Review: WWE Backlash 2006 DVD

Brett Mix’s- WWE Backlash 2006 Review:

(Just an observation: Triple H is on the Backlash PPV Poster…quite a lot)

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“It is better to be pissed off, then pissed on!” –Shawn Michaels

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-WWE Backlash 2006 was a wrestling (PPV) event produced by the WWE. The event took place on Sunday, April the the the 30th, 2006 in front of 14,000 fans at the Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky.

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-This was the 8th annual Backlash PPV event.

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-The biggest storyline for Backlash 2006 revolved around John Cena, Triple H and Edge and the fight for the WWE title John Cena held in a triple threat match. Oh and God was involved in this event making his WWE debut and I really dont care to elaborate about that here.

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-The event received 273,000 pay-per-view buys, which was more buys than then Backlash 2005 received, however, the event made $19.9 million in revenue, which was less than the previous year’s revenue of $21.6 million

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-On the show there was a segment with Matt Striker and Eugene.

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-God made his WWE debut at this PPV event.

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-On Heat before the PPV Goldust defeated Rob Conway at 3:38.

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-Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler did commentary.

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Now onto the PPV…..

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1) Opening Contest- Carlito vs Chris Masters

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So we get the annual break-up of a tag team that is thrown together. Now that is certainly original.

The Masterpiece comes out first.

Chris Masters poses, flexes, the whole deal, this was when he was juicing. He has some impressive pyro and in 05-06 he looked like he was going to be the future of this business, or at least apart of it until he got de-pushed like so many others.

Carlito who used to go as Carlito Carribean Cool, probably should of kept that name, comes out second to a good pop.

Here we go, bell rings and Backlash 2006 is underway.

Chris Masters with some basic in-ring work to start things, a back-body drop and focusing on the back of one Carlito with clobbering shots, went for another drop as he bent down irish-whipping him to the ropes, Carlito kicks Masters then lifts him up and goes into a Full Nelson.

A master-lock to Masters. Chris Masters breaks it. Something no one had done to Masters in a year he has been in the WWE. At least they did that right, story-telling for a year in WWE by this time was a rare sight.

Carlito pulled down the top rope and Masters fell to the floor. Carlito, the southpaw found his mark with his left hands to the head of Chris Masters. Masters though gets a shot and tries powerbombing Carlito and drives him into the corner. Masters then choked out Carlito on the second rope. Masters hits a leg-drop and goes for the three but he kicks out.

Carlito in a reverse chin-lock and then Chris Masters scores with a neck-breaker applying the pressure to the neck of Carlito. Masters has his eyes rakes and then runs into a clothesline by Masters. Chris Masters with quick shots to Carlito. Chris Masters scooped up Carlito and dropped him head-first into the corner.

Chris Masters signals for the Masterlock. Chris Masters though poushed to the mat. Carlito with a moonsault off the top, a bit unorthadox for him considering his move-set. Masters with a kick-out. Ross says Chris Masters never met a mirror he did not like. Masters looking for the lock and could not find it.

Carlito sent him into the corner, and now a back-stabber by Carlito and he uses the ropes for leverage.

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In the end at 9:53 they gave Carlito the rub here probably seeing him as a bigger potential star then Masters. Hey a Babyface cheats to win. In 2006! Wow.

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Props to the creative team.

Seriously, no sarcasm.

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This opener was very solid. Nice start to the show.

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** 3/4

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2) Umaga (with Armando Estrada) vs Nature Boy Ric Flair

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The late Umaga who was very agile, and athletic for a man of his size took on senior Flair here.

This seems like an obvious squash to put over a monster heel to me.

We will see how it works out.

Ric Flair pounded on in the corner by the undefeatred Samoan Bulldozer, known as UUUUUUMAGA. The Late Umaga who used to go by Jamal.

Nature Boy hits a low blow, and a hard chop.

Umaga chopped to hell but ran into the steps. Outside the ring Flair chopped at Umaga.

Flair going for a Figure Four but Ric Flair is tied upside down now by Umaga in the corner turnbuckle, he hits a headbutt.

