Chris King takes a look at the memorable WWE Backlash 2020 “Greatest Wrestling Match Ever” featuring Edge and Randy Orton!

Edge made his shocking return at the 2020 Royal Rumble and immediately reunited with his former Rated-RKO member Randy Orton. It all seemed like old times as both superstars shared respect with each other. The following night on Monday Night Raw after Orton proclaimed he wanted to get Rated-RKO back together, he hit a vicious RKO and CON-CHAIR-TO on Edge. 

‘The Viper’ was in his mind trying to protect his former partner after being out of the business for nine years but, Edge wanted to write his own storybook ending to his career. After Orton took out Edge’s wife Beth Phoenix, both men went to war in a Last Man Standing match at WrestleMania,,, in which Edge was victorious. This did not sit well with The Viper, who had gone back to his sick and sadistic ways. In order to prove who the better wrestler is, WWE announced they would compete in the Greatest Wrestling Match Ever at Backlash. 

The production for this match was legendary as both superstars were introduced by Howard Finkel via a Madison Square Garden-esque microphone, which made it feel like a big deal. Even the referee, Charles Robinson, was dressed up with a blue collared dress shirt and bow tie. The iconic match started with Edge attempting trying to outwrestle his opponent, but The Viper outsmarted him at every turn. Edge delivered a kick to Orton on the outside to gain some advantage. ‘The Master Manipulator’ utilized Orton’s weakened shoulder to keep him locked in a headlock, slowing down his opponent’s attack. 

Orton tried to hit a superplex on the outside, but Edge hit a flying clothesline, and The Viper started to bleed. It’s been all Edge so far in this match as he locked in a crossface on his friend-turned-rival. Orton turned things around with a nasty modified neckbreaker that sent Edge gasping for air. The Viper kept the punishment going as he slung his opponent into the pixie glass, barricade, announce table, and even the steel steps neck first. The Viper slowed everything down with a stiff sleeper hold, keeping Edge on the mat. 

In the third quarter both superstars started pulling out tricks, including the late great Eddie Guerrero’s Three Amigos suplexes. While the assault continued, Orton hit a massive Superplex off the top rope for a solid two-count. The Viper tried to take advantage of his rival’s neck with a super-draping DDT, but Edge countered with an Edge-E-Cution for another two count. After a modified chokehold, Orton hit an Angle Slam to give him some reprieve.

The Viper dumped Edge to the outside and was able to capitalize with his patented draping DDT. The Master Manipulator hit Edge-O-Matic for a near fall. Edge wanted a spear but instead managed to hit Christian, his long-time tag team partner’s, signature move, the Unprettier, for a two count. The Viper bounced back and hit a Pedigree, paying homage to Orton’s former Evolution leader HHH. Edge then hit a Rock Bottom! After several unique pinfall attempts by Edge, The Viper struck with an RKO for a 2.99 count. 

The finishing minutes of this classic match saw Orton going for a punt kick, and Edge hit two devastating spears for a solid two count! He went up for a flying attack, and Orton caught his rival into an RKO for yet another near fall. Edge locked in the Anti-Venom submission, but The Viper hit a low blow followed by a vicious Punt for the three-count! 

Was this the greatest wrestling match ever… No, not really. This was a solid match, though, as both superstars tried to utilize everything in their playbooks and even some homages to the greats of WWE. I think at this point of COVID, WWE was trying to use any taglines or unique creativity to produce great wrestling content. Edge unfortunately suffered a torn triceps injury that would keep him out of the ring until the 2021 Royal Rumble. The Viper would go on to become WWE Champion once again later that year!

Chris King takes a look back at one of the most surreal wrestling events of all time, 2020’s WWE WrestleMania 36!

As we get geared up for WrestleMania 42, one of my favorite things to do is go back and watch previous Manias and find that special magic again. Six years ago, we were living in a worldwide pandemic and nothing felt the same.  WrestleMania 36 was supposed to be held in Tampa Bay but, unfortunately it took place inside of the Performance Center. 

For the first time in WWE history, WrestleMania was split into two nights, which would become a constant going forward. Each night would feature a plethora of matches including Goldberg vs. Braun Strowman for the Universal Championship, Seth Rollins vs. Kevin Owens, AJ Styles vs. The Undertaker in a Boneyard Match, and Brock Lesnar vs. Drew McIntyre for the WWE Championship. 

On Night one, one of the greatest bouts with an incredible build would be ‘The Messiah’ Seth Rollins vs. Kevin Owens. Rollins had been fighting for the greater good flanked by The Authors of Pain and Buddy Matthews and blatantly destroying Owens on multiple occasions. Rollins portrayed the perfect manipulating heel here.

