrison have to tag in and out of the match. 

Morrison was kicking away at Strowman but Strowman ducked the last one. However, he still sold being down and Morrison seemed confused. He tagged Miz but they missed each others’ hands. Miz entered the ring anyway. 

Miz and Morrison hit a double team Skull Crushing Finale/double foot stomp combo. Morrison went for the cover but Miz yanked him off. Morrison looked surprised and Miz acted upset, like he made a mistake. Miz put Morrison back on top of Strowman but he kicked out easily. 

Strowman gave Miz a chokeslam and gave Morrison a powerslam for the pinfall win. 

They recapped AJ Styles beating Daniel Bryan to win the Intercontinental title on Smackdown. Cole called the match an instant classic. Braxton interviewed Styles who said there would be a big championship celebration on Smackdown. Everyone was invited including Bryan because he had the most to learn. Styles called Bryan one of the best ever but he wasn’t phenomenal. 

Drew McIntyre defeated Bobby Lashley (w/MVP) to retain the WWE Championship (13:14) 

McIntyre got in MVP’s face during his entrance then Lashley applied the full nelson and wouldn’t let go. Referees ran down to try to break it up. Lashley eventually let go after a while. McIntyre was down but gave the okay to the referee to start the match. 

Lashley attacked McIntyre and gave him a suplex. McIntyre still had his sleeveless jacket on until Lashley ripped it off. McIntyre clotheslined Lashley over the top and drove him into the barricade. McIntyre got distracted by MVP so Lashley picked him up and just sorta dropped him. Another clumsy spot tonight. Lashley then drove him into the ring post. 

Lashley tried a spear on the outside but McIntyre launched him into the barricade and followed with a vertical suplex. McIntyre came back with clotheslines, a flying clothesline and spinebuster for two. Lashley followed with a spinebuster of his own for two. Lashley used an ugly-looking flatliner for a one count. 

Lashley tried the full nelson but McIntyre managed to fight it off and hit an impressive-looking reverse Alabama Slam. McIntyre came off the top but Lashley blocked and applied a crossface. McIntyre fought out and attempted a piledriver but Lashley countered into an ankle lock. Lashley went for a spear but McIntyre countered into a kimura until Lashley got the rope. 

McIntyre hit a superplex and went for a Claymore Kick but Lashley hit a spear instead for a nearfall. Lana chose this moment to saunter out. McIntyre pushed Lashley into Lana who fell into MVP. McIntyre then hit a Claymore Kick for the pinfall win. 

The finish was bad but the bulk of this match was pretty good. 

The Street Profits / Viking Raiders segment 

The announcers were about to introduce the Raw tag team title match but they cut to the parking lot where the Street Profits brawled with the Viking Raiders. I thought they were friendly? Montez Ford chucked Erik on top of Strowman’s car. They all freaked out and ran away. 

The brawl continued in the back where they teased using instruments from their previous segments (golf clubs and bowling balls). They stopped fighting when Ford noted how crazy this all was. 

They all dropped their weapons. Ford used a reference from the Chappelle Show and asked Angelo Dawkins, “what did the five fingers say to the face?” They each slapped Erik and Ivar, who didn’t get the reference. 

Dawkins and Erik fought off-screen. Ivar saw his bowling ball and had a flashback to bowling — which we, the audience, could see. Ivar then bowled the ball into Ford’s nuts. As Ivar checked on Erik, Dawkins speared him through a glass window. Ivar had another flashback that we, the audience, could see. 

Each team argued and Dawkins said this escalated too quickly. Ivar said they should take this outside. Everyone else noted that they were already outside. 

They readied for another brawl when seven people on motorcycles appeared. One of them took off his helmet to reveal it was Akira Tozawa. He offered a challenge in Japanese. 

The Raiders and Profits huddled up. Dawkins noted that they were up against Ninjas, so they agreed to fight together. A graphic popped on the screen dubbing them the Viking Profits. They teamed up to beat up the Ninjas together, which looked about as good as the fight scene in Dolemite is My Name. 

Tozawa then called upon a big, tall masked friend of his. Ivar called for a turkey leg the way Thor calls for his hammer. The big guy pulled out a sword. Erik was about to fight him but the Profits held him back and they all ran away. 

They argued again, this time on top of a transport truck. Dawkins gave Erik a bulldog off the truck into a dumpster. Ivar pushed Ford into the dumpster, then dove into it. Ivar had another flashback that we, the audience, could see. Referee Jessika Carr appeared and asked them what the heck they were doing. She then said Ivar was cute but Erik wasn’t. 

