8 Match Star Ratings For WWE Backlash 2020

6. Sheamus Vs. Jeff Hardy

Asuka Nia Jax
WWE.com

It's harsh that Sheamus will be remembered for unlocking every achievement when the competition was at its weakest - his body of work betrays the nominally impressive lack of accolades - because he is really, really good at this at a midcard level.

In the early going, in an attempt to subdue Hardy to the mat, he was so subtly nasty with his movements. Grinding Hardy's ears with his fists in the grapple, pulling at his hair, he does the little things so well and so in character. You'd hate a shift wrestling Sheamus. He makes it look like an unpleasant ordeal, where so many other wrestlers go through the motions of the moments that most barely pay no attention to. Hardy registered everything very well with his distinct, superb selling ability, and it's a shame, because all anybody will ever remember is the piss.

This wasn't a banger or anything, but it was convincing, well-worked midcard fare, the excitement around which was further diminished by the haunting, mundane familiarity. These men have played close versions of these characters for so many years that, twinned with the venue, it felt much like the twilight years of a downsized band still stubbornly pumping out 6.5/10 studio albums.

The finish was really well done for a dumb idea. There can never be a happy ending.

Star Rating: ★★★¼

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!