|Date: April 27, 2008
|Venue: 1st Mariner Arena |City: Baltimore, Maryland
|Attendance: 11,277 |Buys: 200,000
|Brands: Raw, Smackdown & ECW

|tweet me: @BastionBlogger

Every Action Deserves a Fierce and Aggressive Reaction. Backlash is the traditional pay per view following Wrestlemania and tonights backlash features all the fallout from the biggest show of the year. This is the tenth instalment of Backlash. The WWE Championship is set to be defended, this time in a fatal four way. John “Bradshaw” Layfield was the first man to claim a stake to the title following his victory over Finlay at Wrestlemania. Raw General Manager made the match Randy Orton vs. JBL for Backlash but Triple H demanded a shot, saying he would have won at Wrestlemania if he wasn’t kicked in the head by Orton. Triple H would beat Orton and Bradshaw in a handicap match to make the match a triple threat at Backlash. John Cena would then beat Triple H and John “Bradshaw” Layfield in a handicap match to be added to the WWE title match.

On the Smackdown side of things, Smackdown General Manager Vickie Guerrero was very quick to make two Wrestlemania rematches for Backlash. First, Edge will take on The Undertaker for the World Heavyweight Championship and secondly, Chavo Guerrero will get his rematch against Kane for the ECW Championship. Since those announcements were made, Chavo Guerrero has assigned himself a new bodyguard in the form of Bam Neely. Chavo and Bam along with Zack Ryder and Curt Hawkins attacked Kane following the contract signing for the ECW Championship match at Backlash.

At Wrestlemania, Shawn Michaels defeated Ric Flair retire The Nature Boy from the WWE. One man that has taken offence to this is Batista who was mentored by Flair from back in the days of Evolution. Batista says that Michaels didn’t have to retire Flair and that he did it for selfish reasons, like Michaels has done so many times in his career. Shawn Michaels responded by saying that Batista was jealous that Flair picked him to wrestle at Wrestlemania and not Batista. One man that has been stirring it up between these two men whilst trying to find out the truth is Chris Jericho who will serve as special guest referee in the match between these two men. Also tonight will be a battle of the big men as The Big Show battles the man that answered his call, the man that said he couldn’t be beaten by The Big Show, The Great Khali. In a bizarre segment on Smackdown, The Great Khali presented The Big Show with a chicken amongst other things in an Indian ritual. Big Show knocked him out. These two men meet tonight.

MVP will be defending his United States Championship tonight against the man who returned at Wrestlemania and cost him the Money In The Bank briefcase, Matt Hardy. The feud between MVP and Hardy has been running nearly a year with MVP putting Hardy out of action for months. Matt beats MVP in a non-title match a few weeks ago and now gets a title shot against the man that won the title nearly a year ago. The other match scheduled for tonight is a twelve diva tag team match. The divas across all three brands have recently split into two groups with Beth Phoenix, Melina, Jillian Hall, Victoria, Layla and the recently debuted Natalya on one team and Mickie James, Maria, Ashley, Michelle McCool, Cherry and Kelly Kelly on the other. On top of that, Mickie James has recently defeated Beth Phoenix for the WWE Women’s Championship, adding more fuel to this fire.

In a dark match prior to the event, John Morrison and The Miz defeated Shannon Moore and Jimmy Wang Yang.

A video package kicks us off, claiming that Wrestlemania was only the beginning. The package then highlights the Shawn Michaels/Batista match and the WWE and World Heavyweight Championship matches.

Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler welcome us to Backlash, they throw over to Mike Adamle and The Tazz. They in turn throw to Michael Cole and the new colour commentator for Smackdown, Mick Foley!

