|Date: April 29, 2007
|Venue: Phillips Arena |City: Atlanta, Georgia
|Attendance: 14,500 |Buys: 194,000
|Brand: Raw, Smackdown & ECW

|tweet me: @BastionBlogger

ThisPPV is centred around the backlash from Wrestlemania. The buyrate is terrible though, the worst of any Backlash event up to now. The WWE Championship is set to be defended as Randy Orton, Edge and Shawn Michaels vi for John Cena’s title. Originally Vince McMahon’s executive assistant on Raw, Jonathan Coachman, announced that Cena would defend the title in a handicap match against Edge and Orton but special guest General Manager for the night, who was a Make-A-Wish kid announced that the match would actually be a fatal four way at Backlash with Cena defending against Randy Orton, Edge and Shawn Michaels. Randy and Edge seem to be at odds with one another as Team Rated RKO implodes. Shawn Michaels and John Cena had an epic Wrestlemania re-match at Raw in England where Shawn Michaels beat Cena in a non-title match.

The World Heavyweight Championship will also be defended as Batista cashes in his automatic rematch clause. Batista and The Undertaker are scheduled to go one on one in a Last Man Standing match. The ECW Championship will be on the line as Vince McMahon looks to get revenge on Bobby Lashley. McMahon announced that Lashley would defend his title in a 3 on 1 handicap match against Umaga, Shane McMahon and Vince McMahon. Since then, Vince and Shane have given each other permission to beat Lashley, with whoever pins Bobby on the night becoming the ECW Champion. The United States title will be on the line as Chris Benoit defends once again against MVP. MVP has continued with his different champions from around the globe, disposing of all of them.

Melina will be defending her women’s championship against Mickie James who is looking to win her rematch for the title she lost. This should be a good match as both women are more than competent wrestlers. Also tonight Matt and Jeff Hardy, who won the world tag team championships in a battle royal, defend against Lance Cade and Trevor Murdoch.

This will be the first ever Backlash PPV that Triple H has not fought on and it is the first tri-branded Backlash event as WWE look to scrap the single brand PPV format.

In a dark match prior to the event Carlito defeated Johnny Nitro.

A video package kicks us off, first hyping the ECW Championship match, the World Heavyweight title match and then the WWE Championship match. Jim Ross then welcomes us to Backlash, he’s joined by Jerry “The King” Lawler at the Raw announce booth. ECW commentators Joey Styles and Tazz are present as are Smackdown commentators Michael Cole and Tazz.

The Hardys (Matt & Jeff Hardy) (c) vs. Lance Cade & Trevor Murdoch – World Tag Team Championship match

This is a first ever PPV match between these two teams. Matt Hardy is 1-0 at Backlash events, Jeff Hardy is 0-1. Cade and Murdoch make their Backlash debuts tonight. Matt Hardy and Lance Cade start the match and Matt takes Cade down early with a side headlock. Cade gets out of the headlock and takes Hardy down with a shoulder charge. Cade and Murdoch are former tag team champions themselves. Matt hits a hiptoss on Cade and then one for Murdoch before taking Lance down with a side headlock again. Cade forces Matt back into his corner and tags in Murdoch. Murdoch was trained by Harley Race and you can definitely tell. Matt hits a powerslam and a fistdrop before tagging in his brother Jeff who springboard in with a dropkick. Jeff tags in Matt and we get some classic Hardy double team. Matt tags Jeff back in and more classic double team.

Jeff hits whisper in the wind but can’t get a cover because Lance cade breaks it up. Matt Hardy disposes of Lance and Jeff Hardy then dives out at both challengers. This is the 9th consecutive PPV that Jeff Hardy has fought on. Jeff tags in Matt who gets the first near fall of the night on Trevor Murdoch. Murdoch tags in Cade who hits a big chop on Matt Hardy and we start to get quick tags from the challengers and frequent double teams. Matt hits a side Russian leg sweep on Cade and tags in Jeff Hardy. Jeff hits a running dropkick on Cade and a clothesline on Murdoch. Jeff then misses with a baseball slide and Cade pulls him out of the ring. Back in the ring and Cade hits a powerbomb for a near fall. It’s been 5 years since Jeff Hardy fought at a Backlash PPV. Cade tags in Murdoch and Lance drops his partner on Jeff Hardy for a near fall. Murdoch applies a chinlock but Jeff gets out of it only to be hit with a neckbreaker.

