WWE Backlash PPV Recap

WOW! What a show Sunday night at the Dunkin Donuts Center in Providence for the WWE Backlash PPV. 3 World Titles change hands, the WWE's two biggest stars get stretchered out, Ricky Steamboat almost outshines Chris Jericho, the Hardyz end the brother vs. brother feud and we get a huge brawl in the stands!



Let me tell you, for just six matches on the card, the WWE delivered. Right from the get go, with Christian defeating Jack Swagger to win the ECW Championship, the matches kept the sold out crowd on its feet. I loved right after winning the title, Christian runs into Edge backstage and asks him what happened to him and that he's no fun anymore. Classic Edge/Christian! I'll give Swagger, who I don't like, credit in that he's getting better.

I'll also give a lot of credit to Ricky Steamboat. His match with Chris Jericho showed he could still get it done and perform like a 56-year old. He kept right up with Jericho including his famous flying crossbody press from the top rope. In the end though, Jericho makes him tap and now he'll move on to his next Smackdown feud.

We got a back-and-forth match from CM Punk and Kane in which Kane gets revenge for the Money in the Bank match at Wrestlemania. Good in-ring stuff here and some high spots from Punk outside the ring, but the other problem I had with it is that there needed to be something on the line, like maybe CM Punk's Money in the Bank contract. Otherwise, not bad.



Next up, it's brother vs. brother as Jeff Hardy meets Matt Hardy in an "I Quit Match". Matt's gotten the better hand so far but it was all Jeff Sunday night. Despite problems with the ref trying to figure out his mic and how to ask both guys if they wanted to quit, we got a very methodical match that had the folks behind us screaming for more high spots. That's the problem with being a Hardy, people now expect that stuff and if you don't give it to them, they think it's boring. Not to mention, there was a huge fight in the stands just one section over from where we were sitting. Complete slobbersnocker as JR would say! Lots of bombs, one man falling down the stairs and plenty of people getting tossed out. Anyway, this match was anything but boring! Great psychology including Jeff duct taping Matt's hands and feet while tying his to a table while Matt begs him to not jump from the top of a ladder on top of him.



Matt invokes his parents and pleads for Jeff to not do this. So, of course, Matt quits and Jeff nails him off the top rope, over the ladder and through the table anyway. Great way to end that feud!



Six-man action with the title on the line has Legacy vs. Triple H/Batista/Shane McMahon. Everyone's unified on both sides starting this one as Triple H chases Randy Orton backstage before the match even starts.



Orton, about five minutes later, sneak attacks Batista to get back in. The end sees Triple H pedrigree Orton but trying to take a chair away from Batista so he doesn't get DQ'd and lose the title. The only problem is that Orton's waiting behind Triple H for the RKO. He nails it, the ref counts two but the bell rings! Oops! Orton nails Triple H with the kick to the head and 3 seconds later, we have a new WWE title. Triple H gets stretchered out, we get a nice tease of a Batista/Triple H rift and Orton gets to gloat tonight on RAW. I was surprised not to see Stephanie McMahon come out though. Since Triple H did all this to protect her and get revenge for her, shouldn't she at least have made an appearance to see how the hubby's doing? Very odd.



The main event is the last man standing match between Edge and John Cena for the World's Heavyweight Title. Very slow to start, but it really kicks into high gear when the two battle outside. Cena has trouble lifting the steel stairs into the ring to use, but has no problem throwing them out at Edge later in the match. With Edge looking to finish Cena on the announce table, Cena counters and F'U's Edge INTO THE CROWD.






Where's Joey Styles with the OMG moment as we get the ECW chant! AWESOME! After Edge answers the 10-count, the two chase through the crowd, through the concession area and come out near the stage. A face-plant by Edge, an F'U attempt by Cena and then out comes the Big Show.



I figured he'd be in this one, but I thought he'd get his revenge on Edge for all the Vicky Guerrerro stuff, but no, he picks up Cena and throws him straight into the spotlight off stage. We get an explosion, a fire and 10-seconds later, Edge is World Champion again. Amazing stuff and not expected at all! BTW: we did see the WWE crew working on the spotlight a few matches earlier, so we figured something was up there! I love they brought out Christian to check on Cena as well. Great continuity to keep the Edge/Christian storyline going. I'd love to see those two do more together!



So, now Smackdown gets its champion back and we have RAW's top two stars blown away! It'll be interesting to see how much time, if any, they give Triple H and Cena to further the storylines!

All in all, a great PPV and I didn't even mention the Great Khali ripping Santina/Santino Morella's shirt off after he knocked out Beth Phoenix giving Morella the victory in the 3-second Miss Wrestlemania Rematch.



Santina got out of the kiss by saying she's in love with Jim Ross. Poor JR! At least Santino/Santina is funny for comedic relief!

Oh yeah, did I mention that Lillian Garcia is hot!



I'd give this one a solid 8 out of 10! Thanks to my lovely wife, Laura for the pictures!