The ‘Greatest Wrestling Match Ever’ has already happened…
The greatest matches in @WWE history?
— WWE on BT Sport (@btsportwwe) June 9, 2020
Pick three, the rest are erased from history 😳#WWEBacklash pic.twitter.com/G76QR3NEC6
Wait a minute … what kind of weird time warp are we living in? Oh, yeah. That’s right, the coronavirus one.
So, WWE Backlash 2020 is already on the reels. It filmed a couple of days ago. So, I don’t know about you but just knowing that I’ll be watching a taped rerun of an even takes all the luster. Like, I was so excited … and now I don’t even care.
Surely, match details will be leaked on Reddit. I wonder how this will affect the betting odds. So let’s pop over and check … Oh, what do you know … the sportsbooks have pulled all of the betting lines. Because there are too many people wandering around with too much information. Ok. There were brand new picks for backlash, but we’ll have to check back at SBR for picks on SummerSlam. Hopefully, it won’t be tape-delayed again.
Ok, so let’s get into the news.
Strange Things Abrew with NXT
Apparently, during the Backlash taping, MVP referred to the assembly as NXT Superstars while cutting a promo with Kevin Dunn. But the moment he said it, Kevin buzzed over the feed and said –- paraphrased– ‘You’re going to have to do that again. They are not NXT Superstars, they are Performance Center Recruits.’
It just seems weird. How much does the WWE value the NXT brand? I mean, there are some NXT Superstars … Malcolm Bivens was in the crowd just the other week. So, why would they want to psychologically diminish the star-power of NXT to the viewership? Anyhow, it seems like a petty choice of words on the part of Kevin Dunn … or perhaps Vince MacMahon.
Or are they just gearing up for a rivalry between NXT and Raw? After all, Randy Orton just tweeted “Heard #WWENXT #TakeoverinYourHouse was great! Slappin my leg for you guys, Sincerely #legslap. So, Orton was digging at Tommaso Ciampa and the NXT boys and girls over the little old school, ouchy, leg slap.
Sasha Banks Hates Raw
OK … so maybe hates is overstating it … and maybe saying that she dislikes Raw in general is also overstating … but she wasn’t happy with the way last week worked out. This is what she had to say: “The energy on raw is not really for me. #LegitBoss #SmackDownLIVE #Sage” – So I guess the red brand isn’t cool enough for the boss.
She recently lost that Triple Threat match… But apparently, she’ll be back in Backlash… or has already been back at Backlash – this is so confusing– to do battle with the Ilconics and Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross with her partner Bayley.
So, what does this cryptic tweet mean? There are inter-brand matches quite often … so is this a dramatic set-up for Banks making a move to Raw and then turning heel due to being disgruntled? Well, we’ll have to wait and see how Backlash turns out … or just check Reddit after you read this … and see how this all plays out.
Mike Knox Refuses Raw Contract
According to wrestling inc, WWE recently contacted Mike Knox to offer him a return to the ring. However, Knox did no slighting in his statement about his lack of desire to return to the Raw brand. He said that he kindly declined the offer put forth by Mark Carrano because, at 38, his body just isn’t up to the task any longer. He seemed appreciative of the full-time offer, but he wishes to remain semi-retired and work the indie-scene, picking and choosing when he works.
That’s it for the news today. Be sure to tune in and pay for a Backlash Pay Per View event that isn’t even live on June 14th. Yes, I know I’m being obnoxious with the whole pre-taped thing … but hey … this is wrestling … it’s kind of an obnoxious sport, right.
