|Date: April 30, 2006
|Venue: Rupp Arena |City: Lexington, Kentucky
|Attendance: 14,000 |Buys: 220,000
|Brand: Raw

|tweet me: @BastionBlogger

Long Live The King. Triple H has the chance to get back onto his throne tonight but it won’t be easy. Tonight’s main event will pit John Cena against Triple H and Edge in a triple threat match for the WWE Championship. Triple H and Edge both demanded a shot at Cena’s title and so Vince McMahon made it a triple threat for Backlash. Since then the three men have been involved in handicap matches between themselves. Triple H and Edge beat John Cena when Triple H pinned Cena. Cena and Triple H beat Edge when Cena pinned Edge and then Edge and Cena beat Triple H when Edge pinned Triple H. So every man has beat one of the others giving equal momentum heading into the pay per view.

The other huge match for this show is a tag team match between Vince and Shane McMahon against Shawn Michaels and God. This was due to Vince McMahon saying that the only reason Shawn Michaels beat him at Wrestlemania was because of an act of God. So McMahon has now given Michaels the opportunity to team with God. How this will work I have no idea but I’m assuming it’ll be a handicap match. A match with high stakes pits Rob Van Dam against Shelton Benjamin with both the Money In The Bank briefcase and Intercontinental Championship on the line. Benjamin originally challenged Van Dam for his briefcase but Van Dam only said he’d put it on the line if Shelton put his title up for grabs too. The other title on the line tonight is Mickie James’s Womens title. Trish Stratus is using her rematch clause after a month of Trish turning the tables and mimicking her stalker.

Kane has been slowly losing the plot recently. He and The Big Show lost the world tag team championships to The Spirit Squad and since then Kane has been haunted by the date “May 19th”. This is co-incidentally the date that a new film starring Kane is released. Big Show has tried to help out Kane but Kane has snapped and the two men now go one on one. Two other former friends and the two men that faced Kane and Big Show at Wrestlemania are Chris Masters and Carlito. These two men fell out following their Wrestlemania loss and they get to settle the score tonight. Also tonight, newcomer Umaga makes his PPV debut against the man he destroyed on his debut, Ric Flair.

On Heat prior to the event Goldust beat Rob Conway.

Time for the show.

A video package kicks us off hyping the Vince and Shane McMahon against Shawn Michaels and God match and then hyping the WWE Championship match. Jim Ross then welcomes us to the show, he’s joined by Jerry “The King” Lawler.

Carlito vs. Chris Masters

Both of these men make their Backlash debuts tonight. Masters is looking for his first PPV win tonight on the 7th time of asking. If he was to lose this match then only Koko B. Ware has a worse PPV record than him. Carlito is looking for his first PPV win in a long time. Vengeance last June was Carlito’s last PPV win, that’s nearly a year ago. Carlito starts the match with a slap to Chris Masters but Masters strikes back with a big right hand. Masters then chokes Carlito with his own t shirt. The crowd are definitely behind Carlito in this one. He hits a dropkick to the knees of Masters and then a bulldog for a one count. Masters hits a back body drop for the first near fall of the night. Masters hits some clubbing blows to the back of Carlito and then tries for a gorilla press slam but Carlito nips down and applies a full nelson to Masters. The Masterpiece gets out of the “Masterlock” and then falls to the outside. Carlito hits a cross body following the low bridge.

Back in the ring and Carlito hits some left hands, a reverse elbow but then gets powerbombed into the corner. Masters gets a near fall as a “Masters sucks” chant breaks out. Masters hits a legdrop and gets another near fall and then drags Carlito around by his hair before applying a chinlock. Carlito gets out of it but is downed courtesy of a reverse elbow. Both of these men will be looking to get into the hunt for the Intercontinental title currently held by Shelton Benjamin. Masters hits a neckbreaker for another near fall. The Masterpiece hits a clothesline and then some right hands. I can see Masters going to Smackdown in the next draft. He drops Carlito on the top turnbuckle and then motions for the Masterlock but Carlito counters it with a roll-up for a near fall. Carlito then hits a springboard reverse elbow, a big boot and then grabs his apple. Carlito distracts Masters by throwing the apple and then hits him with a dropkick to the knees.

