WWE Backlash 2018: Results, Highlights, Analysis, and Grades

Source: WWE.com

Intercontinental Championship Match

Seth Rollins (c) vs. The Miz

Result: Seth Rollins defeated The Miz via pinfall

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

As much as I think Rollins should be a min eventer like yesterday, I actually like the trend of his matches going a bit early. Tonight, with a card that has very little build to it, you need something to get people going early. Who better to pop a crowd with no heat than The Kingslayer? Throw him in against The Miz, and my god, how could you go wrong?

And the fans in Newark definitely were hyped for this one. The Miz got a huge pop as the first man out, but somehow Rollins made them get even louder. Maybe that’s one reason he’s sitting on top of our Raw Power Rankings this week…

https://twitter.com/WWE/status/993283719250173952

The match itself was just about perfectly paced, and both superstars did so much in terms of intangibles. Miz really played up his arrogance and cockiness. Rollins works a crowd as few other babyfaces can. And the knowledge both Rollins and Miz showed about the other was top notch. Both were prepared with counters for many of their opponent’s signature moves.

https://twitter.com/WWEUniverse/status/993284039581646849

With The Miz battling for his favorite championship in all of WWE, you could tell he’d be blinded by the possible glory awaiting him. Putting the cart before the horse like that is a surefire way to ensure you will not become a nine-time Intercontinental Championship. Because while Miz is gloating about how he made the title relevant, Rollins is out there busting out power we don’t usually see from him — pulling out literally all the stops.

I LOVED LOVED LOVED the ring post spot, playing into Rollins’s history of knee injuries. And Miz going for the Figure Four was a perfect follow up — but Miz went for the move on the wrong leg!!! Story time, kids: A Figure Four does damage to the straight leg, not the bent one, since the lock is hyperextending the straight one via pressure from the executor’s legs. That’s also why turning over “reverses the pressure.” It was literally the one thing about the match that I didn’t like, but few other people realize that it’s a “mistake,” so I guess I should let it slide.

After that, though, the match was bonkers. The kickouts after the Skull Crushing Finales — both of them — got me. Rollins continuing to sell the knee to even open the door for two SCF was terrific. Again, pacing was terrific (per Sean Ross Sapp credit goes to Tyson Kidd), and everything built off what came before it. Totally incredible match, my minor quibble aside.

No surprises after the match, which in and of itself is surprising for anyone expecting Jason Jordan or Dolph Ziggler/Drew McIntyre. But a hell of an opener all around, and likely to be the best match of the night.