Murdoch tags Cade back in and he hits a big clothesline on Jeff Hardy for a couple of near falls. Cade tags Murdoch who drops Jeff Hardy, hits a legdrop and tags Cade back in. Lance Cade hits a snapmare and applies a chinlock. Cade was actually in the corner of Jonathan Coachman in his match against Tajiri at the 2004 event. Cade tags Murdoch who hits a back suplex for a near fall. Plenty of quick tags between Cade and Murdoch. Jeff manages to kick Murdoch in the face and then a mule kick on Cade but still he can’t make a tag. Murdoch hits a powerslam and then goes up to the misses with an elbow drop which allows Jeff to tag Matt! Matt takes down both challengers, hits Murdoch with a back body drop, a splash in the corner and a headlock for a near fall. The Hardy Boys then attempt poetry in motion but cade pulls Murdoch out of the way. Matt manages to hit side affect on Murdoch but Cade comes off the top rope with an elbow drop to break up the pinfall.

Murdoch hits a sunset flip powerbomb on Matt Hardy for a near fall. Nobody has fought as many PPV matches without main eventing a PPV as Jeff and Matt Hardy. Matt hits twist of fate on Murdoch and Jeff comes off the top with a swanton bomb! Matt pins Murdoch and gets the 3! The finish came out of nowhere but The Hardy Boys retain their World Tag Team Championships tonight!

Rating: 6/10

Shane McMahon is backstage hyping Umaga up for their match later. Vince McMahon walks in with a bandana on and Shane is happy with the look. Vince says tonight history will be made because a McMahon will be ECW Champion tonight. Vince then says it will be Shane becoming ECW Champion tonight. Shane thinks that Vince should be ECW Champion.

Melina (c) vs. Mickie James – WWE Women’s Championship match

This is a first time PPV since match between these two ladies. Mickie James has a 0-1 record at Backlash events following her loss to Trish Stratus by disqualification at last years event. Melina starts with a hammerlock but Mickie hits a firemans carry and applies an armbar. Melina counters the armbar into one of her own but Mickie hits a monkey flip. Mickie applies a headlock which Melina counters with a head-scissors. Mickie flips out of the head scissors and there’s a bit of a stand off. A good start to this match. Melina hits a cheap shot and then a headlock takedown. Head-scissors from Mickie but Melina counters it into a headlock. Mickie gets out of the headlock and Melina sells a problems with her eye. She pulls a contact lens out and then sucker-punches Mickie. Mickie drives Melina into the corner and then monkey flips her across the ring before laying in some right hands for a two count.

Melina hits a right hand to the throat and then shoves Mickie James off the top rope to the outside. Mickie gets back into the ring but Melina throws her across the ring for a two count. Melina applies a sleeper in the ropes which she has to break up pretty quickly. Melina applies a modified full nelson and uses the ropes for extra leverage. She gets caught and has to break the hold. Melina goes up to the top rope and applies a hanging sleeper which she has to break up. Melina showing a lot of innovation in this match. Mickie James fights back but Melina hits a Lou Thesz press from the top. Melina then goes back to the sleeper but Mickie James fights out of it There’s a spot with both girls doing the splits and slugging it out on the canvas which Mickie James gets the better of. Mickie hits a dropkick for a near fall. Mickie hits a couple of clotheslines and then throws Melina across the ring by her hair. Mickie hits a neckbreaker for a near fall. Mickie attempts a hurricanrana but Melina fights her off only for Mickie to go up top and hit a cross body for a near fall.

Melina kicks Mickie in the face, rakes the eyes and then hits an inverted DDT for the three! Melina beats Mickie James tonight and retains her Women’s Championship! Really solid match between these two girls.

Rating: 6.5/10

Maria is backstage with Edge. Edge is happy that John Cena and Shawn Michaels tore into each other for an hour on Raw last week. Edge is confident he’ll become a three time WWE Champion tonight. Maria pulls out a piece of paper and says somebody asked her to ask Edge how he became WWE Champion for the first time. Edge says he cashed in Money In The Bank on a bloody Cena. Edge asks who asked Maria to ask that question. Mr Kennedy right on cue wishes Edge good luck and says that the winner of his match should be exhausted. Kennedy gives his briefcase a pat and walks off.