Carlito hits three big clotheslines and then a dropkick for a near fall. Absolute botch there as Masters didn’t kick out so the referee just stopped. Masters takes the advantage with a shot to Carlito’s back and then pops him on the top turnbuckle. Carlito elbows Masters to the mat and then hits him with a standing moonsault which he doesn’t really hit. Near fall anyway. Masters tries for the Masterlock again and Carlito tries to counter it but Masters grabs him again so Carlito smashes him into the top turnbuckle. Carlito then hits the backcracker and pins Masters for the three! Carlito had his feet on the ropes for good measure. But it’s a good win for Carlito tonight whilst Chris Masters suffers another loss. I’m happy with that result. Pretty average match.

Rating: 4.5/10

Maria is backstage and wrongly says that Masters beat Carlito. No idea if she’s acting stupid or is stupid. She links to a VT with Vox Pops of the fans predicting who will take home the WWE title. Lots of Triple H fans. Maria says that not many people are backing Edge and then along comes Lita. Lita says that Edge will be walking out with the title tonight and she and Edge will have a private sex session.

Ric Flair vs. Umaga

Armando Alejandro Estrada, the manager of Umaga introduces his client. Umaga is the man formally known as Jamal. It’s a first PPV match between these two men, a PPV for “Umaga”. Ric Flair is 0-1 at Backlash PPV’s following him loss to Shelton Benjamin two years ago. Umaga attacks Ric Flair in the entrance way but as they get into the ring Ric Flair takes the advantage with a thumb to the eye and then a low blow when the referee is distracted by Estrada. Flair then hits some chops and another low blow but Umaga hits a big right hand to the throat of Flair to take the advantage. Umaga misses with a splash in the corner, really late on that one, Flair was long gone. On the outside Flair hits some chops but Umaga fights him off before missing another splash and leaping into the ringpost. Back in the ring and Flair hits a chopblock and works the left leg of Umaga. Umaga kicks Flair into the top turnbuckle and then ties him up with a tree of woe before hitting him with q diving headbutt.

Umaga hits a running butt bump in the corner and then goes up to the middle rope, diving off with  flying headbutt. Umaga then hits a samoan spike which is enough for the three! Umaga beats Ric Flair tonight and Estrada celebrates with the biggest cigar I’ve ever seen.

Rating: 5.25/10

Vince McMahon is backstage flexing his guns when Shane shows up ready for the handicap match. Vince corrects Shane and reminds him that it’s a tag team match. Vince asks Shane to leave God to him. Vince then says there’s nothing God can do that Vince can’t. Vince pours some water on the floor and walks on it to show that he can walk on water. Vince then breaks some bread and tosses a fish. Loads of bread and fish then gets thrown at the McMahons. Shane picks up his bottle of water that has now been turned into wine. I liked the ending of the segment!

There’s a VT showing what happened at Wrestlemania between Trish Stratus and Mickie James.

Mickie James (c) vs. Trish Stratus – Women’s title match

This is the third PPV meeting between these two girls. They have both own one match a piece before this. It’s a Backlash debut for Mickie whilst Trish is 0-3 at the event. Mickie looks a little confused in the early going but gets the first offence in the match. Trish hits a leg-trip and gets the first near fall of the match. Trish blows Mickie a kiss and then ducks a clothesline and hits a head-scissors. Trish hits a clothesline and a dropkick and Mickie is selling better than anyone else in the division right now. Trish attempts the chick kick but Mickie ducks it and so Trish hits her with a pump kick. Mickie heads to the outside where Trish hits her with a Lou Thesz press off the apron. Back in the ring and Trish hits a splash in the corner and then come big right hands but Mickie dumps Trish to the outside. Trish sells her right arm but rolls back into the ring where Mickie hits some kicks and gets a near fall. Mickie chokes Trish with her boot and then smashes her face into the ring mat.

Mickie then chokes Trish with some wrist tape and the referee calls for the bell! Trish wins by disqualification but keeps her title! I think they’ve ended this one quickly because of Trish’s arm. She’s dislocated her shoulder which is a shame because this could’ve been a really good match.

