WWE Backlash 2018

A video package runs hyping Nia Jax vs. Alexa Bliss tonight.

RAW Women’s Championship
Nia Jax (c) vs. Alexa Bliss

We get ring introductions for the challenger Alexa Bliss and champion Nia Jax.

Bliss goes for a low dropkick right away on Jax and tries to take her back. Jax flips Bliss down on the mat. Bliss with more low kicks and appears to rake the eyes of Jax. Jax with a headbutt and corner splash on Bliss. Jax with a second corner splash and tosses Bliss aside. Bliss with a low dropkick to take Jax off her feet and then kicks her in the face from the ring apron. Bliss chokes Jax over the second rope using her boot. Bliss with slaps to the face of Jax. Jax levels Bliss. Jax misses a rolling senton attempt. Bliss with knees to the body of Jax. Jax has Bliss on her shoulders. Bliss drops down and puts Jax in a headlock. Bliss gets a front face lock applied, but Jax drives her into the corner to break it up. Bliss is continuing to go for the headlock. Jax flips Bliss off the top rope to the mat below. Jax with corner splashes and continues tossing Bliss across the ring. Jax is looking to jump off the second rope over Bliss, but Bliss stands up and dumps Jax over the top rope to the outside. Bliss with a DDT to Jax over the steel steps. Bliss is having trouble lifting Jax up into the ring. Bliss finally gets her in and only gets a two count off a pinfall attempt. Jax is back up and has Bliss on her shoulders. Jax is trying to bring her up to the ropes. Bliss breaks free and kicks away the leg of Jax causing her to crash back. Bliss gets a close two count. Jax has Bliss back up and connects with a samoan drop to get the pinfall.

Winner and still RAW Women’s Champion: Nia Jax

Backstage, Samoa Joe says Roman Reigns has lost his confidence. “Tonight he is a man who loses to me. Tonight I turn the Big Dog in the whimpering puppy.”

WWE United States Championship
Jeff Hardy (c) vs. Randy Orton

Lock up and Orton throws an elbow to Hardy during a waist lock attempt. Hardy catches Orton with a dropkick that sends Orton out of the ring. Hardy with a dropkick through the ropes that catches Orton. Hardy catches Orton with a jumping clothesline off the ring apron. Back inside, Orton gets Hardy up in the tree of woe and stomps away. Orton with a quick uppercut to Hardy who falls to the outside. Hardy catches Orton with a jumping side kick into the barricade on the outside. Hardy bounches Orton off the steel steps at ringside and tosses him back inside the ring. Orton with a big dropkick to Hardy that sends him flying off the ring apron. On the outside, Orton repeatedly drops Hardy off the ring barricade. Orton gets a two count off a pinfall attempt back inside the ring. New Jersey starting up a loud “RUSEV DAY” chant as Hardy connects with an atomic drop, low blow leg drop and dropkick to Orton for another two count. Hardy avoids an RKO attempt, but Orton comes back connecting with his snap powerslam for a two count. Hardy misses his corner dropkick when Orton moves. Orton drops Hardy with his DDT off the ropes. Hardy connects with a Twist of Fate and then a Swanton Bomb. Hardy picks up the pinfall.

Winner and still WWE United States Champion: Jeff Hardy

Elias tries to put on a concert in New Jersey

Elias is sitting inside the ring with his guitar. He talks about being friends with Bruce Springsteen and how Bruce didn’t really like New Jersey either. Elias asks the fans to silence all cell phones and hold applause. They cheer very loud instead. Elias teases that he is going to leave and New Jersey gives this a positive reaction.

The New Day quickly interrupts Elias. Big E is holding a big drum, while Kofi Kingston has cymbals. Xavier Woods says they are actually big fans of his work. Elias wants to know why they are out here. New Day suggested a co-brand band with Elias tonight. Elias reminds them he is a solo act. New Day starts playing the instruments loudly.

