WWE WrestleMania Backlash Results – May 16, 2021 – Reigns vs. Cesaro

May 16, 2021
Tampa, Florida (Yuengling Center)
Results by: Roy Nemer of Wrestleview.com


Quick Match Results

  1. Kickoff Show Non-Title Open Challenge: Sheamus defeated Ricochet via knee strike (7:10)
  2. WWE Raw Women’s Championship Triple Threat Match: Rhea Ripley (c) defeated Asuka and Charlotte Flair via the Riptide on Asuka (15:20)
  3. WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championship: Rey & Dominik Mysterio defeated Dolph Ziggler & Robert Roode (c) via frog splash by Dominik on Roode – New Champions (17:00)
  4. Lumberjack Match: Damian Priest defeated The Miz via Hit the Lights (7:00)
  5. WWE SmackDown Women’s Championship: Bianca Belair (c) defeated Bayley via roll up, with help from her hair (16:05)
  6. WWE Championship Triple Threat Match: Bobby Lashley (c) defeated Drew McIntyre and Braun Strowman via spear on Strowman after McIntyre hit Strowman with a Claymore (14:15)
  7. WWE Universal Championship: Roman Reigns (c) defeated Cesaro via Guillotine choke (27:35)

Kickoff Show Non-Title Open Challenge
Sheamus vs. Ricochet

Results of this match by Matt Boone of Rajah.com

Adnan Virk, Corey Graves and Byron Saxton welcome us back to the Kickoff Show and get us ready for our lone match on the pre-show this evening, as the WWE United States Champion Sheamus is in the ring now with a microphone and talks about his Open Challenge for tonight. He says it won’t be for the gold, however, claiming title opportunities are earned and not given. He says even though the title isn’t on-the-line, he is still willing to offer an opportunity to anyone in the back to get in the ring with one of the best.

He wraps up his pre-match promo on that note and then after a lengthy delay, the music of Ricochet plays and he makes his way down to the squared circle for this non-title open challenge showdown against “The Celtic Warrior.” The bell sounds and we’re off-and-running with our opening contest of the evening here on the Kickoff Show for WWE WrestleMania Backlash 2021.

Ricochet runs and hits a dropkick on Sheamus straight out of the gate and even slaps the big man in a disrespectful move. From there, we see the champ jump off to an early offensive lead as we settle into the match, using his size and strength advantage to dominate his smaller opposition in the early goings. He taunts him all-the-while, calling him a cheeky bastard and such while putting the boots to him.

We see Ricochet grab Sheamus’ head and drop to his knees, blasting “The Celtic Warrior” with his own bald dome in his chin to buy himself some time in a hope spot, however Sheamus immediately takes back over and punishes the challenger with devastating strikes. Ricochet again starts firing away with punches to try and use his will to get back into competitive form. Sheamus tries shutting it down again, however Ricochet jumps at him with a big kick that stuns him momentarily.

Ricochet is picked up by Sheamus but he holds onto the ropes in the corner to avoid a potential Alabama Slam type power spot. He then climbs to the top and launches off, splashing onto Sheamus. He follows up with a shooting star and then a Asai moonsault off the middle rope for a close near fall. Sheamus gets up favoring his rib cage and Ricochet goes to work on him with forearms. Sheamus catches Ricochet with a knee to the jaw that slows him down, but Ricochet fights back catching Sheamus with a big spot.

He then hits a springboard flipping splash off the ropes for another close near fall. Moments later, Sheamus catches Ricochet with a big knee to the face after he avoided a Brogue Kick attempt to finish him off. 1-2-3. Sheamus wins.

Winner: Sheamus (7:10)

Once the match wraps up, Sheamus hops back on the mic and tries adding insult to injury by mocking and gloating Ricochet after his victory. He puts his coat and fancy hat back on. He gets back on the mic but Ricochet recovers and attacks the U.S. Champion before taking his coat and hat and putting them on and dancing around as Sheamus is on the deck. Ricochet heads to the back and off-mic tells Sheamus to watch his back because he’s coming for that title.


WWE Raw Women’s Championship Triple Threat Match
Rhea Ripley (c) vs. Asuka vs. Charlotte Flair

The bell rings and we are under way. Flair with a clothesline on Ripley. Asuka knocks Flair down as Rhea goes for the cover but Asuka breaks it up. Flair to the outside. Asuka goes for a roll-up on Rhea but Rhea gets out of it. Asuka with a hip attack in the corner. Flair drags Asuka to the outside and she slams Asuka down. Flair gets back into the ring.