Umaga charging from the corner hits a devistating knee to the face. Flaor drops down. Umaga now with great agility off the top lands a flying headbutt off the second rope. Umaga signals for the end.

The Samoan Spike to Flair.

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In the end at 3:29 Umaga got the seemingly obvious win over Flair after he hit his signature spike.

This match was a very basic squash.

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3/4*

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3) Mickie James (c) vs Trish Stratus for the WWE Womens Championship

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At Wrestlemania 22 these ladies put on a Classic in their respective genre.

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Trish Stratus usually has the crowd in her hands but it was not that way with Mickie who became an instant hit and had at least half the crowd.

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Trish Stratus the challenger here as Mickie took the gold at WM 22 in Chicago the month before.

Trish lands some high kicks.

Trish with a Lou Thesz press off the apron to the floor, Trish going back to blonde thank god, as she tried to be funny in a brunette look. Tris hit a chick kick earlier in the match to the face of Mickie James.

Trish Stratus with a stiner-splash on top of Mickie landing rights, trying to re-gain the Womens title here at Backlash!

Mickie James on top of Trish choking her out in a cruel way and then the official calls for a DQ.

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In the end at 4:03 Stratus won by DQ so she did not get the title after the official noticed she did not break on the five count. Mickie screams and Trish asks her to come back.

This match was a bunch of basic moves with a horrible ending.

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*

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4) Rob Van Dam (MITB) vs Shelton Benjamin (c) -Winner Take All singles match for Benjamin’s WWE IC title and Van Dam’s Money in the Bank Contract; Whoever wins had both as a result

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Not exactly the best start to this show from a star-ratings stand-point with nothing passing three stars or three yet, but here at mastch #4 we have something that would perhaps even pass it.

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Two amazing athletes putting it all on the line here, trying to steal the show, and that is exactly what they did.

Shelton stole the show at Backlash the year before with Jericho, this is a lot like that match but a few minutes longer and not the opener.

Shelton capable of stealing the show was always an underrated talent, kind of had a cocky heel swagger here wearing shades to the ring, thank god they dropped that big MOMMA manager routine they had going.

Fans completely into Rob Van Dam.

Shelton Benjamin and Rob get ready to go as fans chant EC Dub. Shelton with a quick go-behind and then a front face-lock, some slaps to Van Dam and he slaps his hands together as if to say there ya go, it is that easy.

Both men tie-up and an arm-ringer by Shelton into an overhead wristlock, Van Dam flips up reverses it into an armbar of his own. Shelton springboards off the ropes and flips back off the ropes out of the arm-ringer, slaps his hands together as if to say no problem once again.

Benjamin leaped over Van Dam, RVD with a big kick up, a spinning kick, an arm-drag takedown and then and another one, Ricky Steamboat like.

RVD poses as the fans chant.

Shelton chopped RVD in the corner. Rob Van Dam kicks Shelton to the outside and Bejnamin took his time coming back in the ring.

RVD with his educated feet dropped Shelton with clotheslines and went for the rolling thunder but Shelton ducked out.

Rob Van Dam with a high risk, cross-body over the topr rope dropping on Shelton Benjamin. Rob Van Dam was then caught on the apron and Shelton with a sunset flip on RVD converted into a powerbomb on the floor.

Fans with their first fecal chant of the match and I concur.

AN absolutely-breath-taking spot.

Shelton wearing down Rob Van Dam back in the ring with a reverse chinlock even though the crowd gets behing RVD. Rob Van Dam hit with a perfectly executed back-breaker by Shelton.

Benjamin working over the back of RVD.

Shelton exposing the vulnerable back of Rob Van Dam even more with a Camel Clutch.

Lawler gets on the case of Ross for plugging so many wrestlers. Scoop slams by Shelton.

Then Rob finds a break and tries a rolling thunder for a second time and this match had it twice and on the second time it was countered into a Samoan Drop.

