Posted on 5/10/125 by Bob Magee
– The show opened with Damian Priest walking towards the
ring. Byron Saxton interrupted his walk and asked him about
the Backlash Fatal Four-way. Priest was talking and LA
Knight walked up and Knight told Priest that anyone who gets
in the way of him and his U.S. title will receive backlash
tomorrow night. Priest said he was concerned that Knight
wouldn’t have his back in the opening tag match. Knight said
if Priest has his back, he’ll have Priest’s back and Knight
told someone to hit his music. Knight then made his entrance
for the first match.
LA Knight & Damian Priest vs. Jacob Fatu & Solo Sikoa
Priest and Knight argued about who was going to start the
match and Sikoa attacked both of them. Priest ended up
officially starting the match for his team. Priest bounced
back from the initial attack and took Sikoa down before
posing in Fatu’s face. Priest successfully executed Old
School on Sikoa and fired up the crowd. Priest went for a
clothesline, but Sikoa rolled to the outside. Priest then
hit a double axe-handle on Sikoa and jawed at Fatu, who was
taken out by Knight’s dropkick through the ropes. With the
heels down, Priest and Knight bickered as the show went to
its first commercial break.
The show returned and Sikoa was working Priest’s neck back
inside the ring. Priest struggled to get the tag to Knight,
but Sikoa knocked Knight off the apron once Priest got free.
Sikoa capitalized with a Samoan Drop and a two-count. Fatu
tagged in and landed a running Senton. Fatu headbutted
Priest and followed that up with a hip attack. Sikoa tagged
back in and soaked up boos. Sikoa got a running start, but
Priest fired out of the corner with a kick to Sikoa’s head.
Knight and Fatu tagged into the match.
Knight had the upper hand and hit his spots, including a
jumping neck-breaker and a leaping elbow. Knight set up for
the jump-up elbow, but Priest tagged himself in and
clotheslined the hell out of Fatu. Priest set up for South
Of Heaven and Knight tagged himself in. Sikoa took advantage
of the babyfaces arguing … until Knight landed the BFT on
Sikoa for the win.
Match result: LA Knight & Damian Priest defeated Jacob Fatu
& Solo Sikoa (10:07)
After the match, Knight and Priest threw punches at each
other until Fatu broke it up and attacked both babyfaces,
ramming them into ring posts and hitting hip attacks. Fatu
held up his U.S. title as the crowd cheered … until Drew
McIntyre showed up and Claymore Kicked Fatu. McIntyre then
held up the U.S. title.
I liked the disruption to the cookie-cutter approach
SmackDown has been taking to open its shows. They had a
match, a commercial break and a post-match beatdown all
within the first 20 minutes whereas we’ve been seeing far
too many 20-plus-minute promos to begin Friday nights.
Hopping directly into a match was a welcome change of pace.
I’m also glad they got this match out of the way early
because … well … it didn’t feel like a lot of thought was
put into that booking, considering the last few weeks.
Anyway, the match was fine. Standard. Inoffensive. Pick any
of those words and you wouldn’t be wrong. The “babyfaces
arguing for the sake of creating tension” is a tired trick –
and especially in WWE – so the Knight/Priest stuff only
annoyed me. Perhaps I’m just grumpy. And finally, while
Sikoa taking the loss was the expected outcome, do we see
him play a part in Saturday’s four-way finish that separates
him from Fatu? The crowds love to cheer Jacob. Why not pull
the trigger on an official turn?
**********
– R-Truth was standing outside with a “Let’s Go Cena!” sign.
Jimmy Uso walked up and told Truth that Cena sucks. Jimmy
Yeeted and walked away as Truth kept chanting for Cena.
– McIntyre was walking backstage and Saxton rushed over to
talk to him. McIntyre said the U.S. title match should be a
one-on-one match between him and Fatu. McIntyre noted how
Knight shouldn’t be in the match because he lost at
WrestleMania. McIntyre questioned why Priest is in the
match, too, because Priest lost at Mania, too. McIntyre said
he wants to take the title off Fatu to become a Grand Slam
Champion. McIntyre mocked Fatu’s “All gas and no breaks”
catchphrase and said he’d be the next U.S. champion.