Chris Benoit vs. M.V.P – United States Championship match

This is a rematch from Wrestlemania where Chris Benoit beat M.V.P. Chris Benoit has a 3-1 record at Backlash PPV’s and he gets a good pop in his hometown. MVP makes his Backlash debut tonight. This is Benoit’s fourth PPV defence, he’s previously beaten Chavo Guerrero twice and MVP once before. It’s a slow start to the match as both men jockey for position. MVP tries to takedown Benoit but doesn’t have any luck. MVP does apply a front facelock but Benoit gets out of that and hits an arm drag a drop toe hold before trying to lock on the crippler crossface but MVP gets to the ropes and escapes the ring. Back in the ring and MVP hits a headlock takedown. Benoit reverses it into a head scissors and this match has started much like the women’s title match that was on previously. Benoit hits a backslide for a near fall and then a side suplex. Benoit then attempts to lock on the sharpshooter and he does lock it on. MVP manages to get to the ropes.

Benoit hits some right hands and chops in the corner but MVP reverses an Irish whip and then takes Benoit down with a running boot to the back of the head for a near fall. MVP applies a cravat which Benoit gets out of but MVP takes Benoit right back down with a belly to belly throw for a near fall. A “power ranger” chant breaks out aimed at MVP as he applies a chinlock. Benoit gets out of it and the two men slug it out until MVP misses with a clothesline and Benoit hits three consecutive German suplexes. Chris Benoit motions for the flying headbutt but MVP grabs his foot and stops him from going. Benoit hits a suplex but as he runs at MVP the challengers counters it and hits a hotshot for a near fall. MVP hits a neckbreaker for another near fall. So far the champions have retained their titles tonight. MVP tries for a suplex but Benoit counters it into a crippler crossface! MVP is near to the ropes though and manages to reach then. MVP is first up and lays in the boots to Chris Benoit.

MVP applies an arm bar and uses the ropes for leverage before hitting a running boot for a near fall. MVP tries for another running boot but Benoit ducks it and hits five consecutive German suplexes. Benoit heads to the top but MVP gets his knees up to counter the flying headbutt. MVP locks on a half Boston crab but Benoit makes it to the ropes. MVP attempts a suplex but Benoit counters it and attempts the crossface but MVP rolls through it. Benoit then rolls MVP up in a small package and gets the 3! Chris Benoit gets the win from nowhere and retains his United States Championship! A great wrestling match between these two.

Rating: 7.75/10

Todd Grisham is backstage with John Cena. Randy Orton shows up and tells Cena that they have a lot in common. They’re both young, incredibly handsome and talented. Orton proposes that they team up tonight, take out Shawn Michaels and Edge so it comes down to the two of them. Cena turns it into gay innuendoes and knocks Orton back. Ron Simmons then shows up and you know the rest.

There’s a video package for the ECW Championship handicap match.

Bobby Lashley (c) vs. Vince McMahon, Shane McMahon & Umaga – 3 on 1 handicap match for the ECW Championship

I am assuming that who ever pins Bobby Lashley would become ECW Champion tonight. Shane McMahon is 2-0 at Backlash events, Vince McMahon and Umaga are both 1-0 at this event whilst Lashley makes his Backlash debut tonight. There’s no Armando Estrada for this match as bobby Lashley took him out on ECW TV last week. Just a note but it has been ECW ring announcer Justin Roberts doing all the ring announcements tonights. Todd Grisham has done a bit on Raw and Smackdown and has been awful. Shane McMahon starts the match against Bobby Lashley and Lashley hits a big takedown as the bell rings. Lashley hits a clothesline and some right hands and stomps. Lashley hits a spinebuster and Shane rolls to the outside. Shane tags in Umaga who slugs it out with Lashley, taking the ECW Champion down. Umaga hits some right hands but Lashley fights back with right hands of his own and then a couple of clotheslines in the corner.

