Let's Talk About | Backlash 2000

 

On this date, 25 years ago, World Wrestling Entertainment (also known as World Wrestling Federation) presented Backlash, a pay per view that started my journey as a wrestling fan.

I remember watching this on a VHS Tape (if you know, you know) via Channel 4 here in the U.K at that time, the Backlash logo and stage from 2000 will always be one of my favourites, alongside WrestleMania 17.

Having recently watched Backlash on NETFLIX, there was a realisation that I've watched and followed the careers of the majority of these great wrestlers that were on this match card. 

Till this day, the best moment for me as a wrestling fan is and will always be the crowd's non-stop cheers when Stone Cold Steve Austin's music hit during the Rock vs Triple H. WWF Championship main event. 

The commentary from the legendary Jerry Lawler & Jim Ross, when Austin hit Triple H, Shane and Vince with a Steel Chair, added to the spectacle, this led to The Rock ultimately winning the Championship. Austin driving out to the ring with DX's burned bus and then joining Rock in the ring, to toast the title with a beer was a classic scene as well. 

This was a great trip down memory lane, thank you for reading, be sure to check out the archives on this website.

Let's Talk About | RAW After Mania

RAW after WrestleMania is often regarded as being unpredictable, did this episode live up to the hype? Let's Talk About it.

The history making, record breaking, NEW WWE Champion John Cena started the show, with the usual heel promo, this wasn't anything new in all honesty, Randy Orton appeared from outta nowhere and hit Cena with an RKO. 

Could the two greats be meeting for the WWE Championship at Backlash? which takes place in Orton's hometown? We'll wait for GM Adam Pearce to make it official.

Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez are the NEW Women's Tag Team Champions for the 4th Winning them back from Becky & Lyra, who look set to battle each other.

Becky's heel turn could lead to her being revealed as the person that attacked Bayley and eventually joining Seth and Paul Heyman in the future. 

Xavier Woods and Kofi Kingston's celebrations as Tag Champions were interrupted by Otis & Akira Tozawa, before the match could begin we saw the return of Rusev! It's Rusev Day! He took out Otis and Tozawa, The New Day walked away prior to the attack. That was a smart move by them.

The Women's World Champion, Iyo Sky was interrupted by the NXT Women's Champion, Stephanie Vaquer, Adam Pearce made the match between the two Champions official..

Iyo versus Stephanie was awesome, the fight was over due to Roxanne and Guilia's interference, Rhea ran down to make the save, gave Iyo the title and put the champ on notice.

It was time for celebration again in Vegas. This time for The NEW World Heavyweight Champion. Main Event Jey Uso. YEET! He was joined by a returning Sami Zayn and then Jimmy Uso, whilst Jey was celebrating, Sami looked like he was going to turn heel on Jey, as predicted during the WrestleMania 41 conversation but it wasn't to be.

We saw a backstage segment/conversation between AJ Styles & Karrion Kross and Scarlett. It was nice to hear Kross and Scarlett get cheered by the crowd.

In an interesting turn of events, Gunther took out his anger for losing the World Heavyweight Championship, by attacking Michael Cole and Pat McAfee. Pat will probably wrestle Gunther or he is written off from TV for the time being.

Dominik Mysterio defeated Penta to successfully defend his newly won Intercontinental Championship thanks to the returning JD McDonagh, shoutout to JD for recovering from his recent injury. 

Joe Tessitore was on commentary for the rest of the show. We heard Michael Cole chants (that wasn't on the bingo card for 2025) whilst he was walking back to the commentary table.

Paul Heyman and Seth Rollins have added Bron Breakker to their group, he played a key role in taking out CM Punk and Roman Reigns in the main event segment of the show.  

Unsurprisingly, since the show closed out, there has been a lot of talk/speculation in regards to who else could be joining Evolution 2.0. Let's just wait and see who it is. 

RAW After WrestleMania was a very newsworthy episode, one of the best in recent years, thanks for reading, be sure to check out the previous content on this website. 

 

Let's Talk About | WrestleMania 41 And THAT Main Event On Night Two

Following the footsteps of an excellent NXT Stand and Deliver, it was now time for WrestleMania at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. Let's Talk About Night One.

Gunther (c) vs Jey Uso - World Heavyweight Championship 

After previous failed attempts, Jey Uso finally dethroned Gunther to become the NEW World Heavyweight Champion. The impressive thing about this is he won without any help. 

Jey celebrating with his brother Jimmy was a great moment, in regards to who could challenge Jey? A heel Sami Zayn, Seth Rollins or Logan Paul could be possible opponents. 

The War Raiders (c) vs The New Day - World Tag Team Championship 

Congratulations to Xavier Woods & Kofi Kingston, The New New Day are The New New Tag Team Champions, shoutout to Erik and Ivar as well.

Jade Cargill vs Naomi 

Prior to her match with Jade, Naomi debuted new match to go along with her heel persona, you could say the Glow is gone..She couldn't weather the Storm because Jade won the match. 

LA Knight (c) vs Jacob Fatu - United States Championship

The Samoan Werewolf; Jacob Fatu captured the United States Championship from LA Knight, there was a very very close near fall from Knight which nearly upset the Apple Cart. 