Elias tells them to stop. He wants JoJo to take it from the top again and dim the lights. Aiden English walks out to interrupt. He reminds us today is Rusev Day. Rusev refers to Elias as a bootleg Bob Dylan and New Day as the Booty Boys. Elias wants his concert to be restarted. No Way Jose interrupts instead, with Titus Worldwide and Breezango.

Elias again demands his concert get restarted. Bobby Roode interrupts with his “Glorious” theme playing. Roode is in the ring and takes out Elias with his Glorious DDT.

A video package runs hyping Daniel Bryan vs. Big Cass tonight.

Daniel Bryan vs. Big Cass

Bryan with a kick early to the repaired knee of Cass. Cass with a forearm to the back of Bryan when Bryan goes for a takedown. Bryan dumps Cass over the top rope and connects with a dropkick through the ropes. Bryan catches Cass with a flying knee off the ring apron. Back inside, Bryan goes up top and connects with a dropkick to the chest of Cass. Bryan with his Yes Kicks to the chest of Cass. Cass cuts off the finishing kick lifting Bryan up and back down hard on the mat. Cass with a big chop to the chest of Bryan. Cass with another chop to Bryan. Cass drops a quick elbow over Bryan for a two count. Cass has Bryan up on his right shoulder applying pressure, but Bryan breaks free and gives Cass a drop toe hold into the bottom turnbuckle. Bryan with kicks to Cass in the corner. Bryan with a corner dropkick, a second corner dropkick and misses a third when Cass drops him down over the mat. Cass with a big clothesline that levels Bryan. More clotheslines from Cass. Bryan with a head kick after Cass misses a big boot. Bryan has Cass down on the mat. Bryan is trying to apply the Yes Lock. Bryan with forearms to the face of Cass. Yes Lock is in. Cass taps.

Winner: Daniel Bryan

After the match, Big Cass attacks Daniel Bryan and tosses him around at ringside. New Jersey starts a loud “YOU TAPPED OUT” chant. Back inside, Cass levels Bryan with a big boot. Cass celebrates holding his arm in the air.

A video package runs hyping Carmella vs. Charlotte Flair.

Smackdown Women’s Championship
Carmella (c) vs. Charlotte Flair

Charlotte with a strut early. Carmella struts back. Charlotte with a big boot that drops Carmella early. Carmella grabs her championship at ringside and yells, “I’m the champ. I don’t need this!” Charlotte jumps out and runs down Carmella throwing her to the floor. Charlotte tosses Carmella inside the ring, throws a kick and goes for a small package for a two count. Charlotte with more quick covers. Carmella avoids a Figure Four setup, but eats a clothesline when she jumps back up. Carmella bails and Charlotte jumps out. Carmella moves and levels Charlotte with a quick superkick. Carmella with a headlock. Charlotte breaks free and Carmella catches her with a quick head kick. Carmella with a counter and starts slapping away at Charlotte on the mat. Carmella pulls back on the arms of Charlotte and stomps away at her back. Charlotte with a standing STO to break it up. Charlotte with chops to Carmella. Charlotte with a knee to the back of Carmella’s neck. Carmella blocks a boot on the ring apron and drops Charlotte down. Charlotte with a spear catching Carmella. Carmella gets her Code of Silence submission applied. Charlotte fights out and catches Carmella with a big boot. Charlotte goes for a moonsault off the top rope. Carmella moves. Charlotte lands and grabs her knee. Carmella kicks the knee and rolls her up for the win.

Winner and still Smackdown Women’s Champion: Carmella

A video package runs previewing AJ Styles vs. Shinsuke Nakamura tonight.

WWE Championship – No DQ Rules
AJ Styles (c) vs. Shinsuke Nakamura

We get ring introductions for the challenger Shinsuke Nakamura and champion AJ Styles.

