WWE Backlash 2018: Results, Highlights, Analysis, and Grades
By Bryan Heaton
Source: WWE.com
Braun Strowman & Bobby Lashley vs. Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn
Result: Braun Strowman & Bobby Lashley defeated Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn via pinfall
Rating: 1.5 out of 5 stars
I spent the first five minutes or so of this match slowly coming to the realization that the show was going over time. Incredible. On a show with only eight matches on the main card, with really only the IC Title match getting substantial time (to this point), and half the roster left off the show, we still couldn’t fit the whole thing into three hours. Holy crap, how is that possible?
.@SamiZayn & @FightOwensFight, you're about to GET THESE HANDS!!!! #WWEBacklash @fightbobby @BraunStrowman pic.twitter.com/d9lFMLdAGq
— WWE (@WWE) May 7, 2018
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For the next part of the match, as I lamented the lack of the Usos, The Bar, and Drew McIntyre from the event, I realized that this match was yet another excuse to accomplish two outcomes:
- Braun Strowman runs guys over like a freight train
- Remind everyone that Bobby Lashley is insanely athletic.
That’s literally it. I did enjoy Sami Zayn’s attempt to teach Kevin Owens a valuable lesson: in the words of Kenny Rogers, you’ve got to know when to hold ’em, know when to fold ’em, know when to walk away, know when to run. Sadly, Owens didn’t seem to catch on, and it looks like the best friends/better enemies are again on a path to being the latter.
The match finished with Lashley pinning the wrong man, but who cares. This match wasn’t meant to be anything important, so I guess even the official took a snooze. Either that, or he cared less than most.
The POWER of @fightbobby is on display early at the expense of @FightOwensFight! #WWEBacklash pic.twitter.com/DUjEXhuJVJ
— WWE (@WWE) May 7, 2018
The big anticipated finish to this was a Lashley heel turn, but instead, nothing. Just more undeserved punishment to both Owens and Zayn. And Braun Strowman has finally gotten closer to “WWE Top Babyface” status, since he spent half the post-match beating up the bad guys for no reason. Yay?