The cinematic spectacle of wrestling's most personal rivalry
In short: When a global pandemic forced professional wrestling behind closed doors, WWE turned a standard pay-per-view into a high-concept production. The 2020 Backlash event featured a main event so significant it was pre-recorded as a cinematic masterpiece to overcome the limitations of an empty arena.
The 2020 Backlash, held on June 14 at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida, served as a pivotal moment for professional wrestling during the COVID-19 pandemic. Originally slated for Kansas City, Missouri, the event was relocated and became the first pay-per-view and livestreaming show announced after the pandemic began affecting programming in mid-March. To maintain high production values without a live audience, WWE utilized trainees as spectators and employed unique cinematic techniques for its marquee match.
The main event featured Randy Orton vs. Edge, billed as "The Greatest Wrestling Match Ever." Because it was pre-recorded on June 7, the promotion could use amplified crowd noise, specific camera angles, and even historical props like a classic Madison Square Garden microphone. The production also incorporated archival recordings of the late Howard Finkel to introduce the wrestlers, creating a nostalgic atmosphere that transcended the physical limitations of the studio setting.
The rivalry between Orton and Edge was deeply personal, rooted in their history as tag team partners and Edge's 2011 retirement due to a neck injury. Following their WrestleMania 36 Part 2 Last Man Standing encounter, a standard singles bout was arranged for both competitors to establish who possessed greater wrestling prowess. This narrative arc, alongside other high-stakes matches involving champions like Drew McIntyre and Braun Strowman, defined the event's structure as a series of scripted storylines designed to build momentum for the Raw and SmackDown brands.
Backlash has a complex history; established in 1999, it was discontinued after 2009 before being reinstated in 2016. The 2020 iteration was notable as the final event to be titled simply "Backlash" before shifting to "WrestleMania Backlash" in 2021 and 2022. It also marked the final time the event livestreamed on the American version of the WWE Network before its merger with Peacock.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Backlash (2020)
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