I guess I was out of touch longer than I thought – I decided to wait until after SmackDown! to write this column so I could see if there were any new matches added to Backlash. HELLO!!! It wasn’t until the middle of SD last night that I remembered that Backlash is a Raw brand pay-per-view. Actually, another PPV took me surprise anyway, since it still seems as if Wrestlemania just took place. It’s way too soon. That’s what happens when there are too many things taking place at once. Before I go on, thanks to all of you that emailed me to wish me a good vacation – I really appreciate the kind thoughts.
During the time that I was gone, Rey Mysterio and Eddie Guerrero lost the Tag Team Titles to MNM (Melina, Nitro and Mercury). I never really quite understand why the WWE pushes new talent right into wearing the gold, regardless of which belt it might happen to be. The rematch last night, which saw MNM keep their title, seems to have provided the opportunity for the Mysterio / Guerrero split that most everyone was expecting to happen. Why Eddie did the turn I’m not sure, but the fans certainly fell right into the script, with the boos coming hot and heavy. Poor Rey sounded a little too desperate as he lay there crying for Guerrero, but he did a good job with it anyway.
As long as I have been out of the loop, let me cut right to the chase and get to my views on Backlash. There are six matches on the card, and expect for Trish and Lita accompanying Viscera and Kane, respectively, to the ring, there are no T and A matches. Yippee! Right away this PPV is looking pretty good, even if the two ladies get into it, which I’m sure they will. All of a sudden Lita has decided that she does in fact have a husband in Kane, even if she is using him to get what she wants. (Is life imitating art? Sorry, that was a bit of a low blow – I’ll quit that.) Speaking of using someone, Trish is dating Viscera now, mainly so that she can have a way to do damage to Lita. I think the fans would like to see that right now also, don’t you? (Oops, there I go again.) As far as a match goes, I’m not sure just how good this one will be. For the story line’s sake it seems OK, but beyond that it doesn’t do much for Kane, in my opinion. It doesn’t help to elevate him, that’s for sure. If he loses to Big Vis he, like the late Rodney Dangerfield would say, is getting no respect. Because I would hate to see that happen…
Winner: Kane
The fans called for “One more match!” and they will get it, as Hulk Hogan will team up with Shawn Michaels to face Mohammed Hassan and Daivari. I think it goes without saying that the majority of the wrestling will be done by Hassan and Michaels, but that will be alright. Hogan will come in and do his few patent moves and the fans will love that, and Daivari will spar with him. Daivari is not a bad wrestler in his own right, but obviously not being showcased right now. Hassan is good, and I expect for he and HBK to put on a pretty good show for us. I get into trouble when I try to reason why a certain individual or team will win, and I find myself doing that again here. But without boring you with my motivation, I’ve made my choice.
Winners: Mohammed Hassan and Daivari
Last Man Standing – Edge against Chris Benoit should be a good one. Edge will most definitely be the heel here, for a variety of reasons. Not that long ago the rumor was that Edge would not be getting the push that had begun for him. I haven’t seen that, to the contrary, in fact. In my eyes Benoit should be the winner here. There is no title up for grabs (the main reason that many don’t like it when Chris wins), and if the WWE wants to get their point across, The Rabid Wolverine will have his hand raised at the end of day. Regardless, I expect a tough, gritty match that should also be very strong.
Winner: Chris Benoit
Moving on to the title matches now, and I’ll start with the Intercontinental Championship. Shelton Benjamin will be doing everything he can to keep his belt, but he is facing Chris Jericho. Benjamin’s job will be hard, even though I think that he is quite a good wrestler. Is Y2J ever going to get to build back the momentum that he once had, or is he stuck in his Highlight Reel? While the Reel is entertaining and I love Jericho on the microphone, he has so much more to offer. Besides, now Carlito has his Cabana. How about letting Senor Cool stand alone with that bit and give Y2J another opportunity? Benjamin has been a decent champion and I have no complaints, but admittedly my personal feelings get in the way here.
Winner and NEW Intercontinental Champion: Chris Jericho
William Regal and Tajiri have been put in a Tag Team Turmoil Match against four other teams to see who will emerge the World Tag Team Champions. Their opponents are La Resistance, Maven and Simon Dean, The Heart Throbs, and Hurricane and Rosey. It will be interesting to see The Heart Throbs wrestle, but I hope the WWE doesn’t place the belts on them straight away as is their custom. That said, this could be a decent match with a lot of action. I really don’t have an all-out favorite here, even though I do like Regal and Tajiri. I just won’t be on the edge of my seat yelling for any particular team. I actually see this match going one of two ways, so I just have to pick.
Winners and still Champions: William Regal and Tajiri
Now for the big one of the night, the rematch between the World Heavyweight Champion Batista and Triple H. I have to say that I’m never one to love the rematches. Let me rephrase; I don’t like the talent to wrestle back to back like this. It seems to demean the importance of the title, as no matter who wins it is almost a sure thing that the same two will face off again at the next opportunity. Batista has elevated his game as far as I’m concerned, and has proven that he is worthy of the chances given him. Triple H never goes down easily, and Sunday will be no exception. This will be a good war, but I think that Batista needs to keep the Championship for a while longer.
Winner and still World Heavyweight Champion: Batista
Finally, on a very sad note, Chris Candito, AKA Chris Candido, passed away Thursday night at the young age of 33. He had undergone surgery Monday evening for a severely broken ankle suffered at the TNA pay-per-view Lockdown on Sunday. His brother Johnny said that a blood clot brought on by complications of his surgery is what caused his death. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family. Rest in peace.
Be safe and God Bless,
Barb.
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