MVP (c) vs. Matt Hardy – United States Championship match

This is the second pay per view match between these two men, MVP defeated Matt Hardy back at The Great American Back 2007. Matt Hardy is 2-0 at Backlash events, MVP is 0-1. Matt has walked out of Backlash events as both European and World Tag Team Champion in the past. MVP has been United States Champion since last May, so nearly a year. Nobody has wrestled as many PPV matches without main eventing a PPV as Matt Hardy. Both men are in camouflage gear. MVP gets the upper hand in the early going but Hardy fires back with some big right hands causing MVP to leave the ring. Hardy follows and rolls MVP back into the ring before hitting a hiptoss for a one count. Matt hits a reverse elbow and an elbow drop for a one count. Hardy then applies a headlock which MVP gets out of. Hardy hits a boot and then an elbow off the middle rope for the first near fall of the night.

MVP hits a forearm to the back and then a back suplex for a two count. Hardy attempts a moonsault but MVP gets his knees up which gives MVP a near fall. MVP hits a knee drop for a two count. MVP then applies an abdominal stretch, using the ropes for extra leverage. Hardy counters the hold with a Samoan drop for a near fall. MVP takes the advantage back with a belly to belly suplex for a two count and then drops a few elbows for a near fall. This is the second time the United States Championship has been defended at a Backlash PPV, Chris Benoit retained the title against MVP at last years event. Hardy hits a clothesline and the two men slug it out with Hardy winning that exchange. Matt hits a couple of clotheslines and a bulldog for a near fall. Hardy then looks to hit the side affect but MVP elbows his way out of the move and then hotshots the challenger on to the top rope.

MVP attempts the playmaker but Hardy counters it into a side affect for a near fall. Hardy then heads to the top but MVP dropkicks the ropes, crotching Hardy on the top. MVP looks to hit a superplex but Hardy counters it and hits a side affect from the middle rope! Hardy gets a ear fall and then looks to hit the twist of fate but MVP counters it with a backslide for a near fall. Hardy tries for the twist of fate again but MVP rams him into the corner. MVP hits a shining wizard knocking Matt Hardy out of the ring. Hardy gets back into the ring on the count of nine and MVP goes right back to work on him with boots. MVP attempts his running boot but Hardy moves out of the way and then hits the twist of fate! Hardy hooks the leg and gets the three! Matt Hardy wins the match and the United States Championship! Solid enough way to kick off the show.

Rating: 6/10

Eve Torres is backstage and interviews Matt Hardy. Matt says that the United States Championship is the biggest title win of his career. Hardy says that he only has one thing to say to MVP….big pause…..”I am better than you!”.

Kane (c) vs. Chavo Guerrero – ECW Championship match

This is the second PPV match between these two men. Kane beat Chavo in about 10 second at Wrestlemania 24. Chavo is joined by his new bodyguard, Bam Neely. Kane has a 2-2-1 record art Backlash events whilst Chavo has a 0-1 record at the event. The bell rings and Chavo does a good job of lasting longer than he did at Wrestlemania. Kane lays into Chavo with right hands and a low dropkick. Both of these men are technically Smackdown superstars. Kane is so much bigger. He lifts Chavo up by the neck. Kane hits an uppercut and then chokes Chavo in the corner before gorilla press slamming the former ECW Champion. Chavo drop toe holds Kane onto the middle turnbuckle and then lays in some kicks but Kane throws him out of the ring. Kane follow Chavo around the ring and Chavo then rams him into the side of the ring. Back in the ring and Kane heads to the top but Chavo throws Kane back out of the ring!

Chavo lays into Kane on the outside, working the knee and then throwing Kane back into the ring. Chavo smashes Kane’s knee into the ring apron and then distracts the referee so Bam Neely can smash Kane’s knee into the ringpost. This is definitely one of the biggest matches of Chavo’s career. Chavo applies a leglock in the middle of the ring but Kane kicks him off. Chavo goes to the middle rope and gets up on Kane’s shoulders but Kane hits him with an electric chair drop. Chavo is up first but runs into a big boot. Kane follows it up with a couple of clotheslines in the corner and then a sidewalk slam for a near fall. Kane looks to hit a tombstone but Chavo slides down before getting him with a back body drop. Kane then heads to the top and hits a flying clothesline knocking Chavo out to the apron. Chavo manages to drop Kane on the top rope and then heads to the top but Kane catches him only to be hit with a DDT for a near fall.