A strange noise started and some sort of tail (like a Godzilla tail) could be seen. They scrambled to get out of the dumpster. 

Tom Phillips said the match isn’t happening tonight. 

Phillips said it wouldn’t be fair for Orton and Edge to perform without a live audience. Saxton said the match would be an event like we haven’t seen before — WWE would enhance the viewing experience using a variety of production devices including “unique camera angles” and “amplified audio.” 

Randy Orton defeated Edge (44:47) 

Charles Robinson was the referee and wore an old referee’s outfit — a powder blue shirt and bowtie. Edge’s entrance appeared to have fake crowd noise added — or they turned up the existing noise from the live audience. Whatever the technique was, they used it throughout the match. 

They used old audio of Howard Finkel introducing each guy with an old MSG mic hanging above the ring, which was cool. 

As the opening bell rang, Phillips yelled, “this is the greatest wrestling match ever!” 

About ten minutes into the match, Edge headbutted Orton off the ropes to the apron and Orton was busted open. The audience chanted, “this is awesome.” Edge used a Russian leg sweep and applied a crossface but Orton got a rope break. Edge avoided an RKO and tried for the head-and-arm choke but Orton again got to the ropes. 

Orton used a neckbreaker, which Edge sold big, to take over. Orton repeatedly ran Edge into the plexiglass, barricade and steel steps. Orton also gave Edge a back suplex onto the announce table and covered him in the ring for two. 

Edge fought out of a chinlock but Orton pushed him neck-first into the buckle. Orton went for the three amigos suplexes but only landed two before Edge countered and hit the three vertical suplexes. The announcers acknowledged Eddie Guerrero. 

They traded chops which Edge got the better of but Orton came right back with a dropkick. Orton shoved Edge into the post and followed later with a superplex for two. Orton used uppercuts until each guy collided with crossbody attempts. 

Orton tried a draping DDT off the top buckle but Edge countered into the Edgecution DDT for two. The audience chanted, “this is awesome” again. Edge followed with running knees and a running elbow strike for two. Edge then hit a flying high cross for two. 

Orton used a schoolboy for two before Edge applied a crossface. Orton countered into a cover for two, then followed with an Angle Slam for two. Orton went for a dropkick but Edge countered into a powerbomb for two. 

Orton sent Edge to the outside then hit a draping DDT in the ring. Edge avoided an RKO and went for an Unprettier but Orton slipped out and Edge used an Edge-O-Matic for a nearfall. Orton avoided a spear but Edge hit an Unprettier for two. The audience chanted, “this is awesome” again. 

Orton dropped Edge over the top rope and hit a Pedigree for a nearfall. Orton and Saxton were stunned. Edge followed with a Rock Bottom for a nearfall. Another “this is awesome” chant. Edge went for a Sharpshooter but Orton kicked him off. Edge used a backslide for two, then Orton hit an uppercut. Edge came back with a series of rollups for two. 

Orton then nailed an RKO for a nearfall. Orton set up for the punt but Edge hit a spear. Edge hit another spear but Orton kicked out. Edge tried something off the ropes but Orton countered into an RKO for a nearfall. 

Edge applied the head-and-arm choke (which they’re calling the “anti-venom”) but Orton kicked out of it. The announcers said Orton might have kicked him low but you couldn’t tell. Edge was dazed so Orton punted him for the pinfall win. 

After the match, Orton got in Edge’s face and told him to go home. A stretcher was brought out for Edge but he brushed them off. Orton looked on as the show ended. 

Some notes: 

This was an excellent match. I was skeptical they would come close to the Bryan-Styles match from Smackdown but they did. 

Hat tip to Edge for being able to pull this off after being off for so long. 

I didn’t notice where Edge might have injured himself. He landed awkwardly less than half-way through the match when they collided with crossbody attempts, but I doubt that was it. Just a random observation. 

The “amplified” crowd noise sounded good when the crowd was cheering but didn’t sound good when they were booing. I’m guessing they turn up the noise when the live audience cheers, but since they rarely boo within the match, they need to add the fake booing. 

This was a bad show outside of the main event. 

They ditched the big in-ring introductions for title matches on this show.

WWE Backlash live results: Shinsuke Nakamura in action

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

Preview by Joseph Currier

SmackDown’s first post-WrestleMania 33 pay-per-view takes place at the Allstate Arena in Chicago tonight.

Most of the advertising for the show has been built around it featuring Shinsuke Nakamura’s televised main roster in-ring debut. Nakamura will face Dolph Ziggler in his first match on TV since debuting on the SmackDown after WrestleMania.

