The WWE premium live event starts with Michael Cole telling us some details about Lyon France, where WWE Backlash is being broadcast from. It is the third largest city in France, there are four title matches, it is the first ever PLE ever held in France, it is sold out from the LDLC Arena and it is time for action.
Result
Kevin owens & Randy Orton vs Solo Sikoa & Tama Tonga of The Bloodline
The scene is set right away as it turns into sing-along with Randy Orton as the crowd absolutely screams “They talk to me!” The bell doesn’t even ring and the four Superstars start fighting. The backstage area empties out to try to gain control. People get tossed, tossed aside, and stunned which leads to Nick Aldas the Smackdown GM comes out and declares the match a no disqualification street fight!
The following weapons were introduced, trash cans, kendo sticks and tables! The first 10 minutes of the match was dominated by Owens and Orton, then a Samoan drop through a table by Solo to Orton turns the tide. The match goes to a much slower pace with the Bloodline in complete control.
Kevin takes a ton of punishment as Randy lies on the outside. Orton comes back with two clotheslines, his always perfect snap suplex and the vintage DDT from the middle rope then leads to a clean RKO but only a two count on Tama. About ten minutes of back and forth action and then Owens and chairs. Kevin hits Tama with four different chairs then sets them up like a metal bed of destruction two on each side with the seats facing the middle. The two bruised and battered warriors go up top.
Owens gave Tonga his patented brainbuster from the top through the chairs with Michael Cole channeling Jim Ross; Brainbuster through the chairs! bainbuster through the chairs! Orton and Solo were taken out by each other as they were on the announce table where Solo was holding Orton up for a spike as Randy hit a RKO out of nowhere, and hit noticeably hit his back on the announce table that did not break. Tanga Loa the second son of Haku hits both Orton and Owens with steel steps, and a Samoan spike finally puts Owens down for the 1-2-3.
WWE Women’s championship-Bayley vs naomi vs tiffany stratton
My first thought here was these ladies have the awful assignment of following a street match with a surprise run in that really delivered. But, although this was more of a pure wrestling match, which I enjoy more, it delivered as well. It allowed each lady to have her spots, it had tons of near falls, and it had a fitting, yet surprising ending. The end saw Tiffany get thrown out of the ring and having the two friends Naomi and Bayley finish. The quick roll up win, that watching it live I was not totally convinced it was a botch, was a good way to end it. Naomi hugged Bayley in the aftermath and raised her hand as a show of respect, then gave her the ring.
WWE men’s world Championship- Jay Uso vs Damian Priest
The France crowd was really into Jay with every yeet! Jay had huge kickouts from both a razors edge and a South of Heaven chokeslam. Plus run ins from JD and Finn. But a South of heaven chokeslam from the top rope finally did him in and Priest retains. The match ends with more dysfunction out of the Judgement Day.
It was a solid match that accomplished everything it needed to. Build Priest into a respectable Champion with a win against a main event superstar. Make Jay still look strong in defeat. And tell the developing story of the crumbling of the Judgement Day. Priest says he doesn’t need Finn and JD, but JD actually saved him and his title by placing his foot on the ropes.
WWE women’s championship Kabuki warriors vs Bianca belair & jade cargil
This match was carried by Bianca. Two of the four women don’t belong in a championship match on a PLE with the amount of talent in this division currently, but we will get to that in opinions below.
The match had multiple bad spots. The talking back and forth was obvious at times, and if it was not for the ref, there would have been more botches he did a great job of keeping the match together. Now, I will give it to Jade, her finish into her finishing move and the amount of strength it took to pull that off was impressive. But, I am also glad she showed respect to Bianca and allowed her to get the pin and the win. We have new Champions!
WWE Men’s undisputed championship cody rhodes vs AJ Styles
First, Jessica Carr being the first woman to ever call a main event match at a PLE is a huge honor. Plus, the ring gear worn by AJ in tribute to his and Dusty’s match 21 years ago was a nice touch.
In the beginning of this match they showed that when you do even simple moves correctly, they are impressive and that both of these Superstars can do them. A dropkick and a back body drop, can still be impressive and get a big crowd pop. Then they introduced the possible sore shoulder of Cody like an old school wrestling match targeting a specific body part. Watch these two men sell! Cody even went to the shoulder a few times after AJ worked on it. Even the little thing of Jessica doing the ten count so the crowd counts with her was excellent. Cody and AJ talking to each other from opposite sides of the ring and the charge meeting each other in the middle. The springboard 450 splash and the hook of both arms was another perfect move. Now we go through a series of counters, then a submission. This match has literally had everything. And finally, Cody retains.
opinions
The Bloodline match to start the show was the match of the night for me. I love how they made it like “anything can happen in the WWE.” Then had it pay off as the Bloodline added another member to the growing stable under Solo.
I also enjoyed the Women’s Championship triple threat match. I was a little surprised that Tiffany did not take the pin, but I did like how the pin was taken and the manner it was taken by Naomi. Great pure wrestling match, and Tiffy time may come faster than you think.
With the reaction Jay Uso received, he should negotiate a contract extension right now! The crowd is white hot for both him and Cody. That made Priest look strong as well, which is what they were going for. What will happen to the Judgement Day will be discussed in the fallout section below.
The main event was another great wrestling match, that told a few small stories within a big story. Both of these guys are pros at what they do, and it showed in this match. I hope we get at least 1 more match with these 2. I would really love it if they went completely old school and gave us 3 of these matches, but that would require AJ winning 1 of the 3 and I am not sure WWE wants that.
Alright, here we go. Kaire Sane is not a good wrestler. Her facial expressions never match with what is going on in the match and she never sells. Jade Cargill is a powerful women with an impressive physique. But Belair has that too, and so much more. Sane did not deserve to ever be a champion and Cargill is being rushed into a champion. Cargill is the female version of Goldberg. He was a novelty act, and I am afraid Jade will be too.
fallout
I am not sure where the Women’s Championship goes from here. The women’s division is stacked with talent, but will this feud with Naomi end or will we get round two? Where or what does Tiffany do now? Only time and creative will tell.
Jay Uso has the curse. He is so over with the crowd, he does not need a title. But he did make Priest look strong. Who will be Priest’s next victim before he eventually clashes with Finn? I hope it is not Stroman.
With the loss by Kaire and Asuka that allows Damage Control to go to Raw and establish themselves on Monday Night. It also allows Bayley to flourish on Smackdown. Both should do well on opposite brands. Plus, with the win, Bianca and Jade can grow in popularity being on both shows and hopefully Jade can become a better with more matches.
Chapter one of the sequal to Cody’s story was good. I honestly thought they would have LA Knight cost AJ the title like AJ did to him at the Elimination Chamber, but maybe they will do that if we get Rhodes Styles two.
Who will Owens and Orton recruit as a third member? This rivalry is not going to die anytime soon. And I am all for that!
Then, there was this.
I am just going to let this sit here. I love what they are possibly teasing here, but that is another article. Until then, wrestling is getting good again, and we will have it covered for you.
By Ballentine
Photos courtesy of the WWE, Associated Press
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