Backlash (2006)

Backlash (2006)

Promotional poster featuring Triple H
Tagline(s) Long Live The King
Theme
song(s)		 "Baby Hates Me" by Danko Jones
Information
Promotion World Wrestling Entertainment
Brand(s) Raw
Sponsor(s) Topps
Date April 30, 2006
Attendance 14,000
Venue Rupp Arena
City Lexington, Kentucky
Pay-per-view chronology

WrestleMania 22 Backlash (2006) Judgment Day (2006)
Backlash chronology

Backlash (2005) Backlash (2006) Backlash (2007)

Backlash (2006) was a professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), which took place on April 30, 2006, at the Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky. It was presented by Topps. It was the eighth event under the Backlash name and featured wrestlers and other talent that performed on the Raw brand.

Seven professional wrestling matches were scheduled on the event's card, which saw two main matches. The first main event was Shawn Michaels versus Vince and Shane McMahon in a Handicap match. The second main event was a "Triple Threat match" that pitted WWE Champion John Cena against Triple H and Edge, with his title on the line.

The event received 273,000 pay-per-view buys, which was more than the previous year's event received. This contributed to WWE's pay-per-view revenue increasing by $4.3 million from the previous year. When the event was released on DVD, it peaked at second on Billboard's DVD sales chart for recreational sports.

Background

Backlash featured professional wrestling matches that involved different wrestlers from pre-existing scripted feuds, plots, and storylines that were played out on Raw. Wrestlers portrayed a villain or a hero as they followed a series of events that built tension, and culminated into a wrestling match or series of matches.[1] All wrestlers were from World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE)'s Raw brand—a storyline division in which WWE employees are assigned to a television program of the same name.[2]

Edge, who competed in the triple threat match for the WWE Championship

The main event at Backlash was a triple threat match, a match involving three wrestlers, for the WWE Championship between John Cena, Triple H, and Edge. The buildup to the match began when Triple H lost the Royal Rumble match, a multi-competitor match type in which wrestlers are eliminated until one is left and declared winner but participated in the 2006 Road to WrestleMania Tournament, where the winner would become the number-one contender to the WWE Championship at WrestleMania. Triple H won the tournament.[3] Cena defeated Triple H at WrestleMania to retain the title after forcing him to submit to the STFU, a move in which the wrestler wraps his arm around the neck of the opponent in a sleeper hold instead of pulling back on the head of the opponent.[4] The next night on Raw, one of WWE's primary television programs, Triple H demanded another shot at the WWE Championship, but Edge and Lita (Edge's girlfriend) interrupted Triple H's segment.[5] Edge said that he became WWE Champion at New Year's Revolution when he cashed in his Money in the Bank title shot, that he won at WrestleMania 21, and defeating Cena at the event, after Cena had defeated five other men in an Elimination Chamber, a match featuring wrestlers fighting in a ring surrounded by a steel structure of chain and girders.[6] Cena, however, reclaimed the Championship at the 2006 Royal Rumble, when he defeated Edge.[7] Edge claimed that it was time for a new opponent for the WWE Championship, after stating that at WrestleMania, Triple H lost his opportunity when he lost to Cena.[5] All three men had a series of Handicap matches, a match consisting of one team of wrestlers facing off against a team of wrestlers with numerical superiority such as three against two, or two against one leading up to Backlash with Triple H pinning Cena after tucking Cena's head between his knees and jumping up to slam his head to the mat, a move that Triple H calls the Pedigree,[5] Cena forcing Edge to submit to the STFU,[8] and Edge executing a shoulder block takedown on Triple H and pinning him.[9] It was then announced that Cena would defend the WWE Championship in a Triple Threat match against Triple H and Edge at Backlash.[10]

Shawn Michaels, who faced Vince and Shane McMahon in a Handicap Match.

