WWE Backlash 2018 Highlights: Roman Reigns to take on Samoa Joe. (Source: WWE)
WWE Backlash 2018 Highlights: After weeks of taunting at the hands of Samoa Joe, Roman Reigns finally reigned supreme as he went down to beat Joe in the main event of pay-per-view Backlash. The Big Dog was earlier slumped in the match when Joe brutally assaulted him even before the bell rang. But the former WWE Champion showed his tenacity and his will to fight as he continued to battle through the pain and finally emerge victorious in the big match. Earlier, it was WWE Champion AJ Styles who retained his WWE Championship title after the No Disqualifications match against Shinsuke Nakamura ended in a double count-out. (Fight Card)
WWE Backlash 2018 Live Results: AJ Styles to defend title against Shinsuke Nakamura. (Source: WWE)
Overall, the first pay-per-view since Wrestlemania, was not expected to be the best, since there was not much time given to build up the storylines for the fight. The biggest drawback of the show was the question every fan seems to be asking - why was Nakamura vs Styles not the main event, and why was Reigns vs Samoa Joe the main event of the night? It seems bizarre that WWE would put the title match before a match that has zero affect on the show's proceedings. When it comes to the fight, it was Seth Rollins vs The Miz that stole the show. Nakamura vs Styles was also a decent affair but the ending was just poor. Overall a very medicore product. Our rating: 2 out of 5, mainly for the Intercontinental fight, and some surprising moves between Nakamura and Styles.
Roman Reigns proves to the doubters that even though he has not been able to beat the Beast Incarnate Brock Lesnar, it still continues to be his yard, as he picks up the massive win over Samoa Joe at Backlash. Now will he get another shot agaisnt Brock Lesnar for the Universal Title, since the previous match ended in a controversial fashion. We have to watch Raw tomorrow to find out!
Roman Reigns delivers a vicious spear outta nowhere to Samoa Joe to pick up a massive win and prove his doubters wrong. The Big Dog shows that he still has in him to win big matches. Big win for the Big Dog!
Samoa Joe has locked Coquina clutch on Roman Reigns and the Big Dog has nowheere to go. He managed to reverse it the first time around, with a reversal, but the second time, he seems to be fading away. Will Reigns tap out? NOOO! He finds it within himself to get back and clutch the rope. The crowd is still chanting "JOE! JOE! JOE!"
Roman Reigns tries to get back into the match with a superman punch, he goes for the covers, but Joe kicks out. Then Reigns goes for his finishing move - a Spear! But great ring awareness from Joe who puts his foot on the rope to stop the countdown. Saves the match. Reigns is now frustrated.
Samoa Joe wants to establish that this is his yard now and he mocks Roman Reigns as he continues to lock him up in a submission move. As Reigns tries to fight out, Joe goes for a massive suicide dive from the middle rope. A man that size should not be able to do that, SUPERHUMAN!
The match finally starts after the referee gets the approval of Reigns to ring the bell and Samoa Joe continues the assault as he delivers series of rights and lefts on the Big Dog. Reigns is absolutely defenselss in the ring as Joe continues his brutal assault. This has become too physical too soon!
Samoa Joe attacks Roman Reigns even before the bell was rung and he caught the Big Dog off guard. He delivers a cheap shot to the former Shield Member and then takes him outside to deliver a Uranage on the announce table as it crashes down. Joe then throws him around like a cheap trash around the announce table. Remember this match has not even started yet!NO TIME is being wasted by @SamoaJoe, as this match has not even started yet! #WWEBacklash pic.twitter.com/SaTnvq7T1Z— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) 7 May 2018
Samoa Joe enters the ring as the crowd chants 'JOE! JOE! JOE!'. He wants to beat down Roman Reigns and he looks to be in the mood. For Reigns it is all about taking out his frustrations after his controversial loss against Brock Lesnar for the Universal Title at the Greatest Royal Rumble, where the referee handed the win to the Beast in the steel cage match, even though Reigns feet touched the ground first.
And now it will be the time for the main event of the night - The Big Dog Roman Reigns against Samoa Joe. Joe believes that Reigns time is over after he has been defeated twice by The Beast Incarnate and Joe wants to further give a beating to Reigns to prove himself right. Can he bring the fallout of Roman Empire?
