The John Report: WWE WrestleMania Backlash 2022 Review

The WWE WrestleMania Backlash 2022 event featured four WrestleMania rematches including one title match and a huge six-man tag team main event featuring five champions.

It used to be just “Backlash” that followed WrestleMania from 1999 to 2009, then they stopped using the name for a few years until bringing it back. Last year, WWE introduced “WrestleMania Backlash” as the show title, so here we are.

On a personal note, I tested positive for COVID-19 last Monday night (after I finished writing about Raw) and I was in isolation after that. The good news is I’m all clear now. No more symptoms after five days while also testing negative. I’m glad it was only a sore throat and a bit of a cough. I guess you could say I had minor symptoms. I’m glad I was vaccinated because I believe that it helps. If you don’t, the choice is yours like I always say. I’ll still isolate a bit anyway for a few days. It also means I have a lot of energy to write about wrestling tonight, so let’s get to it.

There was a one-hour Kickoff Show with no matches taking place.

WWE WrestleMania Backlash
From Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Providence, Rhode Island
May 8, 2022

The opening video package featured clips of the participants in the six matches taking place on the show.

There was an impressive pyro display in the building and it looked like a sold out Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Providence. The Raw commentary team of Jimmy Smith, Byron Saxton and Corey Graves were at ringside to call the first match.

The video package aired for Cody Rhodes vs. Seth “Freakin” Rollins since they are up first. Seth complained about Cody having an unfair advantage at WrestleMania since Cody was a surprise opponent, so Seth wanted a rematch and Cody said yes.

It took about nine minutes to get to the first wrestler entrance with Seth “Freakin” Rollins in some black and blue attire similar to what he had on at WrestleMania. Cody Rhodes got a big ovation for his entrance as “Kingdom” played throughout the arena and there was an impressive pyro display as well.

Cody Rhodes vs. Seth “Freakin” Rollins

They battled over some armbars early on, then Cody went for an uppercut and Rollins blocked it, so Seth laughed that he was ready for it. Rollins kicked Cody in the gut, Cody jumped over him and Rollins avoided a move leading to Rollins getting a pin attempt for just a one count. Rollins with a slap to the back of the head, so Cody came back with a punch along with more punches and Rollins left the ring. Back in the ring, Rollins got a headlock with punches. Cody was standing on the apron, so Rollins ran the ropes leading to a jumping knee to the jaw. Cody sent Rollins into the steel steps, then Cody ran at Seth and Rollins hit a clothesline with Cody doing a flip bump on the floor. Jimmy was trying to talk about Cody’s ring rust while Corey correctly said that Cody was competing elsewhere, so it’s not like he had ring rust. Back in the ring, Cody with a kick to the gut, uppercut punch and front suplex sending Rollins face down into the mat. Cody hit a Disaster Kick on Rollins for a two count. Cody with a punch to the head, then he went for a move off the ropes, but Rollins was there to shove Cody over the top to the floor. Great counter spot there. Rollins left the ring to whip Cody into the barricade. Rollins sent Cody face first into the commentary table and back into the ring with Seth delivering punches. Cody got some forearms to the face, but Rollins whipped Cody into the corner with Cody taking a sternum bump. Rollins grabbed a chinlock, Cody hit an elbow to the ribs and Seth stopped him with a headbutt. Cody came back with punches, Cody went for a sunset flip, Seth stopped it and got a two count, which led to Cody rolling through for a two count. Rollins went up top, and Cody lifted up Rollins for a delayed vertical superplex off the middle rope. It was around the ten-minute mark.

