WWE Backlash 2020: Results, Highlights, and Grades: Orton vs. Edge meets the hype

Edge vs. Randy Orton – “The Greatest Wrestling Match Ever”

Result: Randy Orton won by pinfall

Rating: 4.5/5.0 Stars

Grade: A+

If there was ever a standard wrestling match in WWE that had to be heavily edited, it was going to be this one. Now, that’s not because Edge and Randy Orton pulled a Goldberg vs. Undertaker. It’s because they did fantastic and WWE wanted it to look even better.

From the classical introductions all the way to the piped-in crowd reactions to enhance the lively Performance Center crowd, WWE did everything in their power to enhance what Edge and Orton did in (and around) the ring.

Did it come off as cheesy? Maybe just a little. But I loved every bit of it. These two went old school in the best ways possible. Edge looked better than ever, while Orton looked sadistic with blood running down his face. The physical matches that preceded this one were quick and dirty, if you will, while this one was a methodical beatdown from both men. There were several times where one could even call it a technical masterpiece.

I’m a sucker for great in-ring storytelling, and it was most definitely alive and well here. For instance, Edge used Christian’s Killswitch and Orton used Triple H’s Pedigree before either had even attempted their own respective finishing moves. This. Was. Awesome.

45 minutes in, Randy Orton beat Edge with the punt. Their brawl may have dragged here and there, but I thoroughly enjoyed the presentation of this match, and thought it was even better than their Last Man Standing bout. Orton’s impressive win should send him to the WWE Title picture immediately.

What did you think of WWE Backlash 2020? Did Edge vs. Randy Orton live up to the hype for you? Is cinematic wrestling here to stay? Sound off below!