– The Secret Hervice and Chelsea Green were shown in Nick
Aldis’s office and they were mourning losing the Women’s
U.S. title. Zelina Vega and Aldis walked in. Green said Vega
has no girlfriends, so Vega challenged Green and Niven to a
tag match. Vega said she’d bring one of her girlfriends. The
show went to a commercial break after Green and the
Hervice’s entrance.
– An Aleister Black vignette aired. Black said he buried his
former WWE character and what he found six feet under wasn’t
death – it was the truth. Black said he came back because he
is the consequences the company needs. Black said he’s more
than a man who whispers in shadows. Black said it’s bigger
than good vs. evil because he’s there to confront everyone
mentally and physically. Black said he hasn’t figured
Carmelo Hayes out yet and the vignette ended.
– Vega made her entrance for the next match first and then
pointed to the entranceway to introduce … Alexa Bliss.
Alexa Bliss & Zelina Vega vs. Chelsea Green & Piper Niven
Niven and Vega started the match and Niven got the best of
Vega. Green tagged in and went for a splash, but Vega moved.
Vega then went to work on Green, setting up Vega (and Niven)
for a dual 619. Vega landed it and got a two-count out of
it. Vega teased tagging Bliss into the match, but Green
attacked Vega. As a result of all that, the heels got the
upper hand and Green tagged in Niven, who put Vega down. The
heels saluted the crowd(?) and the show went to a commercial
break.
The show returned and Vega was crawling towards Bliss, but
Niven cut off Vega. Niven lifted Vega, but Vega countered
with a DDT and alas, Bliss received the hot tag. Green
tagged in, too, and Bliss worked over Green with a series of
strikes and even a dragon-screw leg-whip. Bliss landed a
Blockbuster on Green for a two-count. Bliss ran into an
elbow and Green climbed to the top, but Bliss cut off Green
and dropkicked Green. Bliss hit Twisted Bliss on Green, but
Niven broke up a pin attempt. Vega landed a Code Red on
Niven. Bliss followed that up with a Sister Abagail DDT on
Green for the win.
Match result: Zelina Vega & Alexa Bliss defeated Chelsea
Green & Piper Niven (8:19)
I’m a little lost on returning Bliss like this (other than
the obligatory home state factor). Isn’t the plan for her to
work with the Wyatt Sicks? Why waste her return on a
throwaway tag match with an ice cold secondary women’s
champion … on WWE’s worst weekly television program? I hope
there’s a plan for her moving forward. That aside, this was
a fine match and it was nice to see Bliss get her greatest
hits in. Green and Niven did a really good job putting both
Vega and Bliss over and while Vega took the bulk of the
match, Bliss hit a nice stride as everything went to the
finish. Here’s hoping something big is on the horizon for
Bliss, who always packs a punch when she returns.
**********
– Rey Fenix ran into Santos Escobar backstage and Fenix
reminded Escobar that he beat him last week. Escobar said he
had something to say and Los Garza attacked Fenix, running
him into road cases. Andrade showed up and showed concern
for Fenix.
– An SUV pulled up to the arena and Charlotte Flair stepped
out of it.
– A video package on John Cena and Randy Orton’s history
aired.
The Charlotte Flair segment
Charlotte told Dayton that their queen has arrived and some
people cheered. Charlotte said she had the greatest match in
WrestleMania history and recalled how she was out for two
years, but still took Tiffy to her limit. A photo of Tiffy
at Mania was shown on the big screen. Charlotte said she was
there to announce her path to the WWE Women’s Championship.
People booed and Charlotte acted petulant, saying she’s the
GOAT of women’s wrestling. Charlotte said if the crowd
continued to be disrespectful, she would leave Dayton and
never come back. The crowd booed heartily. Charlotte threw
the microphone down and left the ring. As Charlotte left,
Jade Cargill’s music hit and Cargill made her entrance.
Charlotte stood in the entranceway and the two engaged in a
stare down.
