WWE Backlash Kickoff
#WWEBacklash
Original Air Date: May 6, 2018
Event Date: May 6, 2018
aired live on the WWE Network
City: Newark, NJ
Venue: Prudential Center
Panel: Renee Young, David Otunga, Peter Rosenberg, Booker T
Commentary: Michael Cole, Corey Graves, Jonathan Coachman
Ring Announcer: Jojo
Brand: Co-Branded
Panel
Renee introduces the panel. Peter and Renee think that tonight feels special. Booker T issues an open challenge to anyone for a push up contest.
Backstage
Charly Caruso talks about the bad blood between AJ Styles and Shinsuke Nakamura. She says Nakamura is upset that he didn’t get an apology from Styles. She also says that Daniel Bryan is cleared for action and is excited to take on Big Cass.
Video
Roman Reigns is upset that he’s not the champ.
Panel
The panel discusses what Reigns needs to do and debate about the finish of the cage match from the Greatest Royal Rumble. They also think Samoa Joe might have Reigns’ number. Booker T and Rosenberg pick Joe, Otunga picks Reigns.
Video
Daniel Bryan has returned, but Big Cass doesn’t care.
Panel
Peter Rosenberg is concerned about the size difference between Bryan and Cass. Booker T wants to see Cass tear Bryan apart. Otunga reminds everyone that Bryan is amazing.
Backstage
Bo Dallas and Curtis Axel consider who they can join up with when The Miz walks in. Miz is proud of Dallas and Axel and what they’ve done lately. He’s happy that they’ll be there to support him in Miz’s match with Rollins, but Dallas informs Miz that he and Axel aren’t the supporting cast anymore. Dallas and Axel walk away.
Panel
Booker T and Rosenberg think Dallas and Axel made a poor decision. Otunga says Miz always needs help and Rollins is on fire. Renee and Rosenberg pick Miz, Booker and Otunga pick Rollins.
Video
Buildup for Carmella versus Charlotte, including some questionable editing that makes it seem like Carmella won the first women’s Money in the Bank match without James Ellsworth’s help.
Panel
The Iiconics walk up to the panel, and they’re tired of hearing about Charlotte. Billie reminds everyone that they beat Asuka in her first match on SmackDown Live. Peyton Royce imitates Rosenberg before saying she’s interested in the SmackDown Women’s Title match tonight. Peyton and Billie like Carmella. The Iiconics then leave.
Rosenberg says Carmella finds a way to get things done. Otunga doesn’t think Carmella can beat Charlotte when she’s 100%. Otunga and Booker pick Charlotte, Rosenberg picks Carmella.
Backstage
Sasha Banks approaches Bayley. Bayley thinks Sasha should be in her corner tonight, but Sasha thinks that’s funny. After Bayley disappeared on Sasha, Sasha has no intention of helping Bayley.
Panel
The panel discusses Zayn and Owens versus Strowman and Lashley. Rosenberg and Booker don’t think Owens and Zayn have a chance, but Otunga points out that Owens and Zayn are a way better team because of their history together.
Video
Buildup for the Nia Jax versus Alexa Bliss match.
Panel
Rosenberg loves Nia Jax, but he says Bliss always finds a way to take the title back. Booker T thinks Jax could be unstoppable. The whole panel picks Nia Jax to win tonight.
Panel
Paige and Kurt Angle join the panel via video to answer questions from the internet. Angle says he wants to wrestle Daniel Bryan. Both Angle and Paige think it’s tough giving equal opportunities to superstars as GM. Paige is looking forward to Styles vs Nakamura and Carmella vs Charlotte. Angle is excited for Jax vs Bliss and Joe vs Reigns.
Match 1
Bayley vs Ruby Riott w/ Liv Morgan, Sarah Logan
(referee: Rod Zapata; watching in the back: Sasha Banks)
Result: Ruby Riott wins via pinfall after a Riott Kick
Time: 8:43 (1 break)
Match Thoughts
Good match. It was going well, then Riott hit a move that drove Bayley’s head into the middle turnbuckle. From that point on, Bayley had a hard time in the match. She seemed loopy a lot of the time, and it didn’t even seem like the distractions from Morgan and Logan were necessary. This was a good match for Ruby and a good step in the Bayley/Sasha feud (since they’ve both been beaten because they aren’t together).
Panel
The panel runs down the card one last time and briefly talks about the WWE Title match.
Show Impressions
As far as pre-shows go, this was a good one. There was some backstage stuff from multiple people, an alright interview, and some crashing of the panel. The match was good too. Can’t ask for much more than that from a show like this.
>> Read the Recap & Review for Backlash. >>