Welcome to the SLTD PPV Rewind, a retrospective column looking back at the PPVs of 2006, a decade after they happened. This time it’s Backlash.
Chris Masters Vs. Carlito
The tag team imploded so here we have the inevitable ‘grudge’ match. Decent match with Carlito demonstrating some new additions to his move set (over the top rop plancha and moonsault) since his face turn. This match utilised the familiar smaller guy-underdog story with Chris Masters playing his role as the bigger, stronger and more difficult opponent very well.
Carlito wins after a backstabber, getting the pin by putting his feet on the ropes.
Rating: 3/5
Umaga Vs. Ric Flair
Umaga’s PPV debut and its underwhelming to say the least. Featuring a lot of Ric Flair ducking out of harm’s way and the early aspects of an athletic move set that would eventually make Umaga a solid all-rounder, this match is essentially the 16 time world champion being fed to the former Jamal.
Umaga wins after the Samoan spike.
Rating: 2/5
Women’s Championship: Trish Stratus vs. Mickie James
Wrestlemania rematch now, very aggressive outing from both who are demonstrating a capability to keep up with the male wrestlers on the card, similar to where we are now with the Women’s Revolution. A rather lackluster ending to this match halts the action just as it was about to get going which is a shame.
Trish Straus wins by DQ after the referee caught Mickie James choked Trish with an item of clothing. Mickie retains the Championship.
Rating: 2/5
Winner Takes All: Intercontinental Championship Vs. Money In The Bank: Shelton Benjamin Vs. Rob Van Dam
Fantastic match with both men displaying superb athleticism. RVD, as always, defies physics while Shelton proves why he was (and still could be) a great hand to have on the roster, just imagine him in NXT.
Plenty of high spots including a sick sunset flip powerbomb where Shelton dove over the top rope to catch RVD on the apron and one of Van Dam’s most well executed split legged moonsaults. Well worth checking out.
RVD wins the Intercontinental Championship and retains his Money In The Bank briefcase after hitting a huge five star frog splash.
Rating: 4/5
Kane Vs. Big Show
Yet another tag team implosion grudge match, the former seemingly indestructible pairing of Kane and Big Show were dethroned by five male cheerleaders. I’d be pissed too.
A very slow and methodical match between two behemoths which is the ultimate counterpart to the previous high paced athletic bout between Shelton & RVD. It’s also a victim of the abysmal May 19th storyline which ultimately declares the match a no contest after Kane writhes around the ring a bit to the sound of his own voice before Big Show hits him with a steel chair.
Rating: 2/5
Vince & Shane McMahon Vs. Shawn Michaels & God
“Shawn Michaels and the good god almighty versus me and the product of my semen” Thanks Vince.
So, imagine the car crash moments of Vince/HBK coupled with the inclusion of Shane O’Mac and ‘God’ and you have this match. Ultimately more of the same in the McMahon/HBK rivalry all with the added ridiculousness of having ‘God’ as an official participant in this match.
Vince & Shane win after Vince pins HBK following Spirit Squad interference.
Rating: 3/5
WWE Championship: Triple H vs. Edge Vs. John Cena
Typical Wrestlemania rematch albeit with the introduction of Edge since Mick Foley didn’t stick around after their great hardcore match at Mania.
Each man plays their specific roles well, Edge being the opportunist, biding his time, Triple H playing it smart as the Cerebral Assassin and Cena going to everything length to try and retain his championship, against all odds.
Good match with Edge adding enough difference to make this significantly different that the Cena/HHH bout from Wrestlemania 22. Cena wins after countering a pedigree into a jackknife rollup but the show closes with Triple H decimating Edge, Cena and the referee with a sledgehammer before hitting the trademark DX crotch chop to a huge pop, hinting at what is to come.
Rating: 4/5
Final Thoughts:
Solid championship matches and a middling undercard make this a middle of the road PPV outing, once again.
19/35 – C
2006 PPV Ranking:
- No Way Out – C
- Wrestlemania 22 – C
- Backlash – C
- Royal Rumble – C-
- New Year’s Revolution – D-
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