Backlash notes from Meltzer

[JoeDirt 0]

A Backlash preview:

*Chris Benoit vs. HHH vs. Shawn Michaels - For a number of reasons, both because it's been hinted at and because of the location and expected crowd reactions, I expect a match at the same level as Wrestlemania, and with the same result. It's both the perfect city and the right time for Shawn Michaels to make a heel turn, so we'll see if that happens

*Mick Foley as Cactus Jack vs Randy Orton - Based on the hype, this hardcore style falls count anywhere match promises to be a bloodbath. Foley had dropped tons of weight, and is motivated by the fear of a bad match. After four years out, doing his first singles match, I expect ideas to be flowing. Whether Foley can be the Foley of old after four years away is a question, but physically he's probably both rustier and feeling a lot better than in 2000 when he had the classic two matches with HHH. Today's Orton isn't the HHH of 2000, but the goal for the match is the same.

*Edge vs. Kane - This is a tough one because Edge in theory should win in his first match back because he needs to get off on a good footing. However, I do have the sense people aren't quite ready for him to beat Kane, so it has to be done in a way he "earns" it more than blows him over.

*Chris Jericho vs. Christian & Trish Stratus - They did the screw job at Mania so it's Jericho's turn to win. This may be the time to introduce somebody new to the Christian stable, so get Stratus over as doing two people and put more heat on the program, since it appears to be working.

*Shelton Benjamin vs. Ric Flair - This is a test for both. It's Benjamin's biggest career match and the result should be obvious. For Flair, he's been in the U.K. all week doing promotions, he's hardly 100% and everyone knows how old he is. Flair is the key to the match, if he can rise to the occasion.

*Victoria vs. Lita for the women's title. A rare babyface match. Lita has the more natural charisma but Victoria's wrestling has been far better. I see the other women getting involved after a Victoria win to built up Victoria & Lita as a team.

*Tajiri vs. Coach. My idea here is to get Eugene and La Resistance involved. Coach managing La Resistance is good for him as a heel and puts them on the map. Granted, Grenier isn't there but Conway is. Also, affiliating Tajiri with Eugene gives it a tag feud, reunites Tajiri & Regal, and La Resistance are the right early foils for Eugene. If you're going to do a comedy feud, you might as well get the naturally funny people all together.

 

******************************************************************

 

HBK heel turn? Interesting.

 

I'm guessing a DQ finish for Edge/Kane now, I think.

 

I'm also guessing that A-Train joins up with Christian as a running buddy, bodyguard type character.

[Guest Anglesault]

It's both the perfect city and the right time for Shawn Michaels to make a heel turn

 

Like Montreal for No Way Out?

 

When he was cheered?

 

 

Foley had dropped tons of weight, and is motivated by the fear of a bad match.

 

So why the fuck is he fighting Orton?

[JoeDirt 0]

Hey, if Foley is going he can carry anybody - he had a good match with Van Hammer, for crying out loud.

 

But I know what you're saying. I'm really not looking forward to Orton vs. Foley because it's going to be like the old Rock/Foley matches...just Foley taking a bunch of bumps.

[Guest Man Of 1,004 Modes]

Hey, if Foley is going he can carry anybody - he had a good match with Van Hammer, for crying out loud.

 

But I know what you're saying. I'm really not looking forward to Orton vs. Foley because it's going to be like the old Rock/Foley matches...just Foley taking a bunch of bumps.

Or it can be RRumble 2000....except Orton is nowhere NEAR as good as HHH was....even now. Just expect a sick brawl.

 

Of course, Orton is a pussy, and can't even blade himself.

[JoeDirt 0]

I just saw an ad for Backlash on ESPN...interesting that they had Goldberg and Austin in it.

[Guest Man Of 1,004 Modes]

I just saw an ad for Backlash on ESPN...interesting that they had Goldberg and Austin in it.

They do these things like two months in advance....heck, WWE Magazine has an article on Brock this month...and we all know he hasn't been in WWE for a month now.