Chavo looks to hit the three amigos but Kane counters it. Chavo hits a chopblock and then heads to the top again but Kane gets up, grabs Chavo by the throat only for chavo to hit a rake to the eyes. Kane falls down and Chavo hits the frog splash! But Kane catches him by the throat and hits Chavo with a chokeslam which is enough for the three! Kane wins the match and retains the ECW Championship!

Rating: 4.5/10

Todd Grisham is backstage with WWE Champion Randy Orton. Orton says that he will leave tonight as WWE Champion.

The Big Show vs. The Great Khali

This truly is the battle of the big men. It’s a first PPV match between these two men. Big Show is 2-1-1 at Backlash events whilst Khali wrestles on a Backlash event for the first ever time. Although I don’t expect much from this match, it is a match I have always wanted to see. Khali is slightly taller than Big Show as the two men go toe to toe. Khali shoves Big Show who shoves him back. Khali then hits some right hands but Big Show fires back with right hands of his own. Big Show hits a headbutt but Khali headbutts him back. The two men then exchange chops and Khali hits a clothesline, knocking Big Show down to the mat. A “you can’t wrestle” chant breaks out, aimed at Khali. Khali lays into Big Show in the corner and then clotheslines Big Show out of the ring. Khali shoves Big Show into the ringpost and then rolls Show back into the ring. Khali hits a boot knocking Show down and then drops an elbow. Khali applies a crossface, which I’ve never seen him do before.

Big Show fights out of the crossface and looks to hit a slam but collapses under the weight of The Great Khali. Khali locks on the nerve hold which Big Show fights out of. Big Show then runs into the Khali chop! Khali gets a near fall of the chop and then applies a double armbar submission. Big Show forces his way out of the submission and then hits a powerslam on the big man for a near fall. Khali hits an elbow, right hand and a kick and then looks to hit the Khali bomb but Big Show blocks it and hits a chokeslam! That’s enough for the three! Big Show beats The Great Khali tonight. Probably not a match I’d be in a rush to watch again but better than I expected.

Rating: 3/10

John Cena is backstage talking to Jimmy Wang Yang when Randy Orton shows up. Orton tells Cena he will go home disappointed tonight, like he did at Wrestlemania. Cena says that win, lose or draw, Orton will go home a broken man.

There’s a video package next for Shawn Michaels and Batista.

Shawn Michaels vs. Batista – Chris Jericho as special guest referee

These two men have met once on PPV before and that time Shawn Michaels beat Batista at Armageddon 2003. Batista is 1-0-1 at Backlash PPV’s whilst Shawn Michaels is 1-4. This is Batista’s 18th consecutive PPV, a longer streak than anybody else currently. Kurt Angle has the all time record streak of 34 PPV’s. This is a Raw vs. Smackdown match. Batista has a bit of a shiner. The match starts lively with Michaels thinking about sweet chin music and Batista looking to counter with a Batista bomb but Michaels exits the ring before taking a few seconds and then getting back into the ring. Michaels then lays into Batista with kicks but Batista forces Michaels into the corner. Batista hits an Irish whip and then a clothesline before choking Shawn with his boot. Michaels hits a chop block and then a takedown before looking for a short arm scissors which Batista manages to counter. Michaels then applies the short arm scissors which is a bit of a crappy hold. Batista tries to counter the hold, rolling Michaels onto his back. Batista then forces Michaels up into the air but both men topple over the top and out of the ring.

