Welcome one and all to my preview of the first of the newly co-branded live specials "Backlash". As always if you have anything to say leave a comment below or by following me on "Twitter" and "Instagram". If you have the time please check out my previous posts that include my review of "Avengers: Infinity War" and previews of "Venom" and "The First Purge".
As I mentioned, "Backlash" is the first of the now monthly co-branded live specials. It makes a lot of sense to only have one live special a month as there have been around 16 live specials a year for the past couple of years which is an insane amount to maintain from both an audience and financial standpoint. The only down side is that a lot of great talent are left off and won't be getting as much exposure as they should. For example Asuka, Finn Balor, Bobby Roode, Baron Corbin, The Usos and The New Day are not booked as of writing and neither Tag Team championships or the Cruiserweight championship are being defended. This may change as there have been no pre show matches announced yet. There are some great matches on the card and I get that there are certain talents that need the exposure more but, there are certain matches that could have been left on TV. As always I'll talk about these matches in no particular order.
1. Daniel Bryan Vs. Big Cass: The first singles match Daniel Bryan has had in a very long while and they're already painting him as the plucky underdog. This is such a left field match that I'm not really sure what to make of it. "Wrestlemania" was essentially a match to show how little ring rust Bryan actually had, and there is very little despite the fact that his last match took place at "Wrestlemania" 2 years previous. Big Cass has missed quite a bit of action since his unfortunate injury last year meant all hopes of a push were stopped dead in their tracks. Now on his own, Cass really has the world at his feet. He has the potential to be a force to be reckoned with if built properly, and how better can you build a big guy by having him beat the returning hero. This could be a surprise match of the night and as much as I would love to see Daniel Bryan come out on top I really think Cass might come out on top.
2. Braun Strowman And Bobby Lashley Vs. Kevin Owens And Sami Zayn: This is another head- scratcher of a match. I assume whomever booked this match was looking for a way to incorporate 4 top guys in a way they could all be used and not take up too much space on the card. Strowman seems like a hastily thrown together team that could go one of two ways. They could either prove to be a decent team or really just do nothing but kill the crowd, that's not saying either man is bad it's just the logic behind the team doesn't seem to work. Owens and Zayn are a great heel team and are under utilised, in my opinion. This match is a bit hit or miss in my opinion but, could prove to be a great way of furthering Owens and Zayn as a heel team if they pick up the win in less than conventional fashion.
3. Smackdown Live Women's Championship: Carmella (C) Vs. Charlotte Flair: If you told me a year ago that Carmella would have successfully cashed in the very first women's "Money In the Bank" contract and would be the champion in a match with Charlotte Flair I would have thought you'd been huffing the poster paints again. I have been pleasantly surprised at the growth that Carmella has shown in the past year or so as she really has proven herself as a great worker and an entertaining heel. Charlotte did what nobody else could do and ended the streak at "Wrestlemania" and the smart money would be on her to come out on top in this match but, I don't think having Carmella lose her championship a month in to her reign would make sense. I think The Iconics or even Absolution may play a part in the finish that will see Carmella come out with the win.
4. United States Championship: Jeff Hardy (C) Vs. Randy Orton: I am a huge Hardy Boyz fan and I was excited when they came back at "Wrestlemania" last year but, as a team, they were lost in the shuffle on "RAW". A lot can happen in one year and now we've been left with Matt becoming "Woken" alongside Bray Wyatt and Jeff has kick started his already illustrious singles career. Randy Orton has seem very unenthusiastic as of late and I'm baffled as to why he keeps getting booked close to the top of the bill. With that being said these two can really bring out the best in each other. This should be a great match that could surprise a lot of people. I think Hardy will come out on top.
5. RAW Women's Championship: Nia Jax (C) Vs. Alexa Bliss: I am really enjoying what the story line between Nia and Alexa and the moment. Alexa is one of, if not the, best heel women in wrestling at the moment and she continues to get better and better. Nia has made the turn to face and it has done her the world of good. She wasn't a great heel and has done a great job at reinventing herself. This should be a great match that will arguably be better than the "Smackdown Live" women's match. I can't see Alexa regaining the championship simply because her trying to portray the victim is better for her character.
6. Roman Reigns Vs. Samoa Joe: This match could be the coming out party for Samoa Joe in the "WWE" he was unlucky to get injured last year and apart from his match with Brock Lesnar he's not really had his stand out match. Roman Reigns continues to meander about as the Cena style face that nobody likes and everyone begs to make him a bad guy. I really want to dislike Reigns but, it's not that he's a bad worker or even bad on the mic because he's not. The promos on Brock Lesnar were some of his best work. The "WWE" are just determined to make the audience love him and that's why he's booed. The more you force something the more people resist. This could be a great match with a lot of physicality. I think Samoa Joe will come out on top simply to keep this programme going.
7. Intercontinental Championship: Seth Rollins (C) Vs. The Miz: The Miz continues to prove just how good he is as a heel. With his move back to "Smackdown Live" I doubt he will win the Intercontinental Championship but, this might just be the match of the night. The Miz proved he could hold his own against both Rollins and Balor at "Wrestlemania" and both he and Rollins could put on a great showing at "Backlash" this should be a great back and forth. I wouldn't be surprised if Dallas and Axel get involved in some way or another, perhaps costing The Miz the match.
8. WWE Championship: AJ Styles (C) Vs. Shinsuke Nakamura: This has been one of the most bizarre feuds in recent memory. The fact that "WWE" turned Nakamura heel caught a lot of people off guard, myself included. The transition has been so quick but, so effective due to the theatrical nature of Nakamura. Well that and the fact he punches Styles in the nether regions at every opportunity. This will be one of the most physical matches of the night and perhaps the year, especially with the no disqualification ruling being made. I have loved AJ Styles as champion because he is great to watch but, I think there might be a title change in this case because who wouldn't love evil Nakamura with the "WWE" championship ?
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