WWE Backlash Live Coverage

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WWE Backlash 2008 Live Coverage

(8:00PM): The show starts with a highlight reel of the buildup from WrestleMania to now. "Beware the backlash!"

Here come the fireworks! Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler welcome everyone to the show. They send it over to Tazz and Adamle, who send it over to Michael Cole and new Smackdown announcer.. Mick Foley.

The US Title match is up first as Matt Hardy makes his way to the ring.

Matt Hardy vs. MVP (US Title)

Hardy is in the ring and MVP comes out next, taking his sweet time getting to the ring. They do the introductions after both men are already in the ring.

(8:08) The bell rings and they lock up. Kick to Matt from MVP. MVP whips Matt into the ropes, but it's reversed. MVP escapes to the outside, but Matt brings him back in. Hip toss by Matt who gets a two count. Matt drops an elbow and goes for another pin. Matt slaps on a headlock, but MVP back him into the corner. MVP whips Hardy into the corner but is caught with a boot. Hardy hits an elbow to the back of the head for a two count.

MVP hits a suplex and covers for two. MVP now sets Matt up on the turnbuckle. Hardy knocks him off and goes for a moonsault, but MVP gets his knees up to block it.

MVP now has an arm lock on Matt. Crowd is urging Matt to fight, and he breaks out. MVP sends Matt back down to the canvas. MVP gets Matt in an abdominal stretch, grabbing the ropes for leverage. Hardy reverses it, picking up MVP and falling back on him. MVP with a belly to belly for a near fall. MVP now dropping elbows on Matt. The crowd starts a "Hardy" chant.

MVP takes Hardy down and bounces off the ropes, but Hardy catches him with a clothesline. Hardy with another clothesline and a bulldog. He gets a two count. Hardy goes for a side effect, but MVP breaks out and sends Matt tumbling. MVP goes for the playmaker, but Hardy reverses into a side effect. He covers for a two. Hardy up top now, but MVP counter with a drop kick and Matt falls on top of the rope. MVP sets up for a superplex, but Hardy hits a side effect from the second rope. Both men are now down. Hardy goes for a cover, but only gets two.

MVP now tries a backslide for a pin using the ropes, but the ref catches him. Hardy goes for a twist of fate, but it's countered. MVP kick Matt in the skull and Matt falls out of the ring.

Matt makes it back in the ring at a 9 count. MVP hits another kick to Matt. MVP sets up and hits another kick. He now barks at Matt to get back up. MVP is now measuring Matt. MVP goes for a kick, but gets caught on the rope. Matt hit a twist of fate on MVP. He covers him and gets the three! Matt Hardy is the new United States Champion at (8:21).

WINNER: Matt Hardy

Good match to start off the show.

JR and King encourage people to text in their votes as to who will win the fatal four way.

Eve Torres is backstage to interview new US Champ Matt Hardy. Eve is looking pretty good. Matt says he worked so hard to get here. He says it's the biggest win of his career and the best night of his life. He says to MVP, "I am better than you!"

Back to Tazz and Adamle for the ECW Championship match up next.

Chavo vs. Kane

Chavo makes his way to the ring with his bodyguard as they show highlights from ECW last week. Kane makes his way out next.

(8:28) They do the introductions like boxing again. Maybe this is just for title matches. The bell rings and Chavo goes for Kane's knee. Kane gets Chavo in the corner and start the fists. Kane hits a low drop kick. Kane then gets Chavo up on his back and tosses him. Big right hand from Kane to Chavo. Kane gets Chavo up in a gorilla press and sends him flying. Kane whips Chavo to the corner, but Chavo moves and takes Kane down. Chavo tries to take Kane off the rope, but Kane tosses him to the outside. Chavo jumps on to Kane from the apron, but Kane catches him and drives his spine into the apron. Kane tries to get back in the ring, but Chavo lands a dropkick to Kane's knee. Kane is now down while Chavo works on the knee, driving it into the ring apron.

Chavo drags Kane over to the ring post. Chavo distracts the ref while the bodyguard, Bam Neely, drives Kane's knee into the ring post. Chavo now locks in on Kane's knee until Kane kicks him off.