Rhea and Flair go face to face in the middle of the ring. Flair runs to the ropes and she goes for a shoulder tackle but Rhea stays on her feet. Rhea runs to the ropes and Flair with a knee to the midsection. An overhead throw by Flair and she stomps on Rhea in the corner. Flair on the ring apron as Asuka grabs Flair’s leg and Rhea knocks Flair to the outside.

Asuka on the second rope and Rhea kicks her down to the outside. Rhea on the ring apron and Flair trips her down. Flair throws Asuka into the ring and stomps on her in the corner. Flair goes for the cover but Asuka kicks out. A snap mare by Flair followed by a kick to the face. She goes for the cover but again Asuka kicks out.

Flair taunts Asuka as Asuka fights back with right hands. Kicks to the left leg by Asuka as she takes Flair down and gets her in an arm bar. Flair gets to the ropes and out of it. Asuka once more gets the arm bar in. Rhea back in the ring and she breaks it up. Flair with a chop to the chest onto Rhea. A back breaker by Flair as she slams Rhea face first into the turnbuckle. Flair with a chop onto Asuka knocking her down. She turns around and a clothesline by Rhea.

A drop kick by Rhea onto Asuka. Rhea with knees to the face of Charlotte followed by a snap mare. A drop kick to the side of the head by Rhea. A northern lights suplex by Rhea but Asuka breaks it up. Asuka with a kick to the head knocking Rhea down. A German suplex by Asuka on Flair followed by another. Asuka with the hip attack in the corner onto Rhea. A kick to the face of Charlotte.

Asuka with kicks onto both Rhea and Flair. Asuka goes for the cover on Charlotte but Flair kicks out. Asuka climbs the top rope and a drop kick knocks Rhea down to the outside. Asuka on the ring apron and Flair knocks her down. Flair to the top rope and a moonsault onto Asuka and Rhea. Flair throws Asuka back into the ring. Flair climbs the second rope but Rhea slows her down. Ripley gets in the ring and she climbs the second rope. Rhea goes for a suplex but Flair blocks it. Asuka hits Rhea from behind. Asuka climbs the second rope and a double suplex taking Flair down.

All three women are down. Right hands by all three of them. Flair with a double chop block taking both Rhea and Asuka down followed by a double Natural Selection. Flair covers them both but they both kick out. Flair climbs the top rope and she goes for a moonsault but Asuka moves out of the way. Asuka with the double knees onto Flair. Rhea attacks Asuka from behind but Asuka fighting back. Flair with the big boot on Rhea. Asuka with the Asuka Lock on Charlotte but Flair gets out of it.

Asuka with a kick onto Flair which knocks her on the ring apron. Asuka knocks Rhea down. Flair with a big boot onto Asuka as Flair falls to the outside while kicking Asuka. Rhea with the Riptide on Asuka. She goes for the cover and gets the pin.

Winner: Still WWE Raw Women’s Champion, Rhea Ripley (15:20)


WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championship
Dolph Ziggler & Robert Roode (c) vs. Rey & Dominik Mysterio

We see a clip of earlier in the night where Ziggler and Roode attacked Dominik Mysterio backstage.

It cuts to another scene where Dominik is with Rey and a WWE doctor. Dominik tells him he can’t make it for the match and Rey tells him he’ll take care of them.

The bell rings and we are under way. Rey throws Roode into Ziggler and Ziggler to the outside. Rey with a baseball slide takes Ziggler down on the outside. Roode throws Rey to the ropes but Rey with a kick to the face. Rey slides under the bottom rope and a splash onto Ziggler. Roode attacks Rey from behind.

Roode slams Rey face first into the ring apron. Roode lifts Rey up but Rey drives Roode face first into the ring post. Rey on the ring apron and he lands a senton onto Roode. Rey back in the ring. Roode gets back in the ring and a kick to the midsection onto Rey. A clothesline by Roode and Ziggler is tagged in. Ziggler goes for the cover but Rey kicks out.