Congratulations to Jacob for winning his first of many Championships in the WWE. 

El Grande Americano vs Rey Fenix 

It was time.for comedy at WrestleMania, El Grande Americano walked to the ring with a Mariachi Band. Rey Mysterio was injured on SmackDown and was replaced by Rey Fenix who went on to lose. This match was silly. No disrespect. 

Vikingo was sat ringside, for those that missed the news, prior to WrestleMania, WWE announced the acquisition of AAA. Looking forward NXT vs AAA Worlds Collide on Saturday June 7th. 

Tiffany Stratton (c) vs Charlotte Flair - WWE Women's Championship 

Prior to this match many thought Charlotte was going to win, however, Tiffany had other ideas and remains Champion.

CM Punk vs Seth Rollins vs Roman Reigns

It was main event time, Seth Rollins was the first one out, followed by Roman Reigns and then CM Punk, who realised his dream of main eventing WrestleMania. Paul Heyman was the deciding factor in this match, he turned against his best friend and Tribal Chief to help Seth Rollins win the Triple Threat.

Seth hitting Roman with the chair bought back memories of the night The Shield broke up. The WiseMan and A Visionary could be a dangerous alliance, who knows? They might join someone else. 

Let's Talk About Night Two.

Iyo Sky (c) vs Bianca Belair vs Rhea Ripley - Women's World Championship

In the weeks leading up to WrestleMania, Bianca & Rhea were constantly pushing Iyo aside, the Champion had the last laugh in Vegas. This was a great match. Shoutout to everyone involved here.

 

Damian Priest vs Drew McIntyre - Sin City Street Fight

Drew McIntyre and Damian Priests rivalry was a full circle moment, Damian cashed in the Money In The Bank contract on Drew last year, Drew got his redemption.

Bron Breakker (c) vs Penta vs Dominik Mysterio vs Finn Bálor
 - Intercontinental Championship

All four competitiors put on a show here for the sold out crowd, it's Dom's time as Intercontinental Champion. Mysterioooooo! 

Randy Orton's Open Challenge

Say his name and he appears. Joe Hendry answered Randy's Orton's challenge, wrestling a great like Randy is a great moment for Joe. 

Logan Paul v AJ Styles

Say what you want about Logan, you can't deny he is an impressive wrestler, it shows how much WWE trusts him considering the list of names he has wrestled in the company, including AJ. The Maverick won against the Phenomenal One who refused help from Karrion Kross, it was great to see Kross get TV time at WrestleMania, he and Scarlett are a very underrated duo in professional wrestling. 

Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez (c) vs Lyra Valkyria & Becky Lynch 
- Women's Tag Team Championship

Bayley could not compete, Lyra had to find a replacement, Becky returned at WrestleMANia as she and Lyra were victorious against Liv and Raquel and became the NEW Women's Champions. Congratulations to them. Lyra is now Lyra 2 Belts.

It wouldn't be WrestleMania without Stone Cold Steve Austin. And That's The Bottom Line. 

Cody Rhodes (c) vs John Cena - WWE Championship 

The Nightmare is over, Cody's reign of terror (just kidding) as the WWE Champion is over finally over, for now, congratulations to John for winning his record breaking 17th title.  

The build and this match had something in common, it was flat, mainly due to The Rock's absence yet again from WWE TV since Elimination Chamber in Toronto Which was the start of John's heel turn, which has been another disappointment from a storyline standpoint, the only payoff was Cody getting some sort of revenge on Travis Scott from the Chamber. 

The WrestleMania 41 conversation is in the books, there may or not be a conversation about WWE RAW after WrestleMania, stay tuned, in the meantime be sure to check out the previous content on this website. 

Let's Talk About | Stand & Deliver

WrestleMania Weekend was finally here. NXT Stand & Deliver had the honor of kicking off the festivities on Saturday Morning in Las Vegas.

Before we get to the mains, Gigi Dolin & Tatum Paxley won the Fatal Four Elimination Match in the pre show and are now the number one contenders for the Women's Tag Team Championships. 

Ricky Stark's revolution as the North American Champion began with a successful title defence against Ethan Page. This was Elite. No pun intended. 

We've got NEW NXT Tag Team Champions! Hank & Tank won the titles, congratulations to them, they and (now former Champions) Fraxiom, put everything on the line here, this was excellent, in all honesty this was a shock result. 

More congratulations are in order, this time for Sol Ruca, she won the ladder match to become the NEW Women's North American Champion, this will go nicely with her Speed Championship. 

Darkstate aka NXT World Order, won the Six Man Fight against The D'Angelo Family. Stacks, as expected, betrayed his family, because someone called him Ricky by mistake (just kidding) 

Stephanie Vaquer's reign as the NXT Women's Champion continues, this was an awesome co-main event, the move sets and sequences were quality to watch. 

Two new champions were already crowned in Vegas at Stand Deliver, was there a third? the answer is no because The Ruler of NXT Oba Femi is still the NXT Champion, this was a fun and chaotic main event for sure. 

Thanks for reading, WrestleMania Weekend is off to a great start, NXT Stood & Delivered, Enjoy watching WrestleMania Night & Two, we will talk about The Grandest Stage of Them All on Monday on this website.