They got up around the same time turning into a chop fest and then they started throwing punches. Cody with a shoulder tackle followed by a powerslam. Cody with a clothesline that sent Rollins over the top to the floor. Cody went up top to jump onto Rollins, but Rollins was back in the ring. Cody with a forearm to block a diving attempt. Cody jumped off the ropes and he hit an incredible Cody Cutter for a two count. Great nearfall right there. Rollins with a back elbow to the head, Cody slipped out of a Pedigree tease and Rollins got a kick leading to a superkick to Cody’s head for a two count. Rollins was doing his hand taunts teasing his music, then he wanted The Stomp and Cody got out of the way. Cody wanted Cross Rhodes, Rollins managed to avoid that and they each went for a Pedigree, but it didn’t work. Rollins with a roaring elbow, then an elbow to the back of the head and a Falcon Arrow by Rollins for two. The fans chanted “this is awesome” for them. They exchanged moves, Cody went for something off the ropes, Rollins caught him and hit a Buckle Bomb into the corner. Rollins went up top and hit a Frog Splash for a two count. Incredible height on that move by Rollins! Rollins went up top again, he jumped off with a Phoenix Splash, landed on his feet and Cody connected with a superkick. Cody went up top, Rollins met him there and Seth hit a superplex. Rollins wanted more, but Cody hit Cross Rhodes near the ropes and when Cody covered, Seth’s foot was on the bottom rope. Nice nearfall spot there. They left the ring with Cody punching Rollins repeatedly. Cody sent Rollins back into the ring, Cody went up top and went for a moonsault that missed because Rollins moved out of the way. Rollins with a kick to the gut leading to a Pedigree for one…two…and no! Cody got his right shoulder up to kick out. Rollins told Cody he can’t lace Seth’s boots. Rollins with some repeated Kawada-style short kicks to the head. Rollins with left-handed jabs followed by a right-handed shot (it was the Dusty combo by Seth), but Cody moved out of the way. Cody hit a Cross Rhodes, he went for it again and Rollins avoided it. Cody teased a Vertebreaker, Rollins got out of it and Rollins did a rollup cover with the tights, but Cody turned it over so that Cody was on top with a tights grab for the pinfall win at 20:45.

Winner by pinfall: Cody Rhodes

Analysis: ****1/4 It was an outstanding match full of nearfalls, counters and a creative finish that is controversial, so it could lead to another rematch between them. I liked the first Cross Rhodes spot with Rollins getting his foot on the ropes for a two count to make it seem like Cody would have won if not for the ropes being there. Rollins getting that nearfall with the Pedigree was equally good. Rollins tried to cheat to win, Cody rolled out of that and Cody was able to cheat to win, so it was payback for Cody in a way that makes sense because he was doing what Rollins tried to do. I rated it a notch below the WrestleMania match that was more special than this, but this was still an excellent match. Cody should have won and I’m glad he did even if it was cheap. I also won’t mind if Rollins complains leading to another match between them. I don’t think Rollins is hurt by a loss like this. He’s going to remain a top guy.

Post match, Rollins complained to the referee about what happened while Cody left looking happy about his victory.

Analysis: It’s possible that the feud continues to Hell in a Cell next month and have them settle things in a Hell in a Cell match. I like Seth, but Cody should win that match too if they have another match.

A video aired about Bobby Lashley.

Some clips aired about the history of Bobby Lashley and Omos (with MVP) leading to their match.

Omos made his entrance with MVP and they were billing Omos as “The Nigerian Giant” as part of his in-ring introduction. Bobby Lashley was up next with this new entrance where he stands on a podium before his music plays. Good pop for Lashley in a babyface role after a couple of years as a heel.

Bobby Lashley vs. Omos (w/MVP)

