Graves announces that he will be moderating the upcoming contract signing, then introduces AJ Styles and Cody Rhodes.

Graves hands the contract over to Styles, and he looks it over as fans voice their support for Rhodes. Styles says before he signs the contract, two Georgia boys are ready to mix it up for the biggest prize in the game. He says he understands why fans boo him, but he doesn’t respect LA Knight and he gets under his skin. He says he got his composure back and realized that he’s phenomenal, then went on to beat Knight last week and secure his Undisputed WWE Championship with Rhodes at Backlash.

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Styles addresses Rhodes, and says while they haven’t yet crossed paths, they both had to prove themselves outside WWE. He says Dusty Rhodes gave them both the same advice about standing on their own two feet and going their own way, then says he looked at Rhodes’ title set up between them and the two tables. He says the weight isn’t just of leather and gold, and at Backlash, he carries it. He then signs the contract

Rhodes asks Cincinnati what they want to talk about, then says they could talk about respect. He says there’s not a locker room on Earth where everyone doesn’t respect Styles. He says he respects the roads Styles has traveled to get to WWE, but the respect goes to the wayside at Backlash. He says he respects Styles’ familiarity with his last name, but when he puts his first name in front of his last, they’ve never met before. He says his match with Styles isn’t a dream match, but a must win.

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Rhodes signs the contract and offers his hand to Styles. Styles tells Rhodes it’s a shame his reign has to end at Backlash, then shakes his hand and heads to the back. Rhodes picks up his title and holds it above his head.

Triple H then makes his way down to the ring.