Another rivalry heading into the event was Vince McMahon and Shane McMahon versus Shawn Michaels and God. This feud started on December 26, 2005, when Vince McMahon made note of Bret Hart's DVD, claiming that he "tricked" Hart in the hours of his match at Survivor Series 1997, where Hart lost the WWE Championship to Shawn Michaels. At the event, Michaels applied Hart's own finisher, the Sharpshooter, and McMahon called for the bell, in an event known as the "Montreal Screwjob".[11] Michaels interrupted McMahon and told him to "let it go" and "move on" from the events of Survivor Series.[12] In reply McMahon told Michaels that he indeed screwed Bret Hart and added, "Shawn, do not make me screw you."[13] At the Royal Rumble, Shane McMahon made a surprising appearance when he eliminated Michaels from the Rumble match, though Shane was not a participant.[7] McMahon informed Michaels that he would face his son Shane on the March 18, 2006, edition of Saturday Night's Main Event in a No Holds Barred match. At the event, Vince interfered throughout the match on his son's behalf, by stopping the referee's count, after Michaels performed Sweet Chin Music, a move which sees the wrestler use the sole of the foot to strike an opponent's head or chin on Shane, an enraged Michaels grabbed McMahon but before he could do anything, Shane hit Michaels with a low blow. McMahon ordered Shane to apply the Sharpshooter on Michaels, and, after he executed the submission move, McMahon called for the bell, similar to the 1997 Survivor Series match.[14] Mr. McMahon booked himself and Michaels in a No Holds Barred match at WrestleMania 22.[15] At WrestleMania, the Spirit Squad and Shane McMahon interfered on McMahon's behalf, but Michaels defeated Vince McMahon after he performed Sweet Chin Music and captured the pinfall victory.[16] The next night on Raw, The McMahons confronted Michaels and informed him that his win at WrestleMania was "an act of God," therefore setting up the tag team match at Backlash that would have The McMahons facing Michaels and God.[5]

The Divas rivalry between Mickie James and Trish Stratus over the WWE Women's Championship continued entering the event. Stratus and James first fought over the title at New Year's Revolution, with Stratus retaining.[17] In the months that followed, James' obsession with Stratus grew to the point that she confessed to Stratus that she was in love with her; making Stratus uncomfortable.[18][19] James made one final attempt to kiss Stratus at Saturday Night's Main Event on March 18, after the duo defeated Candice Michelle and Victoria. After she was rebuffed, James attacked Stratus and later vowed to destroy her, turning James into a villainess.[20] At WrestleMania 22, the evil James defeated Stratus to capture the Women's Championship for the first time in her career.[21] In the following weeks, James continued her mind games by dressing like Stratus and claiming to be her. Stratus eventually confronted James by dressing like her and mocking her personality. It was later announced that a Women's Championship rematch between James and Stratus would take place at Backlash.

Event

Before the event aired live on pay-per-view, Goldust defeated Rob Conway in a match that aired on Heat. Goldust won the match after a powerslam, a move where the wrestler performing the slam falls face-down on top of his opponent.[22]

Other on-screen talent[23]
Role: Name:
Commentator(s) Jim Ross
Jerry Lawler
Carlos Cabrera (Spanish)
Hugo Savinovich (Spanish)
Interviewer(s) Maria Kanellis
Todd Grisham
Ring announcer Lilian Garcia
Referee Mike Chioda
Jack Doan
Chad Patton
Marty Elias

The first match of the event was between Carlito and Chris Masters. In the beginning of the match, Carlito had the advantage over Masters, as he jumped from the ring to the outside and impacts his chest against Masters' chest, and performed a Springboard Back elbow. Masters, however, gained the advantage and executed a Powerbomb, a move which is executed by the attacking wrestler slamming the opponent after lifting them on their shoulders on Carlito into the turnbuckle. Carlito performed a Back Cracker, a move where the wrestlers goes behind the opponent and jumps up to place both his knees against the opponent's back, forcing the wrestler's knees to push up into the back of the opponent. Carlito then pinned Masters while using the ropes for leverage to win the match.[24][25]

Next was a match between Umaga and Ric Flair. Umaga had the advantage throughout the match, as Umaga hit Flair with a knee to his head. Umaga defeated Flair after hitting Flair in the throat with his thumb.[25][26] The third match was between Mickie James and Trish Stratus for the WWE Women's Championship. The match had escalated outside the ring. When Stratus delivered punches to Mickie, who was on the second turnbuckle, Mickie threw her over the top rope, causing Stratus to land on her right arm. Afterwards, Mickie choked Stratus with a wristband she was wearing that fell off during the match,[22][25] therefore giving the win to Stratus by disqualification, but per WWE regulations, a title can only change hands via pinfall or submission therefore Mickie retained the Championship.[27]

The next match was for the WWE Intercontinental Championship between Rob Van Dam and Shelton Benjamin. Both Van Dam and Benjamin started the match with high spots as Benjamin performed a Sunset Flip Powerbomb, a move in which a wrestler will roll/flip over an elevated opponent facing them in a reverse body scissors and use the momentum to pull the opponent down to the floor. The match went back and forth with action, but in the end Van Dam performed a body splash, known in wrestling as a frog splash, from the top turnbuckle on Benjamin and pinned him to win the match and retain his Money in the Bank briefcase and win the Intercontinental Championship.[25][28]