Lashley was aggressive with punches, MVP on the apron to distract Lashley and Omos came back with a boot to the face. Omos with a corner splash on Lashley followed by a running body attack splash. Omos did the DREADED~! head squeeze to ground Lashley, then Lashley fought back and Omos grabbed the head of Lashley leading to Omos tossing Lashley over the top to the floor. Omos lifted Lashley on his shoulders, then snake eyes into the turnbuckle and a running boot to the head. That’s the Kevin Nash-style big man offense. Omos choked Lashley across the middle rope. Lashley with a kick and elbow to the body. Lashley tried for a sleeper, Omos threw him down and Lashley ran the ropes with multiple running shoulder tackles. Lashley with a clothesline and then Omos was tied in the ropes. That’s a spot that Andre the Giant used to do. Lashley worked over Omos with repeated punches. MVP and the referee helped Omos break free. MVP went after Lashley, so Lashley went for the Hurt Lock, but Omos got a hold of Lashley’s head. Back in the ring, Lashley with a running kick to the leg followed by a flatliner sending Omos into the mat. Lashley applied the Hurt Lock submission on Omos, who sold it a bit, but then Omos drove Lashley into the turnbuckle. Omos delivered multiple elbows to the head. Omos celebrated a bit, so that stalling allowed Lashley to get his feet up to stop a charging Omos. Lashley with another running shoulder tackle in the corner. Lashley wanted a suplex, Omos with a punch and Omos went off the ropes leading to Lashley hitting a spinebuster. That was impressive. Omos blocked a Spear by getting a knee up and Omos sent Lashley into the ring post. MVP used the cane to hit Lashley in the face (the referee never saw it). Omos hit the Double Choke Bomb for the pinfall win at 8:50.

Winner by pinfall: Omos

Analysis: ** A decent match with a cheap finish to give Omos his win back over Lashley, who won at WrestleMania. The difference this time was MVP played a factor with a cheap shot on Lashley, so then Omos hit his finisher after that to get the win. They worked hard, but it’s tough to get into Omos matches since he barely sells anything and when he does sell, it doesn’t look great. Lashley worked really hard to make it competitive. It was fine overall, but I always lower expectations for an Omos match. Keeping it under ten minutes was the right call.

A commercial aired for Cody Rhodes as a guest on Broken Skull Sessions with Steve Austin. I watched it already (it debuted on Friday) and it’s great. Nearly two hours too.

A commercial aired for Hell in a Cell from Chicago on Sunday, June 5th. That’s the next Premium Live Event.

They showed a clip of an interview with Paul Heyman and The Usos from the Kickoff Show.

The video package aired for Edge’s match with AJ Styles. Edge beat Styles at WrestleMania thanks to a slight distraction from Damian Priest. In this match, Priest is barred from ringside since Styles beat Priest in a match on Raw.

Edge made his entrance first representing Judgment Day. Ring announcer Mike Rome went over some of Edge’s incredible accomplishments. There was the purple light that heel Edge likes as part of the entrance. AJ Styles made his entrance looking serious and intense going into this WrestleMania rematch.

AJ Styles vs. Edge

Styles was wearing the Kinesio tape on his left shoulder to sell the injury going into the match. AJ went after Edge aggressively with punches. They quickly left the ring with Styles sending Edge into the barricade repeatedly. Styles sent Edge face first into the commentary table. Edge left the ring again, so Styles dropkicked him to the floor. Styles hit an Asai moonsault off the middle ropes onto a standing Edge on the floor. That was great. Styles went for a Phenomenal Forearm off the ropes, but Edge kicked him in the left arm. Edge sent AJ’s left shoulder into the ring post. Edge did a catapult on the floor where he sent AJ’s left shoulder into the steel steps while AJ’s body also hit the steps hard. Edge slammed the left arm onto the steps. Edge ripped the tape off AJ’s shoulder. Edge with an arm wringer that slammed AJ’s left arm hard onto the mat. Edge applied an armbar, Styles fought back with punches and Edge applied a single arm takedown. Edge applied an armbar on the mat, Styles drove Edge to the corner and then Edge sent Styles into the turnbuckle. Edge punched Styles a few times, but Styles came back with a perfect Pele Kick to the head. Styles ran the ropes leading to both men hitting a cross body block at the same time. Styles with two clotheslines, then a sliding forearm, a corner clothesline and Styles hit a sitout slam for a two count. Styles set up Edge on the turnbuckle leading to a Frankensteiner (top rope hurricanrana) for a two count. They each went for moves, then Styles got a hold of Edge on his shoulder and Styles hit an Ushigoroshi slam off the shoulder into the knee for a two count. Edge with a punch to the face or maybe the eye and then a reverse DDT that was into a backbreaker. Styles fought back with a Calf Crusher submission, but Edge slammed AJ’s head to the mat. Styles applied the Calf Crusher submission again and Edge got his hand on the bottom rope to break free.

