WWE Backlash 2024 Review

WWE

7 May

Written By Tom

A fierce battle of two former Bullet Club leaders

Let me start out by saying: the French know how to have a good time at wrestling events. The first thing I think of when I think back to Backlash 2024 is just how amped, enthusiastic, and vocal the incredible crowd in Lyon, France was. You can tell there was a lot of football (soccer) fans there, because they knew how to chant, and WWE almost didn’t need to play anyone’s backing tracks because they all sung them off by heart. Definitely one of the best crowds I’ve ever seen (and that’s even after attending Elimination Chamber live this year)!

Now, it’s a loaded question to ask me who I was going for in the title match between the Undisputed Champion Cody Rhodes and the challenger AJ Styles. Both of these wrestlers are genuinely talented, and usually have my full support in their matches. This was tough.

If this match had have happened later in the year, I probably would have gone for AJ because I’ve technically followed his career the longest. However, given Cody has only just claimed the title, I didn’t want him to lose it so quickly. That, and it was another cool chapter to add to the Rhodes family story given AJ beat his dad Dusty 21 years ago. The history is complex.

That said, it’s crazy to think that these two wrestlers have actually never faced each other in the ring. It’s almost hard to believe, given how long they’ve both been wrestling and especially seeing they’re both from Georgia originally. They both clearly respect each other as professionals, even if they don’t respect each other as individuals. It was clear that this match would be a showcase of sportsmanship just as much as it would deliver on the entertainment value. One thing that was refreshing, too, was that for the first time in two years, there was no outside interference in the title match of an event. This was great because it meant the focus was on Rhodes’ and Styles’ skills, and didn’t just lean on gimmicks to keep the crown entertained.

Neither of the wrestlers are small units, so there was a lot of strength on display, and neither of them was afraid to use their body weight against the other. On top of that, they weren’t afraid of using their knees and legs in this match, as there were a lot of kicks to the head and body as well as the strategic use of knees all throughout.

Cody really seemed to have a rough time with his back and his arms in this match, with Styles constantly dropping him on his back and at one point dropping him on the edge of the ring on his shoulder which really looked like it hurt. Styles also loved getting airbourne as he is known to do, which is impressive given how long he’s been launching himself like that. It definitely would have hurt Cody to be on the receiving end of these moves. Styles didn’t get away without punishment either to be honest, at one point being slammed into the French announcers’ table and copped a super kick from Rhodes that had a decent amount of force behind it.

Neither of these wrestlers had an easy time in the ring, that much was clear. They were both digging deep to find the strength to take the win, but in the end Cody was able to somehow find the fire to pin Styles to retain the title.

I definitely put this match in contention for match of the year, but the competition this year is tough, so who knows!

Special shout out too to the referee, Jessika Carr, who was the first woman to referee any WWE world title main event ever. It’s great to see her getting the showcase she deserves!