The 17th WrestleMania Backlash was made a promotion pitting Raw and SmackDown wrestlers in an event that cost $54.99 to watch live. The event took place on May 8, 2022, at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Providence, Rhode Island, and was available for streaming on WWE‘s free PPV service and on the WWE Network internationally for subscribers. It was also the third BP Backlash held in Providence after the 2000 and 2010 editions with Connecticut’s own 2006 edition serving as a prelude to this year’s show.
Background:
The Backlash event was a recurring annual event of professional wrestling created by WWE in 1999. It was discontinued after 2009 but reinstated in 2016 and has been held every year since, except in 2019. The original concept of the event was based on the backlash from WWE’s flagship event, WrestleMania. The events from 2016 to 2018 and 2020 did not carry this theme; however, the 2021 event returned to this original concept and became called WrestleMania Backlash until 2022. The 22nd event is scheduled for May 8, 2022, at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Providence, Rhode Island and features wrestlers from the Raw and SmackDown brands
Story Lines:
Wrestlers, who are actors portraying different characters, compete in matches that are scripted. The stipulations are decided by WWE’s writers on the Raw and SmackDown brands. These events build tension and culminate in a wrestling match or series of matches.
At WrestleMania 38, Charlotte Flair defeated Ronda Rousey to retain the SmackDown Women’s Championship. During the match, Flair had tapped out to Rousey’s armbar; however, the referee was incapacitated and Flair was able to get a cheap win after the referee came to his senses. After this event on SmackDown, Rousey asked for a rematch with a clear winner in an “I Quit” match. Flair refused and told Rousey to fall back in line. This request was subsequently granted with the championship rematch being scheduled for WrestleMania Backlash.
When Cody Rhodes returned to WWE in 2018, he defeated Seth “Freakin” Rollins at WrestleMania 38. Rollins claimed that his being taken completely by surprise should not erase the fact that he lost by a predetermined score. After a rematch was agreed upon, Backlash will be held as the site of their match.
