What Happened Last Night: WWE WrestleMania Backlash 2021
Sheamus def. Ricochet to retain US Championship
Rhea Ripley vs. Asuka vs. Charlotte Flair - Raw Women’s Championship
via WWE
Ripley’s first challenge came at the hands of two of the best women’s wrestlers in the world today, and this match highlighted all of their abilities.
The pace and energy of this match was high, spots aplenty.
Result: Flair was nearly victorious, but Rhea Ripley was able to squeak out a tough win.
Thoughts: It’s clear that Ripley’s next opponent will be Charlotte Flair, and that’s a rematch I’ve personally been waiting all year for.
Dominick and Rey Mysterio vs. The Dirty Dawgz (c) - SmackDown Tag Team Championships
via WWE
Rey and Dominick Mysterio finally get the match they’ve been looking to earn for months now, and an opportunity to make history.
There are plenty of fathers and sons in wrestling, plenty of multi-generational talents. But no father-son duo have ever been tag team champions together…until now.
Despite Dominick being attacked during the kickoff show, Rey fought himself out of a corner plenty of times until Dominick was able to make his way into the match.
Result: Dominick hits a frog splash on Robert Roode for the victory, as he and his father become champions.
Thoughts: There was a beautiful moment post-match that Rey and Dominick shared, that illustrated to me exactly why Dominick followed in his father’s footsteps. I’d urge anyone to watch this, wrestling fan or not.
Damian Priest vs. The Miz - Lumberjack Match
via WWE
There were uhh…there were zombie lumberjacks.
Miz and Priest even briefly teamed up just to keep from being…eaten? Sure, eaten.
Result: Damian Priest defeats The Miz and survives the zombie apocalypse.
Thoughts: WWE will do anything for a buck. @NetflixFilm #ArmyoftheDead #BrandPartnership
Bianca Belair (c) vs. Bayley - Smackdown Women’s Championship
via WWE
Bianca was overly confident and aggressive in the early going, which you don’t often see from a babyface in WWE.
For every big move that Belair looked to build from, Bayley had a way to regain control, using her veteran know-how to her advantage as she bent the rules throughout.
Belair pinned Bayley, but it looked as though her shoulders were not fully down.
Result: Bianca Belair defeats Bayley and keeps her title.
Thoughts: Good match, definitely leading up to a rematch with a more definitive outcome. I love Belair’s progress as champion in the last month or so.
Bobby Lashley (c) vs. Drew McIntyre vs. Braun Strowman - WWE Championship
via WWE
Drew McIntyre threw Bobby Lashley through the LED screens at the top of the stage and proceeded to go to war with Braun Strowman.
This match was heavy-handed and violent, but as it seemed McIntyre was going to reclaim the WWE Championship, Bobby Lashley reappeared and stole the victory. The Almighty Champion dumped McIntyre out of the ring and hit a massive spear on Strowman for the win.
Result: Bobby Lashley retains the WWE Championship.
Thoughts: This was a war of true heavyweights. Sure. But it wasn’t your grandpa’s heavyweight match. These guys all came out with their best stuff, Braun and Drew specifically showed that super-heavyweights can move like athletes too.
Roman Reigns (c) vs. Cesaro - Universal Championship
Cesaro came out more fired up than ever. Roman Reigns entered with laser focus and refused to have either of his cousins by his side.
We saw some signs of struggle from Reigns, which caused him to confer with his council, Paul Heyman early on.
Roman target Cesaro’s right arm throughout the match, but Cesaro still ALMOST put him away with just one arm.
Despite a herculean effort, Cesaro is unable to defeat The Tribal Chief.
Result: Roman Reigns chokes out Cesaro to retain his Universal Championship.
Thoughts: Telling the story of Cesaro fighting for his life with just one arm went a long way. It highlighted the pure pound-for-pound strength and gritty resiliency of Cesaro. Some are calling this match a potential Match of the Year contender.
After the match, Jey Uso came down to the ring and attacked Cesaro. And then Seth Rollins came and did the same, but with a steel chair.