Rating: 3.5/10

Maria acknowledges her error earlier, announcing Chris Masters as the winner. She then introduces her guest Shawn Michaels. Michaels makes it clear that the match tonight is a handicap match. But the result will be the same as Wrestlemania, with Shawn Michaels as the winner.

Rob Van Dam vs. Shelton Benjamin – Winner take all for the Money In The Bank briefcase and Intercontinental Champion

This is a first ever PPV match between these two men. Mr Money In The Bank Rob Van Dam has a 1-1 record at Backlash PPV’s and Intercontinental Champion Shelton Benjamin has a 3-0 record at the event. The winner of this match goes home with both the Money In The Bank briefcase and the Intercontinental Championship. I’m expecting this to be a very good match. Benjamin takes Van Dam down early doors and is very proud of doing so. Benjamin applies an armbar which Van Dam reverses. Shelton reverses again after bouncing off the top rope. Van Dam takes down Benjamin and then hits a couple of arm drags. RVD has a bloody eye already. Benjamin kicks RVD in the gut as a “we want mama” chant breaks out. Van Dam hits a kick causing Benjamin to leave the ring in frustration. Back in the ring and Benjamin hits some right hands and a knee to the gut.

Van Dam hits a spinning heel kick, two clotheslines, a powerslam and then looks to hit rolling thunder but Shelton rolls out of the ring. Van Dam then dives out at Benjamin and rolls him back into the ring. Benjamin stops RVD from getting into the ring and then hits him with a sunset flip powerbomb off the apron. Both of these men were successful in tag team titles matches at the 2003 Backlash event. Benjamin gets a near fall and then lays into Van Dam some more. Benjamin looks to become the first man to win at both the 2005 and 2006 Backlash events. He applies a sleeper which RVD gets out of but Benjamin pulls his opponent down to the mat by his hair. Benjamin applies a chinlock which he decides to break and then locks on a camel clutch. Van Dam gets to the bottom rope but Benjamin hits him with some kicks. Shelton then hits a couple of powerslams and then applies another chinlock. Van Dam hits a reverse elbow and once again tries for rolling thunder but Benjamin stands up and hits a samoan drop which earns the Intercontinental champion a near fall.

Benjamin pops Van Dam on the top turnbuckle but RVD fights him off. Shelton then leaps up to the top turnbuckle and hits a superplex for a near fall. Benjamin applies a sleeper which Van Dam gets out of. RVD then hits a kick to the face and avoids a splash in the corner before hitting a couple of clotheslines and a big kick. RVD hits a springboard kick, a spinning heel kick and then finally hits rolling thunder for a two count. Van Dam counters a powerslam into one of his own and then a split-legged moonsault for a two count. Van Dam hits a monkey flip but Benjamin lands on his feet. Van Dam takes him down with a spinning heel kick and then heads to the top for his 5 star frog splash but Benjamin gets out of the way! Shelton then hits a DDT for a two count. Van Dam rolls to the outside and Benjamin follows so RVD drop toe holds Shelton onto the barrier. Shelton grabs the money in the bank briefcase  and puts it in the ring but Van Dam tries for a baseball slide which Benjamin gets out of the way of. Benjamin hits a big kick to Van Dams face, slides him into the ring and then hits a cross body but Van Dam rolls through for a near fall.

Van Dam hits a hurricanrana and Benjamin grabs the briefcase. Shelton then elbows Van Dam into the referee before swinging the briefcase at Van Dam who ducks it. Van Dam grabs the briefcase and throws it at Shelton before hitting a Van Daminator! RVD goes up top and hits the 5 star frog splash for the three! RVD wins the Intercontinental Championship tonight!

Rating: 7/10

There’s a video package for Kane and The Big Show next.

Todd Grisham interviews Big Show who says last week Kane crossed the line and tonight it’s an eye for an eye.

The Big Show vs. Kane

These two men have met three times on PPV before and Kane leads Big Show on wins 2-1. Both men have a 2-2 record at Backlash PPV’s. Big Show has a big mark caused by Kane on his left eye. Big Show gorilla press slams Kane in the early going and follows it up with a headbutt and a big chop. Big Show lifts Kane up by his arm and then hits him with a shoulder charge. Kane exits the ring but Big Show rolls him back into the ring. Kane then smashes Big Show into the ring post. Big Show rolls back into the ring and Kane hits him with some boots. Nobody has lost as many PPV matches at this point than Kane. Big Show doesn’t have much of a better record himself though. Kane hits a couple of big clotheslines to take the bigger man down for a near fall.

