My Monday column for the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review is my reaction to WWE Backlash. Here’s an excerpt:
AJ Styles is now one of the most decorated professional wrestlers ever.
With his capturing of the WWE World Championship, Styles’ resume for holding titles around the world in every notable promotion is unmatched in this era.
He’s held world titles in WWE, TNA and New Japan Pro Wrestling among dozens of other established organizations that follow in rank.
The title win over Dean Ambrose at Backlash on Sunday night was well deserved and timed. Coming off a clean victory over John Cena at SummerSlam, the momentum and iron are hot. The finish of the match, with a quick low blow away from the referee, sent the message in full of Styles’ current heel attitude that has brought out some entertaining charisma and promos.
Ambrose dropping the title I felt also was needed as I’ve felt we’re not getting the best from the performer. Ironically, this title match was the best of Ambrose’s title run in my opinion and perhaps one of his best as a singles performer in WWE.
The other top match of the advertised card never took place. Bray Wyatt versus Randy Orton didn’t happen because in the storyline Wyatt attacked Orton earlier in the day, preventing him from making it to the match. In reality, Orton wasn’t medically cleared to have the match as he’s still only a few weeks removed from one of the most violent sequences in WWE history against Brock Lesnar at SummerSlam.
Wyatt instead lost to Kane in a physical match with some distraction and quick interference from Orton, who was able to do an RKO.
There was a lot of unrest via social media regarding Wyatt losing to Kane in a match thrown together. I certainly understand where that negativity toward the finish comes from, and I’ve been preaching the desperate need for Wyatt to get a win. However, I also see WWE’s logic.
WWE still has Orton feuding with Wyatt moving forward and unfinished business that needs closure. By having Orton still able to cause some havoc on Wyatt after Wyatt tried to cheaply eliminate him, it adds fuel to their fire.
CLICK HERE for if Wyatt would have won why it wouldn’t have made sense, Miz vs Daniel Bryan coming and more notes.
