Backlash and WWE Draft Collide
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With Wrestlemania now in the rear-view mirror, it’s time for some Backlash. This Saturday we get to
see what happens before the results of the draft kick in. Let’s have a look at the current lineup.
It's a San Juan Street Fight between former friends turned bitter enemies, @ArcherofInfamy and @sanbenito!
Don’t miss #WWEBacklash, live from Puerto Rico, this Saturday at 8/7 C, streaming live on @peacock in the U.S. and @WWENetwork elsewhere! pic.twitter.com/LimC5TvX4Y
— WWE (@WWE) May 3, 2023
With what appears to be a story-line wrapping up as the heels and the baby-faces got drafted to
opposite shows, The Bloodline (without Roman Reigns) will take on the current Tag Team Champions
in Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn, who are teaming with their new friend in Matt Riddle. I think with
Roman not being present it only makes sense for the baby-face and new tag team champions to get the
shine in this spot. The Bloodline will then head to Smackdown and we will see how they plan on
continuing with The Bloodline after the draft as their opponents head to Raw on a roll.
WE'RE OUT OF TIME!
Everyone is READY for #WWEBacklash this Saturday!!#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/ldLvddVDe5
— WWE (@WWE) May 2, 2023
Next up, shall I call this David vs Goliath? Cody Rhodes will attempt to defeat The Beast Brock
Lesnar in a singles match. It is my perspective that a majority of people believe Cody will somehow
come out on top. Myself, not so much. There is no way that WWE is going to book Brock Lesnar is a
clean pin to Cody Rhodes. I am going to predict Brock Lesnar getting the win and if I am wrong, then
some outside interference or foul play has happened. There is no way they ruining Brock Lesnar’s
booking and run with a clean loss to Cody Rhodes.
.@CodyRhodes just ambushed @BrockLesnar days before #WWEBacklash!
Who will be victorious when these two go one-on-one for the very first time this Saturday?#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/K97VzTnlm6
— WWE (@WWE) May 2, 2023
Next up we have Rhea Ripley defending her Smackdown Women’s Title against Zelina Vega. I
understand that they are in Puerto Rico and she recently turned baby-face with the new LWO but there
are no other reasons why this makes sense. I may sound harsh but Zelina Vega is really a one move
wrestler and doesn’t look comfortable as a baby-face. Rhea Ripley will retain her Smackdown Women’s
Championship as she gets drafted to Raw. I foresee a simple title swap with who ends up being the
other Women’s Champion.
New poster for @RheaRipley_WWE vs @ZelinaVegaWWE at #Backlash #WWEBacklash #RheaRipley #ZelinaVega #JudgmentDay #LWO pic.twitter.com/vgyL4vUMIb
— 𝕭𝖑𝖆𝖈𝖐𝖒𝖆𝖘𝖘 𝕯𝖊𝖘𝖎𝖌𝖓 (@BlxckmassDesign) May 3, 2023
Moving down the card we come across Seth Rollins taking on Omos. I know WWE really wanted
this giant to work out but it clearly hasn’t. Both his in ring skills and mic skills are very limited. They
recently teamed him up with MVP but I still don’t see him getting many wins on PPV. Seth Rollins, in
my opinion, is one of the front runners for the newly announced World Heavyweight Championship
and I see him winning this match in very quick fashion.
.@TheGiantOmos gets ready for his clash with @WWERollins at #WWEBacklash by demolishing local talent.#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/wKy74TpqAB
— WWE (@WWE) May 4, 2023
Now let’s take a look at the triple threat match for the United States Championship. Recent
Smackdown draftee Austin Theory will defend his belt against Bobby Lashley and Bronson Reed.
While Bronson Reed is my personal favorite of the three and Bobby Lashley is a much more powerful
and imposing figure, I see Austin Theory continuing to grow as a superstar and as the United States
Champion on Friday nights.
🚨 It’ll be a Triple Threat Match for @_Theory1's #USChampionship as he defends against @fightbobby and @BRONSONISHERE at #WWEBacklash in Puerto Rico! 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/ySMHXcsZUk
— WWE (@WWE) April 22, 2023
Next up is the Raw Women’s Championship match, Bianca Belair vs Iyo Sky. Iyo Sky easily has the
best in ring skill set of Damage CTRL and every since leaving NXT WWE has not been able to
capitalize on this star to the fullest. That being said, I see WWE booking the super athletic Bianca
Belair retaining her title on her way to Smackdown and swapping title for title with Rhea Ripley. To go
a bit further I see Bayley being the next feud for Bianca Belair on Smackdown.
#WWERaw Women's Champion @BiancaBelairWWE will put her title on the line against @Iyo_SkyWWE at #WWEBacklash, live from Puerto Rico! pic.twitter.com/Jy5cJAiEqg
— WWE (@WWE) April 24, 2023
To wrap up this subject to change card, let’s talk Bad Bunny vs Damian Priest. These celebrity matches
bring me the most turmoil internally. I’m old school, give a wrestler that spot. On the other hand, he is a
mega star and must make the company more money and bring in eyes that may not be there otherwise.
I also fear I have a minority opinion of his abilities. He can not wrestle. Same as Jake Paul, they
rehearse spots and if they do it half decent the whole crowd and audience seems to go wild. So will
Damian Priest win this street fight with Bad Bunny? With the street fight component you know there is
going to be some outside help for both guys, so who comes out on top? Is this basically Judgment Day
vs LWO? I can’t see the celebrity/baby-face coming in to take that loss in his home of Puerto Rico, so
with the LWO out there, Bad Bunny will celebrate his victory.
Get ready for @sanbenito vs. @ArcherOfInfamy in a STREET FIGHT at #WWEBacklash, live from Puerto Rico! pic.twitter.com/VC3dHyfw22
— WWE (@WWE) April 25, 2023
WWE Backlash is this Saturday and it’s sure to be a good one. Who is going to come out victorious
days before the WWE Draft results come into action? Tune in!
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