WWE Backlash 2018 Results: Seth Rollins Remains on Fire and Top Takeaways

WWE Backlash was shaping up to be one of the best shows the company had staged in some time given the quality of bouts on the card.

However, in the end, it was cruelly disappointing barring one or two bright spots.

Whether it was high-profile matches finishing in underwhelming fashion, the wrong results in some, or just little momentum for some of the company's bigger stars moving forward, Backlash was, on the whole, a frustrating night for fans.

And many of those frustrations will rank as the top takeaways for fans moving forward.

Here's a look at the biggest takeaways from Backlash 2018.

Results

• Seth Rollins defeated The Miz (WWE Intercontinental Championship)
• Nia Jax defated Alexa Bliss (WWE Raw Women's Championship)
• Jeff Hardy defeated Randy Orton (WWE United States Championship)
• Daniel Bryan defeated Big Cass
• Carmella defeated Charlotte Flair (WWE SmackDown Women's Championship)
• AJ Styles vs. Shinsuke Nakamura ended in a no-contest (WWE Championship)
• Braun Strowman and Bobby Lashley defeated Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn
• Roman Reigns defeated Samoa Joe

WWE Isn't Getting It When It Comes to Roman Reigns

Like most of Sunday's pay-per-view, the main event between Samoa Joe and Roman Reigns was underwhelming.

The decision to have it close the show over the WWE Championship match meant it had to be good, but, sadly, it flattered to deceive.

And when it comes to the outcome, with Reigns going over Joe, it's clear WWE still isn't getting how fans perceive Reigns.

Having just been spiked by Brock Lesnar on two occasions in little over a month, and then being routinely outplayed by Joe on the mic in the weeks leading up to this bout, there was perhaps an opportunity for fans to ease up on the booing of Roman here.

But the main problem returned to haunt WWE again on Sunday: When a loss would do Reigns no harm whatsoever, the company insists it has to have its guy go over.

The problem here is that, given how strong Joe looked in recent weeks, him now entering the WWE Championship picture on SmackDown doesn't quite feel right.

All because Reigns had to go over again.

Where Next for AJ and Shinsuke? Nobody Really Knows

Who knows what's next for the two men that competed for the WWE Championship at Backlash?

The outcome of the latest bout between AJ Styles and Shinsuke Nakamura certainly didn't offer any concrete clues, that's for sure, after it ended in a no-contest as both men failed to make their feet in time for the referee's count.

Simply put, WWE has failed to capitalize on a rivalry that has lit up wrestling rings all across the world.

This latest instalment featured a controversial ending, leaving the door open for another meeting between the two further down the line. That at least gives the company the chance to remedy another disappointing effort here.

Perhaps Samoa Joe is coming into the mix to make things more chaotic. Maybe Daniel Bryan's win over Big Cass nudges him further up the pecking order.

But you get the feeling WWE is running out of chances to make Styles vs. Nakamura live long in the memory for all the right reasons.

Bobby Lashley's Return to WWE Has Been Underwhelming

Since he stepped foot back in a WWE ring a month or so ago, there's not been too much to shout about for Bobby Lashley.

WWE should have had big plans in place for a guy who could easily hang with the company's top talent in the main event scene.

Instead, he's floundering in the midcard with little creative direction as things stand.

Sure, he picked up a victory Sunday, teaming with Braun Strowman to defeat Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn, but it's clear this feud hasn't got any long-term worth in it.

He's probably destined to turn on Strowman in the coming days and weeks to set up a mouthwatering feud between those two, but even on Sunday, there was an obvious lukewarm feeling from the crowd when it came to Lashley.

WWE has to lock down some exciting angles for Lashley as a priority on Raw because, right now, his return to the company has been underwhelming. 

The Kingslayer Is WWE's King Right Now

There's only one guy in WWE right now who has a realistic claim to being the top talent on the roster.

Yet again on Sunday, Seth Rollins (and The Miz, to be fair) stole the show in the opening bout of Backlash and left the bar too high for the rest of the card to live up to. The fact he retained the Intercontinental Championship after beating Miz was undoubtedly the right move.

Rollins is on a real tear right now. The possibilities for him and his character are limitless, proved by the fact that he has taken a few of WWE's biggest names to some of their best matches in years.

Furthermore, he's over with the fans, and it's easy to wonder if Rollins is going to get his hands on the Universal Championship this year when it is finally wrestled away from Brock Lesnar.

The Miz deserves credit without question for playing his part on Sunday, but right now, Rollins is looking untouchable.