WWE Backlash 2024: 10 Nightmares That Could Come True

3. Lack Of True Story Bites

WWE Backlash 2024 France Cody Rhodes
WWE.com

This has kinda been explored in earlier entries too, but it's time for a deeper dive.

Yours truly is often outspoken about the lack of meaningful story heading into some AEW pay-per-views. Tony Khan promotes more of an exhibition-style "dream match" factory, and that doesn't always jive with hot storytelling on par with the recent Cody Rhodes vs. Roman Reigns stuff. However, it'd be unfair to pretend that Backlash 2024 is heavy on story.

If anything, Cody working AJ Styles is more in-tune with something Khan would book. That isn't always the worst plan for 'B' tier PLEs, but exactly none of the five announced bouts for France have any long-term story build to speak of. This could have a negative knock-on effect that furthers the 'is this just gonna be a house show?' worry.

Rhodes vs. Styles has been put together quickly, ditto for Damian Priest vs. Jey Uso, and there's nothing else on the card that has the same weight to it as 'Mania tales did. Perhaps that was always going to be the case, but it's worth pointing out anyway.

Story is king, and helps a show stand out from the crowd.

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Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.