Backlash (2006)

Infobox Wrestling event
name=Backlash (2006)

---

tagline=Long Live The King
theme="Baby Hates Me" (Danko Jones).cite web|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/backlash/history/backlash2006/|title=Official Backlash 2006 website|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2007-11-19]
promotion=World Wrestling Entertainment
brand=Raw
date=April 30, 2006
city=Lexington, Kentucky
venue=Rupp Arena
attendance=14,000 [cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wwf/backlash.html#2006|title=Backlash 2006|accessdate=2008-01-07|publisher=Pro Wrestling History]
lastevent=WrestleMania 22
nextevent=Judgment Day (2006)
event=Backlash
lastevent2=Backlash (2005)
nextevent2=Backlash (2007)

Backlash (2006) was the eighth annual Backlash professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). It took place on April 30, 2006 at the Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky and was a Raw brand-exclusive event.cite web|first=Brian|last=Elliott|date=2006-04-30|url= http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/PPVReports/2006/05/01/1558986.html |title=Heaven can't help Backlash|publisher=SLAM! Sports|accessdate=2007-11-19]

The main event was a Triple Threat match for the WWE Championship between John Cena, Triple H, and Edge, which Cena won by pinning Triple H with a jackknife roll-up.cite web|date=2006-04-30|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/backlash/history/backlash2006/matches/228510611/results/|title=WWE Champion John Cena def. Triple H and Edge (Triple Threat Match)|accessdate=2007-11-19|publisher=WWE] One of the predominant matches on the card was Shawn Michaels and "God" versus Vince and Shane McMahon, which the McMahons won after pinning Michaels following interference from The Spirit Squad.cite web|date=2006-04-30|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/backlash/history/backlash2006/matches/22851061/results |title=Mr. McMahon & Shane McMahon def. Shawn Michaels & "God"|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2007-11-19] Another primary match on the undercard was Rob Van Dam versus Shelton Benjamin in a Title vs. Briefcase match, Van Dam won the match to become the WWE Intercontinental Champion.cite web|date= 2006-04-30|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/backlash/history/backlash2006/matches/2562208/results/|title=Rob Van Dam def. Shelton Benjamin to become Intercontinental Champion|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2007-11-19]

Many of the existing feuds concluded following the event. The feud between The McMahons and Shawn Michaels, however, carried on. After refusing to attack Michaels, Triple H turned face and re-united with Michaels to reform D-Generation X. The two would go on to defeat The Spirit Squad two months later at Vengeance. [cite web|first=Louie|last=Dee|date=2006-06-25|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/vengeance/history/2006/matches/25900123/results/|title=DX breaks down the Spirit Squad|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2008-04-27] After losing the WWE Championship to Rob Van Dam at One Night Stand, [cite web|first=Ed|last=Williams III|date=2006-06-11|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/onenightstand/history/2006/matchesremove/2384844/results/|title=History made at Hammerstein|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2008-04-27] Cena began an angle with the newly created ECW brand, which concluded in a match against Sabu at Vengeance. [cite web|first=Brett|last=Hoffman|date=2006-06-25|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/vengeance/history/2006/matches/259001212/results/|title=Extreme Tap-out|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2008-04-27] Following the conclusion of Backlash, Kane ended his feud with The Big Show and started feuding with an "Imposter Kane", which culminated two months later at Vengeance. [cite web|first=Louie|last=Dee|date=2006-06-25|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/vengeance/history/2006/matches/2935156/results/|title=Even better than the real thing?|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2008-04-27]

