WWE Backlash 2023: Matches and Predictions

Preview & Predictions: Austin Theory is between a rock and a hard place...well actually, he's gonna be trapped between two boulders that can easily smash him into tomato paste. Bobby Lashley has been a huge thorn in the current United States Champion's side for the longest time now, but now the extra element of the massive roadblock known as Bronson Reed makes things a lot more interesting.

I'm expecting a matchup here that'll see Thoery get beaten into oblivion at points, Lashley and Reed using their immense power to bring the pain to each other, and Theory picking his spots carefully to get in decent bouts of offense on both towering brutes. I get the sense that Lashley is going to put down Reed for good at some point here, which will lead to Theory capitalizing by flinging "The Almighty" out of the ring, grabbing the sneaking winning pinfall, and leaving with the US Championship still around his waist.

Preview & Predictions: Man, I was hoping and pleading for Asuka to win the WWE Raw Women's Championship off of Bianca Belair at WrestleMania 39. But sadly, it just wasn't meant to be. I don't hate Bianca whatsoever, mind you - I just felt like Asuka's return to being the face-painted killer she originated as in Japan was tailor-made for a new title run. At this PLE, Bianca is being challenged by another Japanese Joshi great in the form of Iyo Sky, who always leaves my jaw on the floor when she comes off the top rope with that breathtaking Moonsault of hers.

I see this title match as more of a test run for a future singles run once Iyo finally splits up with the rest of the Damage CTRL gang. Since this is more of a cool experiment match that'll see how Iyo can perform in a big championship match on a PLE, I'm sure she'll put on a good performance here that'll expose more fans to her main roster potential. My WWE Backlash 2023 predictions point to Iyo ultimately taking the L here, which will play into the oncoming dissolution of Damage CTRL (which will happen sooner rather than later...).

Preview & Predictions: WHY THE HELL IS THIS MATCH EVEN HAPPENING? They really couldn't find anyone else for Seth "Freakin" Rollins to square up with for this PLE? I would have gladly pulled up to this show to watch Rollins produce another banger with the likes of Finn Bálor, Damian Priest, or even Montez Ford just to shake things up a bit. But instead, we're getting Omos in the ring (which is never a good thing, to be quite honest). Rollins is on a roll as of late thanks to him picking up some big wins across WrestleMania 39 and recent episodes of Raw. I think that strong winning streak will continue here with Rollins taking the giant down with a series of Curb Stomps that'll help him overcome Raw's resident lumbering giant.

Preview & Predictions: Out of all my WWE Backlash 2023 predictions, this is clearly the easiest one to call. Now, no shade against my girl Zelina Vega - I hail from Queens, NY and so does she. Plus she's a huge gamer, anime fiend, and all-around geek like yours truly, so I have a huge appreciation for her overall. But we all know why she's being placed in such an important match on this show - Zelina is of Latin origin, which means she's due to get a major pop from the Puerto Rican WWE Universe members in attendance for this SmackDown Women's Championship encounter. That pop won't mean much in the end, I'm afraid - Rhea Ripley just defeated Charlotte Flair at WrestleMania 39 and damn sure ain't dropping her newly won prize anytime soon. Ripley's definitely retaining the title here.

Preview & Predictions: The Bloodline feud rolls on! And this time, Matt Riddle has been thrown into the fray. This makes a ton of sense since Solo Sikoa was the one that put Riddle on the shelf a few months ago, so seeing Riddle link up with Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn to get back at Roman Reigns' stablemates is quite fitting. I'm fully expecting this six-man war to deliver the best match of the entire show (kinda like how The Bloodline vs. Drew McIntyre and RK-Bro did last year at WrestleMania Backlash!).

Since Roman Reigns won't be a part of this matchup, I think we're going to see the good guys prevail. Sikoa, Jimmy Uso, and Jey Uso will certainly put up a hell of a fight here. But my gut is telling me Riddle, Owens, and Zayn will fight back even harder and end up on the winning end of this six-man brawl. This won't end the beef, however - it'll just prolong things until we end up with a rematch that'll include a gimmick of some kind to raise the stakes for both trios.

Preview & Predictions: Poor Cody! I and damn near everyone else figured he was penciled in to defeat Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 39 to claim the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship. But it just wasn't meant to be, sadly. Cody Rhodes' story as it pertains to that championship seemingly isn't done, however - he just has to deal with a few road bumps on his way back to the promised land of championship glory. And boy, what a road bump we have here! Cody's first post-WrestleMania 39 feud is pitting him against the "Beast Incarnate" known as Brock Lesnar. And from the looks of both guys, I'm getting intense Sting vs. Big Van Vader WCW vibes from this newly formed grudge.

We all see what's happening here, right folks? Cody is being set up to make another attempt at winning the top belts in WWE. And in order to re-legitimize him in the eyes of the fans, he needs to take down some top-tier competition before he faces Reigns once again (I'm penciling in that rematch for this year's SummerSlam, by the way). What better way to add some extra fuel to Cody's championship contender fire than by having him defeat one of WWE's biggest bosses in Lesnar? Cody's going to get torn to shreds here at several intervals of this bout, but he'll ultimately come out as the victor in the end with a series of Cross Rhodes to earn the big W.

Preview & Predictions: If you haven't been living under a rock, you already know Bad Bunny is the world's biggest Latin trap and reggaeton superstar. Plus he just so happens to be a huge wrestling fan that knows a thing or two about competing in the squared circle. Damian Priest (my guy Punishment Martinez from his Ring of Honor days!) will be his opponent here in the inaugural San Juan Street Fight. What's clearly evident about this match is the home state pride on the line between two men of Puerto Rican descent is a major factor here. This match just might get the loudest reaction of the evening seeing as how Bad Bunny is MASSIVE amongst the Puerto Rican faithful! Expect plenty of plunder, a "Bunny Destroyer" or two, a single "South of Heaven," a decent "Frog Splash," and ultimately a major win for Bad Bunny in front of his adoring fanbase.