8 Match Star Ratings For WWE Backlash 2020

5. Asuka Vs. Nia Jax - RAW Women's Championship Match

Asuka Nia Jax
WWE.com

Asuka knows how to work Nia Jax and extract something remotely worthy from her. This was trending in that direction before the f*cking finish, which, f*ck off. It's so typical of WWE's contemptuous booking approach that it barely warrants analysis.

"The Fed went carny again, vita sic est."

Here's what happened, and it's the sort of booking that euthanises fan investment: the programme was diminished on TV to such an extent that, when Nia Jax ran mandatory interference to promote this match on RAW, it felt like a surprise. Not through deft plotting, but because Charlotte Flair was positioned as the top contender before Nia Jax had the chance to lose.

And she didn't even lose, because nobody ever loses or wins. The feud WWE stopped caring about went to a count-out - one that made both Champion and challenger look particularly dumb because it's not as if they couldn't hear over the sound of around 17 performative robots in Edge t-shirts - and will continue. And, if they go in a Triple Threat direction, tough t*tties: they already did that match on RAW.

The match was boring when Nia Jax went through her slow and personality-devoid heat spot, and heated up when Asuka's explosive and convincing takedowns informed her comeback. The great work of a talented performer was weighed down by an over-pushed opponent and rancid booking.

Vita sic est.

Star Rating: ★★¾

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!