Background

The main feud heading into Backlash was between John Cena, Triple H, and Edge over the WWE Championship. The feud began when Triple H won a number one contender spot to face Cena at WrestleMania 22 for the WWE Championship. [cite web|url= http://onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/060220.html|title=Raw results - February 20, 2006|accessdate=2007-11-27| publisher=Online World of Wrestling] Weeks before their scheduled match, the two continuously feuded with one another. [cite web|first=Derek|last=Martin|url=http://www.411mania.com/wrestling/tv_reports/38322/411%5C%5Cs-WWE-Raw-Report-02.27.06.htm|title=411's WWE Raw Report 02.27.06|accessdate=2008-04-04|date=2006-02-27|publisher=411mania.com] cite web|first=Larry|last=Csonka|url=http://www.411mania.com/wrestling/tv_reports/38779/411s-WWE-Raw-Report-3.13.06.htm|title=411’s WWE Raw Report 3.13.06|accessdate=2008-04-04|date=2006-03-13|publisher=411mania.com] At WrestleMania, Cena defeated Triple H, after forcing him to submit to the STFU. [cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wrestlemania22/matches/14160262/results/|title=John Cena defeats Triple H at WrestleMania|accessdate=2007-12-11|publisher=WWE] The next night on "Raw", Triple H demanded another shot at the WWE Championship, but Edge and Lita interrupted Triple H's segment.cite web|url= http://onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/060403.html|title=Raw results - April 3, 2006|accessdate=2007-12-06|publisher=Online World of Wrestling] Edge became WWE Champion at New Year's Revolution when he cashed in his Money in the Bank title shot, defeating Cena at the event. [cite web|url= http://onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/wweppv/newyearsrevolution06.html|title=New Years Revolution 2006 Results|accessdate= 2007-12-06|publisher=Online World of Wrestling] He was WWE Champion for only three weeks, when Cena reclaimed the Championship at the 2006 Royal Rumble.cite web|url=http://www.hoffco-inc.com/wwe/ppv/ppv/rr06.html|title=Royal Rumble 2006 Results|accessdate=2007-12-06|publisher= Hoffco] Edge claimed that it was time for a new opponent for the WWE Championship, after proclaiming that at WrestleMania, Triple H lost his opportunity when he submitted to Cena's STFU. All three men had a series of Handicap matches leading up to Backlash with Triple H pinning Cena after a Pedigree, [cite web| url=http://onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/060403.html|title=Raw results - April 3, 2006|accessdate=2007-12-06| publisher=Online World of Wrestling] Cena forcing Edge to submit to the STFU, [cite web|url=http://onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/060410.html|title=Raw results - April 10, 2006|accessdate=2007-12-06|publisher=Online World of Wrestling] and Edge spearing Triple H and pinning him. [cite web|url=http://onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/060417.html|title=Raw results - April 17, 2006| accessdate=2007-12-06|publisher=Online World of Wrestling] Then it was announced that Cena would defend the WWE Championship in a Triple Threat match against Triple H and Edge at Backlash. [cite web|url= http://onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/060410.html|title=Raw results - April 10, 2006|accessdate=2007-11-28|publisher= Online World of Wrestling]

