Drew McIntyre delivered what may have been his gutsiest showing as WWE Champion at WWE Backlash to preserve his reign against a determined Bobby Lashley.
Lashley began his onslaught before the bell, viciously locking in his vaunted Full Nelson. Three referees tried to pry Lashley away, but the hold wasn’t broken until the challenger chose to break it.
Despite being shaken, McIntyre gave the official the go-ahead to start the bout. Lashley pummeled McIntyre as The King of Claymore Country struggled to find his bearings.
The contest became more of a back-and-forth affair when the action spilled to the outside and McIntyre slammed a charging Lashley into the barricade. The WWE Champion found his second wind as the match progressed, even kicking out at one after a huge spinebuster.
Lana’s late arrival at ringside preceded the end for Lashley’s title bid. With Lana perched on the apron, McIntyre’s headbutt sent Lashley into Lana, who then collided with MVP.
Lashley ate a massive Claymore as soon as he turned around, becoming the latest to fall to the red-hot McIntyre.