Benjamin leaped to the top turnbuckle. Amazing vertical leap and Superplex to Rob Van Dam gets him a nearfall. A body-scissors and a reverse chinlock, grounding him. Ross points out that from this poisition he would have a hard time kicking at Shelton.

Rob Van Dam moves out of the way and Shelton hits a Stingers Splash into the corner. Rob Van Dam with a european uppercut and now RVD with a rolling thunder connects on Sheltom kicks out.

Rob Van Dam drops Van Dam and hits a split-legged moonsault off the top. Rob Van Dam with a monkey fip then a heel kick.

Rob Van Dam went for a five star and got nothing, Shelton hits a huge DDT and Rob Van Dam kicks out somehow, someway.

Shelton off the top leaps onto RVD but Rob Van Dam used the own momentum off the topé. A kickout. RVD throws the case at Shelton, RVD covers Shelton!

What a match!

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In the end at 18:42 RVD retained his case and won the IC title in a borderline classic and very unorthadox match between two extremely, extremely athletic competitors.

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This match was exactly what you would want from these two.

Superb.

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****

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5) The Big Show vs Kane

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Ahhhh, it is Show vs Kane again. I did not get enough of this match at King of the Ring 1999, I needed it again seven years later. End Sarcasm.-

What makes it worse is the fact that this is the second match on the card where a tag team has split up to take on each other.

Pretty original YET AGAIN…

And they wonder why their tag division is not there.

The Big Show and Kane get it on as the bell rings.

Kane and The Big Show go at it, Big Show hit a fall away slam and got a nearfall.

Kane booted The Big Show out of the ring then lands on his feet outside of it.

All of the sudden May 19th is whispered over the PA system.

Big Show walks away to a chorus of boos after the voices stop. Kane begins to laugh.

This is 100% Wrestlecrap.

In the end at 9:30 these two giants fought to a no contest.

What a terrific ending to boot.

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This match was horrible to say the least.

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DUD

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6) God and Shawn Michaels vs Vince McMahon and Shane McMahon in a No Holds Barred Tornado Tag Match

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So people think Vince McMahon had lost his mind but this was taking it to a new extreme.

I guess some people thought this was a bit funny.

Some people thought Vince had just plain ran out of ideas.

God comes in a WWE style, and Vince wants Keota to check God out. Then he said there is no rules.

Shawn Michaels comes out.

McMahon said God and Michaels were going to go straight to hell. Shawn Michaels backdropped Shane. Shawn Michaels with a flying crossbody on the chairman outside the ring. Shane ducked a clothesline and threw Shane dow n to the mat. A big clothesline by Shawn Michaels and then a senton summersault over the top rope onto Shane O Mac.

Fnas chanted for HBK.

Shawn Michaels with a huge bump off the stage onto Vince but he is bloodied in the process. Shane O Mac kicks him down the ramp and then goes to work by the steel steps.

Shane has Shawn Michaels back in the ring and drops him down after a side suplex. Shane hits a flying elbow, Savage style. Vince tags in and whips a bloodied Michaels.

Vince grabs a trash can and not lowers the boom on Shawn Michaels.

God has not tagged in yet.

Vince gets on the mic and taunts God.

Vince says God has left the building and Vince is gonna knock his teeth down his throat.

Shawn Michaels blocked the superkick, Shane knocked off the apron, Michaels with a flying forearm, almost a running forearm.

Shane hits Vince with a can after Shawn Michaels ducks. Michaels hits a flying forearm on SHane, kicks up, an atomic drop and then clotheslines.

Shawn Michaels rocking and rolling and scoop slams Shane. Michaels to the outside drops an elbow.

Shawn Michaels lays out the McMahons with superkicks and now gets tables. McMahons are put on two tables in the middle of the ring.

Shawn Michaels all bloodied and left alone because God has left and now Michaels laughing looks for a Ladder like at WM 22.

Big pop for this as he grabs it from underneath the ring.

Shawn Michaels takes out the Spirit Sqaud coming from behind as Michaels jumped off the Ladder and turned his attention to them coming out.

The Spirit Squad then stomp on Shawn Michaels as he is helpless.