Chavo is now on the top ropes, but Kane catches him and has him on his shoulders. Kane falls back for an electric chair. Both men are down. Chavo gets up, but Kane grabs his throat. Chavo hits the ropes, but runs into a right hand. Kane hits a clothesline in the corner, followed by a sideslam. Cover for two. Kane now up top and hits the flying clothesline.

Chavo is now on top and jumps at Kane, but is caught and sent to the mat. Chavo now going for a suplex, but instead uses a leg takedown. Chavo goes to the top again, but Kane catches him by the throat. Kane climbs up the rope but in knocked down. Chavo tries a frog splash, but Kane catches him in a choke as he lands. Kane gets up and chokeslams Chavo, getting the three and the win at (8:36).

WINNER: Kane

Grisham is backstage with Randy Orton. Orton talks about the "age of Orton" and how he will walk out with his championship.

Next up is Big Show vs. Khali. According to the tale of the tape, both men are quite large.

Khali vs. Big Show

Khali is out first. Big Show is on the way next. He looks ready to go.

(8:43): The bell rings and Khali points at show and speaks gibberish. Show stares at him, then gets right in his face. They have a stare down until Khali shoves Show, who then shoves back. They start exchanging shots to the head. Big show starts hitting headbutts, followed by a big chop. Khali hits his own chop followed by a clothesline. Khali starts posing.

Big Show now goes for a slam, but Khali sends Show to the outside. Khali shoves Show into the ring post, then back into the ring. Khali now has a headlock on Show. This match is moving like molasses. There's also A LOT of grunting.

Show goes for another slam, but he can't hold it and Khali falls on Show. Khali now slaps on the nerve hold or more grunting. Show gets to his feet and breaks the hold. Show hits the ropes, but is hit with a chop to the head from Khali. "Boring" chants start from the crowd. Not ANOTHER hold!

Show tries for another bodyslam and finally gets it. He covers but only gets a two count. Show blocks the Khali bomb and hits a chokeslam. Show gets the pin and this match is mercifully over at (8:51).

WINNER: Big Show

John Cena is backstage talking with Jimmy Wang Yang. Orton comes up from behind and tells Cena that he is going to go home disappointed. Cena tells Orton he'll be going home a broken man.

Highlights of Shawn Michaels vs. Batista.

Batista vs. Shawn Michaels

Lilian introduces Chris Jericho as the special guest referee. Batista is now on his way.

Here comes HBK. The fans start HBK chants and out he comes.

(9:03) The bell rings and we are ready to get underway (finally). Batista has a smirk on his face as he tries to go for HBK's legs. Michaels is whaling on Batista with punches. He tries an early superkick, which Batista tries to turn into a Batista bomb, but Michaels gets to the outside.

Back in the ring, Michaels lands some kicks, but Batista takes him to the corner. Michaels whipped into the corner and hit with a clothesline. Batista tries the corner again, but Michaels gets the knees up and hits a chop block. Michaels now has an arm lock on Batista. Batista counters and tries to pick up Michaels, and does, sending both men to the outside of the ring.

Michaels sends Batista into the ring post hard. Back in the ring, Michaels is working Batista's damaged arm. Michaels gets Batista over the ropes and hangs from Batista's arm. HBK now going to the top rope and hits a double axe handle.

Batista now counters and sends Michaels into the corner for his signature flip, then nails HBK with a clothesline, sending HBK reeling. Batista now hits a powerslam and gets a two count. Now setting up for a Batista bomb, but Michaels slips out and locks in a crossface. Batista crawls to the ropes, but Michaels reverses into a cover for two, then immediately goes back to the crossface. Batista gets to the ropes, but Jericho has to break the hold, much to the disdain of Michaels. Batista sends Michaels into the rope, but HBL hits the flying clothesline. Michaels does his flip up, but is immediately met with a spear. Batista gets a near fall.

Michaels no gets to the top rope and hit the flying elbow. He now sets up for Sweet Chin Music. He goes for it, but Batista catches him with a spinebuster. Batista goes for a Batista Bomb, but Micheals goes down and clutches his knee. Jericho is holding Batista back, Michaels immediately pops up and nails a superkick on Batista. Playing possum works and Michaels gets the three count and the victory at 9:19).

WINNER: Shawn Michaels

Shawn Michaels is helped to the back by referees. Batista is still in the ring gathering himself. There didn't seem to be a need for Jericho as the referee. He had very little impact on the match.