The next match was The Big Show versus Kane, which ended in a no contest after a red hue covered the ring and voices from the speakers in the arena began taunting Kane with "May 19". Big Show who seemed to have enough, hit Kane with a folding chair and walked away.[25][29]

The sixth match was Vince and Shane McMahon versus Shawn Michaels and God in a No Holds Barred match. As soon as The McMahons made their way to the ring, Vince informed the referee to "check" God for any hidden objects, as God was being "portrayed" by the stage spotlight. The match started with Shawn Michaels executing a crossbody on both Vince and Shane McMahon on the outside of the ring. Afterwards, Michaels crossbodied Vince down through a part of the Backlash staging area. Shane then hit Michaels with a folding chair and caused him to bleed. After Vince and Shane took turns assaulting Michaels, Vince grabbed a microphone and informed Michaels that "God" had left the building and used a Superkick, Michaels' own signature finisher, against him. Michaels battled back and grabbed two tables and put both Vince and Shane on them. Michaels then grabbed a ladder and stood on top of it. The Spirit Squad (Kenny, Johnny, Mitch, Nicky, and Mikey) interfered and attacked Michaels, which was followed by the Spirit Squad putting Michaels through a table with a Sky lift slam, a move in which the two attacking wrestlers standing either side of an opponent; the wrestlers then force the opponent upwards, throwing them up while releasing the hold to allow the opponent slam to the mat back-first. Vince then pinned Michaels for the win.[25][30]

The main event was the Triple Threat match for the WWE Championship between champion John Cena, Edge, and Triple H. As the match began, Edge chose to stand outside the ring, hoping that Cena and Triple H would simply fight the match themselves. Cena and Triple H, however, teamed up and turned against Edge. One spot in the match saw Edge catapult Triple H into the steel ringpost, which made Triple H bleed as a result. Afterwards, Edge drove Triple H's head through a table and then focused on Cena. Cena, however, locked Edge in the STFU, but was broken when Triple H hit Cena in the head with a microphone. Triple H then went after Edge and hit him with a chair, sending him over the security wall and into the audience. Lita, who accompanied Edge, entered the ring with a chair to hit Triple H, but Triple H reversed it into a Spinebuster, a move where the wrestler lifts the opponent, turning 180°, and then tosses her forward onto her back. Near the end of the match, Cena had Edge on his shoulders for an FU, Triple H then delivered a low blow to Cena, which made Cena drop Edge out of the ring and attempted to execute a Pedigree. Cena, however, countered it into a jackknife roll-up, a hold that has the attacking wrestler lift the opponent's legs from behind the knees. Still gripping the opponent's legs, the attacking wrestler then flips forward, over the opponent, and plants their feet on the mat while bridging the back to add leverage. Cena won the match and successfully retained the WWE Championship. After the match, Triple H hit Cena, Edge, and the referee with a sledgehammer, and performed his signature taunt until performing his signature DX cross chops, receiving a standing ovation from the audience, closing the show.

Aftermath

Triple H, who reunited with Shawn Michaels to reform D-Generation X

On the May 15 episode of Raw, Rob Van Dam lost the WWE Intercontinental Championship to Shelton Benjamin in a rematch.[31] The following week, after John Cena defeated Chris Masters in a singles match, Rob Van Dam came out and informed Cena that he would be cashing in his Money in the Bank contract, that he won at WrestleMania at ECW One Night Stand.[32] On the May 29 episode of Raw, Van Dam was selected by ECW Representative Paul Heyman to be drafted from Raw to WWE's new ECW brand.[33] At One Night Stand, Cena lost the WWE Championship to Van Dam in an Extreme Rules match.[34]

Following the aftermath from Backlash, Kane was confronted by an Imposter Kane, who was wearing Kane's old mask and ring attire. The Imposter executed a chokeslam on Kane during his match against Shelton Benjamin for the Intercontinental Championship.[33] This rivalry lead to a match between the two at Vengeance, in which the real Kane lost to the Imposter.[35]

