Tag: Wrestlemania Backlash 2022

WWE’s first pay-per-view since WrestleMania 38 takes place tonight as the Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Providence, Rhode Island hosts WrestleMania Backlash.

Along with several WrestleMania rematches, the show will feature a six-man tag bout between Roman Reigns & The Usos and Drew McIntyre & RK-Bro. What was originally announced as an Usos vs. RK-Bro Tag Team title unification match was changed to a six-man tag with no official stakes.

The SmackDown Women’s Championship will be on the line tonight, with Ronda Rousey challenging her Flair in an “I Quit” match. Charlotte used a ref bump to her advantage to retain the title against Rousey at WrestleMania.

Plus, Cody Rhodes vs. Seth Rollins, AJ Styles vs. Edge, Bobby Lashley vs. Omos, and Happy Corbin vs. Madcap Moss are set for the PPV.

Edge’s Judgment Day stablemate Damian Priest is banned from ringside for tonight’s Styles vs. Edge match. A distraction by Priest led to Edge defeating Styles at WrestleMania.

Tonight’s main card begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time. There will also be a pre-show starting at 7 p.m. Eastern.

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Kick-off Show

The pre-show panel includes Kayla Braxton, Booker T, Kevin Patrick, JBL, and Pete Rosenberg. They ran down tonight’s card and recapped the Cody Rhodes vs. Seth Rollins feud. 

MVP joined the panel. He didn’t realize that Braxton was talking to him. JBL remarked, “we’re live, pal.” They recapped the Bobby Lashley vs. Omos feud, including MVP turning on Lashley and the arm-wrestling challenge. MVP noted that Omos promises to break Lashley in half tonight.

The panel discussed Edge vs. AJ Styles with Damien Priest barred from ringside. They turned their attention to the Charlotte Flair and Ronda Rousey feud. 

They recapped Happy Corbin vs. Madcap Moss. Moss joined the panel to discuss the match. Booker wanted him to tell a joke, but Moss is serious tonight. He tried to start a “Big Bald Wolf” chant, but it didn’t catch on. The fans did break into a brief “Madcap Moss” chant. 

In the back, Sara Schreiber interviewed Paul Heyman and The Usos. Heyman wished a Happy Mother’s Day to Roman Reigns’ mother. He also wished a Happy Mother’s Day to The Usos’ mother. Heyman added that RK-Bro’s mother’s failed raising them. He also thinks Drew McIntyre has serious psychological issues because he named his sword after his mother. The panel discussed the Reigns & The Usos vs. McIntyre & RK-Bro main event to end the kick-off show. 

Main Show

Cody Rhodes defeated Seth “Freakin” Rollins (20:45)

Rollins and Rhodes had a great match, but the WrestleMania match was slightly better. They both worked hard and told a good story. 

They showed a Cody Rhodes-Seth Rollins video package. 

The fans sang Rollins’ music during his entrance but booed when it was over. They broke into a loud “Cody” chant before his music played. 

The story of the match was that Rollins is more prepared for Rhodes this time. Rollins quickly went for a back suplex. Rhodes slipped out and dropped down, but Rollins blocked the punch. Rhodes then went for a scoop slam, but Rollins avoided it. 

Rollins took over after rocking Rhodes with a vicious clothesline at ringside. Rhodes fought back, dropped down, and hit the punch this time. He followed up with the disaster kick for a near fall. Rhodes went for the disaster kick again, but Rollins pushed him out of the ring. 

Rollins whipped Rhodes into the corner. Rhodes countered with a sunset flip, but Rollins held onto the rope for a two-count. Rhodes regained control and gave Rollins a superplex. They then traded hard chops and slaps. Rhodes caught Rollins with a scoop slam and sent him to the floor. 

Rhodes ran up the corner and hit a crossbody to the floor, but Rollins avoided it. Rollins went for a suicide dive, but Rhodes cut him off. Rhodes then hit a Cody Cutter for a close near fall. Rollins fought back and went for a pedigree. Rhodes escaped, but Rollins hit a superkick for another close near fall. 

Rollins went for the stomp. Rhodes moved and attempted the Cross Rhodes, but Rollins escaped. Rhodes went for the pedigree, but Rollins hit a forearm to the back of the head. He followed up with a falcon arrow for a near fall. Rhodes went for the disaster kick again. Rollins caught him and hit a buckle bomb. He followed up with a frog splash for a close two-count. The fans broke into a “This is awesome” chant.

Rollins went for the phoenix splash, but Rhodes moved out of the way. Rollins landed on his feet, but Rhodes responded with a superkick. Rollins recovered and hit a superplex into an attempted falcon arrow. Rhodes escaped and hit Cross Rhodes, but Rollins got his foot on the bottom rope. 

Rhodes missed a moonsault, and Rollins hit the pedigree for a very close near fall. Rollins did the Dusty Rhodes flip, flop and fly, but Rhodes countered into the Cross Rhodes. Rollins escaped. Rhodes then attempted the vertebreaker, but Rollins slipped out. Rollins caught Rhodes with the O’Connor roll while holding the tights. Rhodes reversed and pinned Rollins while holding the tights for the win. 