A rake to the eyes by Ziggler and Roode is tagged in. A chop to the chest by Roode as he slams Rey into the turnbuckle. Roode taunts Rey but Rey with a drop toe hold. Rey on the ring apron and he knocks Ziggler off the ring apron. Rey with right hands on Roode. Rey climbs the top rope and Ziggler trips him up. Rey in a tree of woe. Roode stomping on Rey in the corner.

Rey drops to the outside and Ziggler is tagged in. Rey holding his left knee as Ziggler attacks it. Ziggler throws Rey into the ring. He goes for the cover but Rey kicks out. Roode is tagged back in. Rey holding his leg in the corner and Roode attacks Rey’s left leg. Ziggler is tagged in. Roode lifts Rey up and Ziggler with the Famouser. Ziggler goes for the cover but Rey kicks out.

Roode slides Rey to the outside and Ziggler hits Rey with a super kick in mid air as Rey is falling. The referee counts to nine but Rey makes it back into the ring. Roode is tagged in. A headbutt by Roode and Ziggler is tagged back in. They go for a double suplex on Rey but Rey reverses it into a double DDT. Rey throws Roode shoulder first into the turnbuckle. Ziggler runs after Rey and Rey throws him shoulder first into the ring post.

Dominik walks down to the ring holding his injured ribs. Dominik is on the apron and Rey slams Ziggler into the second rope. Rey runs to the ropes, he knocks Roode down off the ring apron. Ziggler with the Zig Zag. He goes for the cover but Rey kicks out. Roode is tagged in.

Roode with a knee to the midsection. He goes for the cover but once more Rey kicks out. Right hands by Roode as he slams Rey into the turnbuckle. Roode lifts Rey up on his shoulders and he climbs the second rope. Rey gets out of it. Rey on the top rope and a bulldog off the top rope. Both men are down. Dominik tags himself in. Dominik knocks Ziggler off the ring apron. Right hands onto Roode but Roode hits him with a spine buster. Ziggler is tagged in.

They double team Dominik. Ziggler goes for the cover but Dominik kicks out. Ziggler prepares for the super kick but Dominik hits him with a super kick of his own. Roode and Rey are tagged in. Rey with a senton off the top rope. He knocks Ziggler to the outside. Rey runs to the ropes but Roode hits him with a back breaker. He goes for the cover but Rey kicks out.

Roode lifts Rey up but Rey with right hands and he knocks Robert down. Roode in the turnbuckle and Rey with a 619. Dominik is tagged in. Rey slides to the outside and takes Ziggler down. Dominik with a frog splash off the top rope. He goes for the cover and gets the pin.

Winners: New WWE SmackDown Tag Team Champions, Rey and Dominik Mysterio (17:00)

Kayla gets in the ring and congratulates them. Rey says for the first time in WWE history, the first father and son SmackDown Tag Team Champions. Rey says he is on top of the world. Dominik says it’s an honor and a blessing to be able to share this with his dad.


Backstage: Jimmy Uso, Jey Uso, Roman Reigns

We cut to Jimmy Uso walks into Roman’s office and it’s Jey sitting down. Jimmy asks where Roman is. He tells him the name on the door says Roman Reigns but it should say Roman Reigns and Jey Uso. But their locker room would say Jimmy and Jey Uso, Tag Team Champions.

In comes Roman Reigns. Jimmy says he just wanted to tell him good luck tonight as he walks away.


Backstage: John Morrison, The Miz

John Morrison is backstage. He enters the WWE Lumberjack room but it’s filled with several zombie like creatures. Morrison walks away as the zombies leave the room.

Later, Morrison is backstage with Miz and he explains to him what he just saw with the zombies. Miz asks him if this is one of his weird motivational tactics. What he saw is probably just in his head. Morrison says he’s right as they walk away. The camera pans to the zombies walking around backstage.


Lumberjack Match
Damian Priest vs. The Miz

In the ring, the zombie lumberjacks, from the Army of the Dead movie, surround the ring and scare away the ring announcers. Smoke fills the ThunderDome as the referee calls for the bell. No WWE crowd on the LED boards, instead it’s buildings.

Miz throws Priest onto the ring apron. Miz goes to attack Damian but he falls to the outside. Miz gets back in the ring and Priest slams him down. Miz throws Damian to the outside and Priest attacks the zombies and gets back in. Miz with a boot knocks Damian down. He goes for the cover but Priest kicks out. Miz goes for a clothesline but falls to the outside of the ring. Miz slides under the ring to get away from the zombies and gets back in the ring.

