Roundtable: WWE Backlash 2018

Are you burnt out yet on WWE events?

David Gibb: Yes.

Evan Cross: Completely. I’m glad I worked during the Greatest Royal Rumble because I didn’t feel I missed out by not watching it live. I appreciate the amount of content we get for $10 a month, but it used to feel like going to Sweet Lucy’s on Monday, and now it feels more like going to Old Country Buffet.

John Corrigan: Absolutely. It wouldn’t be as bad if every event didn’t run over three hours.

Jack Goodwillie: I am, and I’ll be honest, I never seem to watch more than two in a row live. There’s definitely more of an incentive to tune into the big events, however, so I try to do that when I can. But yes, the oversaturation is real.

How do you feel about the Big Cass push?

Gibb: Meh. There’s nothing wrong with him, but I don’t feel like there’s a lot right, either.

Cross: I’ve always felt like Cass had a ton of potential, but he was thrust into a singles role too soon when he broke up with the Realest Guy Who Shall Not Be Named. I can’t imagine he’s been able to train much since being hurt, so that probably hasn’t changed. But if there’s anyone that can make him look good, it’s Daniel Bryan.

Corrigan: After his recent promo on Smackdown where he boasted about his height and shit all over us short people, I’m all in on the Big Cass push. Now that’s a heel I can hate.

Goodwillie: Well, let’s break it down. He’s tall, and he’s not completely void of charisma. But think about it. How many times through the years has it worked where WWE has pushed someone because of their height and not pushed them as “monsters,” necessarily? Now think of how many times it’s worked. I think you have to go back to Kevin Nash to find the last time that worked. I fully expect him to beat Daniel Bryan like a drum for the next few months though, and if anyone can make stars it’s probably Bryan. I also think WWE owes it to themselves to see what they have in Big Cass but we will find out very quick whether he has it in him or not to exist atop the card.

Has Asuka’s momentum completely derailed?

Gibb: No. It’s just the beginning of a new chapter. You can’t just win every match forever, for goodness’ sake.

Cross: Yes. WWE is almost certainly building up to Charlotte vs. Rousey, but it’s coming at the expense of Asuka, who might be a better wrestler than both of them.

Corrigan: Unfortunately. Her streak should still be going strong, but instead, she’s playing foreign Avengers with Becky Lynch.

Goodwillie: It has as we know it. That’s not to say she still can’t recoup some of it and be someone who can carry the women’s division on either brand. But Asuka, the unstoppable force is no more. The shine has worn off and one has to wonder if she turns heel in the coming months because let’s face it: On a roster with Charlotte, Becky Lynch, Asuka and the IIconics on top of it, Carmella as the top heel simply doesn’t hold up.

Do you care about Roman vs. Samoa Joe without a title on the line?

Gibb: I like Joe, so I’ll watch it.

Cross: I think it’ll be a good match that ultimately doesn’t mean anything in the long run. Hopefully I am wrong, but it seems like Reigns needs a complete revamp.

Corrigan: Nope. Why would Samoa Joe have any interest in facing Reigns if he’s not the champion? What does Joe get out of beating a guy that has been demolished by the Beast?

Goodwillie: Afraid not. Moreover, the match has had another uninspiring build. We’ve seen Joe vs. Joe in the past and these two work really well together so I’m not as much worried about the match. But week after week, this is what we’ve gotten: Reigns comes out, bitches about losing to Brock Lesnar. Joe comes out, belittles Reigns about his complaining. Reigns smiles and laughs. Joe leaves. And that’s what we’ve gotten! Only difference is this week Joe appeared on the tron instead of in person.

Who wins: AJ or Shinsuke?

Gibb: AJ gets the visual clean win during a time when the ref is down; then, when he gives up the pin/hold and goes to wake up the ref like a dumb babyface, he gets a low blow and a roll-up from Nakamura. WWE 101.

Cross: Gotta be Nakamura to give his heel turn juice. I didn’t like the result of WrestleMania, but the heel turn revitalized the feud. Styles winning would be a huge burial of Nak.

Corrigan: Cockamura will finally topple the house that AJ Styles built, leading to an exciting summer on Smackdown.

Goodwillie: If this feud is destined to continue? Shinsuke. But remember, Smackdown is LOADED, or at least it will be after Sunday. That’s another thing I don’t get. If the draft results aren’t going to go into effect until after Backlash, why not wait to do the draft until… wait for it…. after Backlash? I feel like it would be a lot easier to just draft each superstar to their new show and keep them there rather than have to tell your audience, “Oh, this guy’s on Smackdown, but he’s on Raw until Backlash.” It’s typical wackiness from the ‘E.’