WWE BACKLASH - May 6th, 2018

Matches

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Roman Reigns vs. Samoa Joe

At WWE Backlash, an intense rivalry will reignite when Roman Reigns goes head-to-head with Samoa Joe.

At WrestleMania 34, Reigns engaged Universal Champion Brock Lesnar in an absolutely brutal match, and although he gave it everything he had, The Big Dog came up short.

The following night, a war-torn Superstar reemerged on Raw, only to learn that The Beast had been re-signed by WWE and that they would square off for the Universal Title at the Greatest Royal Rumble event inside a Steel Cage.

As he took issue with learning this news on the internet, The Big Dog was suddenly interrupted by a returning Samoa Joe. The intense Superstar made it clear that he was sick of hearing Reigns making excuses and that they would square off at WWE Backlash after Lesnar is done with The Big Dog.

With no love loss between Samoa Joe and Roman Reigns, there is no telling how much destruction will occur when they once again lock horns. Who will emerge in one piece? Find out at WWE Backlash, tonight, streaming live at 8/7 C on the award-winning WWE Network.

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WWE Champion AJ Styles vs. Shinsuke Nakamura (No Disqualification Match)

The intense rivalry between WWE Champion AJ Styles and Shinsuke Nakamura is destined to reach a fever pitch when the two Superstars once again square off for the WWE Title in a No Disqualification Match at WWE Backlash.

After his triumphant showing in the 2018 Men’s Royal Rumble Match, the charismatic Nakamura earned the right to a dream match against The Phenomenal One at WrestleMania 34. However, moments after Styles successfully defended the WWE Championship in a hard-fought encounter on The Grandest Stage of Them All, The King of Strong Style suddenly struck a vicious low blow that forever tarnished the instant classic the WWE Universe had waited so long to see.

The nefarious Artist would follow up that assault on SmackDown LIVE with several strategic sneak attacks en route to their rematch at the Greatest Royal Rumble event in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Along the way, he would meet any and all inquiries about his behavior with a sudden inability to speak English.

It goes without saying that, by the time the two competitors reached Saudi Arabia, their mutual animosity proved to be so explosive their brutal rematch inevitably spill out to the ringside area, igniting a brawl that left neither Superstar willing to answer the referee’s 10-count. As a result, the contest was left with no clear winner. Unsatisfied, The Phenomenal One added fuel to the fire by unleashing a post-match assault of sheer frustration on his underhanded adversary, making a return match at WWE Backlash an absolute necessity.

SmackDown General Manager Paige later declared that both Superstars went beyond the bounds of good sportsmanship in Saudi Arabia, and said that there must be a clean winner at WWE Backlash before making the bout a No Disqualification Match.

Every time AJ Styles and Shinsuke Nakamura meet, the WWE Universe is treated to a matchup of unparalleled talent and explosiveness. However, considering how personal the enmity has grown between them, there’s no telling just how much damage they’ll do when they once again go head-to-head for the WWE Championship in a No Disqualification brawl. Don’t miss the hard-hitting rematch tonight at 8 ET /5 PT, on the award-winning WWE Network.

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SmackDown Women’s Champion Carmella vs. Charlotte Flair

At WWE Backlash, The Queen will be looking to take back her throne when she goes one-on-one with SmackDown Women’s Champion Carmella.

WrestleMania saw Charlotte Flair overcome the undefeated Asuka in an epic showdown between two of WWE’s elite Superstars. However, after Flair’s celebration was cut short by a vicious attack from the debuting Ilconics two days later, Carmella seized the moment and cashed in the Money in the Bank contract that she had been holding for longer than any Superstar in WWE history, capturing her first SmackDown Women’s Championship after a wicked kick.

Though dynamic catchphrases and Mellabrations have since followed, perhaps giving the impression to some members of the WWE Universe that “Mella is money,” there is one small obstacle to her plan, namely Charlotte’s contractually obligated rematch. And if their volatile Contract Signing was any indication, Carmella may find her title reign over before she can even experience a celebratory parade through Staten Island.

Charlotte is a six-time Women’s Champion who is as fearless as she is athletic, and she is one of many Superstars responsible for the Women’s Evolution, from being the longest-reigning SmackDown Women’s Champion to competing in the first-ever Women’s Hell in a Cell Match against Sasha Banks. After having her title stolen away from her, there is no doubt she will be more determined than even to set things right.

