WrestleMania Backlash picked up where WrestleMania 38 left off and improved on it. The aptly named special event featured four WrestleMania rematches and, arguably, exceeded the quality of the superstars’ first encounters.
WWE WrestleMania Backlash matches
SmackDown Women’s Championship — Charlotte Flair (c) vs. Ronda Rousey (“I Quit” Match): After Flair scored a cheap win over Rousey at WrestleMania, a rematch was a certainty. Rousey upped the stakes of the rematch on SmackDown, when she challenged Flair to an “I Quit” match. Flair refused but WWE officials later confirmed the match would happen.
This match has descended into chaos! #WMBacklash pic.twitter.com/EEhHCEBYuz
— WWE (@WWE) May 9, 2022
Cody Rhodes vs. Seth Rollins: Rhodes made his return to WWE with a bang, showing up as Rollins’ mystery opponent at WrestleMania. Rollins issued a challenge for a rematch during Raw, pointing out that Rhodes had every advantage at WrestleMania because he was the one in the match with knowledge of who his opponent would be. Rhodes quickly accepted the offer.
.@CodyRhodes is starting to take over! #WMBacklash pic.twitter.com/nIEMVjmLan
— WWE (@WWE) May 9, 2022
Drew McIntyre and RK-Bro vs. The Bloodline: Roman Reigns demanded The Usos follow his lead and become undisputed champions. They were quick to act, showing up on Raw to challenge RK-Bro. Randy Orton and Riddle accepted The Usos’ challenge on the subsequent SmackDown and the match was made official. Reigns ripped up the match contract during a contract signing between the two teams on the April 29 episode of SmackDown. The Bloodline attacked RK-Bro until Drew McIntyre made the save. Paul Heyman subsequently pressured authority figure Adam Pearce into adding Reigns and McIntyre to the match. WWE later confirmed the six-man tag team match, but there was no mention of the tag team titles, casting doubts on the unification match.
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Bodies are flying everywhere! #WMBacklash pic.twitter.com/ojsoPstFv2
— WWE (@WWE) May 9, 2022
AJ Styles vs. Edge: Styles and Edge battled at WrestleMania, a match that came after Edge turned heel and brutally attacked Styles, stating a desire to bring out Styles’ “pitbull.” Edge would win that match with the help of distraction from Damian Priest, who is now aligned with Edge. The attacks on Styles have continued, but Styles is going to get his chance at revenge at WrestleMania Backlash when the pair rematch.
.@AJStylesOrg is all business tonight against @EdgeRatedR! #WMBacklash pic.twitter.com/GC1JJEKMRT
— WWE (@WWE) May 9, 2022
Happy Corbin vs. Madcap Moss: Corbin turned on Moss following WrestleMania weekend. That weekend saw Moss win the Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal while Corbin lost to Drew McIntyre. Jealousy overcame Corbin and he set his sights on his friend, setting up a one-on-one showdown between the former tag partners.
.@MadcapMoss is starting to pick up the intensity! #WMBacklash pic.twitter.com/vcTKS6ykgZ
— WWE (@WWE) May 9, 2022
Bobby Lashley vs. Omos: MVP turned on Lashley after Lashley boasted that he didn’t need MVP to beat Omos at WrestleMania. Now managing Omos, MVP will likely look to secure revenge for himself and his new client at Backlash. The match was announced as official, though Lashley took a nasty spill at a recent event when the top rope broke so the match could be in jeopardy.
.@fightbobby doing all that he can to stop @TheGiantOmos! #WMBacklash pic.twitter.com/TtpkVJiEeZ
— WWE (@WWE) May 9, 2022
