The major news story that occurred just before WWE Backlash was the suggestion that Randy Orton would not compete at the event.
The show's list of matches was already stretched pretty thin and with the star-power of the 36-year-old removed many predicted it to fail to live up to expectations.
Fortunately, the event was a great success with a number of high profile matches but the lack of Orton on the card was still a major negative.
Why was he unable to compete?
The Viper was subjected to rumors hours before the show even began with a number of outlets reporting that he was not medically cleared to compete.
WWE continued to advertise the match between the veteran and Bray Wyatt following the rumors but they were, in fact, true and they opted for an injury angle to make sense of the situation.
The Eater of Worlds attacked the Apex Predator backstage jamming his lower leg between a door leaving him in severe pain before officials halted his attack.
As Wyatt made his way to the ring there was a short delay before the ring announcer confirmed that Orton would be unable to compete and that Kane would be taking his place in a 'No Holds Barred' match stipulation.
The Viper was unable to compete due to the stitches he required following his match with Brock Lesnar possibly opening up during the match as his head-wound has not fully healed.
Orton did have a say in Wyatt's match, however, as just when it looked as if The New Face of Fear was closing in, he hobbled to the ring before delivering an RKO Outta nowhere' before The Devil's Favorite Demon followed up with a Chokeslam.
The Status of Orton
With the veteran set to take on Lesnar in a rematch of their SummerSlam encounter in the near future, what shape is the performer currently in?
Orton is currently still nursing his head injury but it is expected to fully heal with the next two weeks before he is able to compete however he will be subject to medical clearance.
His match against The Beast will take place in just over 10-days time on September 24 at a Live event in Chicago.