Lashley clotheslines Umaga out of the ring and then disposes of Shane McMahon who tries to get involved. Vince McMahon thinks about getting in the ring but Umaga and Shane McMahon keep Lashley distracted. Lashley hits a delayed vertical suplex on Shane and then drop toe holds Umaga onto Shane. Shane pulls down the top rope as Lashley looks to bounce off it and Lashley goes sprawling over the top to the outside. Umaga throws Lashley into the ring steps and then rolls him back into the ring. Umaga hits a legdrop and then rakes the chest and back. Umaga hits a hard Irish whip and then tags in Shane. Shane lays in some boots and knees and then applies a fujiwara armbar. Lashley fights out of it, smashing Shane into the canvas for a near fall. Shane then tags in Umaga who continues to lay into Lashley with kicks before applying a bearhug. Lashley gets out of it but Shane hits him with a knee to the back before Umaga takes Bobby down with a Samoan drop.

Umaga tags Shane back in and he hits an elbow drop and some knees to the back. Shane then applies a camel clutch and you can see where this is going. Maybe not, Shane breaks the hold himself and hits a couple more elbow drops. Oh, Shane locks on the camel clutch again. This time Lashley gets up to his feet and drives Shane into the corner. Lashley hits a t-bone suplex, a couple of clotheslines and then knocks Umaga off the apron. Lashley hits a back body drop on Shane and then a torture rack backbreaker for a near fall. Umaga gets in the ring but Lashley takes him down with a spear. Lashley then hits Shane with a running powerslam but Vince breaks up the cover. That’s the first time Vince has been in this match. Lashley goes toe to toe with Vince and scoops him up for a powerslam but Shane and Umaga save Vince. The referee tries to get Vince and Umaga out of the ring and whilst he does, Shane nails Lashley with the ECW title! Vince wants the tag and Shane tags him in. Vince covers Lashley who kicks out at 2!

Lashley rolls Vince up from nowhere but Shane makes the save. Vince then tags in Umaga who comes in off the top with a splash. Vince then tags himself back in and pins Lashley who kicks out at 2 again! Vince tags Umaga back in and Umaga goes up to the top and hits another splash! Vince tags himself back in again and pins Lashley again, getting the 3 this time! Vince McMahon is announced as the new ECW Champion! Shane presents his father with the title. Vince has now been a WWE Champion and ECW Champion.

Rating: 6/10

There’s a video package for Batista and Undertaker next.

The Undertaker (c) vs. Batista – Last Man Standing match for the World Heavyweight Championship

This is the second PPV match between these two men. The Undertaker won the previous match at Wrestlemania. Undertaker is 2-1 at Backlash PPV’s, Batista is 1-0. The bell rings and Batista runs right into a big boot. Undertaker then throws Batista into the corner, hits an Irish whip but then runs into an elbow. Undertaker ducks a clothesline and tries for a chokeslam but Batista fights out of it. Undertaker hits a flying clothesline and a couple of  headbutts before twisting the arm and heading to the top for old school which he hits. Batista manages to hit a powerslam (barely) and we get the first count of the match but Undertaker is up at 6. Batista then hammers Undertaker out of the ring and smashes him into the barricade and then the ring apron. Undertaker then smashes Batista into the ring steps and the referee counts Batista. Batista is up at 4 and the two men slug it out on the outside. Undertaker lays Batista on the ring apron and then hits him with a legdrop. Batista reverses an Irish whip, throwing Undertaker into the ring steps.

Back in the ring and Batista heads to the top but Undertaker hits him with some right hands and the sets up for a superplex which he hits. The two men then slug it out and Batista takes Undertaker down with a clothesline. Batista hits another clothesline and a powerslam but Undertaker is up at 6 and he throws Batista out of the ring. On the outside Batista reverses an Irish whip, sending Batista into the barricade. Undertaker hits a backbreaker on the outside and then nails him with the ring steps before laying Batista down on the Smackdown announce table. Undertaker climbs onto the barricade and then dives off with a legdrop sending Batista crashing through the announce table. Batista gets up to his feet on the count of 9. Undertaker throws Batista back into the ring and hits snake eyes but form nowhere Batista hits a spear! There’s a few boo’s for Batista. Batista hits a spinebuster and Undertaker gets up at 9. Batista then looks to hit the Batista bomb but Undertaker shoves him into the corner and takes the challenger down with a chokeslam. Batista gets up to his feet and Undertaker hits some right hands in the corner but Batista counters it into a Batista bomb! Undertaker gets back up to his feet at the count of 9!

