WWE Backlash 2007 Review

Hello and welcome to another edition of Seanomaniac Wrestling Reviews, the only wrestling review series on the internet that goes on hiatus more often than Berserk! It’s time for WWE’s Backlash 2007, the dust from Wrestlemania has settled with new storylines emerging and the WWE calendar resetting itself. On the Raw side, we have John Cena defending his WWE Championship against Shawn Michaels, Randy Orton and Edge while on the Smackdown side we have Undertaker vs Batista for the World Heavyweight Championship in a Last Man Standing Match. Bobby Lashley’s climb continues as Lashley battles The Mcmahons and Umaga for the ECW Championship. The card is a big one, so let’s see if Backlash can deliver!

Opening Promo

A well-produced promo package airs hyping up all of tonight’s major championship matches, I am excited for all these matches based on what is shown here, Lashley also gets a lot of attention which is nice to see for the ECW brand, does not happen often when you think about it.

(WWE World Tag Team Championship Match) The Hardy Boyz © vs Lance Cade & Trevor Murdoch

This is odd to me for I feel Cade & Murdoch had their moment in late 2005 but their momentum was immediately squashed by the dominant Big Show & Kane. Since then, I have not seen a whole lot from them, this is a surprise. Matt and Cade begin the match, lock-up with Cade pushing back Matt. Clean break, another lock-up. Side headlock by Matt, takedown with Matt scoring a two count. Multiple pin attempts, Cade pushes Matt off the ropes. Massive elbow to the face, Matt fires back at Cade before Matt hiptosses Murdoch. Murdoch comes in eating a dropkick from an incoming Jeff. Jeff Tags Matt, leg drop and elbow combination for two.

Tag to Jeff, Omega combination for two. Whisper in The Wind, Cade saves Murdoch. Matt clotheslines Cade to the floor, Murdoch is dumped out and Matt allows Jeff to leapfrog and nail air Hardy on Cade & Murdoch. Matt decides to grab Murdoch, middle rope elbow for two. Matt tries a bulldog but Murdoch reverses for a back suplex, Cade tags in and clotheslines Matt. Cade and Murdoch make quick tags, smacking Matt into the turnbuckle. Matt reverses a piledriver for a Russian legsweep, tag to Jeff. Dropkick to Cade, clothesline to Murdoch. Cade avoids a baseball slide and pulls Jeff onto the floor hardway, Jeff smashes his back off the floor. Cade covers for two, sit-out spinebuster for two. Murdoch is tagged in, assisted leg drop for two.

Reverse chinlock by Murdoch, boot and neckbreaker by Murdoch. Tag to Cade, Cade taunts Jeff. Short-arm clothesline for two, tag to Murdoch. Small package by Jeff for two, boot by Murdoch for two. Jeff mounts a comeback before a right hand shuts that down, Murdoch tags in for a leg drop. Tag to Cade, knee to the head by Cade. Snapmare and reverse chinlock, jawbreaker by Jeff to escape. Murdoch gets the tag, back suplex for two. Tag to Cade, Jeff boots Murdoch in the face off an Irish whip. Reverse mule kick by Jeff on Cade, Cade tags Murdoch who knocks Matt off the apron. Murdoch misses an elbow, Jeff tags Matt.

Right-hands by Matt, forearm shot and back drop by Matt. Clothesline and bulldog for two, Cade saves Murdoch from poetry in motion. Matt measures Murdoch, Murdoch blocks the twist of fate but eats a Side Effect. Cade drills Matt with a top rope elbow drop, Murdoch covers Matt for two. Sunset flip powerbomb by Murdoch for two, Murdoch eats a massive Twist of Fate, Swanton Bomb by Jeff on Murdoch and Matt breaks free from Cade to pin Murdoch for the win.

This was a fun opening match, I was curious to see how Cade & Murdoch would do in this match, I love their gimmick, there is an air of believability about those two, they look like two tough bastards who will fight you to the death while you cannot go wrong with a team like The Hardys, the crowd loves the two, they are massively over and it should always be an easy night for their opponents in terms of getting heat and putting on a good match, good stuff to open the show.

Winners: The Hardy Boyz over Cade & Murdoch via Swanton Bomb!

