WWE “Backlash” PPV
Carlito vs. Chris Masters
Maybe the strongest match I’ve seen from either man. However, lacking in any real good heat. The heat was for the wrestlers, not for the feud that could have been better if more carefully constructed… or if Masters had more charisma, maybe. **1/2
Umaga vs. Ric Flair
The booking of this feud has me confused. The match was too short. I think I know what they wanted to do here, they just didn’t do it properly. So it came off flat. *
Mickie James vs. Trish Stratus
Ouch.
RVD (MiTB) vs. Shelton Benjamin (IC Title)
What a string match from two guys who you never know what to expect. RVD is all the way back from his one year lay-off, especially in his selling and bumping. benjamin didn’t screw anything up like he was about two months ago where he couldn’t tie his shoes without tripping over them. The finish was old news though. ***1/2
Kane vs. Big Show
Bad match? Maybe one blown spot and tons of daylight on a kick but… it wasn’t a bad match. It was a boring match. It’s a stupid storyline, regardless of how it turns out. This part of it sucks. And a non-finish to the match too? Why? 1/2*
Vince & Shane McMahon vs. Shawn Michaels & God
I thought this match was ridiculous. VKM dancing around the ring was moronic. They did the best they could with the God idea, but in the end it fell flat and ws just a joke that went nowhere. McMahonism was more interesting then God as a tag team partner. The match itself was brutal but also slow and contrived and when The Spirit Squad runs in, regardless of if the High Spirits thru the table on Sean wasn’t awesome, it meant nothing the next night on RAW. Now if DX feuds with The Spirit Squad in a month…. they probably won’t even remember to mention this match anhway, so it doesn’t matter. **1/4
John Cena vs. Triple H vs. Edge -World Title-
Started slow, became almost embarassing watching Hunter and Cena punch each other twenty times and neither guy goes down. The end of the match was great but and it was booked to a strong finish. If Cena can one day FU two opponents, that would be a move worth going back too just for the pop. Hunter bled for us like a King should bleed for his people. This match was fine, but I don’t see where Meltzer lost his nut milk over it with 4+ stars. Most WWE matches for me need to stand up to the Edge vs. Foley Wrestlemania match, as this has been one that has stuck in my mind. Or Orton vs. Benoit. This has more blood and more finishers and Cena was used smartly but the booking is such a mess. ***