Cargill got a microphone once she stepped into the ring and
told Charlotte to head to the back of line because Charlotte
had her chance. I’m not sure if this was scripted because
Cargill kept talking over her theme music, so either
production got it wrong or Cargill took a chance.
I like this approach for Charlotte. She’s a better heel than
she is a babyface anyway, and the story of her playing into
the boos each week could have her positioned as the next
Dominik Mysterio, heat-wise. Plus, the segments don’t need
to be long. Come out. Throw a fit. Soak in the reactions.
Storm off. Maybe they’re finally going to get it right with
her after all?
**********
– Charlotte and Aldis were walking and talking backstage.
Aldis told Charlotte to be a leader, not leave and not throw
a temper tantrum. Charlotte got back to her SUV to, in fact,
leave, and Alexa Bliss stood there. Bliss told Charlotte
that they should chat.
Jade Cargill vs. Nia Jax
Before the match began, Tiffany Stratton’s music hit and
Tiffy walked out to ringside. Stratton sat next to the
commentary table, but she did not sit in on commentary.
Cargill and Jax locked up to begin the match. Jax jawed at
Tiffy and then turned her attention back to Cargill, taking
Cargill down repeatedly. Jax mocked Cargill’s pose.
Eventually, as the crowd chanted, “You can’t wrestle!”
Cargill hit a flying shoulder tackle, which took Jax down.
Jax bounced back and hit a Samoan Drop on Cargill before
landing a leg drop for a two-count. The show then went to a
commercial break.
Back from break, Jax went to sit on Cargill, but Cargill
moved. Cargill lifted Jax and delivered a Samoan Drop on
Jax. Cargill suplexed Jax and landed a super-kick – plus a
spinebuster – for a two-count. Cargill went for a boot, but
Jax countered into a powerbomb. Jax stood on the second
rope, but Cargill cut her off and pressed Jax to the mat.
Cargil climbed to the top and landed a frog splash for a
nice near-fall. Cargill tried to set up for Jaded, but Jax
threw Cargill across the ring. Cargill came right back with
a running kick to Jax’s head.
Out of nowhere, Naomi appeared and attacked Stratton.
Cargill saw Naomi and took her attention away from Jax. As a
result, Jax attacked Cargill, hit her finish and won the
match.
Match result: Nia Jax defeated Jade Cargill to become the
No. 1 Contender for the WWE Women’s Championship (10:03)
This was pretty good. Cargill really has improved her in-
ring work and it shows in little ways – the way she fires
up, the commitment to selling, etc. – and as such, these two
worked hard to put on a good television match. I tend to
wonder how this Naomi/Cargill program will eventually be
blown off. Does it involve Bianca Belair? A Hell In A Cell?
At this point, with the rinse/repeat stagnation in which
they appear to be, it’s going to have to be something big.
I’m not saying their feud isn’t working; I’m just saying
it’ll be interesting to see how it all plays out. In the
meantime, this was a nice offering from Jax and Cargill,
even if I can’t say I’m thrilled to see another
Cargill/Stratton match/program.
**********
– The Street Profits were walking backstage and ran into
Michin and B-Fab. The women told the Profits that they look
banged up, but they still look good. Montez Ford said
something brief and the Profits continued their walk to the
ring.
– A Becky Lynch vignette aired.
The Street Profits segment
Ford and Dawkins walked out with various parts of their body
taped up, selling the impact of the TLC match a couple weeks
ago. Ford said the Profits have been the talk of the town
and they put on the greatest TLC match of all time a couple
weeks ago. Ford said, “That’s right, the guerrilla fears
us.” Ford said what happened is what will always happen, and
it’s that the Street Profits will come out on top. Fraxiom’s
music hit and they walked out with microphones. Nathan
Frazer said it feels good to be on Friday Night SmackDown.
Frazer said the Profits could be the best tag team in the
game right now. Fraxiom stepped into the ring and said
Frazer Shawn Michales told them to take any opportunity they
get. Axiom spoke up and said the tag titles would look great
on Fraxiom. Dawkins said Fraxiom has one only two matches
and he was wonder if they really think they deserve a title
shot. Ford yelled about Fraxiom wanting a title shot. Aldis
walked out, so you know what that means: Aldis booked a
match between Fraxiom and the Profits right now. A referee
showed up and the show went to a commercial break.