[JoeDirt 0]

*Tajiri vs. Coach. My idea here is to get Eugene and La Resistance involved. Coach managing La Resistance is good for him as a heel and puts them on the map. Granted, Grenier isn't there but Conway is. Also, affiliating Tajiri with Eugene gives it a tag feud, reunites Tajiri & Regal, and La Resistance are the right early foils for Eugene. If you're going to do a comedy feud, you might as well get the naturally funny people all together.

A Tajiri/Eugene tag team? Come on now, Dave...

[Guest Brian]

HBK was facing HHH at Montreal. Not Benoit in his hometown. And they've been hinting at this for quite a while, especially now that they've gotten the "we can work it out, we hate the same guy" stuff out of the way with Michaels and Benoit. And since they have Triple H leaving, Michaels fills the void.

 

I wish they could have gotten Bret to come in JUST to raise Benoit's hand. That ould have been the ultimate slap-in-the-face to Michaels.

[CanadianChick 0]

*Edge vs. Kane - This is a tough one because Edge in theory should win in his first match back because he needs to get off on a good footing. However, I do have the sense people aren't quite ready for him to beat Kane, so it has to be done in a way he "earns" it more than blows him over.

 

That's...interesting. I don't see it as a big deal if Kane loses though. He's like Big Show in the sense that it doesn't matter if he wins or loses, he's always a threat because of his size and gimmick. Strange how 'people' (whoever these people may be) aren't ready for Edge to beat Kane, but 'people' were ready for Shelton to beat HHH. I'd say Edge and Shelton are at least on the same level card placement wise, so what's the difference?

[Guest Anglesault]

HBK was facing HHH at Montreal.

Uhm...No.

 

He had no match that night. He ran in, got booed, beat up Jericho and Christian (Two Canadians) and got cheered.

[Guest Man Of 1,004 Modes]

HBK was facing HHH at Montreal.

Uhm...No.

 

He had no match that night. He ran in, got booed, beat up Jericho and Christian (Two Canadians) and got cheered.

Damn those Canadians don't know if they are coming or going.

[MarvinisaLunatic 0]

So when Trish Managed Test and Albert they were T and A..

 

So this would be C and A?

[Guest I Got Banned for Sucking]

Yeah, I pretty much agree with everything Dave had to say.

 

There are three matches that I really want to see for the wrestling content itself.

 

If I remember correctly, it is a 6 "match" card. There are two others of which I am interested in seeing what they end up doing with.

 

The other... well... I'm not expecting anything great, which, on an unrelated topic is what I should have done going into WrestleMania XX.

[Lil' Bitch 0]

He ran in, got booed, beat up Jericho and Christian (Two Canadians) and got cheered.

 

That's because they always turn Jericho heel somehow on his home soil just to force fans to cheer HBK, which I find to be incredibly lame. Who cared if Jericho was heading into the PPV as a heel? He was the defacto face that night because of where the event was held.

[Guest Anglesault]

That's because they always turn Jericho heel somehow on his home soil just to force fans to cheer HBK, which I find to be incredibly lame

 

What did they do to turn him in Montreal?

 

He was working heel against Hardy but still got cheered. Shawn showed up, he didn't.

[Guest I Got Banned for Sucking]

I'm surprised that Meltzer didn't mention anything about a Ladder Match.

[Guest TheZsaszHorsemen]

He ran in, got booed, beat up Jericho and Christian (Two Canadians) and got cheered.

 

That's because they always turn Jericho heel somehow on his home soil just to force fans to cheer HBK, which I find to be incredibly lame. Who cared if Jericho was heading into the PPV as a heel? He was the defacto face that night because of where the event was held.

You can't be a de facto face when the crowd likes the other guy more.

[claydude14 0]

HBK was booed in MSG against Benoit, it will be no different in Benoit's hometown of Edmonton. Probably more heat.