The McMahons, along with The Spirit Squad, continued their feud with Shawn Michaels. In the weeks that followed, Michaels would get revenge on both the McMahons and the Spirit Squad.[36][37] On the May 22 episode of Raw, however, Michaels was in a 5-on-1 handicap match, and the Spirit Squad members, in storyline, injured Michaels' left knee.[38] Triple H, who was included during the rivalry, was ordered by Vince McMahon to "break Michaels' skull", with his signature sledgehammer. Triple H failed to do what Mr. McMahon ordered, turned into a crowd favorite and attacked the Spirit Squad.[38] Weeks followed in which Triple H was supposed to become a member of Mr. McMahon's "Kiss My Ass Club". Triple H, however, backfired when trying to become a member, when he gave a Pedigree to McMahon and laid him and Shane out in the ring.[39] On the June 12 episode of Raw, McMahon booked Triple H in a Handicap Gauntlet match against the Spirit Squad. The match saw Michaels return from his storyline injury, which led to Triple H and Michaels reforming their previous wrestling stable D-Generation X.[40] At Vengeance, DX met the Spirit Squad in a 5-on-2 handicap match, which DX won.[41]

Reception

The event received 273,000 pay-per-view buys, which was more buys than the previous year's event received, however, the event made $19.9 million in revenue, which was less than the previous year's revenue of $21.6 million.[42]

The event was released on DVD on May 30, 2006,[43] by Sony Music Entertainment and reached second on Billboard's DVD Sales Chart for recreational sports during the week of June 24, 2006.[44]

Results

No. Results[45] Stipulations Times[46]
1H Goldust defeated Rob Conway Singles match 03:38
2 Carlito defeated Chris Masters Singles match 09:58
3 Umaga (with Armando Alejandro Estrada) defeated Ric Flair Singles match 03:29
4 Trish Stratus defeated Mickie James (c) by disqualification Singles match for the WWE Women's Championship 04:03
5 Rob Van Dam defeated Shelton Benjamin (c) Singles match for Benjamin's WWE Intercontinental Championship and Van Dam's Money in the Bank contract 18:42
6 Big Show vs. Kane ended in a no contest Singles match 09:30
7 The McMahons (Vince McMahon and Shane McMahon) defeated Shawn Michaels and God No Holds Barred tag team match 19:57
8 John Cena (c) defeated Triple H and Edge (with Lita) Triple threat match for the WWE Championship 17:33
  • (c) – refers to the champion(s) heading into the match
  • H – indicates the match was broadcast prior to the pay-per-view on Sunday Night Heat