Omos (w/MVP) defeated Bobby Lashley (8:50)

Lashley and Omos had an okay match. They had a tough time following Rhodes vs. Rollins and seemed on different pages at times. It was pretty much what you’d expect from them. 

They aired a Lashley-Omos video package.

Lashley backed Omos against the ropes, but MVP caused a distraction. Omos took advantage and rocked Lashley with a boot to the face. Lashley fought back, but Omos tossed him to ringside. 

Back in the ring, Omos gave Lashley the snake eyes on the turnbuckle and followed up with another big boot to the face. He picked up Lashley again, but he slipped out. They seemed to be on different pages for a moment. Lashley then jumped on Omos’ back with a sleeper.

Lashley was firmly in control and tied Omos in the ropes. MVP tried to break Omos free, but Lashley chased him. He caught MVP in the Hurt Lock, but Omos broke it up. Lashley applied the Hurt Lock on Omos. He was almost out, but he recovered and broke free.

Lashley rocked Omos with boots to the face and attempted a suplex. Omos escaped, but Lashley hit a spinebuster. The fans popped for the spinebuster. Omos sent Lashley into the ring post and argued with the referee. MVP hit Lashley with his cane, and Omos hit the tree slam to win.

Edge defeated AJ Styles (15:24)

Damien Priest is banned from ringside. 

Edge and Styles had a good match that started slowly but picked up towards the end. The big surprise was Rhea Ripely joining Judgement Day and helping Edge win. 

They showed an Edge vs. AJ Styles video package.

The commentators noted Styles is at a disadvantage because of his shoulder injury. 

They ran at each other at the bell and traded shots in the middle of the ring. Styles had the early advantage as he drove Edge’s head into the announce table. He followed up with a sliding dropkick and an Asai moonsault. He set up for the Phenomenal forearm, but Edge cut him off. 

Edge slowed the pace down with a shoulder lock. Styles broke free and hit the Pele Kick. They fought on the top turnbuckle until Styles hit a hurricanrana for another near fall. 

Styles worked over Edge’s leg and chopped him down. Edge fought back and went after the shoulder again. Styles recovered and locked on the Calf Crusher, but Edge broke free. Edge grabbed the middle turnbuckle pad and ripped it off as Styles gave him a German suplex. Edge missed a spear and hit the middle turnbuckle. Styles rolled him up for a two-count.

Edge regained control and speared Styles for a very close near fall. Styles fought back and hit the Styles Clash for a close two-count. Styles couldn’t do the Phenomenal forearm because of his injured shoulder. He slowly climbed to the top rope, but Damien Priest walked down the aisle to cause a distraction.

Priest pointed out that he was in the aisle and not at ringside, which seemed like a weak explanation. Finn Balor ran down and attacked Priest. Styles watched from the corner as they fought into the ring and to the other side. Suddenly, a person in a hood jumped on the apron and tripped up Styles. Edge then caught Styles in the cross face, and he passed out.

After the match, Byron Saxton wanted to know who the “guy” was that interfered. The hooded person got in the ring and posed in front of Edge. They took off the hood to reveal Rhea Ripley. The fans popped big for the reveal. 

They showed a Bianca Belair video package. 

“I Quit” match: Ronda Rousey defeated Charlotte Flair to win the SmackDown Women’s Championship (16:33)

Flair and Rousey had a really good “I Quit” match. They worked hard and told a good story. The fans were into the match and popped for the finish. Rousey got a good reaction as well.

They aired a Flair-Rousey video package.

The bell rang, and they charged at each other. Rousey worked over Flair’s arm and went for Piper’s pit, but Flair fought back. Flair hit a high-angle German suplex with Rousey landing on her head. Flair backed Rousey against the barricade and rocked her with hard chops. Rousey refused to quit.

Flair pulled out a kendo stick from under the ring. Rousey grabbed the kendo stick, so Flair ran to the back. She returned with two kendo sticks. Rousey grabbed those kendo sticks too and beat down Flair. Flair wouldn’t give up. 

Flair grabbed the camera off the cameraman’s shoulder. She threw it at Rousey but missed. Rousey and Flair brawled through the crowd. Flair took over after throwing a drink in Rousey’s eyes. She then tossed Rousey into the hockey board. 

Flair wrapped Rousey around the railing, but she refused to quit. Flair tried to hit Rousey with a chair. Rousey blocked the chair shot, and Flair ran back to the ring. Flair kicked the chair out of Rousey’s hands and drove her into the announce table. The fans broke into a loud “We want tables” chant. 

Flair took over after giving Rousey a powerbomb into the barricade. Rousey went for Piper’s Pit, but Flair escaped and pushed her into the ring post. The fans broke into another loud “We want tables ” chant. 

Flair climbed to the top rope, but Rousey cut her off. Rousey locked on an armbar from the apron as Flair was upside down. They then took a nasty fall to the floor. The fans chanted “We want tables” a third time. Pat McAfee pointed out a fan in the front row wearing a Fiend mask.