We’re looking for your thoughts on tonight’s show, so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match for this show as well as last night’s NXT show, to [email protected].

Randy Orton will defend his WWE Championship against Jinder Mahal on the PPV. Their unlikely matchup was set up after Mahal won a six-pack challenge on SmackDown last month to become the new number one contender.

Elsewhere on the show, Kevin Owens defends his United States title against AJ Styles, The Usos put their tag titles on the line against Breezango, Naomi teams with Charlotte Flair & Becky Lynch against Natalya, Carmella & Tamina, Sami Zayn takes on Baron Corbin, and Luke Harper and Erick Rowan square off.

Tye Dillinger vs. Aiden English is also scheduled for the Backlash pre-show. Our coverage begins with that match before the main card kicks off at 8 p.m. ET.

**********

By Dave Meltzer

TYE DILLINGER VS. AIDEN ENGLISH

Decent match ending when English missed a senton off the toip and Dillinger hit the Tye-breaker for the pin. They were playing up that Dillinger was having an emotional breakdown.

SHINSUKE NAKAMURA VS. DOLPH ZIGGLER

Slow match. There was nothing wrong with it. It accomplished its purpose but it was mainly Ziggler doing most of the office, getting a near fall with the Zig Zag until Nakamura used an elbow, the reverse powerslam and the Kinshasa for the clean win.

USOS VS. TYLER BREEZE & FANDANGO FOR TAG TITLES

First two-thirds were comedy. Tyler Breeze was dressed up like a janitor early, and then like a grandma. The Usos took Breeze’s dress off and threw it and it hit JBL in the face. The crowd was with it. Nothing like last night. The last few minutes they got serious. Breeze did a flip off the apron but the Usos caught him and threw him over the barricade. Fandango did a running flip dive. The end saw Fandango on the top rope and Jey superkicked him off the top rope and pinned him. 

SAMI ZAYN VS. BARON CORBIN

They did an upset here as Zayn won with the Helluva kick. Corbin dominated the match with Zayn doing his usual good job of selling. It was a basic pattern match. Zayn kicked out of the Deep Six but Corbin doesn’t win with that move ever. Corbin would block many of Zayn’s trademark spots. The crowd popped for the finish but this crowd overall is nothing compared to last night.

The Singh Brothers and Jinder Mahal showed up. Mahal did the foreign menace promo. The crowd reacted to him like he was a star at first and then did all the “what” stuff but since he was taped he didn’t have to detail with it. Some CM Punk chants. Said he would turn the universe of doubters and discriminators into believers. Definitely played up being a babyface in India. Crowd booed him when it was over.

CHARLOTTE FLAIR & NAOMI & BECKY LYNCH VS. NATALYA & CARMELLA & TAMINA

Just a match. A few rough spots but generally okay. Most of the match was Naomi being worked over until Lynch made the hot tag. Lynch was doing well. Tamina played powerhouse some. The finish was Natalya putting the sharpshooter on Lynch in the middle. Nobody saved her and she tapped.  

KEVIN OWENS VS. A.J. STYLES FOR THE U.S. TITLE

Very good match. The finish saw Styles hit the forearm off the barricade on the floor. He went for the Styles Clash on the announces table but Styles leg fell into the opening where a monitor would be. Styles was haning from the table with the idea that his right knee was hurt and he was counted out. Owens kicked him after the match.  Styles had his knee worked over much of the match. He went for the phenomenal forearm and lost his balance on the ropes and was selling. Very good match. The crowd was into this more than anything so far, but nothing like last night.

LUKE HARPER VS. ERICK ROWAN

Harper got the win back. Both guys worked real hard but the crowd was dead for them in this position. Harper did a tope knocking Rowan in between the announcing tables. Harper turned a power bomb into a huracanrana and hit two superkicks and a spinning elbow. 

RANDY ORTON VS. JINDER MAHAL FOR WWE TITLE

They put Mahal over for the title when Randy Orton gave both Singh Brothers the draping DDT and then Mahal came form behind him with a cobra clutch slam for the pin.  The crowd was very into the match early, then seemed to lose interest but picked up at the end. It wasn’t a great match but it served its purpose and got a main event reaciton. Most of the match was him working over Orton’s shoulder. Orton hit the RKO but the Singh Brothers pulled Mahal out of ther ring. Orton gave back suplexes on both Singh Brothers on their heads on a table. That was sick. There was a somewhat babyface pop for the title change and there were people doing dueling chants for Mahal early.