Michaels is slammed through the table.

Vince pins Michaels.

Vince goes over God. Wow.

In the end at 19:57 Shane-O-Mac and Vinnie Mac deafeated Michaels and God when Spirit Squad helped.

Forget the fact Hogan would not properly put over Randy Savage or Triple H could not put over Booker T or Van Dam, Shane and Vince cant even put over the creator of the heavens and the earth in which they rule. Hmmm….

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This match was fun for the comedy value but other then that it is 100% pure Wrestlecrap. I was never even into the Michaels-McMahon rivalry to begin with. Were they NOT on the same side in the Screwjob anyway…..

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* 1/2

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7) Main Event- John Cena (c) vs Triple H vs Edge (With Lita) in a Triple-Threat match for the WWE Championship

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Here is a pretty great triple-threat match, it is not high on substance but it features a lot of quick spots and it is a very fast paced main event.

Good stuff here all around.

Your usual stopping of the three count whenever someone has the momentum. Edge is on the apron watching The Game and John Cena go at it.

Fans boo and Cheer at every exchange they have. It seems every crowd copied Chicago from Wrestlemania 22.

Now both Hunter and Cena both realized Edge was watching and they went after him with big right-hands back and forth.

Cena gets a load of boos as he goes for a double leg-drop off the top.

Cena goes for a five-knuckle shuffle and is tossed into the steps by The Game.

A facebuster by the Game to Edge then a clothesline and a one count. A sleeper by the Game on Edge. Edge now has HHH in the sleeper.

Cena went to pick up both men four a Double F-U and Edge off the ropes hits a spear on John Cena.

Edge notices The Game is all bloodied and takes apart the Spanish table.

Edge with a big ddt to the Game and his blood is all over the table.

A big fecal chant by the crowd and the table did not even budge. Pretty amazing stuff.

Edge off the top with a missle dropkick to John Cena and he only has a two count as John Cena kicks out. John Cena fought hard to kick-out of that pinning predicament. The Game is losing blood outside the ring. Edge the aggressor and is stomping away on Cena.

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Cena had the STFU on Edge!

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It gained a mixed-reaction from the crowd obviously.

The Game with the mic hit Cena in the head all bloodied.

HHH with a Flair like face-flop. HHH and Edge both crawling outside the ring. Hunter picks up a chair.

Triple H with the chair smacks Edge in the head with a chair hard over the barricade down to the concrete.

John Cena with everything in his power to a bloodied Game. Cena groans loud but the Game is willing out of this finishing move.

The Game barely got to the rope.

Cena counters a Pedigree into the STFU on HHH who tried to make it to the ropes.

Edge is slowly making his way back in before HHH taps. Edge off the top rope can not break it up so Cena meets Edge. The official is knocked down.

John Cena has Edge on the top for an F-U attempt.

HHH then got undernearth with a fall-away slam, what a ride, all three men have crashed and burned.

What action.

Action inside, outside, carnage everywhere, bloodied and battered bodies everywhere. Lita grabs a steel chair and runs into a Spinebuster from a bloodied HHH.

HHH still with the chair, dropped it as it was not enough and now grabbed a Sledgehammer. Edge SPEARS The Game from out of no where.

This is just one big climax, this whole match. Entertaining for sure.

Popcorn fun.

Edge goes to use the Hammer on Cena, Cena picks him up for an FU but a low-blow, The Game then rolled up by Cena and he gets the three.

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In the end at 17:33 Cena won the match and retained the title after he countered the Game!

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This match was executed just like a Triple Threat for the title should be. It is certainly not on the levels of Wrestlemania 20 and Backlash 04, but it far ahead of events like Wrestlemania 24 and the like. A four star main event is pretty damn great.

Just an awesome way to end the show.

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****

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Final Rating for WWE Backlash 2006 = 7/10

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This show had two four star matches pushing it to seven but not a lot else. A pretty good Backlash event, but certainly not one of the better ones. If you want to collect Backlash or see one of those two great matches, or both then pick this DVD up. If not it is not a big deal if you miss out here.