Home News 9 Takeaways From WWE Backlash 2018

9 Takeaways From WWE Backlash 2018

Robert Lentini
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9 Takeaways From WWE Backlash 2018

WWE Backlash 2018 took place on Sunday night from the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. In the Kickoff Show, Bayley battled Ruby Riott. Before the match, Bayley asked Sasha Banks if she wanted to be in her corner tonight. Banks declined and was shown watching the match backstage. Liv Morgan and Sarah Logan accompanied Riott down to the ring. Ruby Riott wound up winning the match by hitting the Riott Kick after Bayley was distracted by Liv Morgan.

Here are 9 takeaways from WWE Backlash 2018:

Seth Rollins Retained The Intercontinental Championship

Photo Credit: WWE.com

Seth Rollins defended the Intercontinental Championship against The Miz in the first match of WWE Backlash. The Miz started off the match in control and stomped on Rollins as the crowd booed. Miz bounced Seth’s head off the turnbuckle a couple of times, but Rollins battled back and connected with a Dropkick.

Rollins delivered a forearm to the face and sent Miz to the corner. Miz booted Seth in the face and Rollins crashed to the floor outside the ring. The Miz followed him out there and slammed his head off the announce table. Back in the ring, Miz bounced off the ropes and booted Rollins in the face for a two count. The Miz quickly applied a Chin Lock in the middle of the ring as the crowd cheered on Rollins.

Rollins broke the hold, but Miz knocked him back to the canvas with a boot to the midsection. Miz drove his knee into Seth’s back and applied the Chin Lock once again. Seth escaped and went for a kick, but Miz was ready and connected with a DDT for a two count. The Miz connected with a knee to the back of Rollins’ head while Seth’s neck was up against the second rope.

The Miz took a break to pose for the crowd, which allowed Rollins to regroup. Seth connected with a Facebuster to buy himself some more time. Rollins slowly got back to his feet and then slammed Miz’s face into the second turnbuckle. Rollins connected with a Slingblade and then Clotheslined Miz out of the ring. Seth followed it up with a Suicide Dive that sent Miz to the floor.

The action returned to the ring and Rollins planted Miz with a Blockbuster off the second rope for a two count. Rollins followed it up with a springboard Clothesline and then geared up in the corner. The Miz escaped out of the ring and tripped up Rollins on the apron. Back in the ring, The Miz went for a Crossbody but Seth caught him and slammed him to the canvas. Rollins climbed to the top rope and hit a Frog Splash for another two count.

Seth stomped on the mat a couple of times as the crowd chanted “burn it down!”. The Miz once again rolled out of the ring, but Seth chased him back to the inside. Rollins hit a Clothesline that sent Miz back out of the ring. Rollins went for another Suicide Dive, but The Miz was ready for it and connected with a forearm to the face.

The Miz went for a DDT on the apron, but Rollins blocked it and punched him in the face. Rollins went for the Revolution Knee, but The Miz dodged it and Seth’s knee slammed into the ring post. The Miz quickly locked in the Figure Four int he middle of the ring as Seth screamed in pain. Seth reversed the Figure Four and now it was The Miz in agony. The Miz once again reversed the hold, but Rollins was right next to the bottom rope and he grabbed it to break the hold.

Both Superstars traded haymakers in the middle of the ring. The Miz booted Seth in the knee and went for the Skull Crushing Finale, but Seth blocked it. Rollins connected with an Enziguri, but The Miz battled back and hit the Skull Crushing Finale for a two count. Miz decked Rollins with a Clothesline in the corner and started climbing up the turnbuckle.

Seth got back up and connected with a forearm to the face. The Miz booted Rollins in his injured knee, but Seth shrugged it off and hit a Superplex. Seth went for a Falcon Arrow but his knee gave out. Miz capitalized and planted Rollins with a second Skull Crushing Finale for another two count.

The Miz perched Rollins up on the top rope and punched him in the face. Miz set up for a Skull Crushing Finale, but Rollins fought out of it and Miz crashed to the canvas. Seth went for the Curb Stomp off the second rope, but Miz dodged it. Rollins then escaped a roll-up attempt from The Miz and connected with the Curb Stomp for the pinfall victory. Seth Rollins is still the Intercontinental Championship.