Styles with a suplex out of the corner while Edge took the middle turnbuckle pad off. Styles sent Edge into the exposed turnbuckle and got a rollup for two. Styles charged at Edge, who hit a Spear for just two, so there’s a finisher kickout. Edge charged, Styles blocked it with a step-up knee and Styles set up Edge across the ropes. Styles got a hold of Edge and hit the Styles Clash for one…two…and no! Edge kicked out at two. Styles went up top, Damian Priest was in the aisle saying he was not at ringside, he was in the aisle. Finn Balor showed up to beat up Priest and take him out of there. While Styles was on the top rope, somebody in a hood showed up to trip up Styles on the top rope. It sure looked like Rhea Ripley to me. Edge applied the Crossface submission, Styles nearly got to the ropes and Edge turned it into a choke hold, so Styles passed out. The referee Jessika Carr checked on Styles, who sold it like he was out, so Styles lost by submission. It went 16:25.

Winner by submission: Edge

Analysis: ***1/2 I thought it was a pretty good match. The pacing of the match was better than what they did at WrestleMania because that match was too slow for my liking. This time around, they built up spots well, I liked some of the nearfalls even getting two counts from finishers and the fans were into it. The interference at the end wasn’t a surprise because a lot of us expected it due to the rumors of more people joining Edge’s group. It sucks for Styles losing back to back to major shows, but he does have the excuse that neither loss was clean. Now they can have Balor be by AJ’s side against Edge and Priest, so it should lead to some good matches there.

After the match, the person in the hooded outfit revealed that it was…Rhea Ripley. That meant that Edge’s group has added a badass woman in Ripley, who has black hair and black makeup. They were laughing.

Analysis: Ripley was one of the names rumored to join Edge’s heel group. Ripley fits well since she dresses in all black and recently turned heel, so why not put her in a heel group? It’s a good fit.

A video aired about Bianca Belair.

A commercial aired for the WWE Evil series and WWE live events.

The Smackdown crew of Michael Cole and Pat McAfee took over for the rest of the show (three more matches). Up next was Charlotte Flair vs. Ronda Rousey in an “I Quit” Match and they got a long video package.

Ronda Rousey made her entrance first as the challenger with the fans giving her a decent reaction, but not that loud. Charlotte Flair was up next as the heel, long-term Smackdown Women’s Champion wearing an elaborate robe as usual. Lots of boos for Charlotte. They stood in the ring for ring announcer Samantha Irvin to do the championship introductions.

“I Quit” Match for the Smackdown Women’s Championship: Charlotte Flair vs. Ronda Rousey

The winner of the match must make her opponent say “I Quit.” McAfee mentioned that you could say “I Quit” in other languages as well.

