2022 WWE WrestleMania Backlash results, grades

Cody Rhodes vs. Seth Rollins: Rhodes and Rollins exchanged holds to begin the match with Rollins generally getting the better of the counters. This played into the story that Rollins has studied his opponent and is better prepared than he was at WrestleMania 38 when Rhodes was a mystery opponent. Rhodes chased Rollins around the ring. Mr. “Freakin'” cut him off inside the ring and firmly took control of the match. Rhodes won back some momentum by slamming Rollins’ face into the corner steps. It was short-lived as Rollins turned Rhodes inside out with a clothesline ringside.

Rhodes bounced back from Rollins’ control period by landing some trademark techniques. Rhodes popping Rollins in the throat, faceplanting him off an extended suplex spot and then hitting a Disaster Kick. Rhodes attempted the Disaster Kick a second time and was firmly shoved over the ropes and to the outside. The action picked up back in the ring with Rollins leading the dance, before a Sunset Flip and a couple of near falls.

Chaos broke out as the chops and palm strikes turned into a full-on slap fight. Rollins with a spin kick to the midsection. Rhodes ducked a strike and clotheslined Rollins out of the ring. Rhodes dived off the rope but Rollins moved out of the way and “The American Nightmare” ate the barricade. Rollins went for a suicide dive but ate a forearm for his efforts. Rhodes entered the ring, sprung off the ropes and nailed Rollins with the Cody Cutter. Rhodes ducked the pedigree, Rollins countered and planted him with a superkick. Two count for Rollins.

After the two traded high spots “This is Awesome” chants broke out from the crowd. Rhodes tried to hit another Disaster Kick but Rollins caught him and turned it into a Buckle Bomb followed by a high-elevation Frog Splash led to a near fall. Rollins continued the assault before Rhodes got a reversal into a Cross Rhodes that led to a near-fall with Rollins getting his foot on the ropes.

Rhodes missed a big moonsault and Rollins made him pay with a Pedigree. It was a close count but only two. An irate Rollins repeatedly fed Rhodes his boot. Rollins made the mistake of mimicking Dusty Rhodes’ moveset and Rhodes planted him with a Cross Rhodes. Rhodes transitioned for a second one but Rollins escaped. A chain of transitions followed for each competitor. Rollins rolled up Rhodes with the tights; however, Rhodes rolled through and grabbed the tights for a three-count. A fantastic match, even better than their first. The Cody Rhodes formula is thrilling, but the constant false finishes can diminish the impact of their finishing moves. Nevertheless, a terrific match that could have been an instant classic with higher stakes. Cody Rhodes def. Seth Rollins via pinfall. Grade: A

Bobby Lashley vs. Omos: Lashley immediately took the fight to Omos, clubbing him with blows early. Lashley tried to run the ropes but was intercepted by his ex-manager MVP. Omos took over. He dropped Lashley’s head into the corner and stuck him with a big boot. Omos choked Lashley against the middle rope while MVP talked trash. Lashley then climbed onto Omos’ back and snatched a rear-naked choke but Omos flung him off. After a spear into the corner by Lashley, “The Almighty” tied up Omos’ arms in the ropes and pummeled him with unprotected strikes.

Lashley met MVP outside of the ring. MVP swung with his cane but Lashley dodged. Lashley snatched The Hurt Lock on MVP. Omos interfered, grabbing Lashley’s head with his palm. Lashley countered and planted Omos. Lashley locked in The Hurt Lock while Omos was on his knees. Omos appeared to go out but roared to life and pushed Lashley into the corner. That forced the referee to break the hold. Big elbow strikes to Lashley’s dome in the corner. Lashley took back control and landed another spear in the corner. Lashley managed to hoist Omos up and drop him onto his back.

Lashley took off for the match-ending spear but Omos dodged it and MVP struck Lashley with his cane while the referee was distracted. Omos picked up Lashley and dropped him for the pinfall victory. It was a fine match, especially considering Omos’ relative inexperience. Omos def. Bobby Lashley via pinfall. Grade: C+

AJ Styles vs. Edge: Styles immediately jumped on Edge, beating him back to the corner and  creaming Edge with a baseball slide followed by an Asai Moonsault to the outside. Styles committed to the Phenomenal Forearm too early and Edge countered with a boot to Styles’ injured shoulder. Edge continued to work on the shoulder, throwing Styles into the ring post. Edge tore the Kinesio tape off his opponent’s shoulder and continued to target the injured body part.

Following extended abuse to the shoulder, Styles managed to duck under one of Edge’s attacks and clock him with the Pele Kick. A double crossbody left both competitors reeling on the floor. “The Phenomenal” one tried for a fireman’s carry but his shoulder did not hold up. Styles found a more creative way to plant his foe. Styles mustered the energy to prop up Edge for the fireman’s carry into a shoulder breaker. Edge responded with a backbreaker variation into a crossface. Styles transitioned into his signature Calf Crusher and Edge managed to reach for the ropes to break the submission.

Styles restarted the action with a german suplex, before Edge held onto the corner turnbuckle pad and it tore it off. Styles dodged a spear and Edge went into the exposed buckle. Styles then got a two-count on the pinfall attempt. Edge slammed Styles. Edge set up for The Spear but Styles countered and planted Edge with the Styles Clash before Damian Priest emerged but remained on the aisle way as he was banned from ringside. Finn Balor appeared and attacked Priest. The chaos allowed a masked assailant to knock Styles off the top rope while the referee was distracted. Edge locked up a chokehold and Styles went unconscious. Rhea Ripley was revealed to be the masked woman, officially aligning with Edge’s Judgement Day stable. Edge and Styles pieced together a solid match. Ripley’s initiation into Edge’s stable plus Balor’s involvement in the feud give the match a half-grade bonus. Edge def. AJ Styles via pinfall. Grade: B+

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