WWE Backlash kicked off on a huge note with Seth Rollins and The Miz pulling out all the stops.
It is hard not to get a good match when The Architect is in the ring. These two had significant chemistry between each other after spending a lot of time on Raw. So, they set the tone right for the rest of the show. Unfortunately, the rest of the show could have delivered much better.
Wow, hell of a way to open the show tonight in New Jersey, great match between Seth Rollins and The Miz, these guys have incredible chemistry in the ring, they did a great job milking the nearfalls tonight #WWEBacklash
— Wrestleview.com (@wrestleview) May 7, 2018
Both the matches from the women’s division fell short with the least chemistry available. Bliss vs Jax might be good in storyline process, but they are not able to bring classy matches inside the ring.
Furthermore, Jax is not at all suitable for the babyface role. She should go back to the heel character selling it to the full extent just like Carmella on Smackdown. She picked up the win like a true heel by rolling up Charlotte.
The match between the two veterans, i.e. Randy Orton and Jeff Hardy was unable to garner reactions at Backlash, as well. They were supposed to tear the house down, but that was not the case. The fact that the crowd remained silent even during the moves from Orton was a big surprise. Hardy retained triumphantly which is quite expected.
Really good match between AJ Styles and Shinsuke Nakamura tonight, they really needed to have that kind of match after the #WrestleMania match largely disappointed, I’m totally fine with that double count out finish #WWEBacklash
— Wrestleview.com (@wrestleview) May 7, 2018
Meanwhile, it was good to see Daniel Bryan wrestling in a singles match at Backlash, once again. But, the crowd remained silent which was quite a pathetic act for the most popular superstar.
The tag team match where Strowman and Lashley teamed failed to a big extent. The audience left surprised after the monster pinned Owens while Zayn was the legal one.
Well that was… something. Good… I don’t think so. Outside of a great opener, this was an average show that would have been better with an hour shaved off. #WWEBacklash pic.twitter.com/RcYO3KUwzR
— Wrestleview.com (@wrestleview) May 7, 2018
Basically, from that point, the show was ruined, completely. Even the trusted shoulder of Roman Reigns could not save this against Samoa Joe. After back and forth going, Reigns did pick up the win, but a portion of the audience had already walked out of the arena. The show could have been cut short where the Styles vs Nakamura match was the only saver in the mid-part of Backlash.
Outside of a pretty fun AJ Styles vs. Shinsuke Nakamura match, this show was largely a dud overall, definitely one of #WWE‘s weakest efforts so far this year, probably not the kind of show they wanted/needed to usher in the new co-branded era for PPV events #WWEBacklash
— Wrestleview.com (@wrestleview) May 7, 2018
Overall, this was not a good PPV except for the opener and the WWE Championship match. Check out the Twitter reactions from Backlash.
It’s not always about titles…it’s about respect and proving who runs the yard.
Another night. Another point made. #B2R #WWEBacklash— Roman Reigns (@WWERomanReigns) May 7, 2018
The #Phenomenal @AJStylesOrg leaves #WWEBacklash STILL @WWE Champion, but surely not the way he wanted to… pic.twitter.com/Z1EELtfeXF
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) May 7, 2018
It feels good to walk out a winner. I worked so hard for that moment. #WWEBacklash
— Colin Cassady (@BigCassWWE) May 7, 2018
The fight RAGES on at #WWEBacklash…#WWEChampionship @ShinsukeN pic.twitter.com/PtLGH0nxTa
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) May 7, 2018
— Bobby Roode (@REALBobbyRoode) May 7, 2018
The #YESMovement has ARRIVED in Newark as @WWEDanielBryan makes his way to the ring! #WWEBacklash pic.twitter.com/7wo52Txony
— WWE (@WWE) May 7, 2018
you aren’t just good enough @NiaJaxWWE… you’re the best! #AndStill #WWEBacklash
— Cathy Kelley (@catherinekelley) May 7, 2018
Hold it tight, @WWERollins. #AndStill #YouDeserveIt#WWEBacklash pic.twitter.com/NUZxq35HFe
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) May 7, 2018
Wow! @WWERollins vs @mikethemiz …. doesn’t get much better than that. #WWEBacklash #itstrue @wwe
— Kurt Angle (@RealKurtAngle) May 7, 2018
#WWEBacklash 2017 – I’m gonna be remembered for all the wrong reasons #WWEBacklash 2018 – hold my beer pic.twitter.com/tMnVtyVbho
— Diva Incarnate (@WWEDemonDiva) May 7, 2018
This show, outside of the opener, was an abomination #WWEBacklash
— Jason Solomon (@solomonster) May 7, 2018
There’s no point sugar coating it. #WWEBacklash was a poor PPV at best. Confusing booking decisions combined with underwhelming matches means that this will likely be the worst PPV of 2018. I hope so, anyway.
— Adam Pacitti (@adampacitti) May 7, 2018
Congrats on making Roman Reigns tap out @SamoaJoe!!! #WWEBacklash pic.twitter.com/OmLSgdNmgc
— Bryce. (@GIoriousOne) May 7, 2018
Tonight’s @mikethemiz and @WWERollins match at #WWEBacklash is the reason I love wrestling. Two crowd-favorite, extraordinary athletes at the top of their game/profession providing the pinnacle of entertainment. Thank you both.
— Sal Vulcano (@SalVulcano) May 7, 2018
*Boring* chants during the main event of an underwhelming show. Not good. #WWEBacklash
— Cageside Seats (@cagesideseats) May 7, 2018
Fans are literally leaving the arena. #wwe #wwebacklash pic.twitter.com/yVcvu5mhLS
— Uncle Leo (@UncleLeoLOP) May 7, 2018
After #WWEBacklash:
Big Cass: Cowardly, weak heel.
Samoa Joe: Talks a big game but can’t deliver
Shinsuke Nakamura: Obsessed with AJ’s balls.
AJ Styles: obsessed with Naka’s balls.
Roman Reigns: Still the most hated guy in the company.
Brock Lesnar: Still a lazy, rich bastard— Jord Wareham ☠️ (@LastLivingYetii) May 7, 2018