The resilient ‘Prizefighter’ was so sick of Rollins’ crap that he challenged him to a match at Mania. What started as a simple match, quickly turned into an all out brawl with no disqualifications. Both superstars fought all over the ringside area, and KO would climb off the huge WrestleMania sign and hit a massive elbow drop! Owens would pick up the huge victory over The Messiah. 

Braun Strowman would challenge Goldberg for the Universal Championship in what was relatively a squash match. Roman Reigns was supposed to challenge Goldberg, butdue to health concerns, he took a hiatus from WWE. ‘The Monster Among Men’ would take four massive Spears from the veteran and retaliate with four running power slams to win his first Universal Championship! 

The main event of night one saw The Undertaker battle AJ Styles in a really fun and chaotic boneyard match. This dream match was supposed to take place in front of 75,000 screaming fans but, this was truly the perfect ending to Taker’s illustrious career. Styles had some massive balls calling out his opponent by calling him by his official name and disrespecting his family. ‘The Phenomenal One’ just kept poking the bear all the way into their match. Watching Styles arrive in Undertaker fashion inside of a coffin and give a maniacal laugh was hilarious. All the games were over after Taker rode in on his motorcycle to beat his ass! 

The Deadman would have to face off against The OC, and even his druids to shut his opponent up once and for all. Taker delivering a massive chokeslam and tombstone piledriver on the roof was a sight to see. Taker kicked Styles right into his own grave and rode off into the darkness, as usual! The Undertaker cross symbol blaring through the fire while Metallica plays was iconic! Taker would be so satisfied with the cinematic match that he would formally retire later that year! 

Night Two of WrestleMania 36 was awesome and electric, as Edge faced off with his greatest former friend now rival Randy Orton in a last man standing match, John Cena faced off with ‘The Fiend’ Bray Wyatt inside the Firefly Funhouse, and Drew McIntyre looks to win his first-every WWE championship from ‘The Beast Incarnate’ Brock Lesnar! 

Edge made his shocking return at the 2020 Royal Rumble, after a career-ending neck injury. Randy Orton was excited to see his former Rated-RKO partner but he quickly put a stop to a reunion in a disgusting manner. Orton delivering a vicious Concerto to Edge and hitting an RKO on Beth Phoenix brought back flashbacks to ‘09 Orton and his feud with Triple H! 

‘The Viper’ came out of nowhere disguised as a cameraman to hit an RKO to start the match. Orton was a mastermind here playing the sinister antagonist to Edge’s comeback story. Both superstars went to war throughout the performance center in a hard-hitting performance. Orton choking out Edge while saying “I’ll always love you, man” was just vile and really fun to watch. Edge finally got the advantage in the gym area using the machines to gain some revenge. 

They fought through the backstage areas, a boardroom all the way to the top of an NXT production truck. Orton hitting his signature draping DDT on the bed of a pickup truck was nasty. The Viper tried to Punt Edge’s lights out but, got hit with a massive spear. Edge got the final shot hitting Orton with a devastating Concerto to win the match! 

John Cena entered The Firefly Funhouse for one of most spectacular cinematic masterpieces of all time. This match was a cinematic journey of John Cena’s history within the company, and looking back at his greatest failures. It was so interesting to see how his future could have been way different had he turned heel, instead of maintaining being a babyface who was shoved down our throats for years! Bray Wyatt as ‘The Fiend’ finally got his comeuppance after Cena refused to put him over at Mania 30. 

Wyatt was red-hot at that time but, Cena gave him his greatest defeat of his career. The Fiend may not have been created if it wasn’t for this loss on the grandest stage of them all. Wyatt would defeat Cena and go on to become the Universal Champion months later. 

The final match of the grand event was Drew McIntyre defeating Brock Lesnar to win his first WWE Championship. After Lesnar’s impressive performance at the Royal Rumble, McIntyre humiliated him by eliminating him and punching his ticket to the biggest match of his career. The way WWE hyped McIntyre is very similar to how they are hyping Oba Femi right now. They made him look like an unstoppable beast. 

The match started with a free trip to Suplex City followed by a F5 for a kickout at one! Lesnar’s eyes grew wide as his opponent kept coming back. ‘The Scottish Warrior’ would not stay down and, The Beast was getting pissed. McIntyre would ultimately slay the beast hitting four massive Claymore kicks to win his first WWE Championship! Paul Heyman has a look of shock and disappointment as McIntyre poses with his title. What a way to end WrestleMania 36!