The Monster is not done feasting on his meals as he runs over to catch hold of Sami Zayn. Braun Strowman finally GETS HIS HANDS on Sami Zayn and brings him back to the ring to deliver a vicious power bomb. THIS IS AWESOME!
Strowman and Lashley are not down as they continue the beatdown on Kevin Owens. While Strowman delivers a powerslam to Owens, Lashley gives him a suplex. And now Zayn is showing concern for his friend.
Sami Zayn has just cost Kevin Owens and him the match and he also slapped his best friend right across the face as he handed them to the wolves. This could be the end of the friendship between the two.
Sami Zayn says that he is leaving but Kevin Owens tries to convince him to staying the ring and he throws Owens into the ring to face the Monster. A fight break out between the two former best friends and eventually, Lashley and Strowman take the advantage to pick up the win.
Bobby Lashley finally gives the tag to Braun Strowman and here comes the Monster Among Men Braun Strowman into the match and the winner of the Greatest Royal Rumble completely bulldozed both Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn with vicious strikes. Someone call human rights activists because this cannot be legal!!
Bobby Lashley takes early advantage after dropping Kevin Owens with a slam and then taking the beating to Sami Zayn. He jumps from the bottom to the ringside showing tremendous athleticism, but then the distraction caused by Owens caused him the moment as Zayn and Owens get back into the match. Watch this move from Lashley though:
Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn have been friends for so long - they fight together, they came to NXT together, they came to WWE together, they came to RAW together, and now they are taking the beasts together. If this does not give you friendship goals, then nothing will!
Jeff Hardy earlier successfully defended his United States Championship against The Viper Randy Orton and he believes it is one of the biggest victories of his career.
Now it will be the battle of the Beasts vs the "Yep Movement". The team of Bobby Lashley and Braun Strowman take on the team of Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn.
After brutally assaulting Daniel Bryan after losing the match, here is what Big Cass to say about his actions:
Just to make it clear, he lost the match. In fact, Big Cass tapped out.
Both the competitors AJ Styles and Shinsuke Nakamura fail to get up after the count of 10 and hence Styles retain his title in the match. The match ends i NO contest again.
AJ Styles delivers a payley kick to Shinsuke Nakamura and tries to go for a Styles splash but Shinsuke Nakamura delivers yet another low blow to AJ Styles, and this time it is all legal. But Styles shows that two can play at this game - as he hits one low blow of his own on the challenger. Fight is ON!
AJ Styles has locked Shinsuke Nakamura in a calf crusher and Nakamura is in intense pain. Will he tap out here? But no, he counters and locked him in a trinagle lock. Styles convers it into a Styles splash, but Nakamura escapes.
Shinsuke Nakamura is besides himself after Styles manages to kick out at the count of two after he delivered a vicious exploder to Styles on the steel chair. Nakamura is getting frustrated that how could Styles survive. The King of Strong Styles tries to go for Kinshasa, but Styles threw the steel chair on the kneecap of the challenger and the King of Strong Styles is hurt badly. Meanwhile, Styles is bleeding in the ring!
Another vicious move by the Japanese wrestler who climbed to the top of the rope and then jumped down on the champion with a vicious kick to the mid-section. Goes down to the covers but the Champion got up in two. And Nakamura is taking the match to another level as he brings down a steel chair in the match. All is legal.
Shinsuke Nakamura throws AJ Styles in the timekeeper's area. Styles though stood on his feet and tried to climb to the barrier and hit him. But Nakamura was quick to deliver a knee strike on Styles's knees who fell down on his mid-section on the barrier. WHAT A MOVE!
Shinsuke Nakamura has taken control of the match now as he delivers 'bad Vibrations' to AJ Styles and gives a wry smile. He continues to smack the Champion's back head with vicious knee strike. The Challenger is furious and he is ready to do anything to get the win.
The WWE Champion has no control over his anger at the moment as he delivers a body blast to Shinsuke Nakamura while he was lying on the audience barrier. And here he comes down again, but this time Nakamura ducked, and Styles crashed, face first into the barrier. And now the WWE's Artist looks to take the advantage as he throws Styles over the Steel Staircases.