Nakamura bails when the bell rings. Styles follows him out. Nakamura mocks Styles from back inside the ring. Styles pulls Nakamura out and tosses him into the barricades. Styles then sends Nakamura into an announce table at ringside. Back inside, Styles with rights and kicks to Nakamura in the corner followed by a snapmare into a kick to the back. Styles with a quick backbreaker to Nakamura. Styles catches Nakamura with a dropkick. On the outside, Styles sends Nakamura into the ring barricade and the connects with a jumping splash. Styles misses a second splash attempt when Nakamura moves. Nakamura launches Styles at the steel steps and Styles connects right on his knee. Nakamura drapes Styles over the ring apron and drops a knee over his neck. Nakamura with kicks to the body of Styles and then chokes Styles with his boot in the opposite corner. Nakamura with a huge kick that drops Styles right away. Nakamura drops Styles with a high back body drop. Nakamura throws big knees into the face and ribs of Styles. On the outside, Nakamura dumps Styles into the timekeepers area. Styles catches himself and tries to springboard up, but Nakamura trips him up and tosses him back inside the ring. Nakamura with a Dragon Sleeper applied on Styles. Nakamura counters a Styles springboard and props him up on the top turnbuckle, connecting with his high knee. Nakamura catches Styles with a jumping knee from the second rope for a two count. Nakamura plants Styles with a sitdown scoop slam for a two count. Nakamura grabs a steel chair from ringside. Styles avoids a shot, but eats a big side kick from Nakamura. Nakamura with a reverse exploder on Styles over the steel chair and Styles still kicks out. Styles grabs the steel chair and throws it at the knee of Nakamura when he attempted a Kinshasa. The chair bounced off the cheek of Styles and he gets busted open. A bloody Styles gets Nakamura locked in the Calf Crusher. Nakamura counters into a triangle choke. Styles goes for a Styles Clash, but Nakamura breaks free. Nakamura is back in and Styles connects with a flying forearm to the back of Nakamura’s neck. Styles catches Nakamura with a Pele Kick. Nakamura with the low blow. Styles responds with a low blow of his own! Styles and Nakamura are up exchanging shots. Both go for and connect with double low blow kicks! Both men are down. The referee starts the count. Neither are getting up. The referee reaches 10 and calls for the bell.

The referee leaves the ring and has a conversation with the announcer.

Styles will retain the championship via double count out.

Winner: No Contest (Double Count Out)
Still WWE Champion: AJ Styles

Braun Strowman is headed to the ring next.

Braun Strowman and Bobby Lashley vs. Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn

We start with Bobby Lashley and Sami Zayn. Lock up as Lashley pushes Zayn to the corner. Zayn breaks free and slaps the chest of Lashley a few times. Lashley catches Zayn with a shoulder tackle. Zayn rolls to the corner and tags in Kevin Owens. Owens catches Lashley with a boot in the corner, but Lashley fires back with a swinging neckbreaker. Tag to Zayn who eats a clothesline from Lashley who leaped over Zayn to set that up. Lashley throws big elbows at Zayn in the corner. Zayn bails to take a breather at ringside. A distraction from Owens allows Zayn to bounce the face of Lashley off the top rope. Owens with a senton splash over Lashley on the floor and then tosses him inside the ring throwing kicks. Tag to Zayn who throws right hands over Lashley. Lashley plants Zayn face first. Tag to Owens who cuts off a hot tag to Strowman. Lashley gets his knees up when Owens goes for another senton splash. Hot tag to Strowman. Strowman with repeated clotheslines to Owens. Strowman splashes Owens in the corner. Zayn is about to get in and he bails. Strowman is chasing Zayn. Strowman levels Owens as he chases Zayn around the ring. Strowman launches Zayn into the barricade. Strowman levels Owens with a clothesline on the outside. Strowman tosses Owens back in. Strowman hits the ring post when Owens moves. Tag to Zayn who goes for a Helluva Kick, but counters when Strowman catches him and bails. Owens stops Zayn from jumping over the barricade to leave. Owens is yelling at Zayn to stay and fight. Zayn tosses Owens inside the ring. Strowman with a big forearm to the chest of Owens. Owens rolls out, grabs Zayn and tosses him inside the ring. Zayn picks Owens up and then slaps him. Zayn tries to apologize. Zayn bails. Lashley gets tagged in. Strowman splashes Owens and Lashley hits a spinebuster on Owens. Lashley picks up Owens, holds him in a vertical suplex and drops him down hooking the leg for the win.

