6 Match Star Ratings For WWE WrestleMania Backlash 2022

6. Cody Rhodes Vs. Seth Rollins

This was tremendous: just a great, very accomplished and deeply impressive professional wrestling match on multiple levels.

Stripped of the dual luxury that was the surreal, game-changing circumstances and big-time stadium atmosphere of WrestleMania, Cody and Seth had to work within a more normalised context. This was the real test of Cody's ability to get and stay over within a WWE system that makes getting over far more difficult than it needs to be - and he passed it in what was a rip-roaring, unqualified success. This thing just clicked so much that they feel like they were born to rival one another.

The word rival is used deliberately.

This was up there with Cody's most admirable career accomplishments; the man unfairly criticised throughout his AEW run as heavily reliant on the blade, fire and various other shortcuts showed that he can tell a pure wrestling story as well as anybody. The story of the match saw Seth, having time to prepare, counter almost everything Cody attempted in the opening phase. Without bleeding or rushing through anything, Cody and Seth told a focused story worked at an engaging pace. The tone was especially impressive; this felt like an ultra-competitive battle between two very prideful performers desperate to win and showing that intent to win throughout. It was built quite brilliantly - they never once lost a super-heated crowd - and it was a distinctly WWE match.

It was almost more impressive for how resourceful it was; head drops rule, but you don't get them in WWE. Cody and Seth didn't need them.

They succeeded in working a terrific match that felt as important to them as anything they'd fought for in their careers.

Star Rating: ★★★★½