The other main event match was Vince McMahon and Shane McMahon versus Shawn Michaels and God. This feud started on December 26, 2005, when Mr. McMahon made note of Bret Hart's DVD, claiming that he "tricked" Hart in the hours of his match at Survivor Series 1997, where Hart lost the WWE Championship to Shawn Michaels. At the event, Michaels applied Hart's own finisher, the Sharpshooter, and McMahon called for the bell, in an event known as the "Montreal Screwjob". [cite web|url=http://www.hoffco-inc.com/wwe/ppv/ppv/sur97.html|title=Survivor Series 1997 review|accessdate=2008-04-04|publisher=hoffco-inc.com] Michaels interrupted McMahon and told him to "let it go" and "move on" from the events of Survivor Series. [cite web|url=http://www.pwwew.net/tv/raw/051226.htm|title=Advantage Kane|accessdate=2008-04-10|date=2005-12-27|publisher=PWWEW.net] In reply McMahon told Michaels that he indeed screwed Bret Hart and added, "Shawn, do not make me screw you." [cite web|url=http://onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/051226.html|title=Raw results - December 26, 2005| accessdate=2007-11-28|publisher=Online World of Wrestling] At the Royal Rumble, Shane McMahon made a surprising appearance when he eliminated Michaels from the Rumble match, though Shane was not a participant in the match. McMahon informed Michaels that he would face his son Shane at Saturday Night's Main Event in a No Holds Barred match. At the event, Vince interfered throughout the match on his son's behalf, by stopping the referee's count, after Michaels performed Sweet Chin Music on Shane, an enraged Michaels grabbed McMahon but before he could do anything, Shane hit Michaels with a low blow. McMahon ordered Shane to apply the Sharpshooter on Michaels, and, after he executed the submission move, McMahon called for the bell, similar to the 1997 Survivor Series match. [cite web|url= http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/snme/060318.html|title=Saturday Night's Main Event results - March 18, 2006| accessdate=2007-12-06|publisher=Online World of Wrestling] Mr. McMahon booked himself and Michaels in a No Holds Barred match at WrestleMania 22. [cite web|url=http://onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/060306.html|title=Raw results - March 6, 2006|accessdate=2008-04-04|publisher=Online World of Wrestling] At WrestleMania, the Spirit Squad and Shane McMahon interfered on McMahon's behalf, but Michaels defeated Vince McMahon after he performed Sweet Chin Music and captured the pinfall victory. [cite web|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wrestlemania22/matches/22203221/results/|title=HBK defeats Vince McMahon at WrestleMania|accessdate=2007-12-11|publisher=WWE] The next night on "Raw", The McMahons confronted Michaels and informed him that his win at WrestleMania was "an act of God," therefore setting up the tag team match at Backlash that would have The McMahons facing Michaels and God.

Event

Before the event started, Goldust defeated Rob Conway in a match that aired on HEAT. Goldust won the match after a powerslam.cite web|url=http://www.hoffco-inc.com/wwe/ppv/ppv/bkl06.html|title=Backlash 2006 review|publisher=hoffco-inc.com|accessdate=2007-12-19] The first match of the event was between Carlito and Chris Masters. In the beginning of the match, Carlito had the upper hand over Masters, and he executed a plancha and a Springboard Back elbow. Masters, however, gained the advantage and executed a powerbomb on Carlito into the turnbuckle. Carlito performed a Back Cracker and pinned Masters while using the ropes for leverage to win the bout. [cite web|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/backlash/history/backlash2006/matches/228510612/results/|title=Carlito defeats Chris Masters| accessdate=2007-12-13|date=2006-04-30|publisher=WWE] cite journal |last=Brown|first=Jeremy|title=Unholy Alliance|journal=WWE Raw|volume=12|year=2006 |month=July|pages=44–51]

Next was a match between Umaga and Ric Flair. Umaga had the advantage throughout the match, as he hit a knee to his head. He defeated Flair by pinning him after executing the Samoan Spike. [cite web|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/backlash/history/backlash2006/matches/2622564/results/|title=Umaga defeats Ric Flair|accessdate=2007-12-13|date=2006-04-30|publisher=WWE] The third match was between Trish Stratus and Mickie James for the WWE Women's Championship. The match had escalated when Stratus caught James with an Air Canada outside the ring. When Stratus delivered punches to James, who was on the second turnbuckle, James back body dropped her over the top rope, causing Stratus to land on her right arm. Afterwards, James choked Stratus with a wristband she was wearing that fell off during the match, [cite web|first=Carl|last=Walsh|url=http://www.lordsofpain.net/news/2006/articles/1146451725.php|title=WWE Backlash Comprehensive Recap - April 30, 2006|accessdate=2008-02-11|date=2006-04-30|publisher=Lords of Pain] therefore giving the win to Stratus, as James lost by disqualification and retained the Championship. [cite web|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/backlash/history/backlash2006/matches/2549644/results/|title=Trish Stratus defeats Women's Champion Mickie James (DQ)|accessdate=2007-12-13|date=2006-04-30|publisher=WWE]