The Street Profits (Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins) vs.
Fraxiom (Nathan Frazer & Axiom)
The match was joined in progress and Frazer had the upper
hand, working over Dawkins. The action spilled outside and
Dawkins ran Frazer into the corner of the commentary table.
Axiom checked on Frazer and rolled Frazer back into the ring
to beat the count. Ford tagged in and hit a splash on Frazer
while selling rib pain. Ford kicked the back of Frazer and
tagged in Dawkins, who landed a splash on Frazer for a two-
count. Dawkins hit his spinning splash on Frazer in a corner
for a two-count. Eventualy, Frazer fired up and kicked
Dawkins before tagging Axiom into the match. Fraxiom
executed an array of their quick moves, complete with dives
to the outside. Frazer and Axiom fired up the crowd and the
show went to a commercial break.
The show returned and Frazer and Dawkins were both down in
the middle of the ring. Axiom and Ford tagged in and Ford
landed a bunch of clotheslines on Axiom. Ford hit a back
suplex and continued to sell rib pain before launching into
a standing moonsault for a two-count. Axiom kicked Ford and
Frazer tagged in. Frazer rolled up Ford quickly, but then
ran into a kick to the head from Ford. Ford was perched on
the top rope and Frazer went to the top with him. Dawkins
tagged himself in and put Frazer on his shoulders. From
there, they hit the super-duper Blockbuster on Frazer, but
Axiom broke up the pin attempt.
“This is awesome!” chants broke out. Ford went to the top,
but jumped into a kick from Axiom. Dawkins then kicked
Axiom. The match broke down and Frazer ran into a punch from
Dawkins. With Dawkins on the top rope, Axiom hit a Spanish
Fly and Frazer followed it up with a Phoenix Splash. At the
very last tenth of a second, Ford broke up the pin attempt
while attacking Axiom and all four men were down to reset
the match.
Dawkins ran into a Golden Ratio from Axiom on the outside of
the ring. Ford, meanwhile, went to the top rope inside the
ring and missed a frog splash. Fraxiom connected with the
Catapulta Infernal and that was enough to get them the win
with Axiom pinning Ford.
Match result: Fraxiom (Nathan Frazer & Axiom) defeated The
Street Profits (Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins) in a non-title
match (13:25 of TV time)
After the match, the teams shook hands inside the ring and
they all raised their arms together.
Fantastic stuff all around. I’m even sort of annoyed that I
missed the first few minutes because the match started
during a commercial break. The Profits told a great story,
selling the pain from their TLC match a couple weeks ago and
giving them an out for losing to the main roster rookies.
Speaking of those main roster rookies, I can’t recall a
better tag team debut run for a team in recent WWE memory.
Motor City Machine Guns made a splash by winning the tag
titles on their debut night, but the live crowds never
seemed to buy into them. Fraxiom, however, seem to connect
with the live crowds and their flashy, quick, aggressive
offense is striking a chord. Run this back on a PLE with
five more minutes and a title change and I’ll bet you 5,000
MJF Coins that it’s one of the best WWE matches of 2025.
**********
– Tiffy was looking for people backstage and ran into Jax
and Tiffy said she’d save a spot at the loser’s table for
Jax and it will be right next to Charlotte Flair.
– A video package on Gunther vs. Pat McAfee aired.
– The Miz was talking to Melo backstage and told him it’s
all about him and showing everyone that Melo is the 10th
Wonder Of The World. Miz said Melo will run the plays
exactly as Miz designed them. Miz kept asking Melo, “Who’s
Him?” Melo responded in kind. Miz yelled a lot. Miz and Melo
made their entrance for the next match.
Carmelo Hayes vs. Aleister Black
The bell rang and the two stood in their respective corners.
About 20 seconds into it, they locked up and traded hold
attempts. Melo went for a springboard splash, but Black
moved and the two stared at each other for a few seconds.
