10 WWE Backlash 2020 Impulse Reactions
2. Edge Vs. Randy Orton
More on how effective this match was in satisfying the absurd brief in a moment, but first to a contest itself that had much to enjoy.
Away from the hyperbole, this was very much a case of two old pros not - to use Randy Orton's own tweet lingo - sh*tting the bed.
Paced well without ever getting particularly boring in the first 10 minutes, the pair rather elegantly got across 'The Viper's obvious advantages before Edge managed to lock a target on his opponent's arm and shoulder. He worked the body part and worked the body part and worked the body part until they accelerated the aggression after Orton was bloodied from a headbutt.
From here, the tone felt more violent and the action more frenetic. The pair found the right groove and were clearly in more of a mood for this fundamentally ridiculous thing to go well than poorly, building to a quality final third built upon neither knowing when to say when.
The stolen finisher near falls got great reactions late on though it was hard to tell if it was the fake crowd noises or the actual fake crowd. Orton's deadly punt was an inspired lethal weapon, not least after a low blow bought him the valuable space. Heelish but still hellish, this was an immensely satisfying conclusion to a match that, at very least, erased all derision towards their WrestleMania 36 clunker.