Big Show hits a powerslam and then tries for an elbow drop but Kane rolls out of the way. At Wrestlemania it was Big Show and Kane against Chris Masters and Carlito and now a month later both teams are fighting within themselves. Kane applies an armbar but Big Show gets out of it. Big Show looks to hit a chokeslam but Kane fights him off and then applies a wristlock. Big Show gets out of the wristlock with an armdrag but Kane quickly hits a big boot and then heads to the top but Big Show sees him coming, grabs him and hits a fallaway slam. Big Show hits a clothesline and then a splash in the corner before taking Kane down with a shoulder charge. Big Show motions for a chokeslam bug Kane counters it into a DDT for a near fall. Big Show takes the advantage with a big boot and a legdrop for a two count. Show then hits a powerslam for another near fall. Big Show looks at his own index finger and then looks to poke Kane in the eye but Kane fights him off with a poke to the eye of his own.

Kane kicks Big Show out of the ring and then follows him out. The lights then go dark and red and Kane’s own voice comes over the speakers saying “May 19th, you know what happened on that date” “it’s happening again” “you can’t control it”. This sends Kane crazy and he rolls around the ring. Big Show doesn’t know what to do, watches Kane for a while and then grabs a steel chair. Big Show hits Kane with the chair and there’s no bell or anything. Big Show just heads to the back. Presumably Kane wins by disqualification. Kane sits up smiling and laughing. Weird. I’m mixed on the ending but I don’t hate it.

Rating: 6/10

Vince McMahon is backstage when Candice Michelle shows up coughing. She asks Vince to lay a healing hand on her. She asks him to put his hands on her chest as he does it. There is some ridiculous acting as Candice orgasms. Shane turns up and puts a stop to it.

There’s a VT next for the McMahons and Michaels match.

Shawn Michaels & God vs. Vince & Shane McMahon

Yes you read that right. It’s a PPV debut for God. Shane McMahon is 1-0 at Backlash events, Shawn Michaels is 1-2 and Vince McMahon wrestles at Backlash for the first time. Vince introduces God and a spotlight makes its way down the aisle. Vince then makes the match a no disqualification match so expect The Spirit Squad to show up. Vince tells Michaels he’ll be going straight to hell and so Shawn hits him with a big right hand. Michaels then takes Shane down. Shane has had 16 PPV matches to Vince’s 11. Michaels hits a cross body to the outside, taking out Vince and then lays into Shane with right hands before clotheslining him out of the ring and skinning the cat back in. Michaels then dives out at Shane! Michaels lays into Shane up the entrance ramp but Shane hits Michaels with a knee and then some jabs. Shane then looks to piledrive Michaels off the stage but Michaels hits a back body drop. Vince then shows up with a chair but Michaels fights him off and then throws Shane into the set. Vince then crossbodies Vince off the stage to the floor below!

Vince gets back up and climbs back up the stage but Shane smashes him with a chair. Shane checks on his father and helps him up to his feet whilst Michaels bleeds all over the stage. Nice blade job Shawn. Shane lays into Michaels with some poor right hands. Shane throws Michaels into the ring post and then hits him with some jabs and arm drags HBK into the security barrier. Back in the ring and Shane continues to lay into Shawn as Vince hobbles around the outside. Shane hits a side suplex and then heads to the top before diving off with an elbow drop but Shawn rolls out of the way. Vince is in the corner now so it looks like the McMahons will have to tag each other in. Shane and Shawn slug it out which comes to an end when Shane hits a DDT. Shane tags in Vince who takes off his belt and whips Michaels with it. Shane then throws his father a trash can and Vince smashes it into the face of Michaels. Vince asks for the microphone and asks God what he thinks of Michaels before attempting a superkick on Michaels! Michaels grabs the foot though, takes out Shane and then hits Vince with a flying forearm.