Triple H is backstage when Orton comes in. Apparently Orton is visiting each of his opponents tonight.

Next is the divas match.

12-Diva Tag Team Match

The Heel divas come out first. Next we have Mickie James' team.

(9:26) Bell rings and Michelle and Beth start off. Michelle McCool is looking quite good. Melina is now in with Michelle. They are exchaning some kicks and forearms with an occasional dropkick. Mickie is now in with Melina. Melina tags in Natalya who looks like she was in Goldust's closet.

Now everything has gone crazy and divas are fighting everywhere. Now Jillian and Ashley are in. Ashley is in the corner getting pummeled by everyone. Glamazon is back in now. Ashley tries to get a tag but is pulled back. Beth nails Mickie, who gets pissed and comes back in to nail a ddt on Beth. VIctoria then hits a widow's peak on Mickie. Now all the divas are hitting finishers on each other.

Beth now gets Ashley in the fisherman suplex and that's it at (9:33). The heel divas win. This match was a little better than I expected.

WINNER: Team Glamazon

Some of the Baltimore Ravens are in the audience. Edge and Undertaker are next. Roll that highlight footage.

Edge vs. The Undertaker (World Championship)

Edge makes his way out alone. Now it's time for The Undertaker's awesome (but long) entrance.

(9:43) Introductions begin. Edge gets booed and Taker gets a huge pop. Taker mouths to Edge "I'm going to hurt you."

The bell rings and they lock up. Taker immediately sends Edge to the outside. Edge is back in and gets Taker in a headlock. Taker breaks out and Edge slides away to the corner. Taker with a few right hands on Edge. Edge to the corner and catches Taker with a boot. Edge is now landing shots on Taker, but Taker grabs edge and throws him into the corner to unload punches. Taker now wrenches the arm of Edge and takes him into the corner. Taker tries to set up old school, but Edge rakes the eyes. Edge clotheslines Taker to the outside and follows it with a baseball slide.

Taker gets edge up and drives him into the post, then the railing. Taker is now working on Edge and hits an apron leg drop.

Back in the ring, Edge is in control with a leg scissors around Taker's waste. Taker then breaks out and sends Edge into the ropes, who then counters with a drop kick to the back. Edge then lands a baseball slide to Taker's injured back. Edge now puts on a camel clutch. Taker tries to break out, and eventually does, but Edge gets right back on with another hold, but Taker gets Edge up and counters into a back drop.

Both men hit the ropes and collide with each other. They get up, but a double kick sends them both down again. Now both men are up exchanging right hands. Cheers for Taker and boos for Edge from the crowd. Taker takes down Edge with a hard punch, followed by snake eyes and an elbow drop. Taker gets a two count.

Taker tries old school again, but Edge scouts it. Now Edge sets up for a hurricanrana from the top rope, but Taker knocks him off. Taker is now perched on the top rope and tries for a flying elbow, but misses. Edge tries a cover but only gets two.

Edge grabs the belt, but Taker knocks it out of his hands. Taker tries a chokeslam, but it's reversed into a side leg sweep. Edge goes to the top, but is caught by the throat. Taker sends edge flying to the mat. He covers, but Edge gets his foot on the rope. Taker signals for a tombstone. Edge grabs the rope and pulls off the turnbuckle. Edge sends Taker's back into the exposed steel. The ref tries to fix the turnbuckle while Hawkins runs in and nails Taker with the belt. Edge pins, but only gets two.

Taker hits a DDT but gets a two. Taker now tries a Chokeslam, but Ryder breaks it up. Taker then tries a last ride, Edge counters, but falls right into Taker's triangle choke. Edge fights, but eventually taps out. Taker wins it at (10:02).

WINNER: The Undertaker

Taker leaves the hold on long after the bell. Vickie is wheeled to the ring by Theodore Long and Taker finally breaks the hold. Vickie tends to Edge, who is bleeding from the mouth. Paramedics come out with a stretcher to help Edge. Vickie is screaming in shock and telling Edge she loves him.

Orton is backstage at JBL door when CM Punk approaches. Punk wishes Orton luck and pats his money in the bank briefcase.

Fatal Four-Way (WWE Championship)

It's almost time for the final match, after the highlight package of course.