On the outside Michaels throws Batista into the ring post. Michaels gets back into the ring and Batista rolls in slowly. Shawn then goes back to the arm bar. Michaels really works the left arm of Batista. Batista comes back with right hands but Michaels hits a drop toe hold and then goes back to the arm bar. Michaels then applies an armbar over the top rope which Jericho forces him to break. Shawn goes to the top and hits a double axe handle before going back to the arm bar. Batista manages to get Michaels up on his shoulders before dropping him with a Samoan drop to boo’s from the crowd. Batista hits a hard Irish whip and then a hard clothesline to knock Michaels down. Batista hits a running powerslam for a near fall and there are plenty of boo’s for Batista. It’s probably time to turn him heel. Batista looks to hit the Batista bomb but Michaels counters it into a crossface. Batista gets to the ropes and Jericho man-handles Shawn Michaels to break the hold. That distraction allows Batista to hit a sidewalk slam for a near fall.

Michaels hits a flying forearm and then nips up but Batista knocks him right back down with a spear for a near fall. Batista looks to hit a superplex but Michaels shoves him down to the mat before hitting him with a flying elbow drop. Michaels motions for sweet chin music but Batista catches him with a spinebuster! Batista then sets up for the Batista bomb but Michaels counters and then hits the mat holding his knee. Batista tries to pick Michaels up but Jericho forces Batista back. Michaels gets up to his feet and hits Batista with sweet chin music out of nowhere for the three! Shawn Michaels win the match! Michaels limps to the back following a good match.

Rating: 7.5/10

Triple H is backstage when Randy Orton shows up and tells him that he will be retaining his title tonight. Randy can’t even look at Triple H. Hunter tells Randy that pride comes before the fall.

Mickie James, Ashley, Maria, Michelle McCool, Cherry & Kelly Kelly vs. Beth Phoenix, Melina, Jillian Hall, Victoria, Natalya & Layla

This is a big divas match involving all of WWE’s in-ring divas. The only divas with a Backlash history are Melina and Victoria who are 1-0 at the event and Mickie James who is 0-2. This match marks in-ring PPV debuts for Cherry and Natalya whilst Layla looks to score her first PPV victory. Beth Phoenix and Michelle McCool kick off the match and Michelle hits a dropkick and then tries for a belly to belly suplex but Phoenix counters it. McCool hits some kicks and an uppercut but Phoenix drops her with a powerslam. Beth tags in Melina who smashes Michelle into the mat and then applies a modified STF. Michelle gets out of the hold but Melina drops her. Michelle rolls through a sunset flip and hits a dropkick before tagging in Divas Champion Mickie James. Melina hits an elbow and then an Irish whip but Mickie hits an elbow of her own and then a hurricanrana. Melina tags out to Natalya who slugs it out with Mickie. Mickie James hits a neckbreaker for a one count.

Natalya drops Mickie by the hair and then takes a cheap shot at Cherry. Natalya making her PPV debut tonight. She tags out to Victoria who slams Mickie and then misses with a standing moonsault. Mickie hits an enzeguri whilst on the outside, Cherry pulls Natalya off the apron. All hell then breaks loose as all 12 divas go at it! Victoria tags out to Jillian and Mickie tags in Ashley! Ashley hits a hurricanrana on Jillian for a one count but Beth takes a cheap shot at Ashley. The divas are back in their own corners now. Jillian tags in Beth who hits a snapmare on Ashley and then applies a wristlock. Cherry, Maria, Kelly Kelly and Layla are yet to get into the match yet. Phoenix knocks Mickie James off the apron. Mickie gets in the ring and hits Phoenix with a tornado DDT! Victoria then hits Mickie with the widows peak! Michelle McCool drops Victoria and then Melina hits McCool with a modified rocker dropper. Kelly Kelly gets in the ring but Jillian takes her down. Cherry then drops Jillian, Natalya suplexes Cheery, Maria bulldogs Natalya. Layla drops Maria but Ashley spears Layla!

Beth Phoenix gets back into the ring and hits Ashley with a fishermans suplex which is enough for the three! Beth Phoenix and her team win the match! Cherry, Maria, Layla and Kelly Kelly never got into the match officially but they are the four weakest divas in the match so no worries. A fun match anyway, it wasn’t terrible but nothing memorable.

