For the first official Pay-Per-View since WrestleMania, WWE hosts Backlash, a co-branded event featuring a lot of cross-promotional matches before the roster changes go their own ways. Highlights include Daniel Bryan vs. Big Cass, Charlotte Flair vs. Carmella, and The Miz taking on Seth Rollins.
Seth Rollins (c) vs. The Miz – Intercontinental Championship
In the first WrestleMania rematch of the night, The Miz looks to capture the Intercontinental Championship for the ninth time after losing the belt to Rollins just over a month ago. This past Monday, Rollins retained the title against Finn Balor.
Even though Rollins’ knee is targeted throughout the match, the Kingslayer is barely able to hit the Miz with the Curb Stomp to end an incredible match. Rollins retains the gold and keeps the Intercontinental Championship on Monday Night Raw. Winner, and STILL Intercontinental Champion: Seth Rollins
Nia Jax (c) vs. Alexa Bliss – Raw Women’s Championship
Just like the previous match, Alexa Bliss lost the Raw Women’s Championship to Nia Jax at WrestleMania and looks to become a five-time Women’s Champion. Jax looks to rid of the bully in her life for good.
Surprisingly, Alexa Bliss controls most of the match even though she is outsized. Jax is able to catch Bliss out of mid-air to transition into the Samoan drop, barely holding onto her title. Winner, and STILL Raw Women’s Champion: Nia Jax
Jeff Hardy (c) vs. Randy Orton – United States Championship
After Randy Orton lost the United States Championship to Jinder Mahal, Jeff Hardy would capture it from Mahal one week later. Hardy would then move to SmackDown and retain over Mahal at the Greatest Royal Rumble, giving The Viper an opportunity for a rematch.
Hardy has the RKO well scouted and prevents Orton from ever hitting it. After one last counter, Hardy hits the Viper with the Twist of Fate, followed up by the Swanton Bomb to retain the gold. Winner, and STILL United States Champion: Jeff Hardy
Daniel Bryan vs. Big Cass
Just as it seemed that Daniel Bryan was going to be in the WWE Championship picture, Big Cass returned to attack him and ruin everything. Bryan gets his revenge tonight in his first singles PPV match since retiring.
Bryan manages to wrestle down Big Cass into the Yes Lock, forcing the 7-footer to tap out. However, Cass is a sore loser and assaults the former World Champion after the match. Winner (via submission): Daniel Bryan
Carmella (c) vs. Charlotte Flair – SmackDown Women’s Championship
Thanks to the IIconics, Carmella successfully cashed in the Money in the Bank briefcase on Charlotte Flair. Of course, Flair gets her rematch.
Charlotte attempts a moonsault on Carmella, but Carmella moves out of the way and the challenger buckles her knee. The champion kicks the back of Charlotte’s knee and follows it up with a deep cover to shockingly retain the title. Winner, and STILL SmackDown Women’s Champion: Carmella
AJ Styles (c) vs. Shinsuke Nakamura – WWE Championship (No Disqualification)
After the WWE Championship match at the Greatest Royal Rumble ended in a double count-out, WWE decided to make this a No Disqualification match to come up with a conclusive ending.
Both men low blow each other at the same time, preventing either of them from being able to get up for the referee’s ten count. Even though both men lost, AJ Styles still walks out with the WWE Championship. Result: Draw
Braun Strowman & Bobby Lashley vs. Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn
The only fathomable reason why this match is happening is so there is a cooldown spot between the WWE Championship match and the main event.
Sami Zayn tries to run away, leaving Kevin Owens to fight for himself. Bobby Lashley and Braun Strowman double-team KO to win the match, even though Owens is not the legal man. Winners (somehow): Braun Strowman & Bobby Lashley
Roman Reigns vs. Samoa Joe
Samoa Joe has never liked Roman Reigns, and that is pretty much the only reason why this is happening. After this bout, Joe heads to SmackDown while Reigns stays on Raw.
To end a pretty standard match, Roman Reigns picks up the win with a spear out of nowhere. Winner: Roman Reigns