The next title match was for the WWE Intercontinental Championship between Rob Van Dam and Shelton Benjamin. Both Van Dam and Banjamin started the match with highspots as Benjamin performed a Sunset flip powerbomb on Van Dam in the apron from the floor, and Benjamin leapt from the top rope, turning into a Suplex but Van Dam kicked out of it. A frustrated Benjamin grabbed Van Dam's Money in the Bank briefcase and hit Van Dam with it, but it backfired when Van Dam hit the Van Daminator and walked away with both the Intercontinental Championship and the Money in the Bank briefcase. [cite web|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/backlash/history/backlash2006/matches/2562208/results/|title=Rob Van Dam defeats Shelton Benjamin to become Intercontinental Champion|accessdate=2007-12-13|date=2006-04-30|publisher=WWE] The next match was The Big Show versus Kane, which ended in a no-contest after a red hue covered the ring and voices from the speakers in the arena began taunting Kane with "May 19", as it has throughout weeks on Raw. Big Show who seemed to have enough, hit Kane with a steel chair and walked away. [cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/backlash/history/backlash2006/matches/2562228/results/|title=Kane vs Big Show (No Contest)|accessdate=2007-12-13|date=2006-04-30|publisher=WWE]

The sixth match was a No Holds Barred match between Vince and Shane McMahon versus Shawn Michaels and God. Before the match began, backstage Vince McMahon flaunted his own "miracles", such as laying hands on Candice Michelle and healing her chest cold. As soon as The McMahons made their way to the ring, Vince informed the referee to "check" God for any hidden objects, as God was being "portrayed" by the stage spotlight. The match started with Shawn Michaels crossbodying both Vince and Shane McMahon on the outside of the ring. Afterwards, Michaels crossbody-blocked Vince down through a part of the Backlash staging area. Shane then hit Michaels with a steel chair and caused him to bleed. After Vince and Shane took turns assaulting Michaels, Vince grabbed a microphone and informed Michaels that "God" had left the building and used Sweet Chin Music, Michaels' own finisher, against him. Michaels battled back and grabbed the upper hand as he was going to deliver the final blow, as he stood on top of a ladder. The Spirit Squad interfered and attacked Michaels. Vince McMahon pinned Michaels after the Spirit Squad maneuvered their finishing move, The High Spirits and sent Michaels crashing through a table. [cite web|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/backlash/history/backlash2006/matches/22851061/results/|title=Mr. McMahon and Shane McMahon defeat Shawn Michaels and "God"|accessdate=2007-12-13|date=2006-04-30|publisher=WWE]

The seventh and final match of the event was a Triple Threat match for the WWE Championship between John Cena, Edge, and Triple H. As the match began, Edge chose to stand outside the ring, hoping that Cena and Triple H would simply fight the match themselves. Cena and Triple H, however, teamed up and turned against Edge. One spot in the match saw Edge throw Triple H into the steel ringpost and Triple H bleed as a result. Afterwards, Edge executed a DDT on Triple H and focused on Cena. Cena locked Edge in the STFU, but was broken when Triple H hit Cena with a microphone. Triple H then went after Edge and hit him with a chair, sending him over the wall and into the audience. Lita, who accompanied Edge, entered the ring with a chair to hit Triple H, but quickly Triple H reversed in into a Spinebuster. Near the end of the match, Cena performed an FU on Edge and attempted to pin him. As Cena went for the cover, Triple H delivered a low blow to Cena and attempted to execute a Pedigree. Cena, however, countered into a jackknife roll-up and won the match to successfully retain the WWE Championship. After the match, Triple H hit Cena, Edge, and the referee with a sledgehammer. [cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/backlash/history/backlash2006/matches/228510611/results/|title=WWE Champion John Cena defeats Triple H and Edge (Triple Threat Match)|accessdate=2007-12-13|date=2006-04-30|publisher=WWE]