Rating: 4/10

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

The Undertaker (c) vs. Edge – World Heavyweight Championship match

This is the second PPV match between these two men, Undertaker won the first at Wrestlemania. Undertaker is 2-1-1 at Backlash events whilst Edge is 3-4. Edge comes out on his own, no sign of any La Familia members. Undertaker uses his power in the early going, shoving Edge out of the ring. The World Heavyweight Championship has never changed hands at a Backlash PPV. Undertaker lays in some boots in the ring but Edge knocks him down with a clothesline. Undertaker throws Edge into the corner and hits him with right hands, knocking him down and then choking him with his boot. Undertaker hits Edge with right hands and headbutts before looking to hit old school but Edge rakes the eyes. Edge clotheslines Undertaker out of the ring and then hits him with a baseball slide. Edge looks to hit a double axe handle off the apron but Undertaker catches him and rams the Rated-R Superstar into the ringpost. Undertaker then throws Edge into the barrier.

Undertaker drops Edge on the barricade and then on the ring apron. Undertaker hits a legdrop on the apron. Back in the ring and Undertaker hits another legdrop for a near fall. Undertaker then sets up for a tombstone but Edge counters it with an Edge-o-cution. Edge then hits a spear to the back of Undertaker in the corner for a near fall before applying a body scissors. Undertaker gets out of it by hitting lefts and rights but Edge regains the advantage with a dropkick. Edge then baseball slides Undertaker out of the ring before rolling the World Heavyweight Champion back into the ring and applying a camel clutch. Undertaker is the man on the poster for this event. Undertaker manages to get up to his feet and drop Edge to the canvas. Both men get to their feet but knock each other down with simultaneous clotheslines. Both men then hit boots and knock each other down. The two men get to their feet and slug it out, Undertaker hits snake eyes and a running boot and then an elbow drop for a two count.

Undertaker looks to hit old school but edge boots him and sets up for a superplex. Undertaker counters it, shoving Edge to the mat and then attempts an elbow drop but Edge rolls out of the way. Edge leaves the ring and grabs the World Heavyweight Champion but Undertaker knocks it out of his hands. Undertaker then looks to hit a chokeslam but edge counters it with a side Russian leg sweep for a near fall. Edge heads to the top but Undertaker grabs him by the throat and chokeslams him to the mat below. Edge gets his foot on the rope to save the pinfall. Undertaker motions for the tombstone but Edge grabs on to the ropes and pulls the turnbuckle pad off. Edge then shoves Undertaker into the exposed turnbuckle Curt Hawkins then shows up and smashes Undertaker with the World Heavyweight Championship as the referee puts the turnbuckle pad back on. Edge hooks the leg but Undertaker kicks out!

Edge sets up for a spear but Undertaker counters it with a DDT for a near fall. Undertaker looks to hit a chokeslam but Zack Ryder runs to the ring and gets up on the apron! Undertaker shoves Edge into Ryder knocking him off the apron! Edge rolls Undertaker up but Undertaker counters it into the hells gate! It takes a while but eventually Edge taps out! Undertaker keeps the hold applied and out comes Teddy Long and Vickie Guerrero. Undertaker finally breaks the hold as blood comes form Edge’s mouth. Edge is then taken away on a stretcher. Good match if a little slow in parts.

Rating: 6.75/10

Randy Orton is backstage knocking on John “Bradshaw” Layfields locker room when Mr Money In The Bank CM Punk shows up and wishes Orton luck tonight.

We’re showing the results of a poll for who will win the main event tonight and 48% of the votes go to John Cena. Triple H isn’t far behind in second, Orton third and JBL fourth.