Black kicked Melo and Melo wound up on the outside. Black
followed up with a moonsault onto the floor. Black returned
to the ring to break the count and ran at Melo, but missed
and found himself hung up on the crowd barrier. Melo then
dropkicked Black over the barrier and posed as the show went
to a commercial break.
The show returned and Black kicked Melo right in the face.
Black followed up with a leaping knee, which took Melo down.
The two were out on the canvas and the match reset. Back on
their feet, the two traded blows. Black eventually got the
best of it and hit a springboard moonsault from the second
rope for a two-count. The two traded a handful of moves
until Black slowed it back down with a Brainbuster. Miz
hopped up on the apron and Black went over to him. Melo ran
at Black, but Black moved and Melo hit Miz. Black then
rolled up Melo for the win. After the match, Black hit Black
Mass on Miz and sat in the entranceway.
Match result: Aleister Black defeated Carmelo Hayes (9:14)
This was as good as expected, but if we’re being honest, I
was secretly hoping it would be better than expected.
Between the finish and the post-match, it’s hard to think
Miz, Melo and Black are now moving on from all this, so
maybe we’ll soon get a 15-minute TV classic in the vein of
the work Melo did with Andrade last year. Melo was great in
selling the viciousness of Black’s strikes and Black was
much smoother than he was last week against Miz. I like this
slight shift in attitude for the Black character. Like he
said in the vignette earlier, he’s not all smoke and mirrors
and he’s not just a guy who speaks in riddles anymore. He
feels like a real fighter now more than ever before. It’s
subtle, but it’s needed.
**********
– Sikoa and Fatu were shown talking in a dark area
backstage. Sikoa said they need a plan for Backlash and Fatu
flipped out. He ended by calming down and saying he’s all
gas and no breaks. He asked Sikoa if he knew what he meant
and Sikoa said he did. Fatu walked away.
– Fraxiom ran into MCMG backstage and MCMG said it will
eventually be Fraxiom vs. MCMG, but wouldn’t you know it –
#DIY showed up and attacked both teams. Ciampa and Gargano
focused more on Fraxiom and lectured them before storming
off into the ether.
Rey Fenix & Andrade vs. Los Garza (Berto & Angel)
Fenix started the match and Los Garza put the boots to him.
Berto became the legal man went to work on Fenix, complete
with a dropkick for a two-count. Berto lifted Fenix, but
Fenix knee’d his way out of it and tagged in Andrade. Angel
tagged himself in and Berto knocked Fenix and Andrade to the
outside. Berto and Angel went to the top and hit dueling
moonsaults on Andrade and Fenix on the ringside floor. The
show then went to a commercial break.
The show returned and Berto was working Andrade in the ring.
Andrade eventually ducked a couple kicks and hit a Poison-
Rana. Both guys were down and Andrade got the hot tag to
Fenix. Angel tagged in as well and Fenix took care of both
heels as Escobar looked annoyed. Angel lifted Fenix and
kicked him in the chest. Things broke down and all four
wrestlers executed moves on each other and all four were
down in the middle of the ring. “This is awesome!” chants
began. Angel and Fenix traded chops on their knees. Angel
had Fenix in a corner and Berto tagged in to hit a moonsault
on Fenix before Andrade broke up the pin attempt.
With Berto in a corner, Fenix hit a spinning animal kick.
Escobar hopped onto the apron and distracted the ref as
Berto had Fenix pinned. Fenix kicked out eventually and we
were back to having all four wrestlers involved in the
action. Andrade hit a back spinning elbow on Angel while
Fenix landed the Adios Amigo on Berto. Fenix landed a splash
on Angel outside the ring as Andrade hit The Message on
Berto for the win.
Match result: Andrade & Rey Fenix defeated Los Garza (Angel
& Berto) (10:23)
After the match, Escobar entered the ring and scolded Berto,
who slapped Escobar’s hand away from his chest. Berto left
the ring and Angel looked confused. Berto stormed off to the
back and Angel remained in the ring with Escobar.