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Opinion: Seth Rollins and The Miz put on an excellent match to start off WWE Backlash 2018. I honestly didn’t expect much from this match, but it completely delivered and it will be difficult for any other match to top this one tonight.

Nia Jax Was Booed After Retaining The RAW Women’s Championship

Photo Credit: @WWE on Twitter

Nia Jax defended the RAW Women’s Championship against Alexa Bliss at WWE Backlash 2018. Bliss connected with a Dropkick to Nia’s knee to start off the match. Bliss went for a Sleeper Hold, but Nia quickly threw her to the canvas. Nia blocked a punch and started bending Alexa’s hand back. Nia connected with a couple of Splashes in the corner and then threw Bliss out of the ring.

Bliss connected with another low Dropkick and then followed it up with a boot to the face for a one count. Bliss stomped on Nia’s back and then her head a couple of times. Alexa shouted that Nia was a bully before slamming her face-first into the ring apron. Bliss slapped Nia in the face and continued to taunt her.

Nia got fired up and decked Bliss with a Clothesline. Nia went for a rolling Senton, but Bliss got out of the way and Nia crashed to the canvas. Bliss slammed Nia’s face into the mat and slapped her in the face again. Alexa kneed Jax in the face and unloaded a couple of forearms.

Jax caught Alexa’s Crossbody attempt and lifted her onto her shoulders. Bliss wiggled free and tried to lock in a Sleeper Hold. Bliss eventually applied the hold for a moment but Nia broke it up by slamming her into the turnbuckle. Nia then grabbed Alexa by the arms and whipped her across the ring from off the second rope.

Nia threw Bliss across the ring several times and then hit a Splash in the corner. Jax climbed up to the second rope, but Alexa got up and shoved Jax out of the ring. Nia hit the ring apron and crashed to the floor outside. Bliss slammed Jax’s face off the steel steps as the referee started counting. Alexa got back in the ring to make the referee start his count over.

Bliss finally got Nia back in the ring and wet for the cover but Nia kicked out at two. Alexa threw a temper tantrum and started slamming on the mat. Bliss went for a Crossbody, but Nia caught her and lifted her back onto her shoulders. Jax climbed up to the second turnbuckle but Alexa escaped again. Bliss kicked Nia in her hamstring and Nia tumbled to the mat.

Alexa climbed to the top rope and went for Twisted Bliss. Nia caught her and planted her with the Samoan Drop for the pinfall victory. Nia Jax is still the RAW Women’s Champion. After the match, Nia Jax dedicated the victory to anyone that has been bullied. The crowd didn’t seem to enjoy the match or the promo and Nia received some boos.

Opinion: Nia Jax & Alexa Bliss’ match at WM 34 was subpar and tonight’s wasn’t any better. Adult wrestling fans are going to reject Nia Jax cutting constant promos about looking different and overcoming bullies. The crowd would tolerate it and the negativity would go away if Nia was delivering great matches in the ring. Unfortunately, she is not doing that and her matches are consistently boring.

So, you have a women’s champion that is not delivering in the ring and then cutting promos that a majority of the live audience doesn’t want to here when they are trying to enjoy a wrestling show. I don’t see how this will ever work.

Jeff Hardy Is Still United States Champion

Photo Credit: @WWE on Twitter

Jeff Hardy defended the United States Championship against Randy Orton tonight at WWE Backlash. Orton started off the match in control as the crowd chanted “Brother Nero!”. Hardy battled back and knocked Orton out of the ring.

Back in the ring, Orton took back control and hung Hardy upside down in the corner. Randy unloaded a couple of stomps and Hardy fell to the floor. Orton connected with an uppercut that knocked Jeff out of the ring again. Orton rolled out of the ring and Hardy leaped off the steel steps and connected with a knee to the face.

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Jeff bounced Orton’s face off the steel steps and then rolled him back into the ring. Orton got right up and connected with a Dropkick that knocked Jeff off the ring apron and back to the floor outside the ring. Orton slammed Jeff’s back into the top of the barricade three times and then brought Jeff back into the ring.

