Seth Rollins had become a Grand Slam Champion at Wrestlemania 34. He took the title away from The Miz in a triple threat match which also featured Finn Balor.
Going forward, he has been a strong champion from the WWE Raw roster. Already, this man defended the championship, successfully more than once.
But, The Miz had his rematch pending even after getting shifted to the Smackdown Live brand. It set up the Intercontinental Championship match at the Backlash PPV. It was a cross-brand match between the two Grand Slam champions.
The #FIGURE4️⃣ is LOCKED IN by @mikethemiz, and it could mean his NINTH #ICTitle! #WWEBacklash pic.twitter.com/uabCeRJfql
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) May 7, 2018
It was a hell of efforts from both the veteran superstars. They fought tooth-and-nail to give a solid opener to the crowd. The audience got goosebumps when Rollins kicked out of not one but two Skull Crushing Finale move. It was an unbelievable atmosphere.
The FIRE that BURNS within @WWERollins is starting to HEAT UP as he takes it to @mikethemiz at #WWEBacklash! #ICTitle ? pic.twitter.com/XZBOI0cQq1
— WWE (@WWE) May 7, 2018
The Miz also tried to get over the pinfall attempt failures with the Figure four leg-lock which was countered by Rollins. After missing a Curb-Stomp off the second rope, he delivered the same, all of a sudden to pick up the win.
The #ICTitle is STAYING on #MondayNightRollins as @WWERollins emerges from an INCREDIBLE match with the victory! #WWEBacklash pic.twitter.com/pRoMOV0xIz
— WWE (@WWE) May 7, 2018
Another such Grand Slam match at Backlash was contested between Jeff Hardy and Randy Orton. Hardy had successfully retained his title at the Greatest Royal Rumble PPV. Going forward, The Viper was waiting for him. He did have a contractually obligated rematch for the US title that he lost at Wrestlemania.
Just like his opponent @RandyOrton, #USChampion @JEFFHARDYBRAND always chooses the right moment to STRIKE! #WWEBacklash #USTitle pic.twitter.com/utNXXqWFYF
— WWE (@WWE) May 7, 2018
Hence, we got these two veterans locking horns at Backlash. The initial thought was that the match would over-deliver to a certain extent. But, that was not the case. For somewhat reasons, the crowd remained silent showing this match irrelevance. It’s hard to believe the Backlash audience did not respond to Orton’s off-rope DDT and RKO teases.
You can’t spell SWANTON without WON, and @JEFFHARDYBRAND did just that against @RandyOrton to retain the #USTitle at #WWEBacklash! pic.twitter.com/K3lvLmF6MN
— WWE (@WWE) May 7, 2018
Jeff Hardy managed to pull off the victory with some quick fire moves. The fans rose up after the Twist of Fate was delivered. After that, the Swanton Bomb sealed the deal for him.