(WWE Women’s Championship Match) Melina © vs Mickie James

In the process of rebuilding the division following the loss of not only Trish Stratus but also Lita, the women’s division had found their top heel in Melina while Mickie was adjusting to her role as a top babyface. Melina has a hammerlock, firemen’s carry by James. Melina elbows James and applies a top wristlock, James counters with a monkey flip for two. Side headlock from James, takedown. Headscissors counter from Melina, James escapes with ease. Stare-down, boot from Melina. Side headlock takeover, headscissors counter from James. Melina escapes for a side headlock, Melina appears to have a vision problem.

James is lured in, cheap shot from Melina, James has had enough and charges Melina into the counter. Monkey flip and mounted punches by James, throat chop by Melina. James tries a top rope manoeuvre but Melina pushes James to the floor. Melina chokes James using the ropes for leverage, two for Melina. Butterfly-like submission hold from Melina, Melina transitions to a pin for two. Referee catches Melina using the ropes and the hold is broken, small package by James for two. Sleeper from Melina, James fights back with huge forearms, Melina drills James with a seated senton. Seated chickenwing from Melina, James breaks free. Both women are left in the splits position trading blows, dropkick from James.

Leaping clothesline from James, two clotheslines. Hair-toss from the challenger, neckbreaker for two. Knee by Melina, James is on the apron. Forearm, crossbody by James for two, Melina nails James with her boot. Take to the eyes and Melina nails a reverse DDT for the win.

Solid match from these two women, the finish was a little flat but they had played up to the fact that Mickie did have a neck that was hurt, just wish they could have had a bigger lead-in to the finish, good stuff from Mickie though as a babyface. Melina was not all there just yet but she was taking huge strides in becoming the top heel in the division.

Winner: Melina over Mickie James via Reverse DDT!

(WWE United States Championship Match) Chris Benoit © vs MVP

MVP has a second chance at the prestigious United States Championship, Benoit had bested the cocky MVP at Wrestlemania but MVP is a little wiser now, would the result be the same on this night? Lock-up, clean break. MVP kicks the leg of Benoit, MVP has a gameplan coming into the match. MVP shoots for a takedown, Benoit stops MVP before MVP wriggles free for a front chancery. Benoit trips MVP with hiptosses and drop toeholds, crossface attempt But MVP dives for the ropes and takes a breather on the floor. Side headlock takedown by MVP, right-hands from MVP. MVP and Benoit trade counters before a backslide from Benoit. Back suplex by Benoit, sharpshooter from Benoit.

MVP reaches the ropes, Benoit knees and chops MVP. MVP whips Benoit to the corner, boot to the back of the head for two. Mounted forearms by MVP, reverse chinlock from MVP. Benoit escapes and elbows MVP, MVP counters for a belly to belly suplex, two for MVP. Standing crossface from MVP, Benoit escapes. MVP misses a clothesline, German suplex time. A trifecta of suplexes, Benoit tries to climb to the top rope but MVP stops Benoit. Northern lights suplex, MVP stunguns Benoit. Two for MVP, neckbreaker by MVP for two. MVP picks up Benoit, Crossface out of nowhere but MVP reaches the ropes.

MVP attempts a submission, Benoit breaks free. Boot by MVP for two, Benoit dodges the boot on the second attempt. German suplexes, five German suplexes. Diving Headbutt is blocked as MVP uses his knees to crush Benoit’s ribs, single leg Boston crab on Benoit. Benoit reaches the ropes, MVP rolls through a crossface but cannot escape the small package as Benoit pins MVP.

Great stuff, really enjoyed the story of MVP becoming better and better, learning the ins and outs of Benoit’s offense and just when you think that MVP is going to beat Benoit, Benoit pulls one more trick out of his bag to beat MVP and ruin the day of the rising star of MVP. Benoit is so much fun to watch inside of the ring, it is a shame to know that Benoit will not be around much longer.

Winner: Chris Benoit over MVP via Small Package!

(ECW World Heavyweight Championship Match) Bobby Lashley © vs Vince Mcmahon/Shane Mcmahon/Umaga

Lashley had humiliated Vince Mcmahon, Vince had his head shaved bald thanks to Lashley defeating The Samoan Bulldozer Umaga. At Wrestlemania, at Vince’s creation, Vince was humbled by Lashley and it was time for revenge. Shane and Lashley start the match, takedown and right hands by Lashley. Right hands and stomps in the corner by Lashley. Spinebuster, Shane rolls to the floor. Tag to Umaga, Lashley hammers away at Umaga before Umaga smacks down Lashley. Elbows by Umaga, Lashley clotheslines Umaga in the corner. Headbutt from Umaga, Lashley clotheslines Umaga to the floor. Shane is thrown to the floor, Vince is on the apron all alone.