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

Randy Orton vs. John Cena vs. Triple H vs. John “Bradshaw” Layfield – Fatal four way elimination match for the WWE Championship

John “Bradshaw” Layfield is added to the Wrestlemania triple threat match and the elimination stipulation is added. As Backlash records go, Randy Orton is 1-1, John Cena is 2-1, Triple H is 3-5 and Layfield is 1-2. If Randy retains tonight then this will be his 7th successful PPV title defence during this reign, only John Cena has retained a title more times during a title reign. Triple H has now main evented 7 of the 10 Backlash PPV’s. The last time the WWE Championship changed hands at a Backlash event was 2002 when Triple H lost to Hulk Hogan. Triple H also lost the WWE Championship the other time it has changed hands at a Backlash event and that was back in 2000 to The Rock. The bell rings and JBL immediately drops Orton with a big boot. Orton leaves the ring and JBL then goes to work on John Cena. Triple H hits Layfield with right hands and then a suplex. Cena drops Triple H with a clothesline to boo’s. Cena then hits Triple H with right hands. Triple H reverses an Irish whip, sending Cena out of the ring.

Bradshaw hits Triple H with right hands as Cena watches on from the outside. Cena then goes after Orton on the outside and throws him back into the ring. Triple H throws Orton into Cena, knocking Cena off the apron. JBL and Randy double team Triple H in the ring. JBL drops an elbow on Triple H and both JBL and Orton then hit Triple H with right hands. Triple H knocks both men down with a clothesline and then knocks JBL out of the ring. Triple H side steps a shoulder charge from Orton who hits the ringpost. Triple H then throws JBL into the ring steps. As PPV’s go, these four men are four of the top 15 of all time. You can add Edge and Undertaker to those top 15 too. JBL and Triple H go at it on the outside whilst Randy Orton las into John Cena on the inside. Cena hits a snapmare/bulldog on Orton then heads to the top and hits a top rope fame-asser to boo’s. Cena then locks the STFU on the WWE Champion. JBL thinks about breaking the hold but then screams at Orton to tap out! Triple H then locks a crossface on JBL! JBL manages to poke Cena in the eye, forcing him to break his hold on Orton. Orton then screams at JBL to tap out before Cena shoves Orton into Triple H to break the crossface.

Orton throws Cena out of the ring and then walks into a big boot from JBL. JBL drops an elbow and gets a near fall on Orton. Layfield hits some big right hands and boots on Orton before running into Ortons boot. Randy hits a clothesline on JBL and then heads to the top but JBL crotches him. Bradshaw then hits a superplex on Orton as Triple H and Cena powerbomb JBL to the mat. Cena and Triple H then both get near falls on JBL and Randy Orton respectively. Triple H and Cena slug it out with Cena getting the better of the exchange, suplexing Triple H for a near fall. Cena hits a couple of shoulder blocks on Triple H and then a side suplex before looking to hit the 5 knuckle shuffle but Triple H gets to his feet and takes Cena down with a spinebuster. Triple H sets up for a pedigree but Cena looks to counter with an FU. Triple H slides down so Cena gets JBL up and hits him with an FU! Triple H then attempts a pedigree on Cena but Cena back body drop Triple H out of the ring! Cena then goes back to JBL and locks on the STFU! Bradshaw taps out! John “Bradshaw” Layfield has been eliminated!

Randy Orton then comes out of nowhere and punts John Cena in the head! Orton pins Cena and gets the three! John Cena has been eliminated from the match! 

So we’re down to just Randy Orton and Triple H following back to back eliminations. Triple H and Randy Orton slug it out and Triple H hits a suplex and a knee drop for a near fall. Helmsley then throws Randy out of the ring before following him out and smashing him into the Raw announce desk. Orton reverses an Irish whip, throwing Triple H into the ring steps. Orton then slingshots Orton over the barricade and into the crowd. Randy then suplexes Triple H back over the barricade and rolls him back into the ring for a near fall. Randy stomps away at Triple H and then drives his knee into the middle section and back of The Game for a near fall. The two men exchange right hands until Orton hits a backbreaker for a near fall. Orton applies a chinlock which Triple H eventually fights his way out of but Orton takes him right back down with a powerslam. Orton looks to hit an RKO but Triple H counters it, pushing Orton away. So far the only heels to win tonight were the divas. Both men get to their feet and Triple H hits a high knee.