Flair hit Natural Selection on the chair back in the ring, but Rousey refused to quit. Flair locked on the Figure Eight, but Rousey broke free using the chair. Flair regained control and set up the chair. 

Flair grabbed the mic and told Rousey this was her last chance. She then wished Rousey a Happy Mother’s Day. A furious Rousey caught Flair in the armbar using the chair. Flair refused to give up, so Rousey extended the arm until Flair finally screamed, “I quit.”

They aired a Money In The Bank commercial featuring Cody Rhodes.

Madcap Moss defeated Happy Corbin (9:39)

Moss and Corbin had a bad match that dragged at times. Moss looked good, but Corbin dominated most of the way. This would have been a fine TV match. 

They showed a Corbin-Moss video package.

Moss had the early advantage until Corbin took over with a chokeslam. Corbin continued to beat down Moss and whipped him into the corner. Corbin slowed the pace down with a chin lock. 

Corbin then hit the around-the-ring post clothesline for a near fall. He slammed down Moss and hit a senton for another near fall. Moss bounced off the ropes and knocked Corbin to ringside. He tackled Corbin and threw him into the ring post. 

Moss caught Corbin and hit a fallaway slam for a near fall. He set up for the punchline, but Corbin countered into a back suplex. Moss fought back, but Corbin hit Deep Six for a two-count. 

The finish came when Corbin went for the around-the-ring-post clothesline again, but Moss countered with a sunset flip for the win.

They showed a Drew McIntyre video package. 

They aired a Hell In The Cell commercial. 

They recapped Ronda Rousey defeating Charlotte Flair in the “I Quit” match earlier. Kayla Braxton gave an update on Flair and announced she broke her arm. 

Roman Reigns & The Usos (w/Paul Heyman) defeated Drew McIntyre & RK-Bro (22:09)

This was a good main event. They started slowly, but the fans were into it from the beginning. It picked up towards the end and turned into a really good match. 

They recapped the Reigns & Usos vs. McIntyre & RK-Bro feud. 

Michael Cole, Pat McAfee, and Corey Graves were the commentators for the main event. Cole pointed out that Reigns has been champion for 616 days. The fans broke into a “Randy” chant before the match. 

Jimmy backed Orton into the corner. Orton broke free by poking Jimmy in the eyes. McIntyre tagged and caught Jimmy with a belly-to-belly suplex. He then pointed at Reigns to get in the ring. Heyman begged Reigns not to tag in because he has nothing to prove.

Reigns tagged in, and the fans popped. McIntyre and Reigns faced off to another pop. Reigns then walked back to his corner and tagged out to thunderous boos. 

The heels took over and isolated Riddle on their side of the ring. Reigns finally tagged in when Riddle was in trouble. Riddle tried to fight back, but Reigns rocked him with a back elbow. He slammed down Riddle with a Rock bottom for a two-count. 

Jimmy missed a splash in the corner, but Jey cut Riddle off. Jey then knocked Orton off the apron with a superkick. He went for the Rikishi splash, but Riddle countered with a knee. Reigns threw Jey back in the ring and tagged himself. At the same time, Riddle tagged in McIntyre. Cole noted Reigns couldn’t avoid McIntyre this time because The Usos were down. 

McIntyre and Reigns faced off in the middle of the ring. McIntyre caught Reigns with a belly-to-belly suplex. He then took out Jimmy and Jey with neck breakers. Reigns recovered and hit the Superman punch on McIntyre. The fans broke into a “Randy” chant. 

Reigns taunted Orton and Riddle on the apron. He knocked Riddle down and celebrated. McIntyre took advantage and hit the Claymore on Reigns. Orton got the hot tag and ran wild. He hit a power slam on Reigns and the draping DDT on Jimmy.

Orton tossed Jey to ringside. Reigns tried to jump Orton, but he hit the RKO to a massive pop. Orton then hit the RKO on Jimmy, but Jey broke up the pin attempt. McIntyre jumped back in and went for the Claymore. Jey responded with a superkick. 

Riddle tagged in and got his chance to run wild. He rocked Reigns with a knee and hit the broton on Jey. He followed up with the floating Bro for a close two-count. The fans broke into a loud “This is awesome” chant. Jey avoided Riddle and hit a pop-up neck breaker, but Orton broke up the pin attempt. 

Orton beat down Jey around ringside. Suddenly, Reigns hit the Superman punch on Orton. McIntyre sent Reigns into the ring post and cleared the announce table to a big pop. The fans have been dying for a table spot.

Reigns fought back and gave McIntyre the Rock bottom through the table to a big pop. Riddle then took out the heels with a crossbody. Jey recovered and hit a suicide dive on Riddle. Back in the ring, Riddle and Jey traded knees and superkicks. The finish came when Riddle hit the RKO on Jey from the top rope. Reigns made the blind tag and speared Riddle for the win.

After the match, The Bloodline celebrated to end WrestleMania Backlash.