WWE Backlash Review - May 4, 2024

By Graham "GSM" Matthews

The Bloodline (Solo Sikoa and Tama Tonga) def. Kevin Owens and Randy Orton in a Street Fight

The two teams brawled before the bell, leading to Nick Aldis coming out and making it a Street Fight. It would have been a very good match regardless, but the stipulation made it even better. They made excellent use of it by taking their fight all over the arena and had an incredible opener. Everyone was expecting Jacob Fatu to arrive and aid Bloodline to victory, and as awesome as that would have been, Tanga Loa (Tonga's Guerrillas of Destiny tag team partner from New Japan Pro-Wrestling) debuting was a cool surprise. This was a stellar start to the show.

WWE Women's Champion Bayley def. Naomi and Tiffany Stratton in a Triple Threat Match

Despite the lack of uncertainty surrounding the outcome, this was a terrific Triple Threat. All three of them gelled extremely well together and it had a had a really nice pace to where there wasn't a dull moment throughout. Stratton in particular shined and I appreciated that she wasn't pinned. She could continue chasing the title, but I'd rather see her enter the Queen of the Ring tournament and win that.

World Heavyweight Champion Damian Priest def. Jey Uso

For a match with a lackluster build, this was strong stuff. This was much better than Uso's last world title opportunity on pay-per-view (when he faced Roman Reigns at SummerSlam 2023) and Priest proved he can hang at this level as well. They worked hard, but much like everything else on this show, the crowd made this match. There was tons of outside interference, but I had no issue with any of it because it further teased tension between Priest and the rest of The Judgment Day. He actually took exception with them beating up Uso afterward, so that Priest babyface turn could be coming sooner rather than later.

Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill def. The Kabuki Warriors to Win the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship

This was probably the most predictable match on the card, which is why I didn't think it'd last as long as it did. That said, it gave us a chance to see what Cargill could do in a longer matchup. She had a handful of rough moments and is clearly a work in progress, so it's smart she's teaming with Belair for now. To her credit, she recovered down the stretch and that sequence where she hit Jaded on Kairi Sane was fantastic. The women's tag team scene still doesn't have many teams that are actually over, but this run does extend the story with Belair and Cargill that will inevitably lead to them going one-on-one.

Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes def. AJ Styles

Man, these guys really showed out. I don't think anyone thought for a single second that Styles was taking the title from Rhodes, but that didn't take away from how outstanding of a match this was. They got a ton of time and never did it feel like it dragged. It didn't feel like your standard WWE main event, either, and the crowd only added to the excitement. Those final few minutes were wonderful. This was a hell of a first title defense for Rhodes, and it had to be the best bout I've seen Styles have in years. I would not be upset if WWE had them run it back at King and Queen of the Ring.

Overall Show

I don't like getting wrapped up in "this was the best/worst thing ever" stuff, but I think it's safe to say this was the hottest crowd in WWE history, making for one of the greatest B-shows WWE has ever produced. What's funny is that there weren't many shockers outside of Loa's debut, but it was such a spectacular atmosphere that it hardly mattered. Keeping it to only five matches and three hours was another key factor, especially when all five matches were good to great with no filler. The whole show was a blast.

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