Michaels nips up and Shane comes at him with a steel chair but Michaels ducks it and Shane hits Vince! Michaels lays into Shane with a flying forearm, clotheslines and a powerslam before going to the top and hitting an elbow drop. Both McMahons are down now. So this could be a good time for the Spirit Squad to come out? Michaels motions for sweet chin music and then nails Shane with it before hitting Vince with it! Michaels crotch chops both men (there’s been a lot of DX references between Michaels and Triple H recently). Michaels pulls two tables out from under the ring and slides them into the ring. Michaels sets the tables up and lays both McMahons across them. He then grabs a huge ladder from under the ring and the crowd go nuts. Michaels sets up the huge ladder and climbs up it but out come the Spirit Squad! Michaels dives out at them and that was a long way down. The Spirit Squad then lay into Michaels and help the McMahons off the tables. The Spirit Squad then throw Michaels high into the air and through a table!

The Spirit Squad help Vince McMahon to his feet and place him on top of Michaels and the referee counts the three! Vince and Shane McMahon win the match! This match was a lot of fun. Jerry Lawler makes a reference to the father, the son and the holy spirit squad. Nice.

Rating: 8/10

Todd Grisham is backstage and introduces John Cena who gets plenty of boo’s. Todd comments on the mixed reaction Cena has been getting as of late. Cena says he’ll be winning tonight.

Matt Striker is out next. Why do I have a funny feeling he’s going to be getting squashed by Viscera. Striker acknowledges that he wasn’t originally scheduled to be here tonight. Striker says that there’s a miracle and it’s that there is an intelligent person in Kentucky. Striker then says that Kentucky is famous for fried chicken and illegally recruited basketball players but Kentucky isn’t an intelligent state. Striker is a good talker. Comes across intelligent. Striker then introduces the most intelligent person to come out of Kentucky….Eugene! Striker uses Eugene as an example of why not to marry your cousin. Striker then bets that Eugene can’t spell his own name. Eugene disagrees so Striker gives him some chalk. Eugene writes “loves poop” underneath Matt Strikes name. Eugene then starts a “you love poop” chant. Can we end this already? Eugene picks his nose and goes to eat it but Striker stops it. Eugene then puts the snot in Strikers mouth! Striker goes for Eugene who hits him with a stunner and leaves! Terrible.

There’s a VT for the main event. It has the music from the old “do not try this at home” promo.

John Cena (c) vs. Triple H vs. Edge – WWE Championship match

I like a good triple threat match. Triple H is the only man to have wrestled at every single Backlash PPV and he has a 3-4 record going into this match. Edge has a 3-2 record and John Cena has a 0-1 record. Cena has beaten both of his opponents tonight in big PPV’s this year, Edge at Royal Rumble and Triple H at Wrestlemania. As the bell rings Edge encourages Triple H and John Cena to go at it and exits the ring. Triple H and Cena then slug it out and Cena hits a couple of flying shoulderblocks. Cena hits a fishermans suplex for a near fall. Edge briefly got involved to break up the cover. Triple H hits Cena with an inverted atomic drop and a high knee for a two count. Once again the pinfall is broken by Edge. Cena and Triple H go back to slugging it out as Edge watches on from the apron. Cena and Triple H then pull Edge into the ring and take it in turns to hit him with right hands.

Cena clotheslines Edge back out of the ring and then follows him out and smashes his face into the announce desk. Triple H then slams Edge into the announce desk as the two men try to out-do each other. Cena and Triple H take it in turns to smash Edge into the announce table before tossing him back into the ring. Triple H then clubs Cena and throws him out of the ring. Triple H is definitely the most popular man in this match. Edge drop toe holds Triple H into the middle turnbuckle and Cena then drags Triple H out of the ring and hits a splash from the top of Edge. Cena hits a side suplex on Edge and then sets up for the 5 knuckle shuffle but Lita pulls down the top rope and Cena falls to the outside. Triple H takes advantage by throwing Cena into the ring steps and then goes after Edge, hitting him with a clothesline for a near fall. Triple H lays into Edge with right hands but Edge hits a big boot only to then run into a spinebuster. Triple H applies a headlock but Edge gets out of it and applies a sleeper of his own. Cena then gets int the ring and gets both men up on his shoulders for an FU! Edge nips down and hits Cena with a spear!