It’s about time to split up Legado Del Fantasma, don’t we
think? Elektra Lopez is out of the company. Los Garza keeps
having solid tag team matches, but the faction is as cold as
anything else on the show (which, to be fair, is a lot these
days when it comes to SmackDown). Escobar, Berto and Angel
are all very talented, but outside of these throwaway tag
team matches that Berto and Angel are almost guaranteed to
lose, they don’t have a lot behind them. As for this match,
the four wrestlers delivered well enough, even if it was a
bit odd to see Fenix team with someone not named Penta.
Everybody worked hard, though, and there are many worse ways
to fill 10-and-a-half-minutes on a show like this.
**********
– The commentary team ran down the card for Saturday’s
Backlash show.
The John Cena segment
Cena made his entrance to a mixed response. The “Let’s go
Cena/Cena sucks!” chants were loud. Cena called in Ring
Announcer Nash to do the introduction bit he’s been doing.
Someone threw a Michelob Ultra bottle into the ring and Cena
actually picked it up while stopping Nash from speaking.
Cena threw the bottle out of the ring and told Nash to keep
going. Nash completed his introduction and the crowd cheered
as much as they booed. Cena snarled.
Cena said, “Tomorrow, your childhood dies.” He added that
the reason they are reduced to throwing empty bottles of
beer is because they know how important Backlash is. Cena
noted how Randy Orton wasn’t there and Orton was smart for
not being there. Cena said Orton is preparing for the
biggest moment of his career. Cena said he first wrestled
Orton 25 years ago and since then, they have shared almost
100 appearances together. Cena said they are the two names
that define what it is to have “Ruthless Aggression.” Cena
said if you are of a certain age, you either cheer Cena or
Orton and the crowd cheered loudly for Cena.
Cena said at Backlash, it will be Cena vs. Orton for the
final time. He reiterated that everyone’s childhood will die
at Backlash. Cena said he will prove three things – life
isn’t fair, winners write the history books and Randy Orton
is a liar. Cena said the person Orton has been lying the
most to has been himself. Cena brought up the Hustle,
Loyalty and Respect stuff. Cena said Orton has used his
stardom and connections to keep him from doing hard work.
Cena said Orton is the GOAT of wasting his potential. Cena
said Cena is the GOAT because “I am hustle.”
Cena called out Orton for cashing a check and called Orton
lazy in clever way that included being a piece of furniture.
Cena said Orton is over-celebrated and over-paid. Cena said
Orton is the GOAT at doing the bare minimum. Cena said Cena
is the GOAT because “I am loyalty.” Cena mocked Orton for
reminding everyone that he’s a third-generation superstar.
Cena said the only thing Orton has ever done in life is ride
Cena’s coattails. Cena said at Backlash, Orton will kill the
legend of Randy Orton. Cena said Orton will be “just like
his 2006 drug test – a failure.” Cena said Orton is the GOAT
at making a mockery of what a WWE superstar shoudl be. Cena
said Cena is the GOAT because “I am respect.”
Cena said Saturday is a historic moment for WWE and he held
up his belt saying he is what the last world champion looks
like. Someone in a Randy Orton hoodie ran into the ring, but
Cena gave him an AA. The Real Randy Orton then appeared and
RKO’d Cena. Cena stood tall as the crowd cheered loudly for
him. Orton picked up Cena’s belt and kissed it. Orton then
held it high as his music played. The show ended with Orton
looking to the crowd and holding up the title while standing
on the second rope.
Cena felt rushed, but damn it if he didn’t memorize a ton of
lines for this thing. Kudos to him for that. Turns out being
a Hollywood superstar really can help certain aspects of
your pro wrestling career. I wasn’t expecting much from this
segment and I didn’t get much. It’s Cena ridiculing the
fans, whining about everyone around him and giving his now-
signature pouty face. It might have been novel when it
started a couple months ago, but this is so one-note, it’s
almost hard to watch. There’s no way Orton takes the strap
off him at Backlash, but I’m already so over this Cena bit
that I would actually be happy if they somehow decide to go
with Orton in his hometown. Overall, this served as a fine-
enough go-home show for Backlash, which is a below-mid PLE,
so it doesn’t say much. Either way, below-mid knows below-
mid. And I can attest to that.