Orton applied a Chin Lock in the middle of the ring. The crowd got bored and started chanting “Rusev Day!” Jeff broke the hold and connected with an inverted Atomic Drop. Hardy followed it up with a Dropkick for a two count. Hardy hit Whisper in the Wind off the top rope for another two count.

Hardy blocked an RKO, but Orton was able to hit a Powerslam for a two count. Hardy tried to boot Orton in the chest, but Randy got out of the way and Jeff crashed to the canvas. Orton draped Jeff across the middle rope and planted him with a DDT. Orton geared up for the RKO and started slamming on the canvas. Hardy countered into a roll-up and followed it up with a Twist of Fate. Hardy quickly scaled the turnbuckle and hit the Swanton Bomb for the pinfall victory. Jeff Hardy is still the United States Champion.

https://twitter.com/totaldivaseps/status/993297697804300288

Elias Didn’t Get A Chance To Perform 

Photo Credit: @WWE on Twitter

Elias came down to the ring with his guitar and told the crowd to hold their applause. The crowd instantly started to cheer and Elias said that he was not going to perform tonight. The crowd loudly cheered and then transitioned into a “yes!” chant. Elias threatened to leave, but ultimately sat back down.

New Day interrupted and came down to the entrance ramp with a trombone, a drum and a cymbal. New Day stated that they wanted to walk with Elias and then started dancing on the entrance ramp. Elias said that he was a solo act, but New Day started playing their instruments anyway.

Elias told them to stop playing and then tried to start his performance again. Aiden English interrupted and started rapping. English announced that it was Rusev Day and Rusev’s theme hit. Rusev posed on the entrance ramp before Elias shouted “cut the music!”. The crowd chanted “Rusev Day!” as the two walked down the entrance ramp.

Rusev said that there is only one person here that celebrated a holiday in his honor. Elias got pissed off and once again asked JoJo to introduce him. Elias strummed his guitar and was interrupted again by No Way Jose. No Way Jose danced down the entrance ramp and he was followed by Titus Worldwide and Breezango. The conga line danced around the ring until Elias shouted at them to stop.

Elias once again asked JoJo to do his introduction again and the lights dimmed in the arena. Bobby Roode’s music hit and Roode showed up in the ring behind Elias. Roode planted Elias with with the Glorious DDT and then posed in the ring. Everyone then danced on the entrance ramp as the segment concluded.

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Big Cass Tapped Out To the Yes Lock

Photo Credit: @WWE on Twitter

Big Cass battled Daniel Bryan tonight at WWE Backlash 2018. Bryan circled Cass to start off the match and connected with a series of kicks to Cass’ knee. Cass got pissed off and connected with a right hand to the face. Bryan knocked Big Cass of out of the ring and connected with a flying knee off the ring apron.

Back in the ring, Bryan connected with a Dropkick off the top rope. Daniel followed it up with a few Yes Kicks in the center of the ring. Big Cass lifted Bryan up over his head and slammed him to the canvas. Cass raised his fist and then posed in the ring as the crowd booed.

Big Cass delivered a chop across Bryan’s chest that echoed throughout the arena. Cass followed it up with a Body Slam and an Elbow Drop for a two count. Cass once again posed in the ring and it cost him as Bryan slammed his face into the second turnbuckle. Bryan unloaded some more Yes Kicks in the corner and followed it up with a Dropkick.

Bryan went for a knee to the face, but Cass lifted him above his head and dropped him to the mat. Cass then connected with a massive Clothesline for a two count. Cass walked over Bryan and decked him with another Clothesline. Cass raised his fist in the air once again before hitting a third Clothesline.

Big Cass continued to take his time and taunt Bryan before hitting another Clothesline that sent Bryan spinning to the canvas. Cass missed with a big boot and Bryan connected with a kick to the side of the head. Bryan applied the Yes Lock in the middle of the ring and Cass quickly tapped out.

After the match, Big Cass attacked Daniel Bryan as he was celebrating in the corner. The crowd chanted “you tapped out!” and Cass got pissed off. Cass hit Bryan with a big boot as Corey Graves called Cass an “insecure piece of garbage”. Cass raised his fist in the air and posed over Bryan. Big Cass exited the ring as the crowd chanted “a**hole!”.

