WWE Backlash 2018: Live stream, start time, match card and more
By Luke Norris
A look at the full match card, start time, live stream information and more for the 2018 edition of WWE Backlash.
For those wrestling fans not feeling overly exhausted by all the events we’ve gotten over the past month, we come to the now-dual-branded WWE Backlash, the event that usually follows WrestleMania. The women are back on the show with both titles being defended, which is two more than the tag division has on the line. However, we do get a random tag match in there so at least that’s something.
With Brock Lesnar once again out of the picture for a bit, there’s no WWE Universal Championship up for grabs, but we at least get a WWE Championship Match featuring Shinsuke Nakamura once again battling champion AJ Styles. The Intercontinental Championship is also on the line as Seth Rollins takes on The Miz, and a few grudge matches, including Samoa Joe vs. Roman Reigns, are on the docket as well.
Let’s take a look at everything you need to know for the 2018 edition of WWE Backlash.
Event info
Event: WWE Backlash
Date: Sunday, May 6
Venue: Prudential Center – Newark, New Jersey
Start time: 8:00 p.m. ET/5:00 p.m. PT
Live stream: WWE Network
Full match card
United States Champion Jeff Hardy vs. Randy Orton
I’ve been enjoying the recent United States Championship picture. Following the Fatal 4-Way at WrestleMania, Jinder Mahal switching shows and immediately losing the strap to Jeff Hardy and the rematch at the Greatest Royal Rumble, Randy Orton is back for another chance at it, and he’s got a little more edge to him than we’ve seen recently, which is playing well on television. This could be a fun match.
Braun Strowman & Bobby Lashley vs. Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn
There isn’t a ton of backstory to this match outside of Zayn being put “out of action” for the Greatest Royal Rumble and the six-man tag from Monday Night RAW, but it’s a way to get Braun Strowman and Bobby Lashley on the show. That’s really all there is to this.
Daniel Bryan vs. Big Cass
I can’t say that this is exactly what I imagined when I thought of Daniel Bryan’s return — or Big Cass for that matter — but this is a decent enough holdover for now. It’s got a little too much of the big man/little man thing going, something that’s been used way too often on Bryan over the years, but it could be worse. Neither can really afford a clean loss here, but I’d like to see a run-in from The Miz to cost DB the match.
SmackDown Women’s Champion Carmella vs. Charlotte Flair
This is Charlotte Flair’s automatic rematch after losing the SmackDown Women’s Championship two days after WrestleMania when Carmella finally cashed in her Money in the Bank briefcase. The contract signing was entertaining, and the hope here is that Charlotte can carry Carmella to a good match.
RAW Women’s Champion Nia Jax vs. Alexa Bliss
In a feud that should have ended the night after WrestleMania, we get the latest installment of the saga of Alexa Bliss and Nia Jax. This is Nia’s first title defense since dethroning Bliss in New Orleans, and she’ll hopefully get a chance to continue her reign. Bliss and Mickie James look like they’re going to have their hands full with Ronda Rousey and Natalya for a bit, and the title isn’t needed there just yet.
Intercontinental Champion Seth Rollins vs. The Miz
In one of two RAW vs. SmackDown battles, WWE Intercontinental Champion Seth Rollins defends against eight-time champion The Miz, who with one more IC title reign would tie Chris Jericho for the most in history. However, with him on the blue brand and seemingly ready to start mixing it up with Daniel Bryan, I wouldn’t bet on a win here. Seth Rollins has been a fantastic champion thus far and is the perfect person for that belt right now.
Roman Reigns vs. Samoa Joe
Samoa Joe has been nearly perfect since returning to action following a long layoff due to injury. His in-ring work has always been solid, but his mic work as of late has been some of the best of his long career. The way he’s been after Roman Reigns for not being able to beat Brock Lesnar has been brilliant, and with Roman having more of a chip on his shoulder after what happened in Saudi Arabia, this could be very physical and very entertaining.
WWE Champion AJ Styles vs. Shinsuke Nakamura (No Disqualification Match)
I won’t get into everything that doesn’t make sense about the booking of this match, but instead will sit back and enjoy the fact that AJ Styles and Shinsuke Nakamura are once again battling for the WWE Championship. What a time to be a wrestling fan, am I right?
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What are you most looking forward to at WWE Backlash? Feel free to join in the conversation in the comments section below.