Triple H hits a clothesline in the corner and then a facebuster for a near fall. Helmsley then clotheslines Orton out of the ring before following him out and throwing the WWE Champion over the ECW announce desk. Orton manages to grab Triple H and throw him into the security wall. Orton then looks to piledrive Triple H on the ring steps but Triple H counters it, slamming Orton onto the ring steps. Randy rolls back into the ring and Triple H follows. Triple H hits a spinebuster and then sets up for the pedigree but Orton counters with a back body drop. Orton then shoves Triple H into the referee before taking Helmsley down with an RKO! Orton takes a long time to pin Triple H and when he does, Triple H kicks out at 2! Orton then looks to punt Triple H but Hunter gets out of the way and nails Orton with a pedigree! Triple H hooks the leg and gets the three! Triple H wins the match and the WWE Championship!

Rating: 6.5/10

And that was Backlash 2008. I’d first like to state how disappointed I am that there haven’t been any tag team title defences on PPV as of yet in 2008. You’d actually have to go back to Survivor Series, 6 months ago to find the last time either tag team titles were defended on PPV. You’d also have to go back to Summerslam last August to find the last time that the Intercontinental Championship was defended on pay per view. These titles need defending more!

Anyway, one title that was defended tonight was the United States Championship which MVP lost to Matt Hardy. This was a decent way to start the show. I’m not sure that Matt really needed the title but this does freshen up the title scene and gives Hardy the biggest singles title win of his career. This will probably put an end to this feud unless they decide to do a re-match at Judgment Day with a gimmick. MVP is the only man to have lost at all four PPV’s so far in 2008. Kane then beat chavo to retain the ECW Championship. Nothing special here but it gives Kane a title defence and takes Chavo out of the title picture. I don’t like that it’s two Smackdown members that are feuding over the ECW title but it gives both men something to do. They’re both on the level where they won’t be winning the World Heavyweight Championship anytime soon so I guess this makes sense. I wouldn’t be happy if I was an ECW guy though.

The Big Show beat The Great Khali in a result that stops Big Shows return from being a complete wash-out. The match had to go this way and it did. I expected this match to be terrible and it was slightly better than that. This will be the end of this feud I reckon. Next up was Shawn Michaels and Batista who had a match that did the build justice. This was one of Batista’s best matches of his career and the result could’ve gone either way. Shawn Michaels won after apparently feigning an injury or was he actually injured? I’m not sure but it was smart either way. Chris Jericho was a fair referee and didn’t become too involved. Either he or Shawn Michaels need to turn heel and the two might transition into a feud next month. The divas were up next and it was a win for team heel as Beth Phoenix pinned Ashley. This was the first and only heel victory of the night. This result makes sense, the heels need to look strong in order to go after champion Mickie James. PPV debuts for Natalya and Cherry in this match, just a shame a few of the divas didn’t get tagged into the match.

Next up The Undertaker beat Edge cleanly to retina the World Heavyweight Championship. I guess this puts an end to this rivalry unless they go with a big gimmick like Hell In A Cell next month at Judgment Day. They’ll have to be more creative with how Edge earns his shot now that his automatic rematch clause has been used. A cell or a cage would keep the likes of Zack Ryder and Curt Hawkins out of the match and with a struggling main event scene on Smackdown, I can definitely see a gimmick with these two next month. In the main event Randy Orton finally lost his WWE Championship and it was to Triple H. Usually I am fed up of Triple H but I don’t actually mind him winning the title this time. John Cena must be out of title shots now following losses at No Way Out, Wrestlemania and now Backlash. A good match between these four.

Overall Rating: 54.65/100 (ranked 150th out of 223)

Match Of The Night: Shawn Michaels vs. Batista
Worst Match Of The Night: The Big Show vs. The Great Khali
Surprise Of The Night: Triple H becomes WWE Champion
Worst Booking Of The Night: No tag team or IC title matches
Superstar Of The Night: Triple H
Backlash 2008 Will Be Remembered For: Triple H becoming WWE Champion