Here are results, highlights, and grades from WWE Backlash 2020.
WWE presented Backlash as the June pay-per-view this year. While it was mostly made up of matches from the Raw brand, this event did feature a high-profile WrestleMania rematch with astronomical hype in Edge vs. Randy Orton.
Here are the eight matches that were advertised ahead of time on WWE.com:
"“Greatest Wrestling Match Ever” – Edge vs. Randy Orton WWE Championship Match – Drew McIntyre (c) vs. Bobby Lashley Universal Championship Handicap Match – Braun Strowman (c) vs. The Miz & John Morrison Raw Women’s Championship Match – Asuka (c) vs. Nia Jax – Jeff Hardy vs. Sheamus Women’s Tag Team Championship Match – Bayley & Sasha Banks (c) vs. Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross vs. The IIconics United States Championship Match – Apollo Crews (c) vs. Andrade Raw Tag Team Championship Match – The Street Profits (c) vs. The Viking Raiders"
Did the underwhelming card surpass expectations? Was Edge vs. Orton as good as WWE promised it would be? Let’s break down all the action.
Andrade vs. Apollo Crews (c) – United States Championship Match (Kickoff)
Result: Apollo Crews retained via pinfall
Rating: 2.5/5.0 Stars
Grade: C+
It’s bad enough this anticipated rematch was bumped to the Kickoff, but then it only had around seven minutes of in-ring action before Apollo Crews pinned Andrade to keep ahold of his first and only championship in WWE.
We knew what these two are capable of after their recent encounters, but this was basically a brief rerun of those great battles. We also had Kevin Owens on commentary, while Angel Garza and Zelina Vega made their presence known at ringside.
Owens keeping Garza out of the match was expected, but it was a little disappointing to see that was practically the finish. Crews nailed the sit-out powerbomb on his adversary for the three-count.
For a Kickoff match, it was fine for what it was. Even still, WWE had the opportunity to do so much more, especially on an hour-long pre-show. Kevin Owens can only be Apollo’s buddy for so long, so I would’ve liked to have seen some dissension here. Crews vs. Owens vs. Andrade vs. Garza should be the next move. Book it!
Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross vs. The IIconics vs. Sasha Banks & Bayley (c) – Women’s Tag Team Championship Match
Result: Sasha Banks and Bayley retained
Rating: 3.5/5.0 Stars
Grade: A-
I was surprised to see this one as the opener, but it certainly worked. Out of all the “undercard” matches, this was definitely the one I was looking forward to the most. With that being said, everyone delivered to get the show rolling.
We saw Bliss uniquely break up Peyton’s back bridge cover on Banks. The IIconics, Banks, and Bayley, in particular, kept tensions high with the trading of key maneuvers and wicked counters. It’s a shame we didn’t get that feud last year after Billie and Peyton won the titles at WrestleMania 35.
Alexa Bliss really was the show-stealer here, once again proving that she can go in the ring. Despite the impressive outing, Banks rolled Bliss up for the three, which was great storytelling after everything they’ve been through over the years.
Banks and Bayley retaining was absolutely the right call, and looked like they were completely on the same page. With that being said, it’s only a matter of time before their unity wears off. Until then, I’m enjoying the ride and am extremely happy that the Women’s Tag Team Titles had a good spot on the card.
Jeff Hardy vs. Sheamus
Result: Sheamus won the grudge match
Rating: 3.5/5.0 Stars
Grade: B
After what happened on the final SmackDown before Backlash, Jeff Hardy and Sheamus held nothing back for this grudge match. It was physical from bell to bell as expected by many.
Both men were able to get their signature moves in while trying to outdo the other. Sheamus slowed Hardy down early on, only for the Charismatic Enigma to use Whisper in the Wind, Twist of Fate, and the Swanton Bomb in an attempt to keep The Celtic Warrior down.
Despite Hardy’s resilience, Sheamus used the Brogue Kick for the win. I thought they did really well in taking a basic match and turning it up a notch with the brutality to keep fans invested. After all, both had a reason to be out for blood.