[Guest I Got Banned for Sucking]

I'm wondering if Benoit himself will get heat for the hometown announce change, whether they announce it that way Backlash. Oh, and he's facing the leader of 'Evolution'.

 

Jim Ross: (Amidst a chorus of boos): "Shawn Michaels is, feeling it!"

[Guest croweater]

Feel the H-E-A-T when Michaels locks Chris Benoit in the Sharpshooter........................ you know it's gonna happen

[Guest I Got Banned for Sucking]

Feel the H-E-A-T when Michaels locks Chris Benoit in the Sharpshooter........................ you know it's gonna happen

Yes, but only because this is in Canada. Alberta, no less. Edmonton, no less.

 

Boy, will that acquire some heat...

 

*Tries to comprehend it*

 

Don't be surprised if a riot breaks out.

[JasonX 0]

Feel the H-E-A-T when Michaels locks Chris Benoit in the Sharpshooter........................ you know it's gonna happen

Yes, but only because this is in Canada. Alberta, no less. Edmonton, no less.

 

Boy, will that acquire some heat...

 

*Tries to comprehend it*

 

Don't be surprised if a riot breaks out.

Or worse...

 

Speculation mode on

------------------------

 

We get the repeat of the FINGERPOKE OF DOOM, with Benoit being arrested for some petty crime while HHH and HBk have a one on one match that ends with HBK laying down for HHH and letting HHH win and then the two w/ EVO beating up Benoit (who arrives at the arena just as the match ends) while no one in the locker room coming out to save Benoit.....

[Guest Adrian 3:16]

It's both the perfect city and the right time for Shawn Michaels to make a heel turn

 

Like Montreal for No Way Out?

 

When he was cheered?

 

 

He didn't fight Benoit at No Way Out either.

 

Canadian fans might've forgiven him for Montreal. But that doesn't mean they'll cheer him over Chris fucking Benoit either.

[Guest Anglesault]

Benoit is now higher than Jericho on the Canadian Darling scale?

 

I have a bitch of a time keeping track.

[Guest Adrian 3:16]

Benoit is now higher than Jericho on the Canadian Darling scale?

 

I have a bitch of a time keeping track.

Well I would hope so, but I'm biased.

 

Also the fact that Benoit, unlike Jericho at NWO, is going into this match as

 

A. a face

 

B. the defending World Champion

 

...counts for a little.

[Lord of The Curry 0]

It's both the perfect city and the right time for Shawn Michaels to make a heel turn

 

Like Montreal for No Way Out?

 

When he was cheered?

 

 

He didn't fight Benoit at No Way Out either.

 

Canadian fans might've forgiven him for Montreal. But that doesn't mean they'll cheer him over Chris fucking Benoit either.

No true Canadian wrestling fan will ever forgive Shawn for Montreal.

[Tawren 0]

It's both the perfect city and the right time for Shawn Michaels to make a heel turn

 

Like Montreal for No Way Out?

 

When he was cheered?

 

 

He didn't fight Benoit at No Way Out either.

 

Canadian fans might've forgiven him for Montreal. But that doesn't mean they'll cheer him over Chris fucking Benoit either.

No true Canadian wrestling fan will ever forgive Shawn for Montreal.

 

Lots of us hate Bret Hart and agree with McMahon for taking the belt off the unprofessional whiner.

[Lord of The Curry 0]

That's silly. Canadians can't hate Bret Hart. It's in our blood.

 

I'm sincerely hoping that you don't hate Bret, Tawren, as I value your opinion more so then most around here and it would suck if you did.

[Guest Adrian 3:16]

No true Canadian wrestling fan will ever forgive Shawn for Montreal.

Apparently, I am not a true Canadian wrestling fan then.

 

And yet, I still retain the will to live. Who'd have thought it?

[Lord of The Curry 0]

I'm so disillusioned. The majority of Canadian fans I've met hate Shawn Michaels with a passion.

 

*Looks down at hands. Looks up at the sky.*

 

Has the world gone topsy-turvy?