It’s main event time! We get a video package for Reigns Vs. Samoa Joe, then out comes Joe who is the fan favourite. Unsurprisingly.
Roman Reigns Vs. Samoa Joe
Before the bell can ring, Samoa Joe runs and attacks Reigns! He beats him down and throws him out of the ring. Joe slams Roman into the barricade, then hits Reigns with a Urinagi through the announce table! Joe throws Roman back into the ring and the referee makes him back-off, meanwhile the fans chant, “Joe is gonna kill you”.
Finally the bell rings and Joe tees-off on Reigns in the corner with right jabs. He then flips Roman over and slaps his back, then kicks his chest. Joe scores a two-count by hitting a knee drop. Joe applies a elbow lock and Reigns starts to fight out but Joe slams him back down to the mat. Joe then applies a chin lock and talks trash to Roman. The fans chant “CM PUNK” – I’m a huge Punk fan but even I don’t see the point in chanting his name.
Roman escapes the hold by pulling Joe’s fingers apart, and he tries to fight but Joe tackles him in the corner and hits a enziguiri for a near-fall. After another minute of submission holds, Reigns is knocked outside the ring and Joe hits a suicide dive to Reigns – which looked dangerous because Reigns turned away and Joe landed hard on his leg. Back inside the ring, Joe elbows Reigns and again goes to the submission hold. The fans boo and Joe smiles and nods.
After a long while, Reigns fights to his feet and exchanges punches with Joe. Reigns knocks Joe off his feet for the first time with a boot. Joe rolls outside and leans on the apron, allowing Reigns to hit the Drive-By. Back inside the ring, Reigns hits multiple clotheslines, then clobbers Joe repeatedly in the corner. Joe counters Reigns with a atomic drop, big boot, and a running senton for a near-fall. Joe looks for another Urinagi but Roman elbows him, then hits a spinebuster.
Roman looks for a Superman Punch but Joe ducks it and applies the Coquina Clutch. Roman smartly escapes by rolling through the ropes to the outside. Roman then looks for the Drive-By again but Joe catches him in mid-air with the Coquina Clutch! Roman again escapes and hits a Superman punch for a near-fall. The fans are incredibly restless and bored. Reigns looks for the Spear but Joe kicks him, which only pauses Reigns, who then hits the Spear and pins Joe…but the Samoan Submission Machines gets his foot on the bottom rope.
Both men are down and slowly get to their feet. Reigns looks for the Spear after hitting the ropes twice but Joe kicks him. Joe wraps in the Clutch again but Reigns rolls over for a pin attempt that is unsuccessful. Reigns looks for another roll-up but Joe kicks him out and into the Coquina Clutch. Reigns fades out and seems to have passed out when he comically comes back to life and grabs the rope. Joe lifts Roman to his feet and takes him to the corner. Joe lifts Roman up top and looks for the Muscle Buster but Reigns punches him away, leaps over him and hits a Spear for the win.
Winner: Roman Reigns
Not a bad match but it was kinda painful to watch because we all knew the outcome. It’s a shame they refuse to give-up the Roman experiment when guys like Joe are made cannon fodder.
That’s it for Backlash 2018. Let us know what you thought of the show and remember to come back tomorrow night for Raw! Until then, safe travels.
