8 Match Star Ratings For WWE Backlash 2020

7. Triple Threat Women's Tag Team Championship Match

Asuka Nia Jax
WWE.com

This was a disappointment, narratively, but it over-delivered in terms of action.

There was lots of narrative ground to explore, given that two of the teams involved are on the cusp of a split. There was little in the way of miscommunications, outright errors, stern blind tag-ins - anything that might advance, even subtly, the wider tensions involving the IIconics and Bayley and Sasha Banks. Instead, the plot threads were mostly abandoned - there's always some exposition-heavy TV to burn through - and the three teams instead worked a furious sprint that while choppy and not exhilarating was enjoyable for more than its atypical novelty of a layout.

Bayley's trash talk started to grate after a while, but the match didn't outstay its welcome at just under nine minutes, which was smartly judged; it didn't unnecessarily over-expose Peyton Royce, who looked impressive in a more serious role.

But isn't this the company that makes movies?

Instead, this was a wonky but admirable banger simulation that, and this trope is very damaging, framed its winners (and ostensible Champions) as total chancers.

Star Rating: ★★★

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!