WWE Backlash 2018: Analyzing and grading each match and segment
The first dual-brand WWE pay-per-view since the 2018 Superstar Shake-Up, Backlash, took place in Newark, New Jersey on Sunday.
Eight matches were on the main card, including Roman Reigns vs. Samoa Joe, AJ Styles vs. Shinsuke Nakamura (WWE Championship) and Seth Rollins vs. The Miz (Intercontinental Championship).
Both women’s titles were also on the line, with Nia Jax defending the Raw Women’s Championship against Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair challenging Carmella for the SmackDown Women’s Championship, while Ruby Riott fought Bayley on the kickoff show.
Elsewhere on the card, Jeff Hardy put his United States title on the line against Randy Orton, Braun Strowman and Bobby Lashley teamed up against Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn, and Big Cass fought Daniel Bryan.
In this article, let’s analyze what was good and bad about every match and segment on the show.
#1 Ruby Riott def. Bayley (kickoff show)
Match: Sasha Banks watched from backstage after refusing an offer from frenemy Bayley to accompany her to ringside. That decision proved to be pivotal because, as expected, Liv Morgan and Sarah Logan played their part in helping Ruby Riott, who picked up the win with a Riott Kick after Liv distracted Bayley.
Verdict: This was a standard kickoff show match with no major storyline heading into it and no major storyline coming out of it. It’ll be interesting to see how WWE handles Ruby going forward. She was impressive again and would be a good non-title opponent for Ronda Rousey before the former MMA star inevitably gets involved in the Raw Women’s Championship reckoning.
Grade: C+