Vince begins to step into the ring, Umaga and Shane eat shots from Lashley. Delayed suplex on Shane, Umaga is dropped toeholded onto Shane. Shane lowbridges Lashley, killing the momentum of the champion. Lashley meets the steel steps, Umaga leg drops Lashley. Umaga rakes the back of Lashley, hard Irish whip to the corner. Shane tags in, Fujiwara armbar from Shane. Knees and elbows from Shane, head & arm choke from Shane. Lashley uses his strength to escape Shane’s hold, Umaga saves Shane. Massive splash by Umaga, bearhug from Umaga.

Lashley escapes but as Lashley runs off the ropes, Shane nails Lashley with a knee to the back. Samoan drop from Umaga, tag to Shane. Elbow by Shane, more knees to the spine. Elbows to the spine and a camel clutch from Shane, Lashley digs deep and smacks off Shane into the corner. T-Bone suplex by Lashley, shoulder block and clothesline. Umaga is smacked off the announce table, back drop to Shane. Torture rack backbreaker by Lashley for two, Spear for Umaga. Corner Spear to Shane, running powerslam with Vince saving the match.

Vince realizes his mistake, Lashley stares down Vince. Lashley picks up Vince, Shane grabs Lashley’s leg. Throat thrust from Umaga, Shane waffles Lashley with the ECW Championship. Vince tags in but Lashley kicks out, Lashley rolls up Vince but Shane saves the match. Tag to Umaga, massive top rope splash from Umaga but Lashley kicks out for a second time. Umaga is tagged in once again, another huge top rope splash. Vince tags into the match and Vince is your new ECW Champion.

I do not know how much this really did to help poor Lashley, Lashley had such an up and down career in the WWE before getting the push to be ECW Champion and falling into this storyline with The Mcmahons. Usually, that’s a good sign but I just do not know how much Lashley connects with the WWE Audience, we will see as the storyline continues but I am not super convinced as things continue to move forward.

Winners: The Mcmahons over Bobby Lashley via Splash!

(WWE World Heavyweight Championship Match) The Undertaker © vs Batista (Last Man Standing Match)

Not one person thought these two would steal the show at Wrestlemania, not one person thought they would have a phenomenal match but by God, these two kicked a tonne of ass and now, we get to see the two do battle in a last man standing match. Taker starts hot, boot and elbows but Batista comes back with rights of his own. Chokeslam attempt is thwarted, both men have body parts taped up which adds a war factor to the match. Leaping clothesline by Taker, Batista has his hamstring taped while Taker has his right arm taped. Old School by Taker, Batista counters an Irish whip for a huge powerslam. Taker is slammed hard but makes it to his feet, Batista knocks Taker to the floor. Taker slams Batista into the steel steps.

Apron legdrop from Taker, Taker meets the steel steps as Batista beats the count and reverses the Irish whip. Batista is on the top rope, Taker stops The Animal. The two trade blows, superplex with both men crashing hard. Batista clotheslines Taker and slams the champion. Taker pulls Batista to the floor before clearing the announce table, backbreaker on the floor and Batista is walloped with steel steps to the head. Batista is bleeding everywhere, Batista is placed on the announce table, Taker climbs to the barricade behind the announce table before delivering a massive leg drop. Batista crashes through the table but survives the count, Spear by Batista after Taker nails snake eyes.

Spinebusters by Batista, Taker breaks the count at nine. Batista Bomb is blocked, Chokeslam by Taker. Double count as both men are down, Taker tries ten punches in the corner but eats a Batista Bomb for his troubles. Taker survives at nine, chair to the head by Batista. Taker back drops Batista onto the chair, Tombstone Piledriver from the champion. Batista survives, Taker boots Batista to the floor. The two brawl to the stage, Batista pummels Taker. Batista Bomb is blocked, Taker goes to the weak leg of Batista. Taker wants a tombstone, Batista escapes and Spears Taker off the stage, both men are counted out as we have a draw.

This was an excellent match from these two giants doing war, Taker and Batista waste no time in setting the tone, they start dropping bombs from the beginning with each blow having a lot of weight behind them, each minute that passes leads to more drama with enough twists and turns to keep you hooked in the match. Finally, you have the barrage of finishers from both men until Batista decides to risk it all on one last spear, it does not pay-off for The Animal but it leaves us wanting more and the feud cannot end on a draw, the fight must continue and I look forward to the war. Batista’s best work by this point and Taker continues to show that there were excellent matches left in The Deadman.

