Backlash Recap

The end of the brand split on PPV led to six title matches being featured on this show. Was John Cena able to beat three other men to keep the WWE Championship? Was Undertaker or Batista able to stand up by the count of 10 to walk out of the ring as the World Heavyweight Champion? Would Vince McMahon gain revenge on Lashley for causing him to be shaved by Donald Trump? These questions and more were answered tonight.

World Tag Team Title: Champs Matt & Jeff Hardy vs Lance Cade & Trevor Murdoch - Matt Hardy hit the Twist of Fate on Murdoch but before he could make the pin, he was dragged out of the ring by Lance Cade. When the referee wasn’t looking, Jeff Hardy hit the Swanton Bomb on Murdoch. Matt got back into the ring and pinned Murdoch. Winners: The Hardys

- The McMahons and Umaga are in the back getting ready for their match against Lashley. Vince decided that his son Shane should win the ECW Title. Shane is happy about the decision but decides that his father should win the title because of Lashley being responsible for having his head shaved by Donald Trump.

Women's Title: Champion Melina vs Mickie James - For those wondering, the two titles changes that took place last week in Paris were not mentioned. This match ended when Melina hit Mickie with a reverse DDT to get the win. That was the second high impact move that Mickie received to her neck during the match. This match was by far the best women’s match since the end of the era of Lita and Trish. Winner: Melina

- Edge is interviewed by Maria. During the interview, he is asked about how he won his first WWE Championship. Edge explains about using the Money in the Bank clause when Mr. Kennedy shows up. Mr. Kennedy then laughs as he mentions how the winner of the WWE Championship match will be very tired from having to wrestle three other men. He then mockingly wishes Edge good luck.

U.S. Title: Champion Chris Benoit vs MVP - Wrestling with Chris Benoit has made MVP a much better wrestler and this match was much better than their WrestleMania battle. Just like four weeks ago, this match ended with Chris Benoit winning. He went for the crippler cross face but MVP broke out of it only to be rolled up into a small package. Winner: Chris Benoit

- During an interview segment, Randy Orton tries to talk John Cena into forming an alliance for their match. Cena turned down the offer by making it seem that Orton was making sexual overtones towards him. Orton screamed at Cena that tonight would end with Cena on his back while he covered Cena's body. Ron Simmons showed up to say “Damn”.

3-on-1 Handicap Match for the ECW Title: Champion Lashley vs Umaga, Vince McMahon, and Shane McMahon - While they have the 3-on-1 advantage, the McMahon team must tag each other in so that the match is always 1-on-1. Armando Alejandro Estrada is not at ring side because of the beating Lashley gave him earlier this week. Vince is wearing a doo-rag on his head to hide his baldness. Vince only entered the match when there was a pin opportunity. Umaga delivered two off-the-top-rope splashes to Lashley. After each one, Vince was tagged in. After the second one, Vince was able to make the pin. Winner and New ECW Champion: Vince McMahon

- While celebrating, Vince and Shane came across the ECW Originals. Vince said that they must be proud that after all these years they finally have a champion like Vince McMahon. Vince and Shane then mock the Originals.

Last Man Standing Match for the World Heavyweight Championship: Champion The Undertaker vs Batista - The only way to win this match is to incapacitate your opponent so they can not reach their feet by the count of 10. Batista entered the ring with an injured hamstring caused by Finlay’s shillelagh attack on Friday. Undertaker also entered this match injured as he had a bandage and padding on his right arm, the arm he delivers the choke slam with. Undertaker drew blood from Batista by bashing his head with the ring steps. He then delivered a leg drop from the ring barricade through the announce table on Batista who was able to get up at the count of nine. Over the next few minutes, Batista survived both the choke slam and the tombstone. The match made its way up to the top of the ramp. Batista delivered a spear to the Undertaker that caused both men to fall several feet off the stage and caused some of the scenery to explode and topple. Neither man was able to answer the ten-count. Winner: Draw

WWE Title: Champion John Cena vs Shawn Michaels vs Edge vs Randy Orton - Jerry Lawler described this match as a car crash that you can’t take your eyes off of. He was right. There were so many big spots and near falls that it would be impossible to describe this match in great detail. The ending chain of events saw Edge spear Randy Orton, Cena give the FU to Edge, Michaels give the super kick to Cena, and then Cena fall on top of Orton to get the win. Winner: John Cena

Match Results

• World Tag Team Championship: Champions The Hardys beat Lance Cade & Trevor Murdoch
  
• Women’s Title: Champion Melina beat Mickie James
  
• U.S. Title: Champion Chris Benoit beat MVP
  
• 3-on-1 Handicap Match for the ECW Title: Vince McMahon, Shane McMahon, and Umaga beat Lashley. As a result, Vince McMahon is the new champion.
  
• Last Man Standing Match for the World Heavyweight Championship: Champion The Undertaker and Batista fought to a draw
  
• Fatal Four Way for the WWE Championship: Champion John Cena beat Shawn Michaels, Edge, and Randy Orton

What does this event mean for future?
With the non-decision in the World Heavyweight Championship Match, I fully expect for there to be a Hell in a Cell Match between Batista and Undertaker at Judgment Day next month. Cena’s victory came about by Shawn Michaels connecting with the super kick. When you add that to the fact that Michaels beat Cena on RAW last week, there is still a lot of unsettled business between the two men. Is it possible that there might be two Hell in a Cell Matches next month?

Overall Thoughts
Every match on this show ranged from good to great (although I am sure that many people and other wrestling sites want to trash the controversial endings of the two main events). Regardless of whether you enjoyed the way the final two matches ended, there is nothing bad that can be said about everything that led to those endings.
This was the first of the Non-Big 4 Events (Royal Rumble, WrestleMania, SummerSlam, and Survivor Series) to be tri-branded. As a fan, I am thankful that the WWE decided to stop the single-brand events. This year, all three tri-branded events (Royal Rumble, WrestleMania, and Backlash) have been worth the money while the two single-brand events (New Year’s Revolution and No Way Out) did not deliver the value to fans that the $39.95 event charge requires.

_{Photo: (c) 2006 Matt Law}