September 11, 2016
(aired live)
#WWEBacklash
City: Richmond, VA
Venue: Richmond Coliseum
Panel: Renee Young, Lita, Jerry Lawler, Booker T
Social Media Lounge: Tom Phillips
Commentary: Mauro Ranallo, JBL, David Otunga
Ring Announcer: Greg Hamilton
Panel
Renee Young introduces the panel and the show.
Video
Clips of The Miz going off on Daniel Bryan and of Ziggler challenging Miz to a fight.
Panel
The panel discusses Ziggler’s closing window of opportunity. Lita, Lawler, and Booker all pick Miz to retain his title tonight.
Backstage
Daniel Bryan compliments Apollo Crews, but he tells him he needs to have more fun in the ring. Baron Corbin walks up and complains about being left off of TV and Backlash after beating Dead Ambrose more than a week ago. Daniel decides to put Corbin in a match with Crews on the Kickoff.
Video
Buildup for the Orton versus Wyatt match.
Panel
The panel discusses Orton and Wyatt. Lita says Wyatt can’t get in Orton’s head. Lawler disagrees, saying Orton is a wounded animal. Booker thinks Bray might be in over his head. Booker and Lita pick Orton, Lawler picks Wyatt.
Panel
The panel discusses the tag title tournament. Booker approves of what The Usos did, but Lita thinks it’s a “bummer” to possibly win on a second chance.
Social Media Lounge
Tom Phillips welcomes Heath Slater and Rhyno to the lounge. Rhyno is very excited about this night. Slater says that he can’t lose tonight and that his kids have not helped him train at all.
Panel
Alexa Bliss (dressed a bit like Harley Quinn) joins the panel. She gets defensive when she’s questioned about her plan to win the title. She refuses to reveal anything and walks away.
Match 1
Apollo Crews vs Baron Corbin
(referee: Jason Ayers)
Result: Baron Corbin wins via pinfall after End of Days
Time: 8:37 (1 break)
Match Thoughts
Very good match. It kind of surprised me how much I enjoyed it. This was easily the best match for both of these guys on the main roster so far. It felt like both of them realized that they needed to have a good showing. Except for one small miscommunication in the corner early in the match (which was well covered), all of the moves were really good. There was a lot of energy in this match, and both guys were aggressive in ways they haven’t often been lately.
Video
Jagger Eaton (from Nickelodeon) talks about his show.
Video
Buildup for the Styles versus Ambrose match.
Show Impressions
As Kickoff shows go, it was fine. I like the Slater/Rhyno segment and really enjoyed the Corbin/Crews match. So yeah, this show was good.
Match of the Night
Apollo Crews vs Baron Corbin
Because obviously.