10 Expectations Vs. Reality For WWE Backlash 2020

4. Bobby Lashley Vs. Drew McIntyre

Backlash Expectation Reality
WWE.com

Expectation:

Two shredded, powerful hoss bastards (or bathturds) smashing the absolute sh*t out of each other, helpfully compensating for the lack of a crowd by doing so really, really hard. The plexiglass stuff will get over-used, as WWE gradually loses sight of its purpose when hand prints and dried spittle are splattered all over it - but use it here, for Christ's sake. It should look like these two big units are simply unable to be contained by the flimsy dividers, which should collapse on impact to gloriously violent visual and auditory effect.

This isn't some romantic projection of a beef-slapper WWE tends not to promote; they've been laying it in on WWE TV in the Empty Arena Era, so it's not unreasonable to expect an actual HOSS FIGHT~!

Reality:

They've built the match around the Claymore versus the full nelson, which is actually refreshing - a wrestling match, built on wrestling strategy! - but WWE's on-the-nose approach to storytelling may well render this a tiring, basic match driven by the slow comeback, as Drew McIntyre histrionically draws on the support of...

...Robert Stone wearing a Braun Strowman t-shirt.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!