Flair charged, Rousey with a knee and Flair hit an elbow to the head. Rousey flipped over Flair by the arm, but Flair came back with her good right arm. The referee was Dan Engler holding the microphone to check to see who quits. Rousey wanted a slam off the shoulders, but Flair got out of that and Flair hit a hard German Suplex with Ronda taking a rough bump on her head/neck. Rousey flipped out of a move, then a rising knee to the head and Rousey went for an armbar, but both women went tumbling to the floor. Flair tackled Rousey into the barricade two times. Flair delivered multiple hard chops to the chest. Flair sent Charlotte into the ring post with Flair holding the left arm. Rousey tossed Charlotte over the barricade at ringside. Flair recovered and came back with a boot to the face. Flair got a kendo stick from under the ring, she swung it, but Rousey moved and Flair hit the table with it. Rousey grabbed the kendo stick, so Flair went backstage and found two kendo sticks by the entrance area. Flair overpowered Rousey, so she hit Rousey with a kendo stick and Rousey did a monkey flip to Charlotte on the floor. Rousey hit Flair repeatedly with kendo stick shots to the body. Flair said “HELL NO” when asked if she wanted to quit. The kendo sticks were broken, Flair grabbed a camera from ringside and threw it at Ronda, who avoided it. They went fighting into the crowd a bit with Flair tossing a drink into Ronda’s face. Flair tossed Rousey into some hockey boards that were there. They walked up the steps a bit so that Flair stretched Rousey’s body against the railing. Rousey said she did not quit. Rousey with a slap to the face. Flair tried using a chair, so Rousey kicked her in the ribs and Flair went back to ringside. Rousey brought the chair to ringside, Flair kicked the chair and sent Rousey into the commentary table. The fans chanted “we want tables” as Flair sent Rousey into the commentary table again. Flair picked up Rousey and gave her a Powerbomb into the barricade. Rousey refused to quit. Rousey hit Flair with body shots, but Flair raked the eyes and sent Rousey into the ring post. Flair went up top for a moonsault, Rousey tripped her up and Rousey applied an armbar on the left arm. Flair was screaming in pain, but she shouted “no” when asked if she wanted to quit. The fans chanted for tables again. A fan was wearing a Fiend mask, so McAfee asked if that was The Fiend in the front row. Cole didn’t respond to that. Flair got a hold of the chair and hit Rousey in the ribs followed by a chair to the back.

They went back into the ring with Flair hitting the Natural Selection neckbreaker onto the steel chair. Flair applied the Figure Eight submission complete with the bridge and Flair had it locked in, but Rousey used the chair to break free. Flair was back up with a kick to keep Rousey down. Flair told Rousey this was her last chance, she said “Happy Mother’s Day” and Rousey applied the armbar while using the chair around her head. Flair didn’t quit, so Rousey said that was good because she wanted to do more. Rousey twisted the arm of Flair, then Flair shouted “I Quit” so Rousey won the title at 16:39.

Winner AND NEW Smackdown Women’s Champion: Ronda Rousey

Analysis: ***3/4 I thought it was very physical, hard-hitting math with the right kind of finish since Rousey won clean as she should. They did a great job in this match. It was the only stipulation match, so it was smart for them to use weapons and fight around the ringside area a lot. Flair got cocky at the end while standing over a chair, so Rousey used it to her advantage leading to the armbar with the chair and then the final twist leading to Flair losing. Rousey winning was the obvious result since she won the Royal Rumble. I think they delayed it at WrestleMania due to multiple other title changes, so they decided to wait a month and do it here. I expect Rousey to have a very long run title, but if she does lose then it’s going to be cheap. I thought this was better than their WrestleMania match.

Rousey celebrated with her title while Flair was selling the arm injury. It was Rousey’s first time winning the Smackdown Women’s Title.

There was a video featuring Cody Rhodes talking about Money in the Bank taking place at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, which was the home of last year’s SummerSlam. Cody wanted us to celebrate Fourth of July weekend together at Money in the Bank on Saturday, July 2. There was a line in there about how the winner could main event WrestleMania. Well, they could if they wait until then and ask for their title match at WM. This got Wrestling Twitter worked up.

Analysis: If Cody is in the Men’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match then he’s a good pick to win. It doesn’t have to be a heel every time.

A video aired for some movie called Firestarter.

There was a video package for Madcap Moss and Happy Corbin going from friends to enemies. Corbin blamed Moss for Corbin’s loss at WrestleMania.

Happy Corbin was up first to boos. Madcap Moss didn’t get much of a reaction as a new face.

