Welcome to another edition of Triple Threat from Smark Out Moment, where three of us get together to discuss three questions based on one big topic going down in the week of professional wrestling.
This week, Dallas Allsopp, Greg Coleman and Robert DeFelice review WWE WrestleMania Backlash 2021.
Overall, WrestleMania Backlash was one of the best shows of the pandemic era. Despite feauturing some predictable matches, everyone seemed motivated for the show. Which was the better women's match? Was the WWE Championship match entertaining? And just how good was Roman Reigns vs Cesaro?
Question 1: Which women’s match was the more entertaining offering at WrestleMania Backlash? Who initially seems to be the better Women’s Champion between Rhea Ripley and Bianca Belair?
ALLSOPP: I much preferred the Raw Women's Championship match, and this was primarily due to the strong manner in which Rhea Ripley was presented. She secured her second pinfall victory over Asuka in a week, whilst outsmarting the legendary Charlotte Flair. Whilst Bianca Belair vs Bayley was good, it couldn't touch the Triple Threat match, which makes Ripley seem like the stronger champion by default.
COLEMAN: Bianca Belair vs Bayley, to me at least, was by far the more entertaining match. The Raw Women’s Championship Triple Threat match was simply a mechanism to make Charlotte Flair even stronger and more dominant than she’s already been portrayed. Rhea Ripley won the match, but she ultimately did so with Flair’s help.
Belair has been the better champion so far because she has been built better, and placed in a better situation to look strong as a champion. In her two title matches, she’s beaten two of the best women’s wrestlers and former champions in the history of WWE. Not a bad way to start a title run.
DeFELICE: I thought the Triple Threat was good. Bayley and Bianca Belair, as much as I prefer them as performers, were a little off on Sunday. Especially in the finish of the match, which kind of came unraveled. A rare miss for these two. On the other hand, I feel like Rhea Ripley and Asuka have been getting better, chemistry wise, and Charlotte Flair added to the excitement.
Question 2: Did you enjoy the WWE Championship Triple Threat match? Will Bobby Lashley defend against one of these behemoths inside Hell in a Cell next month?
COLEMAN: I enjoyed the Triple Threat match a lot. Three big guys beating the crap out of each other is always fun. The physicality was excellent, and the right guy won. Bobby Lashley pinning Braun Strowman after Drew McIntyre hit the Claymore pretty much guarantees that McIntyre will play the 'I didn’t lose' card, and will face Lashley inside Hell in a Cell.
DeFELICE: This match was a lot of fun. More than I expected. I was openly down on this match going into it because I just had lost interest in the characters, but I think they put together a very fun match. As for what's next for Bobby Lashley, it looks like its Kofi Kingston after he defeated the WWE Champion on Monday Night Raw. It will be an interesting journey to Hell in a Cell.
ALLSOPP: I enjoyed the WWE Championship match, with it coming across as a true 'Hoss Battle'. It was physical and violent, which meant there was much to enjoy. In terms of Bobby Lashley's Hell in a Cell opponent, I anticipate a non-Hell in a Cell match for the WWE Championship, as a potential match with Kofi Kingston would not make sense if staged inside the demonic structure.
Question 3: Was Roman Reigns vs Cesaro the best WWE Universal Championship match yet? What is in store next for The Tribal Chief as we head towards Hell in a Cell?
DeFELICE: I don't know if it was the best overall WWE Universal Championship match in the five-year history of the championship, but it was a damn good one, setting the stage for great things for Cesaro if they keep it up. I don't know the extent of his injuries and if his arm is legitimately hurt, but it will keep him away for a while. It looks like Roman Reigns is going to once again have to take care of family business inside of Hell in a Cell. Only this time, it seems like he's going to have to face Jimmy Uso instead of Jey Uso.
ALLSOPP: I want to say it was, especially as Roman Reigns brought out the best in Cesaro. Cesaro is genuinely in the top five wrestlers for the company at the moment, with Reigns easily number one or two. This was yet another fine example of the stellar work put in by The Tribal Chief since he became WWE Universal Champion, and I hope we get a rematch inside Hell in a Cell at the titular event. Although it doesn't currently make sense, I can see the next few weeks creating a dynamic that justifies the use of the Cell, even if it means we have to address Seth Rollins' beatdown of Cesaro.
COLEMAN: Roman Reigns vs Cesaro was a masterpiece. All of those people who said Cesaro doesn’t have what it takes to be a WWE Champion or WWE Universal Champion had their argument severely weakened by this match. Reigns is in an absolute zone right now. His run since his return at SummerSlam hasn’t missed a beat, and he’s turned in the best matches of his career. That being said, I won’t be a prisoner of the moment and say that this was the best WWE Universal Championship match yet. That honour goes to Reigns vs Kevin Owens at TLC 2020. However, Reigns vs Cesaro is in the discussion for sure!
Bonus Question: In five words or less, sum up the involvement of the ‘Zombie Lumberjacks’ during Damian Priest vs The Miz.
ALLSOPP: Why Vince? Why?!?
COLEMAN: Terrible by WCW Standards.
DeFELICE: The Miz deserves better.
Those are our thoughts on the issue, but where do you stand?
Let us know your answers to these questions in the comments below!
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