Wack-Ass Backlash

It was the Championship pay-per-view. The one named after the concept that one would face the repurcussions of his actions at WrestleMania. You know, where you would face the "backlash" based on the last big show? Cool name, cool concept...mediocre event.

Honestly, I'm both surprised and disappointed that WWE didn't play up the fact that this was an ALL-Championship title PPV. Every single match had a title on the line. Only thing is, every bout didn't have that "big match" quality to it.

To Big Daddy Donnie's credit, his idea of having the competitors of last night's event get built up by having jobbers served to them over the past couple of weeks may have made for better matches at Backlash.

Having BOTH Shawn Michaels and John Cena as well as Chris Benoit and MVP compete in incredible matches against each other on free TV over the past week left the superstars with a lot of to live up to at Backlash...and they couldn't get the job done last night.

The aforementioned matches on "Raw" and "SmackDown!" respectively were easily much better than the matches involving these stars at Backlash. Last night, Chris Benoit and MVP had a sensational match with a lot of back and forth action. Complete with submission holds and some high spots, Benoit and MVP put on a show.

One low point, however, was MVP jumping up Cena-style to unleash some offense just seconds after receiving no less than FIVE German suplexes from the Rabid Wolverine. Again, my main criticism though is that Benoit and MVP's best match was on "SmackDown!" two weeks ago. In addition, Donnie's contention is that another loss to Benoit only serves as an MVP burial. Where does he go from here? He doesn't deserve another shot at the gold does he?

Well, if this was TNA, perhaps MVP would lose a couple more matches...non-title, of course...to Chris Benoit before finally capturing the coveted U.S. Championship in very gimmicky fashion. I'm not as hot about it as Donnie is. I'm a huge Benoit mark and like the fact that he is being presented as a credible, fighting champion lately. NOT the "I tapped to Cena in a weak ass fashion on 'Raw'" guy we saw weeks ago.

Don't worry folks, MVP is not being buried. He will get his belt in due time...and will look better as a result of chasing it for so long.

As far as Cena and Michaels are concerned, it was no big surprise that Johnny Boy retained the gold at Backlash. A blindfolded bat could see that coming a mile away. HBK going over on John in their classic last week on "Raw" helped seal that deal.

Instead of shitting on the predicted outcome, I will at least note that I'm happy that the finish didn't involve either Cena's lame FU or incredibly weak looking STFU. Getting superkicked on his already knocked out opponent in Randy Orton made the end of the match a little bit more bareable.

However, again, the main problem with this pay-per-view main event...even though it was a Fatal Four Way match featuring our beloved Edge...it didn't hold a candle to the one-on-one affair of last week's "Raw".

What is the E holding back? And why? I'm never one to complain about seeing great wrestling on free TV...but damn, if it's better than what we see on the pay-per-view, why would we pay to view it?

Here's another thing that will be hard to view: Vince McMahon as your NEW ECW World Champion. As much as this has got to be somewhat of a slap in the face to the history of this storied company, I am hoping for prosperity in having the CEO of WWE as the "king of extreme". God knows, the overrated Lashley is nowhere near extreme...except, of course, in the realm of crapulence.

My hope is that similar to when Vinnie Mac won the WWE Championship and relinquished it so that a REAL competitor could attain the strap, Mr. McMahon will forfeit this belt on the next ECW broadcast. Forget hope...I PRAY that the next holder of the ECW Championship is actually a member of the ECW roster.

Considering the great job that the ECW show has done recently at putting over the New Breed/ECW Originals feud as well as giving the ugly-ass monster in Snitsky squash match after squash match...how dope would it be to see a tournament EXCLUSIVE to the abovementioned stars for this title?

The Hardys and Cade & Murdoch opened Backlash with a decent affair. Without a title switch, it'll be interesting to see where "Raw" goes with the tag team title picture from here on in. Who's in line for the straps now? Has any team on the roster been given enough time to even appear to be in contention? I'm STILL waiting for Cryme Tyme to get the title shot they earned in a match back in...what? January!

I would have much rather seen Deuce and Domino give Brian Kendrick and Paul London their rematch for the WWE Tag Team titles last night. It's always a pleasure to see those cats in action...and my guess is that they WOULD have put on a PPV quality bout.

Melina also kept her title. And the entire world shrugged its collective shoulders. I must say I was glad to see Mickie James FINALLY wear something that resembled in-ring wear. I've always thought she was hot...but thought she always rocked pretty frumpy clothes for her matches.

The Undertaker and Batista was also decent...but surprisingly they didn't take much of the match outside of the ring until the end. I would have preferred to see a decision in this match instead of a draw though...but as long as Taker still has the title, I'm good. Nice spot at the end...the tumbling 'trusses' were a nice touch...but with Batista delivering the final offensive move, why is it he couldn't rise before the count of ten?

Six title matches, only one title switch, one so-so pay-per-view event. At least we have "Raw" and DEFINITELY "SmackDown!" to look forward to this week...where, apparently, the E is saving the REALLY O-worthy matches for.

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