Madcap Moss vs. Happy Corbin

Corbin got control with a punch followed by a whip into the turnbuckle. Moss with knee lifts, then a running shoulder tackle and a kick to the leg. Moss hit some impressive leapfrogs followed by a hiptoss. Corbin got a kick to the chest to stun Moss a bit and then Corbin hit a massive Chokeslam. Moss was out on the floor, so Corbin kneed him in the back to send Moss into the ring post. Corbin with elbow smashes to the head. Back in the ring, Moss ran the ropes leading to Corbin hitting a back elbow for two. Corbin with a hard whip into the turnbuckle. Corbin grabbed a chinlock, Moss got back up and avoided a charging Corbin, who did a slide out of the ring and back in with a clothesline. That is one of Corbin’s favorite spots. Corbin with a slam followed by a senton back splash with the announcers putting that over as a new move. Moss got the comeback going with an elbow, then a toss out of the ring and Moss ran the ropes with a shoulder tackle. Corbin sent Moss into the ring post. Moss with a running shoulder tackle in the corner. Moss charged, Corbin with a knee and Moss caught Corbin with a fallaway slam for two. Corbin countered a Moss move with a belly to back suplex into a slam for two. Corbin worked over Moss with punches, Moss tried to come back with a move off the ropes, but Corbin moved and Corbin hit the Deep Six slam for two. That move usually gets a two count. Corbin with a charging corner splash. Moss ran the ropes, ducked a clothesline and Moss hit a sunset flip pin for the win at 9:50.

Winner by pinfall: Madcap Moss

Analysis: **1/4 It was just an average match. The match was mostly Corbin on offense for about 80% of the match until Moss managed to get the sunset flip for the win. I think a more decisive win would have been better, but I guess they wanted to do something that put over Madcap’s athleticism by winning with a move like a sunset flip. Since WWE loves rematches, they’ll probably do it again on TV with Corbin getting the win back.

A video aired about Drew McIntyre.

There was another video about Hell in a Cell taking place on Sunday, June 5th in Chicago.

The Smackdown guys Michael Cole and Pat McAfee were joined by Corey Graves for the main event.

There were highlights shown of Ronda Rousey beating Charlotte Flair to become the new Smackdown Women’s Champion.

Kayla Braxton was shown outside the trainer’s room. Braxton said that Flair has suffered a fracture of the radius. She said more updates will be on WWE.com later in the evening. McAfee translated it by saying that Charlotte has a broken arm.

Analysis: I know Charlotte is getting married to Andrade this summer (she mentioned that in a recent interview), so it’s likely a way to write her out of storylines for a few months since she said she’s getting married. Enjoy the break, Charlotte.

The video aired for the six-man tag team match that is the main event: Roman Reigns & The Usos vs. Drew McIntyre & RK-Bro.

Drew McIntyre was up first with Angela the sword as part of his entrance. The popular RK-Bro duo of Randy Orton and Riddle were up next as the Raw Tag Team Champions. They posed in the ring with Drew, who has called this trio RK-McBro in the past. There were loud “Randy” chants for Orton.

Analysis: It’s good to see Drew back in a PPV main event where he belongs. I’m a big Drew fan and want to see him in main events a lot this year.

The Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns led The Bloodline down to the ring joined by Special Counsel “Wise Man” Paul Heyman and the Smackdown Tag Team Champions The Usos. The Usos had their fingers in the air letting us know they are The Ones. Cole mentioned Reigns is the most searched wrestler in the world and Charles Barkley acknowledged Reigns recently as well. They talked about how Reigns was on a run of a lifetime. The Bloodline posed in the ring with their titles as the pyro went off for them.

