My Thoughts and Opinions of Backlash

The Backlash PPV wasn’t promoted well in my humble, and the card didn’t appear strong on paper. Typically pay-per-views leading up to Wrestlemania and following it are often times sub par, but not this year’s Backlash. The strong point of the show for me going in was that WWE only advertised six matches, thus you had to figure that WWE would give each match plenty of time to tell a story. Of course, WWE has added unadvertised matches to PPVs in the past as time fillers, but not on this night.

The PPV got off to a great start with a strong tag team title match. I’m digging Trevor Murdoch and Lance Cade as a tag team. However, if Murdoch is attempting the Canadian Destroyer, someone needs to tell him to stop. With the lack of tag teams in WWE (and in TNA for that matter), it’s refreshing to get a quality tag team match. The tag team title match was a solid opening bout.

The backstage promo where Vince McMahon told son Shane he’d become ECW champion was intriguing. You got the impression both really wanted to become champion, but were willing to step aside to allow the other to win the belt. You could also read into that one was going to double cross the other for the strap. Like I said; an intriguing interview segment.

The Melina-Mickie James women’s title match was better than expected, and a pretty good women’s match over all. James has become a great bump taker. Last night, she looked a little like Trish Stratus in the ring, at least in appearance. Perhaps they are grooming her for a Stratus like push? Kudos to the divas, which proved they can do more than lingerie matches.

The Edge interview backstage with Maria was also intriguing, with possible foreshadowing. Mr. Kennedy came out, and made you think he might cash in his title shot tonight after the fatal four way. You could you read into it that Kennedy might opt to go after the WWE title, rather than the World Heavyweight title, since he already feuded with the dead man.

WWE treated us to another good match with MVP challenging Chris Benoit for the United States title. I guess we’ll find out exactly how much MVP has improved when he is programmed with someone other than the Canadian Crippler. With Benoit going over here again, I’m not sure this feud will continue beyond this point.

You knew heading into Backlash that Randy Orton was going to be punished to a degree on the PPV. You pretty much figured he would be doing the job in the main event, but WWE also did allow John Cena to imply that Orton was gay, even though we know he is engaged to be married. I have to admit, Orton’s hand gesture does leave something to be desired.

I liked the drama in the handicap match, even if I wasn’t happy with the outcome. The story here was simple. Vince allowed both Shane O Mac and Umaga to do his dirty work, and then would tag in to get the victory. A simple story, and effective on television. Vince Russo really needs to get a copy of this PPV. The legacy of the ECW is tarnished by Mr. McMahon winning, but hasn’t it been tarnished already? The McMahon’s really tarnished the legacy of ECW by putting down the originals in the back. I guess that shows you were they stand in the company.

I had to give the man credit, Batista worked hard again in the last man standing match. Perhaps he is feeling the backstage heat, or realizes his days on top of the card may be coming to the end. Whatever the motivation, this was another strong Undertaker-Batista show down. With a no finish here and two brawling outside the ring, one would assume the next match will be fought in a cage, perhaps the hell in the cell.

Backlash concluded with a great main event. I’m not usually a big fan of four way matches, but this was an awesome match. If you liked Cena vs. Shawn Michaels on Raw, you’ll like this one even better. It’s too bad the rating for the Cena-HBK match wasn’t better on television, as I assume it will be awhile before we see another great match like that on television again. A brilliant finish. Cena wins thanks to HBK’s super kick. This made me want to see the HBK-Cena re-match. Orton does the job, and doesn’t even look weak. A brilliant ending, brilliant booking altogether.

A big thumbs up for the PPV. If you like good wrestling, I would recommend the PPV replay or the DVD. Very few angles, no long promos, or pointless run ins. Like I said, someone send a videotape of the show to the TNA offices in Nashville. Note to TNA, don’t let the gimmick matches handicaps the wrestlers in the ring! Best match, the fatal four way main event.

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