The Queen would be wise not to underestimate a competitor like Carmella, however. From becoming the first-ever Ms. Money in the Bank to taking part in such innovative events as the first-ever Women’s Royal Rumble, the first-ever WWE Mixed Match Challenge Tournament and the first-ever Women’s WrestleMania Battle Royal, the calculating titleholder has truly put the “bling bling” into the squared circle spotlight and has repeatedly demonstrated that she knows how to seize her moment.

Who will emerge victorious at WWE Backlash, streaming live tonight at 8 ET/5 PT on the award-winning WWE Network?!

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Daniel Bryan vs. Big Cass

Daniel Bryan will look to cut Big Cass down to size when the two SmackDown Superstars collide at WWE Backlash tonight.

When Bryan retuned to in-ring competition prior to WrestleMania, everyone was inspired by the four-time World Champion’s refusal to give up on his unrelenting drive to chase down his dream. Well… almost everyone that is.

Coming to SmackDown LIVE as part of the 2018 Superstar Shake-up and making his return after suffering a knee injury, Big Cass made it very clear from the get-go that he was not impressed with Bryan’s comeback story. On the contrary, he opted to lay out The “Yes!” Man during a sneak attack on the April 17 edition of the blue brand.

One week later, Bryan was scheduled to be a guest on “Miz TV” for a face-to-face encounter that the WWE Universe has been excited to see since an epic war of words between Bryan and The A-Lister on the Aug. 23, 2016, edition of WWE Talking Smack. Instead, Cass made his way down to “the most must-see TV show in WWE history.” The irate Superstar expressed his frustration that his own return to action had been overshadowed by that of Bryan’s, and he promised that the subject of his animosity would never again be able to cast a shadow over him. Moments later, it was discovered that Bryan had been attacked from behind, an assault that one can only assume came from Cass.

As a result, the still war-torn Bryan asked SmackDown General Manager Paige to set up a match between the two Superstars for WWE Backlash, promising that it won’t matter how big his opponent is when he makes him tap out.

Don’t miss WWE Backlash when Big Cass clashes with The Beard, streaming live tonight at 8 ET/5 PT on the award-winning WWE Network!

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Braun Strowman & Bobby Lashley vs. Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn

At WWE Backlash, newly-crowned Greatest Royal Rumble Champion Braun Strowman will join forces with Bobby Lashley as they attempt to dismantle Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn.

After Raw Commissioner Stephanie McMahon overruled General Manager Kurt Angle and allowed Sami Zayn & Kevin Owens to bring The “Yep!” Movement to Raw, The Olympic Hero opted to treat the outspoken duo to a tag team showdown against Strowman & Lashley.

Though the ensuing chaos was in no way a surprise, Zayn caught such an intense beatdown at the hands of The Monster Among Men and The Dominator that it apparently caused Zayn’s supposed “vertigo,” a condition that would keep the Superstar from competing in the Greatest Royal Rumble Match. He fortunately recovered by the following Monday, when he, Owens and Jinder Mahal were defeated by Strowman, Lashley and Roman Reigns in a Six-Man Tag Team Match. The “Yep!” Movement will have a chance for payback when they face The Monster Among Men and The Dominator in a tag team rematch this Sunday.

Owens & Zayn are truly as dangerous as they are devious, but will they find a way to survive the wrath of their destructive opponents? Find out tonight at 8 ET/7 PT at WWE Backlash, streaming live on the award-winning WWE Network!

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Intercontinental Champion Seth Rollins vs. The Miz

A frustrated and furious former Intercontinental Champion The Miz wasted no time invoking his rematch clause for a chance to reacquire his illustrious title. On the Raw after WrestleMania 34, The A-Lister denied Rollins’ suggestion they square off right then and there and declared the two should clash at WWE Backlash tonight.

At WrestleMania, Rollins dethroned The Miz in a tooth-and-nail Triple Threat Match that also included Finn Bálor. The win earned him the prestigious distinction of being a Grand Slam Champion, joining the ranks of his Shield brothers, Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose. As a first-time Intercontinental Champion, The Architect is certainly looking to construct a nice, long reign.

As for The Miz, he’s clearly sitting in an uncomfortable position. The eight-time Intercontinental Champion just held the coveted title for 76 days, and he once headlined WrestleMania XXVII. This is not what he envisioned for himself for 2018.