The Bloodline – Roman Reigns, Jimmy Uso & Jey Uso (w/Paul Heyman) vs. Drew McIntyre, Randy Orton & Riddle

Orton started with Jimmy, who got some punches, so Jimmy did an eye poke and uppercut. Riddle tagged in for a flip off Orton’s hands. Jimmy whipped Riddle into the turnbuckle, Riddle jumped over Jimmy and hit a kick to the body. Riddle with a gutwrench suplex while Drew tagged in with chops on Jimmy. Drew was staring at Reigns repeatedly. Jimmy with a shot to the throat, then Drew hit a jumping kick and a suplex from his knees. Drew wanted Reigns to tag in against him, Heyman told Reigns not to do it now and Reigns tagged in as the fans cheered loudly for the showdown. Reigns did the heelish thing by tagging out, so the fans booed and Reigns told the fans he ran the show. Jey tagged in with Drew kicking him in the head. Drew suplexed Jey across the ring. Riddle with a gutwrench suplex on Jey, Jimmy with a blind tag leading to a kick to the back and The Usos double-teamed Riddle with repeated stomps. Jey tagged in with a wishbone move where they split Riddle’s legs apart. Jey hit a body slam on Riddle. Jimmy and Jey took turns delivering strikes including some cheap shots. Jey held Riddle, Jimmy tagged in and hit an elbow smash for a two count. Reigns tagged in leading to a head slam on Riddle. Reigns worked over Riddle with repeated punches in the corner. Riddle tried to fight back, but Reigns stopped that with a high back elbow. Yeah, I used “high” referencing a move against Riddle. Reigns with a uranage slam on Riddle for a two count. Jimmy tagged in with a hard chop to Riddle’s chest. Jimmy missed a corner attack when Riddle moves, but Jey tagged in to prevent a tag. Jey whipped Riddle into the turnbuckle. Jey hit Orton with a superkick while Orton wasn’t ready, so Orton sold it like he was stunned by it. Jey went for a running attack, but Riddle came back with a rising knee lift. Reigns made the tag, then Riddle tagged in Drew and the fans popped huge at the showdown.

Reigns and Drew exchanged words in the ring with Drew telling Reigns that he’s been waiting. Drew and Roman exchanged punches, Reigns with a knee to the ribs, Drew with a clothesline and a toss across the ring. Drew with a neckbreaker on Roman and a neckbreaker on Jimmy as well. Drew punched Jey off the apron, which allowed Reigns to recover with a Superman Punch. Drew was on the floor, so Reigns threw him into the barricade and back into the ring. Reigns worked over Drew with repeated corner clotheslines and a run into the ropes leading to Reigns hitting a clothesline. Reigns celebrated with both of his titles. Reigns decked Riddle with an uppercut punch to knock him off the apron while Orton was upset about it. All of that stalling led to Drew recovering and hitting a Claymore Kick to Reigns! Orton got the hot tag against Jimmy with the crowd popping huge and Orton hit a powerslam. Jey charged right into a powerslam by Orton. Randy hit the draping DDT off the middle ropes as the crowd came alive. Jey into the ring, Orton kicked him and tossed him out of the ring. Reigns went at Orton, but Orton was ready with an RKO. The fans popped big for that RKO on Reigns. Jimmy with a superkick, but Orton came back with an RKO! That got a two count by Orton because Jey broke up the pin. Drew back into the ring and tossed Jey across the ring. Jey came back with a superkick. Both Usos hit a double superkick on Drew to knock him down. Riddle tagged against Jey with Riddle hitting a rising kick and a suplex across the ring. Riddle missed multiple splashes, then he connected with a Broton and a running knee. Riddle with a Fisherman’s Suplex. Riddle up top and jumped off with a Floating Bro for a two count. The fans chanted “this is awesome” for them and it was well deserved.

Riddle set up for an RKO, but Jey avoided it and got a rollup for two. Jey with a lifting neckbreaker on Riddle with Orton breaking up the pin. Orton was beating up Jimmy on the floor, so Reigns jumped off the steel steps with a Superman Punch on Orton. Drew tossed Reigns shoulder-first into the steel steps. Drew cleared off the commentary table. Jimmy saved Reigns, but Drew hit Jimmy with a headbutt. Reigns gave Drew a Uranage slam through the table.

