In another great bit of long-term booking by WWE, the Carlito and Chris Masters friendship/feud is really picking up steam heading into Backlash. This is probably the match on the impressive Backlash card that I'm looking forward to most. I'm a massive fan of long-term booking, and if you look at the success of the Batista-HHH feud, or Mickie-Trish feud, that proves how brilliant these can be if booked well. The Carlito and Chris Masters feud has so many things working in its favour, and although they are not the most seasoned workers they should be able to put on a decent match on April 30th. First of all, to my knowledge these two have never competed directly against each other, be it a singles match or a tag match. However, the two have been teaming up consistently since about September 2005. Despite teaming together, they have never been the best of friends, and the rivalry over who is the best youngster in WWE, has continued throughout.

Then obviously came the "screwing" of Masters at New Years Revolution, and at the Royal Rumble. On both occasions Carlito eliminated Masters from behind, in the Elimination Chamber match and the Royal Rumble match. Carlito claimed each time that it was an accident, and the Masterpiece eventually semi-forgave him for them. Leading us, the viewers, to believe that Masters was (as Carlito puts it) a big dummy! Carlito, on the other hand, was less forgiving when Masters genuinely made a mistake costing them the match at 'mania.

So, by summing-up the main happenings in their feud, there can only be one face right" ... Chris Masters. But, yet everywhere you read suggests that the WWE have turned Carlito face. And even King (the face) is supporting Carlito, and Coach (the heel) is behind Masters.

There's no doubt that between the two Carlito receives the stronger crowd reaction, but he has done literally nothing in this feud that can be considered 'a babyface act'. Attacking your partner, acting like a coward when you are confronted, and being overly cocky about yourself, are 100% heel actions. Confronting people who have wronged you, and being willing to put your money where your mouth is, are babyface actions that Masters has used during the feud.

This week Carlito attacked Matt Striker, while he was trashing the St. Louis crowd. This was the first face action from Carlito, but it was even 'heelish' in its execution.

This feud is unique. I believe there is no face. Nor do I believe that a face-heel dynamic is needed to put together this contest. The 'rookie competitiveness' between the two will be enough to sell the bout, combined with their history. The WWE seem to be stepping away from the pigeon-holing Superstars as heel or face, and just allowing them to be themselves.

I was quite surprised they didn't make this feud come to a head a Wrestlemania, given the great build-up. But, at least this way the match won't be over-shadowed by other feuds, and de-valued by being placed low on the card.

These are two young guys, who the WWE seem keen to push to stardom. Therefore, the outcome of this bout could be very important to their careers. Especially as I believe that this will be the one and only PPV match of the feud, as I can see Masters being switched to SmackDown! in the draft. Personally, I'm hoping Masters goes over, because I believe the victory would benefit him more than it would Carlito, in terms of improving/cementing his place in the upper-mid-card.

Either way the last few months of booking between these two have been a treat, and hopefully the match at Backlash can live up to a fitting end to the feud.

By Shaun Webb