Opinion: In the end, I guess this match accomplished what it set out to do. The crowd now hates Big Cass even more after his attack on Bryan following the match tonight. The match itself absolutely sucked. This was just a basic match that could have happened on SmackDown. The entire show has been on a steady decline following the IC Title match that kicked off the PPV.

Carmella Defeated Charlotte To Remain SmackDown Women’s Champion

Photo Credit: @WWE on Twitter

Carmella defended the SmackDown Women’s Championship against Charlotte Flair tonight at WWE Backlash. Carmella strutted across the ring to start off the match and then turned around into a boot to the face from Charlotte. Carmella rolled out of the ring as Charlotte waited for in the ring.

Carmella asked for her title and shouted that she doesn’t need this. Charlotte stopped Carmella from running away and then chased her around the ring. Charlotte caught Carmella by the hair and slammed her to the floor. Flair brought Carmella back into the ring for a roll-up attempt.

Charlotte dragged Carmella across the ring as Carmella screamed. Carmella rolled out of the ring and once again Charlotte went after her. Carmella connected with a Superkick and then brought Charlotte into the ring. Carmella went for the cover but Charlotte kicked out at two. Carmella applied a Chin Lock and taunted her while maintaining the hold.

Charlotte eventually broke free, but Carmella connected with another kick to the face for a two count. Carmella once again applied the Chin Lock in the middle of the ring. Charlotte broke free, but Carmella dragged her back to the canvas by her hair. Charlotte battled back with a Dropkick and followed it up with a Backbreaker.

Flair connected with a couple chops that knocked Carmella to the mat. Charlotte connected with a knee to the face and then missed with a boot on the apron. Carmella grabbed Charlotte’s hair and slammed her on the ring apron. Carmella continued to taunt Charlotte by smacking her in the face in the corner. Carmella hit a couple stomps and then moonwalked across the ring.

Charlotte exploded out of the corner and connected with a Spear. Carmella locked in the Code of Silence in the middle of the ring. Charlotte broke free and connected with a boot to the face. Charlotte missed with a Moonsault and tweaked her knee. Carmella then booted Charlotte in the knee and rolled her up for the pinfall victory. Carmella is still the SmackDown Women’s Champion.

Opinion: The crowd was dead for this match. The only thing you could hear was Carmella screaming every 10 seconds. There wasn’t anything entertaining about this match at all.

Nakamura vs. Styles Ended In A Double Low Blow

Photo Credit: @WWE on Twitter

AJ Styles defended the WWE Championship against Shinsuke Nakamura in a No Disqualifications match tonight at WWE Backlash. Nakamura immediately rolled out of the ring when the bell rang.

AJ chased after him and Shinsuke retreated back inside the ring. Nakamura posed in the ring and told Styles to “come on!”. Nakamura went for a knee while AJ was trying to get back into the ring. AJ was ready for it and dragged Nakamura to the outside. Styles slammed Shinsuke into the barricade a couple of times before bouncing his head off the announce table.

The action returned to the ring with Styles in control. AJ slammed Nakamura into the turnbuckle and then booted him in the back of the head. Styles connected with a Suplex for a two count. AJ followed it up with a Backbreaker and shouted that this was his house to the crowd.

Nakamura jabbed AJ in the throat, but then ran into a Dropkick from Styles. AJ brought Shinsuke back outside and launched him into the barricade. AJ hit a Splash on Nakamura while he was leaning up against the barricade. AJ went for another one, but Nakamura got out of the way and Styles crashed into the barricade.

Shinsuke launched AJ into the steel steps beside the ring. Nakamura followed it up with a knee to the face while AJ was draped across the ring apron. Shinsuke leaped off the steps and dropped another knee on AJ’s head. Nakamura went for a cover in the ring but AJ kicked out.

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Nakamura beatdown AJ in the corner with a series of kicks. Shinsuke shoved his boot in Styles’ face in the corner and then smiled as Styles fell to the canvas. Nakamura dropped another knee on his head for a two count. Shinsuke booted AJ in the face and Styles collapsed to the mat.