Riddle hit a dive onto Reigns and Jimmy on the floor. Jey hit a suicide dive on Riddle on the floor. Back in the ring, Jey with a jumping kick, Riddle with a knee and Jey hit a superkick. Jey went up top, Riddle popped up and gave him an RKO off the top! Reigns had tagged himself in and hit a Spear on Riddle for the pinfall win at 22:21.

Winners by pinfall: The Bloodline – Roman Reigns, Jimmy Uso & Jey Uso

Analysis: ****1/4 This was an excellent tag team match. It’s hard to make us care about a six-man tag team match, but they really cranked it up as the match went on and the crowd got into it big time. Some of the stuff outside the ring helped because Reigns dominated by taking out Orton with a Superman Punch and giving Drew a uranage slam through the table. Breaking a table is always going to get a big reaction. After that, Reigns made the blind tag and finished off Riddle. Prior to that, I really liked Orton hitting a couple of RKO’s and nearly winning the match. They also did a nice job of making the Reigns-McIntyre face off feel like a big deal. That’s important for the future. I’m a bit surprised by the finish because I thought this was a time where Roman could be on the losing side by having Drew beat one of The Usos, but instead, it was another win for Roman. There’s still plenty of time to set up Drew vs. Roman in a singles match, so that’s fine. I just thought Drew could have used the win here.

The Bloodline left with their titles with Reigns saying that since day one they were born and bred to do this. The Bloodline celebrated with their titles as the show ended there.

This event had a runtime of 2:53:34 on WWE Network.

Here’s a cool photo Roman posted after the show.

Born with this blood. #WeTheOnes ☝🏽#WMBacklashpic.twitter.com/IiK6Beruwe

— Roman Reigns (@WWERomanReigns) May 9, 2022

Five Stars of the Show

1. Cody Rhodes
2. Roman Reigns & The Usos
3. Seth Rollins
4. Drew McIntyre, Randy Orton & Riddle
5. Ronda Rousey/Charlotte Flair

Edge and AJ Styles did well too!

Final Thoughts

I’m going with a 7.75 out of 10 for this show.

I thought it was a great show in terms of match quality. The four big matches were all given plenty of time and delivered in the ring for the most part. I thought Cody vs. Seth and the six-man tag main event were about the same in terms of match quality, so it’s tough to pick just one as the best match. I’ll go with the tag as the better match by a bit just because it had a clean finish and it was so entertaining. I thought this was the right time for Roman’s team to lose to build Drew as a title contender, but that didn’t happen. Roman was dominant again in getting the win for The Bloodline. Cody vs. Seth was great once again, but a notch below what they did at WrestleMania.

I liked Ronda Rousey’s win over Charlotte Flair to win the Smackdown Women’s Title. They had a better match than what they did at WrestleMania. A lot more intensity in this match and I think the use of weapons helped. The Edge-Styles match was also a bit better than WrestleMania due to going at a faster pace and a shorter match. Nice reveal with Rhea Ripley joining Edge’s heel group. I’m excited or her future.

What was lacking is that it wasn’t a very newsworthy show. Some fans might have found it boring too because of the lack of big things happening. I didn’t mind it, though. I liked it.

There was not a lot of excitement going into the show, but it was a very good show for in-ring action. They had six matches over 3 hours, so the main four matches got time and the wrestlers did very well. I was optimistic about it going in because I have faith in the wrestlers putting on strong performances in the ring and that’s what they did.

Here are my WWE Premium Live Event (PPV) rankings for 2022 so far.

WrestleMania 38 – 8 (April 2 & 3)

WrestleMania Backlash – 7.75

Day 1 – 7.5 (January 1)

Elimination Chamber – 6.75 (February 19)

Royal Rumble – 6 (January 29)

As a reminder, I have a listing of every WWE PPV that I reviewed in order by year. Thank you for supporting us at TJRWrestling. We appreciate you.

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Email: mrjohncanton@gmail.com

Twitter: @johnreport