The following are my predictions for the 2023 WWE Backlash PPV. Check back for Backlash 2023 results and review coverage here when the time comes.
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| WWE Backlash 2023 Spoilers |
Cody Rhodes vs. Brock Lesnar
I really hope WWE proves me wrong and has some amazing means to pull off justifying Cody Rhodes losing at WrestleMania. Sadly, I don't trust in that. I think there's a good chance Rhodes is fighting Brock Lesnar here either just to act as a distraction to move on entirely, or because they want him to lose yet again. Lesnar rarely ever loses, so don't count out that possibility.
Best case scenario, Lesnar is being used as a launching pad for Rhodes to win and earn another title shot where he beats Roman Reigns at Night of Champions. However, I don't have a lot of faith WWE is even going to put the belt on Cody at all, let alone prior to WrestleMania 40.
Six-Man Tag Team Match: The Bloodline (Jey Uso, Jimmy Uso and Solo Sikoa) vs. Matt Riddle, Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn
Backlash is a B-level event that WWE seems to have already gotten paid for, in many ways, by having it in Puerto Rico. Therefore, a match like this that would fly more in the In Your House era or as the main event of Monday Night Raw is something they will obviously consider good enough, because it includes six talented guys.
That sounds harsh, but it's the glass half empty side of this equation. This means nothing and is overall just filler that doesn't require multiple weeks to build up to.
But the glass half full side of it is that yes, these are six talented guys and they'll probably put on a really solid match. So at least the segment will be enjoyable, almost guaranteed.
PREDICTION: Riddle, Owens and Zayn win.
SmackDown Women's Championship Match: Rhea Ripley (c) vs. Zelina Vega
Bless the hearts of all the people who think Zelina Vega has a chance here. I know, I know, it's in Puerto Rico. Anything can happen. But that's not going to be the case. Rhea Ripley is absolutely not losing her title this quickly, and to Zelina, who is half her size and has never been pushed all that steadily.
The game plan here is to have the crowd support because of Zelina's heritage, and to make the audience boo even more when Ripley retains. But I'm glad Zelina's getting some spotlight. I've always been a fan.
PREDICTION: Rhea Ripley wins.
Seth Rollins vs. Omos
I'm sorry....what? Huh? Why is this match happening? Seth Rollins seems as confused as we are. Why was Brock vs. Bobby dragged out for a year and 4 months just to have yet another non-finish at Elimination Chamber so Lesnar could fight Omos at Mania, and then beat up Cody Rhodes, who lost to Roman Reigns, and then, Omos is up against Rollins randomly after the Logan Paul thing, with quite literally ZERO build???
Who is booking this?
United States Championship Triple Threat Match: Austin Theory (c) vs. Bobby Lashley vs. Bronson Reed
This is interesting. Theory's not capitalized on beating John Cena by any means. The Lashley / Reed thing has me intrigued. And there's a good chance one of them walks out with the title and continues their feud, while Theory moves on and gets drafted in a way that would make sense for him not to be the midcard champion anymore (as in, he and Gunther end up on the same show and the Intercontinental Championship is going with The Ring General).
Until the draft happens that points in that direction, though, I'll say Theory retains by pinning someone after someone else does a high-impact move and he steals the pinfall.
Update: After the first night of the draft, though, Bobby Lashley is on SmackDown, while Gunther is on Raw with the Intercontinental Championship. That means we need one of these three guys to take the United States title over to SmackDown. Since we don't yet know where Reed or Theory are going to end up, this means there's a VERY good chance Lashley wins this belt, takes it to SmackDown and becomes "the fighting champion" on that brand, as we all know Roman Reigns isn't going to be doing more than popping up a few times over the next year.
San Juan Street Fight: Bad Bunny vs. Damian Priest
I'm curious why this isn't Priest and Dominik Mysterio against Bad Bunny and Rey Mysterio. Nevertheless, since this is No Disqualification, I expect that to fundamentally be the case anyway.
Priest loses due to interference from Rey and the Latino World Order. This should be fun, but messy.
PREDICTION: Bad Bunny wins.
Raw Women's Championship Match: Bianca Belair (c) vs. Iyo Sky
This is as textbook of a "we have nothing for you until the draft, so let's just repeat the same feud and try to give people a good match and hope that covers up the lack of depth behind this" feud as can be. The story here isn't at all whether or not Iyo Sky is going to win the title—as she absolutely won't—but whether or not Damage CTRL is breaking up.
These two will have a good match that is ultimately meaningless and Belair will move on to someone new post-draft, but with the SmackDown Women's Championship instead, because for some reason, they wanted to do another belt swap.
PREDICTION: Bianca Belair wins.
This page will be altered on a regular basis to reflect changes to the show including any new matches added to the lineup, adjustments to the card, revised predictions and any other information about this event. Stay tuned for the latest updates!
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