Aftermath

On the May 15 edition of "Raw", Rob Van Dam lost the Intercontinental Championship to Shelton Benjamin. [cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/060515.html|title=Raw results - May 15, 2006|accessdate=2007-12-17|publisher=Online World of Wrestling] On the May 22 edition of "Raw", Van Dam informed WWE Champion John Cena that he would be cashing in his Money in the Bank contract at ECW One Night Stand for a WWE Championship match. On the May 29 edition of "Raw", Van Dam was selected by ECW Representative Paul Heyman to be drafted from Raw to WWE's new ECW brand. [cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/060529.html|title=Raw results - May 29, 2006|accessdate=2008-02-07|publisher=Online World of Wrestling] At One Night Stand, Cena lost the WWE Championship to Van Dam in an Extreme Rules match.cite web|first=Ed|last=Williams III| title=History made at Hammerstein|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/onenightstand/history/2006/matchesremove/2384844/results/| publisher=WWE|date=2006-06-11|accessdate=2007-12-14]

Following the aftermath from Backlash, Kane was confronted by an Imposter Kane, who was wearing Kane's old mask and ring attire. [cite web|first=Ed|last=Williams III|url=http://www.pwwew.net/tv/raw/060529.htm|title=Will Triple H join the Mr. McMahon Kiss My Ass Club?|accessdate=2008-04-11|date=2006-05-29|publisher=PWWEW.net] The Impostor chokeslammed Kane during his match against Shelton Benjamin for the Intercontinental Championship. [cite web|url= http://onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/060529.html|title=Raw results - May 29, 2006|accessdate=2007-12-19|publisher= Online World of Wrestling] Throughout weeks on "Raw", the Impostor interfered during Kane's matches. [cite web|url=http://onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/060605.html|title=Raw results - June 5, 2006|accessdate=2007-12-19|publisher= Online World of Wrestling] [cite web|url=http://onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/060612.html|title=Raw results - June 12, 2006|accessdate=2007-12-19|publisher= Online World of Wrestling] This feud lead to a match between the two at Vengeance, in which the real Kane lost to the Impostor. [cite web|url=http://onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/wweppv/vengeance06.html|title=Vengeance 2006 Results|accessdate=2007-12-19|publisher =Online World of Wrestling]

The McMahons along with The Spirit Squad continued their feud with Shawn Michaels. In the weeks that followed, Michaels would get revenge on both the McMahons and the Spirit Squad. [cite web|first=Ed|last=Williams III|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/05012006/|title=Chaos in Columbus|accessdate=2007-12-24|date=2006-05-01|publisher=WWE] [cite web|first=Louie|last=Dee|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/05152006/|title=Money Shot|accessdate=2007-12-26|date=2006-05-15|publisher=WWE] Until the May 22 edition of "Raw", when Michaels was in a 5-on-1 handicap match, in which it saw the Spirit Squad members injure Michaels' left knee.cite web|first=Louie|last=Dee|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/05222006/|title=Apology Accepted?|accessdate=2007-12-10|date=2006-05-22|publisher=WWE] Triple H, who was included during the feud, was ordered by Vince McMahon to "break Michaels' skull", with his signature sledgehammer. Triple H failed to do what Mr. McMahon ordered, and instead attacked the Spirit Squad, thus turning face. Weeks followed in which Triple H was supposed to become a member of Mr. McMahon's "Kiss My Ass Club". Triple H, however, backfired when trying to become a member, when he Pedigreed McMahon and laying him and Shane out in the ring. [cite web|first=Louie|last=Dee|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/06052006/|title=Kiss this| accessdate=2007-12-10|date=2006-06-05|publisher=WWE] On the June 12 edition of "Raw", McMahon booked Triple H in a Gauntlet match against the Spirit Squad. During the match, it saw Michaels return as part of the storyline. Triple H and Michaels would go on to reform their previous wrestling stable D-Generation X.cite web|url= http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/060612.html|title=RAW results- June 12, 2006|accessdate=2007-12-10|publisher=Online World of Wrestling] At Vengeance, DX met the Spirit Squad in a 5-on-2 handicap match, in which it saw DX defeat them as part of their reformation. [cite web|url= http://www.pwwew.net/ppv/wwf/june/2006.htm|title=Vengeance 2006 Results|accessdate=2007-08-17|publisher=PWWEW.net]

Results

References

External links

* [http://www.wwe.com/shows/backlash/history/backlash2006/ Official Backlash 2006 website]