Batista grabs a steel chair and smashes it over Undertakers face. Batista then attempts the Batista bomb but Undertaker hits a back body drop onto the chair. Undertaker scoops Batista up and hits the tombstone! Batista gets up at the count of 9 and Undertaker can’t believe it! Undertaker boots Batista out of the ring and hammers him up the entrance way. Undertaker looks to throw Batista off the stage but Batista blocks it. Batista hits some right hands and then looks to hit the Batista bomb on the stage but Undertaker fights him off, scoops him up onto his shoulder and looks to throw him off the stage but Batista slides down and spears Undertaker off the stage! Both men go flying down off the stage, there are explosions and some of the set falls down on them. The referee counts to ten and both men are counted out! This match ends a draw! Undertaker retains his title tonight but this feud is far from over.

Rating: 6.5/10

There’s a video package for the WWE Championship match up next.

John Cena (c) vs. Shawn Michaels vs. Edge vs. Randy Orton – Fatal four way for the WWE Championship

It’s a first time fatal four way between these four men. As Backlash records go, Edge is 3-3, Shawn Michaels is 1-3, John Cena is 1-1 and Randy Orton is 1-0. These men have all fought each other in singles PPV matches except Cena and Orton. This is Cena’s fourth PPV defence of this WWE Championship reign. Cena and Shawn Michaels go toe to toe as the bell rings until Edge and Orton walk over. Cena and Michaels then take shots at Orton and Edge, taking them out of the ring. Michaels then lays into Cena with chops and right hands. Cena hits a hard Irish whip and a fishermans suplex for a two count. Michaels hits a swinging neckbreaker but Orton then gets rid of Michaels and Edge clears the ring of Cena. Edge and Orton stare at one another and then slug it out until Orton dropkicks Edge out of the ring. Cena smashes edge into the ring apron and then throws Edge back into the ring. Shawn Michaels pulls Orton out of the ring, hits some right hands but Cena clotheslines both men down.

Edge baseball slides Cena and then throws Orton into the ring steps. Edge then scoops Cena up and slams him on the floor before trying the same with Shawn Michaels but Michaels counters it with a slam of his own. Michaels then heads to the top and takes out all three opponents with a moonsault! Michaels throws Edge back into the ring and hits him with some chops but Edge fights back. The two men then clothesline each other down to the mat. Cena goes up to the top and flies off taking both Edge and Shawn Michaels out with a legdrop. Cena pins Michaels for a near fall. Orton then takes out Cena with a big clothesline. Orton throws Shawn Michaels out of the ring and then throws Edge out of the ring. Orton and Cena slug it out until Orton hits a backbreaker for a near fall. Orton, unlike the other three men in this match, has never been WWE Champion, only World Heavyweight Champion. Orton his a knee drop for a near fall on Cena.

Cena hits some right hands on Orton but then misses with a shoulder charge in the corner and falls to the outside. Michaels gets back into the ring and slugs it out with Orton. Michaels hits a flying forearm and nips up but Edge takes him back down with a spinning heel kick for a near fall. Edge tells Orton they should team up and they double team Shawn Michaels. Edge knocks Cena off the apron on to the ECW announce table. Orton lays into Michaels with right hands and then he and Edge hit a double back body drop on HBK. Orton and Edge then apply a double Boston crab to Shawn Michaels but Cena breaks it up with a double bulldog. Cena then hits clotheslines and shoulder charges on Edge and Orton and then one for Shawn Michaels. Cena hits a slam on Edge and then the five knuckle shuffle! Michaels and Orton drag Cena out of the ring and throw him into the ring post before Michaels shoves Randy into the ring post. Michaels sets Orton up for a piledriver on the Raw announce desk but Edge attacks Michaels with a chair. Orton gives Edge the thumbs up but Edge then takes Orton out with the chair.