Priest with a big clothesline taking Miz down. Kicks by Priest followed by right hands. A spinning kick by Priest. He goes for the cover but Miz kicks out. Priest climbs the top rope and a spinning heel kick onto the Miz but Priest lands on Miz’s knee. He goes for the cover but Miz kicks out. Priest grabs Miz but Miz slams Priest down and he gets the figure four on Priest in the middle of the ring.

The zombies grab Priest and Miz and slide them to the outside. Miz and Priest fight them off. They agree to attack the zombies instead of each other. Priest and Miz are back in the ring. Miz goes for a high five but Priest blocks it and Priest hits him with the falcon arrow. He goes for the cover but Miz kicks out.

Morrison runs down. He gets on the ring apron and a kick onto Priest. Miz with the running knee. He goes for the cover but Priest kicks out. Miz still holding his knee. Morrison knocks out some of the zombies on the outside. Zombies grab Morrison. In the ring, Priest hits Miz with the Hit the Lights. He goes for the cover and gets the pin.

Winner: Damian Priest (7:00)

Priest leaves the ring as the zombies all go after Miz who is down in the middle of the ring.


Hell in a Cell Preview

Hell in a Cell will air on Sunday, June 20.


Backstage: Jey Uso, Jimmy Uso

Jey walks up to Jimmy and tells him that Roman doesn’t need any more distractions tonight. Jimmy tells him maybe the name on the locker room should say Roman Reigns is his bitch.


WWE SmackDown Women’s Championship
Bianca Belair (c) vs. Bayley

The bell rings and we are under way. Bianca throws Bayley to the outside. Bayley back in the ring. An arm bar by Bianca followed by a head lock. Bianca with a drop kick takes Bayley down. Bianca slams Bayley into the turnbuckle. Bianca goes for a moonsault but Bayley moves out of the way and to the outside as Bianca lands on her feet.

Bianca chases Bayley around the ring and a shoulder tackle by Bianca. She throws Bayley back in the ring. Bianca with a moonsault. She goes for the cover but Bayley kicks out. Bayley grabs Bianca by her earring and she attacks Bianca. She slams Bianca into the turnbuckle. Bayley goes for the cover but Bianca kicks out.

Bayley with a knee to the back. Bayley with a back suplex. She goes for the cover but Bianca kicks out. Bayley on the top rope but Bianca slows her down. Bayley on the ring apron and she chokes Bianca up on the second rope. Bayley on the ring apron goes for a suplex but Bianca blocks it. Bianca with a vertical suplex. Bayley rolls Bianca up but Bianca kicks out. Both women brawl to the outside of the ring. Bayley lifts Bianca up and slams her onto the steel steps. A snap suplex by Bayley on the outside. She throws Bianca back in and goes for the cover but Bianca kicks out.

Both women are down. Bayley lifts Bianca up on her shoulders and she slams her down. She goes for the cover but Bianca kicks out. A running knee by Bayley. She goes for the cover but Bianca kicks out and throws Bayley to the outside of the ring. Bayley back in. Right hands by Bayley as she taunts Bianca. A chop by Bianca knocks Bayley down. Bianca with right hands and kicks. A drop kick by Bianca followed by a spine buster. She goes for the cover but again Bayley kicks out.

Bianca gets Bayley up but Bayley with a clothesline. Bayley on the top rope and an elbow drop. She goes for the cover but Bianca kicks out. Bayley kicks Bianca to the outside. Bayley slams Bianca face first into the ring post. Bayley goes for a suicide dive but Bianca moves out of the way. Belair lifts Bayley up and slams her face first into the ring apron. Bianca throws Bayley in the ring. She goes for the cover but Bayley kicks out. Bianca goes for a spear on Bayley but Bayley moves out of the way. A back slide by Bayley as she goes for the cover with her feet on the ropes but Bianca kicks out.

Bayley argues with the referee but Bianca with a right hand. A rake to the eyes by Bayley and Bianca down and the referee didn’t see it. Bayley grabs Bianca’s long braid. She hits her with the Bayley to Belly. She goes for the cover but Bianca kicks out. Bayley grabs Bianca’s braid again. She goes for the rose plant but Bianca blocks it and gets the pin on Bayley with a roll up with the help of her hair.