Lilian announces that this match will be an elimination match. Triple H is out first. The white limo is out next and JBL steps out. The back of his jacket has a logo for his Mama Juana energy drink that no one will buy.

Cena makes his way out to his usual mixed crowd reaction. Orton comes out last. He walks to the ring very, very slowly.

(10:20) Everyone has finally made it to the ring and Lilian introduces each wrestler.

We have the bell, Orton grabs the title belt and tries to nail JBL with it, but JBL meets Orton with a boot and he falls to the outside. Orton grabs a chair while the other three go at it in the ring. Cena is now going at Triple H. Cena is sent to the outide and JBL goes after Triple H.

Cena sees that Orton is just hanging out on the outside and rushes him. Cena gets knocked into the announce table. JBL and Orton now work together on Triple H. Triple H comes back and sends Orton into the ring post. He then sends JBL into the ring steps HARD.

Cena gets back in it and starts going at Orton in the ring. Cena hits a leg drop off the top rope. He then gets Orton in the STFU. JBL comes in, but stops and taunts Orton while he's in the hold, yelling at him to tap. Triple H comes in from behind and puts JBL in a crossface. Orton breaks out and is now yelling at JBL. Cena hits Orton from behind and the holds are broken.

JBL is now landing rights to Orton in the corner. Orton counters JBL with a clothesline. He goes to the top, but JBL hangs him out to dry. JBL tries for a superplex, and nails it with an assist from Cena and Triple H.

Cena and Triple H are now quickly exchanging punches. Cena takes the advantage and hits a suplex. Two count.

Cena is now in control with a "you can't see me." He tries a five knuckle shuffle but is met with a Double A spinebuster. Triple H tries a predigree but is countered into an FU, which is also countered. JBL gets the FU, followed by an STFU. JBL finally taps and is eliminated. Orton immediately hits a kick to Cena's head and covers for three.

Both JBL and John Cena have been eliminated.

Triple H and Orton have a stare down before going at it. Triple H takes the advantage with a suplex and a knee drop. Cover for two.

Orton charges and is sent to the outside by Triple H. Trips slams Orton's head into the announce table. Orton then reverses and sends Triple H into the ring steps. Orton then catapults Triple H over the barrier and into the crowd. Orton then suplexes Triple H back to ringside from the crows. Orton takes time to pose.

Orton rolls Triple H back into the ring and covers for two. Orton is now working Triple H's midsection with kicks and punches. Orton put all his weight on Triple H's midsection in the corner. Orton covers again for two.

Orton continues to be in control. Triple H tries to fight back, but Orton hits his inverted back breaker for a two count. Orton gets Triple H in a sleeper hold.

Triple H finally breaks out, but is met with a powerslam from Orton. Orton is now stalking Triple H for an RKO. He goes for it, but Triple H counters and throws Orton across the ring. Both men are down. The ref is counting, even though the match can't end on a draw.

Triple H now comes back with a high knee, followed by a facebuster. He covers but only gets two. Triple H then clotheslines Orton to the outside. He then throws Orton over the announce table. Triple H slams Orton's head into another Table, but Orton later counters and sends Triple H into the guard rail. Orton now has the ring steps and is setting Triple H up for a piledriver on them. Triple H counters and sends Orton back-first onto the steps.

Back in the ring, Triple H hits another spine buster. He goes for the pedigree, but Orton counters with a flip. Orton tries an RKO, but is sent into the referee. Orton then hits an RKO for real this time. Orton crawls to make the cover, but he only gets TWO.

Orton is now standing over Triple H, setting up for a kick. Triple H moves and goes for a pedigree (countered), RKO (countered), PEDIGREE. Triple H hits it and covers Orton. 1...2...3! Triple H wins the title at (10:50).

WINNER: Triple H

Triple H is now a 12-time World Champion. He poses in the ring with his new title. Pyro and confetti shoot off as Backlash goes off the air...

Overall this was not a bad PPV. The title matches made up for some of the slowness in the beginning. Tomorrow night's Raw should be interesting, especially with the return of Mr. Kennedy.

Join us on May 18th for our coverage of WWE Judgement Day.

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In addition to live coverage of each WWE PPV, Mahalo will be releasing a "Best of" list the week leading up to each show. Check out this month's list, Best Wrestling Entrances.

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