Shinsuke connected with a Back Body Drop and then casually put his boot on Styles’ chest for a two count. Nakamura went back to the knees to the face and then applied a Guillotine as the crowd chanted that they wanted tables. AJ broke free but Nakamura connected with a running kick that knocked Styles out of the ring.

Styles battled back with a forearm to the face. AJ hopped up on the barricade, but Nakamura booted his legs out from under him and Styles crashed to the floor. Back in the ring, Nakamura locked in another choke hold. AJ escaped and connected with a right hand. Styles went for the Phenomenal Forearm, but Shinsuke caught him and kneed him in the ribs.

Nakamura connected with a knee to the face off the top rope for a two count. Nakamura followed it up with the Landslide and went for the cover but AJ kicked out. Nakamura stomped on AJ on the ring apron a few times and then got out of the ring. Shinsuke grabbed a steel chair and grinned as he walked towards Styles.

Styles knocked the chair out of Nakamura’s hands and connected with a punch to the face. Nakamura quickly battled back with a reverse Exploder Suplex onto the chair for a two count. Nakamura went for the Kinshasa, but AJ grabbed the chair and launched it into Shinsuke’s knee. The chair bounced off Nakamura and hit Styles in the face. AJ’s face started bleeding as Nakamura connected with a kick to the face.

AJ locked in the Calf Crusher in the middle of the ring. Nakamura reversed into a Triangle, but Styles escaped. AJ connected with a forearm to the face that knocked Nakamura out of the ring. Nakamura got back into the ring, but Styles was ready and connected with another forearm. Styles followed it up with a Neckbreaker for a two count.

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AJ hit the Pele Kick and then went for the Styles Clash. Nakamura escaped and connected with a low blow. Styles then retaliated with a low blow to Nakamura as the crowd chanted “yes!”.

AJ and Shinsuke traded punches in the middle of the ring. Styles and Nakamura then connected with kicks to the groin at the same time and both collapsed to the canvas. Neither Superstar was able to get up before the referee counted to 10.

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Opinion: I was instantly taken out of this match due to it’s placement on the card. A singles match between Roman Reigns and Samoa Joe is more important than the WWE Championship? The match felt insignificant before it even started. Again, this is an ending to a match on SmackDown, not a PPV. WWE has once again put on a disappointing match between Nakamura and Styles. This feud is personal. It had already been established. I didn’t need to see tonight’s finish to understand that.

Lashley & Strowman Dominated

Photo Credit: @WWE on Twitter

Bobby Lashley and Braun Strowman faced Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens tonight at WWE Backlash. Lashley and Zayn started off the match. Lashley controlled the match early and leveled Sami with a shoulder tackle.

Zayn tagged out and said that he had vertigo again. Lashley kicked Owens’ ass for a minute and then planted him with a Neckbreaker. Zayn tagged in and got decked by a Clothesline. Sami rolled out of the ring and Lashley eventually followed him. Bobby launched Sami into the barricade and then Zayn retreated back into the ring.

Owens tagged in and connected with a Senton to Lashley outside the ring. Back in the ring, Sami tagged in and continued to beatdown Lashley. Bobby battled back and slammed Sami face-first to the mat. Owens tagged in and prevented Lashley from tagging in Strowman.

Owens went for another Senton, but Lashley was able to get his knees up this time and finally tagged in Strowman. Braun hit a couple of Clotheslines and then a Splash to Owens in the corner. Strowman chased Sami around the ring and leveled Owens with a shoulder tackle during the chase.

Braun launched Sami into the barricade and then leveled Owens with a Clothesline. Strowman charged at Owens, but Kevin dodged it and Braun crashed into the ring post. Sami went for a Helluva Kick but Strowman caught him. Sami ran out of the ring and told Kevin Owens to join him. Owens demanded that they stay and fight.

Sami agreed and rolled Owens into the ring. Strowman decked him with a Clothesline and then Owens rolled out of the ring. Kevin threw Sami into the ring and then the two started battling on the ring apron. Sami slapped Owens in the face and then rolled out of the ring. Lashley tagged in and planted Owens with a Spinebuster. Lashley lifted Owens up for the Suplex and then finally dropped him for the pinfall victory.