Edge lays into Triple H on the outside and throws him into the ringpost busting Triple H wide open. Edge then hits Triple H with a DDT on the announce desk but the desk doesn’t implode and Helmsley just rolls off. Edge goes up top and hits Cena with a missile dropkick for a near fall before laying into Cena with kicks. Edge looks to hit a DDT but Cena counters it into an STFU! Edge crawls to the ropes and Triple H appears and nails Cena with a microphone. Triple H then lays Edge out with a chair. Cena then applies the STFU to Triple H! Triple H is a bloody mess in the middle of the ring Triple H manages to crawl to the ropes to break the hold. Cena gets Triple H up for the FU but Triple H nips down and sets up for a pedigree but Cena counters it into the STFU again! Edge is back up and heads to the top so Cena breaks the hold and goes after Edge. Cena accidentally takes out the referee and then outs Edge up on his shoulders but Triple H forces Cena down to the mat with Edge on his shoulders! All three men are then down and in comes Lita with a chair.

Lita runs at Triple H who sees her coming and lays her out with a spinebuster. Triple H then picks up the chair but decides against it and tosses it aside. He then exits the ring and pulls his sledgehammer from under the ring. Triple H gets in the ring but Edge takes him down with a spear! Edge then picks up the sledgehammer and runs at Cena but Cena ducks it and picks Edge up for an FU! Triple H then hits a low blow on Cena and looks to hit the pedigree but Cena counters it into a jackknife pin and gets the 3! Cena wins the match and retains his WWE Championship! After the match Triple H takes out Cena, Edge and the referee with the sledgehammer! He crotch-chops everyone as his music hits. Great match.

Rating: 8.25/10

And that was Backlash 2006. Overall an average feeling show with a couple of highlights. Carlito and Chris Masters was nothing special but it out an end to this rivalry. Carlito was the right man to win, he’s definitely the better of the two and should have the more positive future. Carlito is the babyface but cheating to win is always going to be in his arsenal. Umaga beat Ric Flair pretty quickly in a big victory for Umaga early in his career. Again, the right result. I can see Umaga being a serious player in the company in the next 12 months or so I wouldn’t be surprised to see him plough through the roster. Trish Stratus beat Mickie James by disqualification in a match that ended prematurely. Trish got injured in a pretty sloppy looking spot. Interesting that they went down the disqualification route, I’m assuming that would’ve been the original plan. The women’s division is pretty poor at the moment but Mickie is a shining light. If the DQ finish was always planned then there’s no doubt a third PPV match would’ve been planned but with Trish’s injury it could be an end to this rivalry for now. Mickie’s win tonight means that her reign as women’s champion is the 200th title reign successfully defended on PPV.

Rob Van Dam beat Shelton Benjamin in a good match between the two most athletic men on the roster. I do think it could have been better but it was still a decent match. Van Dam is now the Intercontinental Champion which is an odd move considering he has a WWE title shot whenever he wants it. I guess it’s better than a predictable draw. Big Show and Kane was a weird finish. I hope this is going somewhere and not just a sad marketing ploy for Kane’s new film. I have zero clue where it’s going but I hope there is some direction.  Vince and Shane beat Shawn Michaels (and God) with a lot of help from The Spirit Squad. I think this’ll be the end of this feud. Unless Michaela and Triple H are going to get the old band back together. Actually, that looks exactly where this is heading. This was a good match as most matches involving Shawn Michaels and Shane McMahon are. Then in the main event John Cena pinned Triple H to retain his WWE Championship. Triple H may have the last laugh but he won’t be leaving with the belt. I think this says a lot about what is in store for Triple H and Edge, with Edge staying out of the result it probably means he’ll be in the main event scene. John Cena continues to be the golden boy. It would make sense for Rob Van Dam to cash in on Edge but we’ll see where it goes. Overall a pretty average show.

Rating: 60.7/100 (ranked 63rd out of 193)

Match Of The Night: John Cena vs. Triple H vs. Edge
Worst Match Of The Night: Mickie James vs. Trish Stratus
Surprise Of The Night: Rob Van Dam becomes IC Champion
Worst Booking Of The Night: This weird May 19th storyline
Superstar Of The Night: John Cena
Backlash 2006 Will Be Remembered For: The night God made his WWE debut