Shinsuke Nakamura starts the mind games from the get go as he slips down the ring and forces AJ Styles to chase him down. But as Styles came out, Nakamura got back inside and does his signature calling - "COME ONNNNNNNNN!" But Styles is having none of it and he throws Nakamura outside the ring, making the best of the No Disqualifications rules.
AJ Styles is in a bad mood after he has been struck with low blows after low blows after low blows in past four weeks by Shinsuke Nakamura. He pushes Nakamura behind as the referee tries to control the mood in the ring. Can the WWE Champion retain his title?
Shinsuke Nakamura's new entrance is simply amazing! As he enters the ring, the King of Strong Style looks confident. he feels he has AJ Styles' number after he has delivered multiple low blows to the Champion in the past few weeks. Can he finally win the gold at Backlash? Meanwhile, here watch the full entrance music of Shinsuke Nakamura - THIS IS AWESOME!
Up next it is the WWE Champion AJ Styles who will take on the King of Strong Style Shinsuke Nakamura. After a series of vicious low blows by the "Con Artist", this time the fight will be a No Disqualifications. Can The Phenomenal One retain his title?
Carmella has retained her Smackdown Women's Title after defeating the Queen Charlotte. The Princess of Staten Island proves herself to be the ultimate opportunist as she made the most of the injury suffered by the Queen during the match. Charlotte's knees buckled while delivering a moonsault, and Carmella immediately struck a kick on Charlotte's knees before pinning the former champions. ONE TWO THREE!
Carmella delivers slaps to Charlotte as she says 'I am the Champ' but before she comes down to hit her move, she gets speared by The Queen. Charlotte delivers a Natural Selection and goes for the over but she gets locked in a submission. But Charlotte gets up.
Charlotte Flair looks to get back into the match with a reverse drop kick on Carmella's torso while she was locked in submission move and then she delivers the famous chops taught to her by her father, the legendary Ric Flair. The Queen is returning back to her thick of things.
Carmella has fought like the Champion tonight. She first delivered a vicious kick to the Queen as she jumped down the rope to slam her down and then she is keeping the Queen down with submission moves and superkicks. The Women's Champion is in the mood to retain.
Seth Rollins has proved himself to be one of the best Intercontinental Champion after succesfully defending his title for the third time in a span of two weeks. The Kingslayer said he is proud to carry the prestigious title.
The Smackdown Women's Champion Carmella has got support from other corners as she mocks Charlotte inside the ring, imitating her "Woo" movements. But Peyton Royce of IIconics believes the Money in the Bank winner has got this one in the bag.
"To be the Woman, you got to beat the Woman!" Here comes the Queen Charlotte and she looks confident tonight at Backlash as she looks to win back her Women's Title against Carmella. Charlotte believes that she will win the title as she believes Carmella as not earned the title and cannot retain it without help.
Now it will be the the Smackdown Women's Champion Carmella who will defend her title against the Queen Charlotte. Carmella won the title with the help of IIconics duo, Peyton Royce and Billie Kay. But this time, the Princess of Staten Island will have no help on her corner. Can she retain her title?
Big Cass has gone berserk and he has launched a brutal assault on Daniel Bryan after the match was officially over. Cass's insecurities have gone over his head and he is embarrassed after his defeat. He attacks Bryan from the behind and then gives him a beating. Before taking him to the ring and delivering a picture-perfect Boot. This was totally uncalled for. http://indianexpress.com/article/sports/wwe-wrestling/wwe-backlash-live-results-live-updates-wwelive-streaming-5166084/
Daniel Byan is a submission expert and he locks Big Cass in a 'Yes Lock!' and Big Cass taps out immediately! What a win for the former 4-time World Champion as the crowd chants 'YES! YES! YES!' Bryan proves once again that the size does not matter - something he has done all his career!
This match, in the end, comes down to a few simple strategies. It is the slow and methodical approach from the 7 feet man against the speed of Daniel Bryan. Big Cass is using all his power to tame the former WWE Smackdown General Manager. And Bryan is in trouble after the vicious close line from Cass.
Daniel Bryan is flying all around the ring - he is fired up in New Jersey. He is not intimidated by the size of Big Cass. Starts off smartly with big blows to the surgically repaired knee of Big Cass. Daniel Bryan goes high flying outside the ring to strike Cass and then delivers multiple 'Yes Kicks' before he gets caught by Big Cass who its him with a drop.
