6 Match Star Ratings For WWE WrestleMania Backlash 2022
4. Edge Vs. AJ Styles
This match really wasn't helped by the opener because it strove for a similar sense of gravitas - and failed.
Where Cody and Rollins effectively conveyed a sense of importance with the sheer spirit behind everything they did, Edge and AJ for the second consecutive "Premium Live Event" thought their match was important because they took an eternity to do anything in the spaces between moves. They very much abused the making-everything-matter principle, yet again, wrestling under the belief that the fans were deeply invested in their storyline. They aren't. The piped-in crowd effects on TV can't obscure this.
The slow, drab pace only masqueraded as weighty, important storytelling, and it was almost annoying when Edge and AJ showed off their advanced grasp of the working art deep into the match as a result. AJ rolled back the years with a stunning aerial, which Edge caught as safely as you'll see in the North American scene without detracting from impactful it looked. When they're great, they're great, but so much of this just existed.
Generally, it was a match in which every move happened in a sensible order and was sold very well, but it was just...boring, lacking in as much dynamism as soul.
WrestleMania Backlash drew very little interest for its rematch-heavy premise. Between the scaled-back action and second consecutive interference finish, in which it was clear that this was always trending towards the trilogy, this was the most WrestleMania Backlash match to ever WrestleMania Backlash.
Star Rating: ★★¾