References

  1. ↑ "Live & Televised Entertainment of World Wrestling Entertainment". World Wrestling Entertainment Corporate. Archived from the original on January 19, 2009. Retrieved January 11, 2009.
  2. ↑ "WWE Launches ECW As Third Brand". World Wrestling Entertainment. Archived from the original on December 23, 2008. Retrieved January 11, 2009.
  3. ↑ "Raw results – February 20, 2006". Online World of Wrestling. Archived from the original on November 21, 2007. Retrieved November 27, 2007.
  4. ↑ "John Cena defeats Triple H at WrestleMania". WWE. Archived from the original on December 13, 2007. Retrieved December 11, 2007.
  5. 1 2 3 4 "Raw results – April 3, 2006". Online World of Wrestling. Archived from the original on November 21, 2007. Retrieved December 6, 2007.
  6. ↑ "New Years Revolution 2006 Results". Online World of Wrestling. Archived from the original on November 21, 2007. Retrieved December 6, 2007.
  7. 1 2 "Royal Rumble 2006 Results". Hoffco. Archived from the original on December 13, 2007. Retrieved December 6, 2007.
  8. ↑ "Raw results – April 10, 2006". Online World of Wrestling. Archived from the original on November 21, 2007. Retrieved December 6, 2007.
  9. ↑ "Raw results – April 17, 2006". Online World of Wrestling. Archived from the original on November 21, 2007. Retrieved December 6, 2007.
  10. ↑ "Raw results – April 10, 2006". Online World of Wrestling. Archived from the original on November 21, 2007. Retrieved November 28, 2007.
  11. ↑ "Survivor Series 1997 review". hoffco-inc.com. Archived from the original on May 17, 2008. Retrieved April 4, 2008.
  12. ↑ Plummer, Dale (December 27, 2006). "Raw: The clock is ticking". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved March 23, 2015.
  13. ↑ "Raw results – December 26, 2005". Online World of Wrestling. Archived from the original on October 31, 2007. Retrieved November 28, 2007.
  14. ↑ "Saturday Night's Main Event results – March 18, 2006". Online World of Wrestling. Archived from the original on December 17, 2007. Retrieved December 6, 2007.
  15. ↑ "Raw results – March 6, 2006". Online World of Wrestling. Archived from the original on April 13, 2008. Retrieved April 4, 2008.
  16. ↑ "HBK defeats Vince McMahon at WrestleMania". WWE. Archived from the original on December 21, 2007. Retrieved December 11, 2007.
  17. ↑ "New Year's Revolution 2006 – January 8, 2006". prowrestlinghistory.com. Retrieved August 25, 2007.
  18. ↑ "Raw results – February 27, 2006". WWE. Retrieved August 25, 2007.
  19. ↑ "Raw results – March 6, 2006". WWE. Retrieved August 25, 2007.
  20. ↑ "Women's Champion Trish Stratus & Mickie James def. Candice & Victoria". WWE. Retrieved January 27, 2012.
  21. ↑ "WrestleMania 22 – April 2, 2006". prowrestlinghistory.com. Retrieved August 25, 2007.
  22. 1 2 "Backlash 2006 review". hoffco-inc.com. Archived from the original on November 16, 2007. Retrieved December 19, 2007.
  23. ↑ Backlash 2006 (DVD). Lexington, Kentucky: WWE Home Video. 2005. WWE56087.
  24. ↑ "Carlito defeats Chris Masters". WWE. April 30, 2006. Archived from the original on December 6, 2007. Retrieved December 13, 2007.
  25. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Brown, Jeremy (July 2006). "Unholy Alliance". WWE Raw 12: 44–51.
  26. ↑ "Umaga defeats Ric Flair". WWE. April 30, 2006. Archived from the original on December 6, 2007. Retrieved December 13, 2007.
  27. ↑ "Trish Stratus defeats Women's Champion Mickie James (DQ)". WWE. April 30, 2006. Archived from the original on December 6, 2007. Retrieved December 13, 2007.
  28. ↑ "Rob Van Dam defeats Shelton Benjamin to become Intercontinental Champion". WWE. April 30, 2006. Archived from the original on December 6, 2007. Retrieved December 13, 2007.
  29. ↑ "Kane vs Big Show (No Contest)". WWE. April 30, 2006. Archived from the original on December 6, 2007. Retrieved December 13, 2007.
  30. ↑ "Mr. McMahon and Shane McMahon defeat Shawn Michaels and "God"". WWE. April 30, 2006. Archived from the original on December 14, 2007. Retrieved December 13, 2007.
  31. ↑ "Raw results – May 15, 2006". Online World of Wrestling. Archived from the original on December 25, 2007. Retrieved December 17, 2007.
  32. ↑ "Raw results – May 22, 2006". Online World of Wrestling. Archived from the original on December 14, 2007. Retrieved December 17, 2007.
  33. 1 2 Plummer, Dale (May 30, 2006). "Raw: ECW delivers an unexpected Angle". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved March 23, 2015.
  34. ↑ Williams III, Ed (June 11, 2006). "History made at Hammerstein". WWE. Archived from the original on December 9, 2007. Retrieved December 14, 2007.
  35. ↑ "Vengeance 2006 Results". Online World of Wrestling. Archived from the original on December 31, 2007. Retrieved December 19, 2007.
  36. ↑ Williams III, Ed (May 1, 2006). "Chaos in Columbus". WWE. Archived from the original on January 5, 2008. Retrieved December 24, 2007.
  37. ↑ Dee, Louie (May 15, 2006). "Money Shot". WWE. Archived from the original on December 21, 2007. Retrieved December 26, 2007.
  38. 1 2 Dee, Louie (May 22, 2006). "Apology Accepted?". WWE. Archived from the original on December 18, 2007. Retrieved December 10, 2007.
  39. ↑ Dee, Louie (June 5, 2006). "Kiss this". WWE. Archived from the original on December 18, 2007. Retrieved December 10, 2007.
  40. ↑ "RAW results- June 12, 2006". Online World of Wrestling. Archived from the original on December 1, 2007. Retrieved December 10, 2007.
  41. ↑ Plummer, Dale; Tylwalk, Nick (June 21, 2006). "DX returns with a Vengeance". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved March 23, 2015.
  42. ↑ "World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. Reports Q1 Results" (PDF). World Wrestling Entertainment Corporate. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 24, 2008. Retrieved August 1, 2008.
  43. ↑ "WWE: Backlash". For Your Entertainment. Retrieved August 1, 2008.
  44. ↑ "WWE Backlash 2006 DVD sales". Billboard. Archived from the original on February 16, 2009. Retrieved August 1, 2008.
  45. ↑ Elliott, Brian (April 30, 2006). "Heaven can't help Backlash". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved November 19, 2007.
  46. ↑ "Backlash 2006". Pro Wrestling History. Retrieved December 24, 2011.

External links

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