The Universal Title was on the line at WrestleMania Backlash.
After Roman Reigns refused to grant him a championship opportunity, Cesaro earned his shot at The Tribal Chief after beating Seth Rollins on the May 7 edition of SmackDown. The WrestleMania Backlash match would also be Cesaro's first single's bout for WWE's top prize.
Here is what happened in the match and after:
WWE Universal Championship Match
Roman Reigns (w/ Paul Heyman) vs Cesaro
The two lock up for a pair of clean breaks before Roman takes Cesaro down with a side headlock take over and drops him with a shoulder block before re-apply the headlock. Cesaro repeatedly tries to pin Roman who rolls out of the ring and regroups with Paul at ringside before getting back inside at eight. Roman drives Cesaro into the corner before Cesaro hits a springboard uppercut into a spine buster before Roman fights off a swing. Roman dumps Cesaro out of the ring and drops him with a back elbow once he gets back inside before Roman sends him into the post. Roman locks in a cravat and suplexes Cesaro for one before reapplying the cravat and beating on Cesaro on the mat before locking in a rear chin lock.
Cesaro drops Roman with an uppercut when he goes for a Superman punch before Roman focuses on the arm of Cesaro until Cesaro rocks him with a headbutt and an uppercut. Roman clotheslines Cesaro before kneeing him in the corner and dropping him with a back elbow before stomping him in the corner. Cesaro hits a discus clothesline before collapsing and grabbing his arm before they exchange strikes on their knees up to their feet before Cesaro beats Roman down in the corner. Roman counters a Neutralizer into a Fujiwara armbar before Cesaro counters into a pin attempt and Roman knocks him out of the air with a jumping knee when he goes for a springboard. Cesaro counters a spear before Roman locks in a guillotine and Cesaro powers up to his feet before slamming Roman to get free before locking in a sharpshooter.
Cesaro transitions into a cross face before Roman counters and beats on Cesaro in mount before Roman hits a sit-out powerbomb for a near fall before locking in a mounted guillotine. Cesaro then gets free before Roman transitions back into a normal guillotine until Cesaro passes out for the win.
Winner: Roman Reigns retains his Universal title by defeating Cesaro via referee stoppage.
***
After the match, Jey comes out to the ring and gives Roman a ceremonial lay before attacking Cesaro at Roman's behest before Seth Rollins comes out to the ring and attacks Cesaro. Seth then puts the arm of Cesaro in a chair and sends it into the post before hitting Cesaro with a curb stomp at ringside before celebrating in the ring as we go off the air.
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