Draw!

(WWE Championship Match) John Cena © vs Randy Orton vs Edge vs Shawn Michaels

John Cena bested Shawn Michaels at Wrestlemania, Shawn Michaels would later best Cena on an episode of Raw. Lurking in the background, you have Edge and Randy Orton, Rated RKO. Both men former champions, both men itching to be champion once again. Orton and Edge are no longer friends though but friendships are usually formed in these type of matches and the duo are not above being allies once more. Meanwhile, you have the WWE Champion John Cena, the dominant king of the WWE. No matter the challenge, Cena always rises to the occasion. Who can stop Cena? Well, Cena does not have to be pinned to lose his championship in this match, will that stipulation be Cena’s undoing?

All four men talk trash, Cena and Michaels clear the ring. Chop and rights by HBK, big fisherman suplex by Cena for two. Neckbreaker by Michaels on Cena, Orton & Edge clear the ring. The two have a stand-off before blows are traded. Dropkick by Orton, right hands before HBK trips Orton. The two do battle on the floor, Cena clotheslines both before Edge baseball slides Cena. Edge whips Orton into the steel steps, Cena is slammed on the floor. Michaels slams Edge on the floor, HBK nails a moonsault onto everyone. Michaels and Edge clothesline one another, Cena sees an opening. Kobashi style leg drop to both men, Cena covers HBK for two.

Orton clotheslines Cena, Orton stomps on everyone else. Backbreaker on Cena, Garvin stomps by Orton. Cena misses a spear on Orton, Cena hits the turnbuckle hard. Michaels chops Orton, flying forearm by HBK. Kip-up but Edge nails a spinning heel kick, Edge & Orton have words before negotiating to team-up against HBK. Hard Irish whip for Michaels, Cena is knocked off the apron and meets the announce table with his face. Double back drop to Michaels, Michaels is locked in a double Boston crab. Cena saves HBK, shoulder blocks for all, spinning side suplex on Edge. Five Knuckle Shuffle on Edge, HBK and Orton pull out Cena, Cena meets the ringpost as does Orton courtesy of Michaels.

Michaels and Orton make their way to the announce table, Edge waffles Michaels and Orton with the chair. Cena avoids the chair shot for an STFU, Edge is stuck in the middle of the ring. Orton tries to save Edge, Cena applies the STFU to Orton. Michaels comes in, Cena falls into a small package. Flying forearm by HBK, inverted atomic drop to Edge and Cena. Orton eats one too, scoop slam to Cena. Elbow drop, Edge misses a spear on HBK. Scoop slam by Michaels, elbow drop on Edge. Scoop slam to Orton, Cena stops the elbow to Orton.

Cena wants a super FU, Orton & Edge combine for a tower of doom spot. Cena picks up Edge for an FU, Edge counters twice before Cena lifts HBK and Edge. Orton nails Michaels with an RKO, Cena saves his championship. Edge nails an Edgecution on Cena for two. Edge measures Cena for a spear, Cena dodges and Edge manages to spear Orton. Cena FUs Edge but HBK nails Sweet Chin Music on Cena who luckily falls onto Orton for the win.

That was so much fun, everyone had moments to shine in this match. Michaels was a joy to watch as usual, his facials and selling were perfect to show the agony he was in throughout the match, Edge was downright devious in his role during this match, I would say I am a little flat on Orton during this time, the feud with Undertaker was great for Orton but it seems all that momentum, all that cockiness and personality was lost in the feud with Angle and DX throughout the year, Orton needed to find himself once more but this match was very entertaining and the finish was great with the story being told that Michaels was just so close to winning the championship and possible someday, Michaels may have Cena’s number and the reign of the chapion could be in serious jeopardy.

Winner: John Cena over Everyone Else via Fluke!

That was WWE’s Backlash 2007, a great B-Show as per usual. Very rarely would a Backlash disappoint as the product is hot after Wrestlemania and the company is keen on continuing the momentum. This was a heavy card with every match being a championship match, every major championship match having a lengthy amount of match time and all of those major championship matches hitting home-runs. The women’s division is looking to rebuild, The Hardys are the perfect tag team to hold the championships and you have ongoing storylines for the major championships coming out of this pay per view such as what will Lashley do to regain the championship? Undertaker and Batista have to settle their feud decisively but how? Will Michaels get another opportunity at Cena? This was a great show, thanks for reading and remember: There’s always another night!