Daniel Bryan has come down to the ring and the crowd is chanting "YES! YES! YES!" and they want the former 4-time World Champion to pick ip a big win against the Big Man - Big Cass. But remember Big Cass is 7 feet tall - and you can't Teach that!
Daniel Bryan returned to WWE after a span of almost three years. He was given medical clearance just a month ago, and then he went on to attain a big win at Wrestlemania. But then since his return to WWE roster, he has been victimised by the 7 feet tall, Big Cass!
Bobby Roode is in New Jersey and he comes out of nowhere and delivers a GLORIOUS DDT to Elias as the party starts in New Jersey. This feels like the best Rusev Day celebrations! Even Bobby Roode is celebrating along with No Way Jose's troop.
Elias is interrupted for the fourth time tonight and guess who it is now - It is NO WAY JOSE and guess what he is coming down with Titus Worldwide and Breezango who are dancing around the stage. Elias is not pleased with this. He looks pissed.
Just when Elias shut down The New Day and started to play his music, he is interrupted by Aiden English who comes out and announces that it is RUSEV DAY TONIGHT! And here comes the Super Athlete, Rusev.
The New Day are here and they are asking Elias to organise a concert for the audience. The New Day is ready to walk with Elias for a Live Backlash Concert. Who does not want to see that!
Elias is now in the ring with his Guitar and of course, there is only one question in everyone's mind - Who will Walk with Elias?
Randy Orton tries to hit an RKO to Jeff Hardy but the Viper failed to hit it and the Champion delivers a vicious Twist of Fate and then quickly climbs back to the top of the rope to deliver a Swanton Bomb. ONE TWO THREE! JOB DONE! JEFF HARDY IS STILL THE UNITED STATES CHAMPION!
Jeff Hardy tries to slam Randy Orton with a Hardiac Arrest, but Randy Orton ducked and now the Viper is in the perfect position to strike. He holds the Champion over the second rope and delivers a vicious DDT! He calls out his followers and he is feeling it! He is going for the RKO! The Viper is hearing noises... can he close it here for the United States Title?
The iconic words of Hall of Famer Jim Ross comes to the mind with the brutal assault the Viper has just delivered to the Champion. Outside the ring, on the barrier, Orton dropped Jeff Hardy on his torso, not once, not twice, but thrice! BRUTAL!
Jeff Hardy just throws caution to the wind as he comes flying high to deliver a superkick to Randy Orton outside the ring. The fight is now taking place outside the ring and Hardy tries to take the fight inside but Orton then delivers a standing drop kick to Hardy as he tried to enter the ring and Jeff fell outside the ring! What a match!
WOW! This could be a Wrestlemania worthy match as the US Champion Jeff Hardy will take on The Viper Randy Orton for the belt. The Viper struck Hardy with an RKO outta nowhere in the last episode of Smackdown Live and Hardy will look to take something about it tonight. Who will pick up the win?
The Irresistible Force Nia Jax successfully defender her Raw Women's Title against Alexa Bliss after delivering a brutal powerslam. After her big win, she once again dedicated her victory to the WWE Universe and asked everyone to bring the fight to the bullies!
In the first fight of the joint Raw and Smackdown pay-per-view Backlash, things were kicked off with the Intercontinental fight when the Kingslayer and the Champion Seth Rollins took on The Miz. After a vicious battle that went back and forth, in the end, the Monday Night Rollins reigned supreme again as he picked up a massive win and retained his Intercontinental Title.
In the Kickoff show - it is Bayley who took on the leader of the faction known as Riott Squad, Ruby Riott. With the help of her team mates Sarah Logan and Liv Morgan, Ruby Riott picked up a massive win. No help from Sasha Banks to her former best friend Bayley!
Hello and welcome to our Live Blog on Backalsh - The highlights of the event are the big WWE title clash between Champion AJ Styles and Shinsuke Nakamura - and this time it is No rules. The Big Dog Roman Reigns will also be in action against Samoa Joe. And former WWE Champion Daniel Bryan will also come out to take on Big Cass. Who will come out as the Big winners on the big night?