Winner: Still WWE SmackDown Women’s Champion, Bianca Belair (16:05)

Bayley argues with Michael Cole saying that Bianca cheated and used her hair.


WWE Championship Triple Threat Match
Bobby Lashley (c) vs. Drew McIntyre vs. Braun Strowman

Kevin is backstage with MVP and he asks him about Braun Strowman. MVP says Strowman lacks the intelligence to be Champion. Drew is smart enough to see the big picture and he knows that the big picture doesn’t look good for him. MVP says Lashley is at a disadvantage as he can lose without being pinned. MVP says Bobby is not just a champion or WWE champion, he is the almighty WWE champion.

The bell rings and we are under way. Strowman knocks both men down. Strowman runs towards Lashley but Lashley knocks Strowman down. Drew attacks Strowman and it looks like a partnership is going on between Lashley and Drew.

Lashley grabs Strowman and he tells Drew to help him. Both men grabs Strowman and a vertical suplex onto Strowman. Drew and Lashley with right hands and Drew knocks Lashley down to the outside. Lashley grabs Drew and drags him to the outside. He slams Drew into the barricade. Lashley lifts Drew up but Drew lands on his feet and pushes Lashley into the ring post.

Strowman with a cannonball off the ring apron knocking both men down. Strowman throws Lashley into the ring and he hits him with a chokeslam. He goes for the cover but Lashley kicks out. Strowman picks Lashley up but Lashley lands on his feet. He tries to get the Hurt Lock in but Drew with a cross body off the top rope. Drew on the ring apron and a right hand onto Lashley. Drew on the top rope and a clothesline takes Lashley out.

Drew with the zig zag on Strowman. He goes for the cover but Lashley breaks it up. Right hands by Lashley onto Drew in the corner. Drew thrown to the outside. Strowman runs towards Lashley but Lashley with a modified spinebuster. He goes for the cover but Strowman kicks out. Lashley on the outside and he throws Drew into the barricade. He lifts Drew on his shoulder and throws him into the barricade.

Strowman hits Lashley with the steel steps. Drew hits Strowman with the Claymore. Right hands by Drew onto Lashley. Drew and Lashley on the ring ramp. Drew goes for a suplex, Lashley blocks it and lands a suplex of his own onto the ramp. Lashley and Drew fight to the top of the stage. Drew slams Lashley into the LED boards. Drew throws Lashley through the LED boards on the stage as electrical sparks go off. Strowman attacks Drew from behind. He throws Drew into the ring.

Drew down and Strowman with a senton. He goes for the cover but Drew kicks out. Strowman goes for a splash, Drew moves and he lands the Michinoku driver on Strowman. He goes for the cover but Strowman kicks out. Both men back up and Strowman throws Drew to the outside. Strowman runs around the ring but Drew catches him and an overhead throw and Strowman is down. Drew goes for the Claymore, Strowman catches him and powerbombs him through the announce table.

Strowman throws Drew back into the ring. He lifts Drew up but Drew lands on his feet hits Strowman with the Claymore. In comes Lashley, he throws Drew to the outside. The spear by Lashley. He goes for the cover and gets the pin.

Winner: Still WWE Champion, Bobby Lashley (14:15)


WWE Universal Championship
Roman Reigns (c) vs. Cesaro

Roman is backstage with Heyman and Jey Uso and Jey tells him he will be in his corner in case. Roman tells him in case what and tells Jey to go find his brother.

The bell rings and we are under way. A head lock by Roman as he sends Cesaro to the ropes and a shoulder block by Roman. He goes for the cover but Cesaro kicks out. Another head lock by Roman as he runs to the ropes and a shoulder block by Cesaro. He goes for the cover but Roman kicks out. Cesaro goes for another cover but Roman kicks out again. And a third cover by Cesaro and again Roman kicks out. Roman rolls to the outside of the ring.

Roman gets back in the ring and he gets Cesaro in the corner. Right hands by Roman as he slams Cesaro’s head into the turnbuckle. He sends Cesaro to the ropes and a spring board uppercut by Cesaro takes Roman down. Cesaro goes for the swing but Roman grabs the ropes and kicks Cesaro away. Roman throws Cesaro to the outside and Cesaro holds his right arm. Cesaro gets back in the ring and an uppercut by him. He runs to the ropes but Roman with a clothesline knocks Cesaro down.