Winners: Braun Strowman and Bobby Lashley

After the match, commentary points out Sami Zayn was actually the legal man. Strowman jumps out and tosses Owens back in. Strowman with a running powerslam on Owens. Strowman also goes after Zayn and gives him a running powerslam as well.

A video package runs hyping tonight’s Roman Reigns vs. Samoa Joe main event.

Note: They are going pretty long tonight with the main event starting at 11:05 p.m. ET.

Roman Reigns vs. Samoa Joe

Samoa Joe with a quick right before the bell even rings. They brawl through the ropes to the outside. Roman Reigns is throwing shots back. Joe sends Reigns into the barricade. Joe then quickly plants Reigns through an announce table at ringside! Joe picks up Reigns and tosses him over the middle announce table. Joe tosses Reigns over the third announce table. Joe slides back inside the ring as the referee tries to get him to stop.

Joe grabs Reigns and tosses him inside the ring. The referee is checking on Reigns. Reigns is up in the corner and tells the referee he is ready to go.

The bell rings and Joe steps forward with jabs to Reigns in the corner. Joe has Reigns down and his working his neck and head. Joe breaks the hold and throws a big kick to the arm of Reigns. Reigns fights to his feet throwing rights. Joe with his kick to the head in the corner on Reigns that results in a two count. Joe with a knee to the chest and goes back to the headlock on Reigns. Reigns again fights to his feet throwing body shots. Joe bounces the jaw of Reigns off the top rope and then takes out Reigns with a big suicide dive. Back inside, Joe goes back to the headlock to keep Reigns grounded. Reigns fights to his feet and catches Joe with a big boot sending Joe to the outside. Reigns catches Joe with the drive by dropkick over the ring apron. Reigns is throwing clotheslines in the corner to Joe, hits the ropes and Joe catches Reigns with an inverted atomic drop. Joe connects with his running boot and senton splash combo for a two count. Joe gets another boot up in the corner, but Reigns powers through with a spinebuster. Joe goes for his rear naked choke, but Reigns breaks free and bails. Joe is hanging over the apron. Reigns jumps at Joe and Joe catches him in a sleeper. Joe pulls Reigns in. Reigns with a Superman. Joe kicks out. “RUSEV DAY” chants starting up again. Reigns goes for a spear. Joe connects with a kick. Reigns bounces back and catches Joe with a spear this time. Joe gets his foot on the bottom rope to break up the pinfall attempt. Joe is going for the rear naked choke again. Reigns flips back keeping the shoulders of Joe down for a two count. Reigns with a roll up. Joe counters back into his rear naked choke. Reigns fights to the ropes to break it up. Commentary notes the referee could have called that in favor of Joe. Joe gets Reigns propped up top for a Muscle Buster. Reigns fights his way off the turnbuckle flipping forward, charges and catches Joe with a huge spear. Reigns gets the pinfall victory.

Winner: Roman Reigns

Quick Match Results:

* Seth Rollins def. The Miz to retain the WWE Intercontinental Championship
* Nia Jax def. Alexa Bliss to retain the RAW Women’s Championship
* Jeff Hardy def. Randy Orton to retain the WWE United States Championship
* Daniel Bryan def. Big Cass
* Carmella def. Charlotte Flair to retain the Smackdown Women’s Championship
* AJ Styles vs. Shinsuke Nakamura went to a No Contest via a Double Count Out, Styles retains the WWE Championship
* Braun Strowman and Bobby Lashley def. Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn
* Roman Reigns def. Samoa Joe