After the match, Strowman planted Owens with a Running Powerslam as Zayn looked on from outside the ring. Strowman then caught Zayn outside the ring and threw him back into the ring. Braun planted Zayn with the Running Powerslam and posed for the crowd.

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Opinion: This was just garbage. It was another match that would have bored everyone to tears during an episode of RAW. Owens & Zayn are now a comedy act and Bobby Lashley is still a total bore. There has been so much useless crap on tonight’s show and for some reason the main event is starting after 11 PM EST.

Roman Reigns Defeated Samoa Joe To Close The Show

Samoa Joe attacked Roman Reigns before the main event started. Joe slammed Roman into the barricade and then connected with a Uranage through the announce table. Joe then launched Roman over both remaining announce tables before rolling into the ring. The crowd chanted “Joe!” as he continued to beatdown Reigns. Joe rolled Roman back into the ring and the match officially started.

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Joe beatdown Reigns in the corner with a bunch of jabs to the face. The crowd chanted “Joe!” after every punch to Roman’s head. Joe chopped Reigns in the back and dropped a knee on his midsection for a two count. Samoa Joe slowed things down and twisted Reigns’ neck.

The crowd got bored and chanted “CM Punk!” as Joe maintained the hold for what felt like an eternity. Reigns bent back Joe’s fingers and broke the hold. Joe sent Reigns to corner and connected with a boot to head for a two count. Joe knocked Reigns out of the ring and hit an awesome flying forearm.

Joe brought Reigns back into the ring and applied another submission hold as the crowd got restless. The crowd chanted “this is boring!” as Joe taunted Reigns while maintaining the hold. Reigns finally escaped and the two Superstars traded punches. Roman connected with a big boot that knocked Joe out of the ring.

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Reigns hit Joe with the Drive By while he was leaning on the ring apron. The action returned to the ring and Joe took back control. Joe hit a big boot and followed it up with a Senton for a two count. Reigns battled back and planted Joe with a Spine buster for a two count. Joe locked in the Coquina Clutch, but Reigns quickly escaped and shoved Joe into the bottom rope. Reigns went for another Drive By but Joe caught him and went for the Coquina Clutch again.

Roman escaped and connected with a Superman Punch for a two count. The crowd chanted “Rusev Day!” as Roman geared up for the Spear. Joe countered the Spear with a kick to the face. Roman then hit the Spear and went for the cover but Joe got his foot on the bottom rope to break up the pinfall at two.

Reigns went for another Spear but Joe caught him with a knee. Joe locked in the Coquina Clutch, but Reigns countered into a cover for two. Joe once again locked in the Coquina Clutch and wrapped his legs around Roman Reigns in the middle of the ring. Reigns’ eyes rolled back in his head for a moment, but Roman was able to get to the bottom rope to break the hold.

Samoa Joe brought Reigns to the corner and perched him up on the top turnbuckle. Reigns fought him off and leaped over him. Roman then hit a Spear for the pinfall victory.

Opinion: Simply saying this show was terrible doesn’t do it justice. The show was a disaster besides the opening match. The “main event” was a singles match with no stakes behind it. A PPV just closed with Roman Reigns winning a match to “get back on track”. Meanwhile, the majority of the crowd didn’t give a damn about the match and there was even a brief chant of “beat the traffic”.

This has escalated into absurdity that WWE continues to make Roman Reigns the center of the show. Tonight didn’t do Roman Reigns any favors, it made him even more intolerable to those that are sick of him. There was no logical reason for Samoa Joe versus Roman Reigns to main event a show that featured the WWE Championship being defended. There was no logical reason for this throwaway PPV to last three and a half hours. WWE put on an incredibly boring show that culminated in a Roman Reigns match that had nothing on the line. I don’t understand how anyone could have enjoyed this show. It was shockingly bad. I wasn’t expecting a good show and was still blown away by how terrible it was.

What did you think of WWE Backlash 2018? Let us know in the comments.

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