Who will prevail when these two super-competitive athletes collide on the pay-per-view stage?

Don’t miss WWE Backlash 2018, streaming live on the award-winning WWE Network tonight at 8 ET/5 PT, with a special Kickoff beginning at 7 ET/4 PT.

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Raw Women’s Champion Nia Jax vs. Alexa Bliss

At WWE Backlash, newly-crowned Raw Women’s Champion Nia Jax will look to thwart the always-dangerous former titleholder Alexa Bliss in a WrestleMania rematch.

There was a time when Jax and Bliss were best friends (or so we were led to believe). The Irresistible Force could always be counted on to help The Goddess of WWE hold onto her title whenever she was in a jam. Their relationship came crashing down, however, when Bliss was caught mocking her longtime cohort backstage on The Road to WrestleMania. Then, at The Show of Shows, Jax rose above the hate and bested Five Feat of Fury to lay claim her first Raw Women’s Championship.

Just because something is heroic, however, does not mean it’s destined to continue. After several attempts to paint Nia as the bully rather than the victim, Bliss made it known that she’s gunning for her fifth Women’s Title in a highly anticipated rematch against Jax at WWE Backlash.

The Raw Women’s Champion is a truly imposing force, possessing the talent and the attitude (not to mention the DNA) to thrive on her throne for a very long time, but the cunning and ruthless former champion will stop at nothing to once again take her place at the head of the pack.

Find out who will emerge victorious when The Irresistible Force collides with the immovable Goddess at WWE Backlash, streaming live tonight at 8 ET/5 PT on the award-winning WWE Network!

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United States Champion Jeff Hardy vs. Randy Orton

Randy Orton will attempt to unseat United States Champion Jeff Hardy at WWE Backlash in what promises to be a knock-down, drag-out fight for the title.

By defeating Bobby Roode to capture the U.S. Title at WWE Fastlane, The Viper became a Grand Slam Champion, a milestone that includes 13 reigns as World Champion. Then, after losing the red, white and blue title in a Fatal 4-Way Match at WrestleMania, he wasted no time getting back in the game by overcoming Roode and Rusev in a fast-paced Triple Threat Match on SmackDown LIVE for the right to challenge his longstanding adversary Jinder Mahal at WWE Backlash. Enter Jeff Hardy.

On the same night that Mahal brought the star-spangled title to Raw as part of the 2018 Superstar Shake-up, Hardy emerged to conquer The Modern Day Maharaja and win the U.S. Championship, bringing it back to SmackDown LIVE when he officially became a member of Team Blue as part of the Shake-up one night later.

Though this sudden turn of events ruined Orton’s plans for a rematch against Mahal, he soon made it clear that he didn’t care who he defeated to win back the title. This Viper proved his point just moments after a tag team bout with Hardy against The Miz & Shelton Benjamin when he dropped the titleholder with a post-match RKO outta nowhere.

What will happen when WWE's Apex Predator squares off with The Charismatic Enigma for the United States Championship? Find out at WWE Backlash, streaming live tonight at 8/7 C on the award-winning WWE Network!

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Bayley vs. Ruby Riott (Backlash Kickoff Match)

In addition to expert analysis of the co-branded WWE Backlash pay-per-view from Renee Young, David Otunga, Booker T and Peter Rosenberg, Sunday’s Backlash Kickoff will also feature an explosive showdown between Bayley and Ruby Riott.

Whether friends or foes, Bayley’s longstanding history with Sasha Banks has always been a hot topic for the WWE Universe. However, before they could settle their differences on Monday Night Raw several weeks ago in a singles bout, the sudden emergence of The Riott Squad -- as part of the 2018 Superstar Shake-up -- brought their match to a screeching halt, as the volatile faction left both Superstars laying on the canvas.

Would the former Raw Women’s Champions see past their own conflict to repel the new threat to the red brand? Well, not if this past Monday was any indication. Despite Liv Morgan and Sarah Logan’s constant interference in The Boss’ one-on-one match against Riott, Bayley watched the contest from the back and chose not to get involved on Banks’ behalf.

With The Riott Squad most assuredly at ringside once again tonight, will Banks opt to do the same as The Huggable One? Find out at WWE Backlash, streaming live on the award-winning WWE Network starting at 7 ET/4 PT, as well as on a free stream on WWE.com, the WWE App, YouTube, Twitter and Facebook.

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