Cesaro thrown shoulder first into the ring post. Roman to the outside as he throws Cesaro face first into the announce table. Roman throws Cesaro back into the ring. Roman goes for the cover but Cesaro kicks out. A head lock by Roman in the middle of the ring. Cesaro gets to his feet but Roman with a suplex. He goes for the cover but Cesaro kicks out.

A right hand by Roman and a headlock by Roman but Cesaro sends him to the ropes and a flying forearm by Roman. He goes for the cover but again Cesaro kicks out. Roman with a Samoan drop. He goes for the cover but again Cesaro kicks out. Roman goes for the Superman Punch but Cesaro hits him with the pop up uppercut. Another uppercut by Cesaro followed by another. Cesaro with a big boot. He goes for the cover but Roman kicks out.

Cesaro grabs Roman and attacks his left leg. Cesaro goes for the sharpshooter and gets it locked in but Roman grabs the ropes. Roman slides to the outside of the ring. Cesaro with a corkscrew over the top rope onto Roman taking him down. Cesaro throws Roman back into the ring but Roman slides back out. Cesaro with a running uppercut takes Roman out. He throws Roman back into the ring. Cesaro climbs the top rope and a cross body. He goes for the cover but Roman kicks out.

Roman out and Cesaro the first one to his feet. Roman on the ring apron as Cesaro grabs him. Cesaro climbs the second rope but Roman with a right hand and Cesaro down. Both men with right hands. Cesaro slams Roman face first into the ring post. Cesaro climbs the second rope but Roman with a right hand. Roman with a big boot and he wraps Cesaro’s right arm around the top rope.

A drive by from Roman onto Cesaro. He throws Cesaro into the ring, he goes for the cover but Cesaro kicks out. Roman with an arm bar and he continues to attack Cesaro’s injured right arm. Cesaro with a headbutt and an uppercut but Roman with a clothesline. He goes for the cover but Cesaro kicks out. Right hands by Roman followed by a knee to the face. Roman sends Cesaro to the ropes and a big boot knocks him down.

Roman stomping on Cesaro in the corner. The referee breaks it up. A back elbow by Cesaro followed by an uppercut and a big boot. A clothesline by Cesaro and down goes Roman. Cesaro with an uppercut and he stomps on Roman in the corner. Roman on the ring apron and Cesaro on the second rope. Cesaro gets Roman on the second rope and a suplex into the ring. He goes for the cover but Roman kicks out.

Cesaro attacks Roman’s left leg. Cesaro with a stomp on Roman in the middle of the ring. Cesaro goes for the Neutralizer but his right arm gives out on him. Roman gets out of it and Roman with an arm bar submission. Cesaro reverses it into a over but Roman kicks out. Cesaro jumps off the second rope but Roman hits him with the Superman punch. He goes for the cover but Cesaro kicks out.

Both men down and Roman the first to his feet. Roman goes for the spear but Cesaro with an uppercut. Cesaro goes for the pump up uppercut but his arm gives out. Roman with the guillotine but Cesaro gets to his feet and he slams Roman down. Cesaro with the sharpshooter in the middle of the ring. Cesaro turns it into a crossface. Roman gets out of it and forearms by Roman onto Cesaro.

Roman lifts Cesaro up and a powerbomb. He goes for the cover but Roman kicks out. Roman goes for a forearm but Cesaro blocks it. Roman grabs Cesaro and gets him in the guillotine. Cesaro on his feet and he picks Roman up and drops him. Cesaro trying to get out of the guillotine but Roman still has it locked in. Cesaro almost out of it but Roman gets it locked back in.

Winner: Still WWE Universal Champion, Roman Reigns (27:35)

Jey Uso runs down to the ring after the match. He hits Cesaro with a super kick.

Jey climbs the top rope but out comes Seth Rollins. He gets in the ring and goes face to face with Roman. Seth smiles and laughs as he attacks Cesaro. Seth throws Cesaro to the outside and throws him into the steel steps. He throws Cesaro over the announce table. He hits Cesaro with a steel chair. He places Cesaro’s arm between the chair and twists it. Seth with the stomp on the outside of the ring as WrestleMania Backlash goes off the air.