I’d like to think this rivalry is over, but Sheamus winning opens the door for Hardy to want revenge in a big gimmick match at Extreme Rules. Last Man Standing? I Quit? WWE could get creative with this one. Let’s just hope it doesn’t involve booze or bodily fluids.
Nia Jax vs. Asuka (c) – Raw Women’s Championship Match
Result: Match ended in double count-out
Rating: 3.25/5.0 Stars
Grade: C
Given the placement on the card, we should’ve known this wasn’t going to end properly. It’s unfortunate because they were working really well together until they spent too much time brawling outside of the ring.
I didn’t mind Asuka vs. Jax being fast-paced and brief because Nia works really well in that style, but she also tends to lose in that fashion. WWE likes to build her up for title matches, only to have her fall short.
It would seem WWE wants another match at Extreme Rules given the outcome. I’m not mad about it, but there’s also better ways to get there. I give this one a decent star rating for the in-ring action, but a lower grade because of the finish.
The Miz & John Morrison vs. Braun Strowman (c) – Handicap Universal Championship Match
Result: Braun Strowman pinned John Morrison to retain
Rating: 3.0/5.0 Stars
Grade: B+
This rivalry never captivated me in the build-up, so I guess the match surpassed my very low expectations. Even with the stipulation that only one of them could win the title if their team won, The Miz and John Morrison double-teamed Braun Strowman as much as they could and delivered what they needed to.
Morrison, in particular, stood out the most for using his speed and size to his advantage in trying to keep Strowman grounded. On the other hand, Miz’s actions were slightly surprising when he pulled Morrison off of Strowman mid-cover. It was all downhill from there as Strowman slammed Morrison and took the W.
I originally hoped for this to be a one-and-done filler bout, but I’m totally down to see Morrison challenge Strowman again despite being pinned. If not, Sheamus should step up to Strowman while Morrison figures out if he can truly trust his partner.
Bobby Lashley vs. Drew McIntyre (c) – WWE Championship Match
Result: Drew McIntyre retained via pinfall thanks to Lana
Rating: 4.0/5.0 Stars
Grade: A-
Whew! What a hoss fight. If you had previously watched Drew Galloway vs. Bobby Lashley from Slammiversary 2016, then you knew already what these two were capable of in the ring together. However, I believe they surpassed that match.
It wasn’t perfect by any means as it seemed like a few big moves outside the ring stumbled a bit. Outside of that, they left it all in the ring. I would go as far to say this may have been Bobby Lashley’s best WWE match since returning two years ago. This Lashley reminded me of the one we saw dominating the TNA World Title scene at one point. Counter after counter. Reversals galore.
McIntyre stayed persistent, though, while Lashley’s “wife” cost him everything. Lana marched out at the end to proclaim that the ref cheated, which of course ended in her getting knocked off the apron onto MVP. Drew nailed the Claymore to ensure his reign would live to see another day.
This is another rivalry that could carry over to Extreme Rules, but I’m content if it doesn’t. Either way, Lashley needs to ditch Lana once and for all, so that MVP can manage him to championship success down the road.
The Viking Raiders vs. The Street Profits (c) – Raw Tag Team Championship Match
Result: The Viking Profits were formed
Rating: N/A
Grade: E- (for Effort?)
This is indeed World Wrestling Entertainment, but some days I simply prefer the wrestling part. This late addition to the card turned out to be another cinematic experience in which The Viking Raiders and The Street Profits continued their “anything you can do, we can do better” schtick with a battle against ninjas on motorcycles… led by Akira Tozawa. (Yes, WWE is still racist in 2020. What’s new?)
I know these segments have gone over really well for some, but I fall in the category of not really caring. I’m probably not the target audience, so it is what it is. But I’m ready to move on. Put these two gifted teams in the ring and let them wrestle. Let’s bring back real tag team wrestling, yes?
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!