Back in the ring and Edge runs at Cena with the chair but Cena hits a drop toe hold and applies the STFU! The crowd break out in boo’s but Edge makes it to the ropes. Orton then gets back in the ring and Cena locks the STFU on Orton! Shawn Michaels gets in the ring and rolls up Cena for a two count. Michaels hits a flying forearm and nips up before hitting an inverted atomic drop of Cena and Edge. Michaels disposes of Edge, hits an inverted atomic drop on Orton and then disposes of him. Michaels slams Cena and then heads to the top before dropping an elbow. Michaels motions for sweet chin music but in comes Edge. Michaels side steps a spear and then goes back to the top and hits the elbow drop on Edge! Michaels slams Orton and goes back to the top but Cena attacks Michaels up top and looks to him an FU from the top. Orton and Edge then hit a double electric chair drop on Cena from the top with Michaels on Cena’s shoulders!

Edge and John Cena are the first two men up and Cena attempts an FU but in comes Shawn Michaels and Cena temporarily gets both men up for the FU. Michaels slips down but Orton hits him with an RKO! Edge then hits Cena with the impaler DDT for a near fall. Edge hits a big spear on Orton and Cena then hits edge with the FU! Shawn Michaels gets up and hits sweet chin music on Cena! Cena falls back and lands on top of Orton! The referee counts the 3 and Cena has won the match! This was a really good fatal four way but it’s John Cena that retains his title tonight! After the match Michaels berates Cena, maybe this feud will continue!

Rating: 8.25/10

And that was Backlash 2007. It was only 6 matches but it felt like 6 really solid matches, probably because they were all given time to breathe. The opener was a good one with two proper tag teams. The Hardy Boys could have good matches with anyone on the roster, especially Jeff, and they had a decent match with Cade and Murdoch. There are a few tag teams on Raw including the likes of the World’s Greatest Tag Team, Cryme Tyme and The Highlanders so either Matt Hardy needs to move to Raw permanently or The Hardy Boys need to drop the titles. That’s in my opinion anyway. Even though the brand split is starting to mean less as single branded PPV’s have come to an end. Melina then beat Mickie James in a decent match up. Both of these girls can go and with Victoria are the three best girls on the roster. It was nice to see these girls lock up on PPV and the match was a good one. Melina retains and I wouldn’t mind seeing this feud continue.

Next up was Chris Benoit beating MVP. Chris Benoit has really elevated the United States title and he has also elevated MVP. MVP is a much better wrestler than he was 6 months ago and I think a lot of that is down to Chris Benoit. I think this feud will continue as you can’t end a rivalry with a small package. This was a great match though and Chris Benoit is another one of those guys who could put a good match on with a broom handle. I wouldn’t mind seeing MVP with the title in the future. In one of the more shocking results of the night, Vince McMahon became ECW Champion. I have no idea where this is going but Vince McMahon, former WWE Champion, is now ECW champion. I can’t see him holding this long and to be honest I think it’s a bit unnecessary. Lashley was a good champion for the brand and hopefully he’ll win it back soon.

Undertaker and Batista wrestled to a draw. Nobody wanted this result. It was clearly designed to continue the feud probably to a hell in a cell match next month. The finish was quite spectacular with the spear into the electrical units, I didn’t mind that. This match was better than their Wrestlemania match probably because of the gimmick. You’re not guaranteed a 5 star match with Batista but he does have chemistry with some guys and the gimmick match helps. This one goes to Judgment Day I reckon. In the main event John Cena retained his WWE Championship against Shawn Michaels, Edge and Randy Orton. I really enjoyed this match. A great fatal four way match between four very talented performers. I liked the finish with Michaels hitting Cena onto Orton. Lots of good spots in this match, plenty of action. I don’t know who challengers Cena next but the feud with Michaels looks like it might continue. We’ve also never had Cena vs. Orton on PPV one on one so plenty of potential there. Overall this felt like a really good show. High quality, definitely worth checking out.

Overall Rating: 68.3/100 (ranked 15th out of 209)

Match Of The Night: John Cena vs. Shawn Michaels vs. Randy Orton vs. Edge
Worst Match Of The Night: Hardy Boys vs. Cade & Murdoch / ECW Title match
Surprise Of The Night: Vince McMahon becomes ECW Champion
Worst Booking Of The Night: Vince McMahon becomes ECW Champion
Superstar Of The Night: John Cena
Backlash 2007 Will Be Remembered For: Vince McMahon becoming ECW Champion