WWE
Updated Card and Predictions for Backlash
Sure, the Greatest Royal Rumble is coming up this Friday. And as exciting as that is, there is another pay-per-view to look forward to. Backlash will be airing live on the WWE Network on May 6 in Newark, New Jersey.
Backlash is the first pay-per-view that will have both SmackDown Live and RAW rosters compete. The company announced earlier this year that they would no longer rotate PPV’s between the brands.
And so, let’s break down the match card and do a little prediction game, shall we?
Seth Rollins vs. The Miz (Intercontinental Championship)
First off, I don’t see the belts doing a whole lot of traveling between the two shows. That being said, I don’t really understand why this match is happening at all. Is it just because of that darned rematch clause?
However, what I’m thinking here is by some form of trickery, The Miz will regain the Intercontinental Championship. That gives the pending feud between him and Daniel Bryan a more important feel.
I’m expecting them to feud heavily going into SummerSlam because people have been dying to see them lock up once again for the last few years. And what a great way to re-introduce the history between the two.
Additionally, it has been rumored that The Miz is expected to set the record for most IC title reigns.
Of course, there’s always Big Cass as the red herring. How will he play into this? I guess that part remains to be seen.
Prediction: The Miz wins the Intercontinental Championship belt.
Jeff Hardy vs. Randy Orton (WWE United States Championship)
Again, this is another silly rematch kind of thing. I wish I could get excited about the match. But Orton hasn’t really done much for me in a long, long time. The only thing I can imagine being awesome is a potential Swanton Bomb being turned into an RKO.
Side note: it’s too bad the old Backlash set isn’t likely to be used. I would love to see Jeff Hardy jump off from it.
Hopefully, this match pulls out all of the stops and I am proven wrong. I don’t see this feud going anywhere after this.
Prediction: Jeff Hardy retains the United States Championship.
Carmella vs. Charlotte Flair (SmackDown Live Women’s Championship)
Despite popular belief, Carmella was actually able to cash in her MITB briefcase successfully against Charlotte. I really hope she hangs on to the belt for awhile, because I’d hate to see it go straight back into Charlotte’s hands.
I do think that Carmella will be a transitional champ, but I don’t think they’ll be playing hot potato with the title. They’ve already made that mistake. I am thinking Carmella might get a decent run until the new MITB winner is crowned.
Prediction: Carmella retains the SmackDown Live Women’s Championship (by some form of cheating).
Nia Jax vs. Alexa Bliss (RAW Women’s Championship)
Great! We get to see this one more time!
And that’s sarcasm, for sure. I don’t mind these two in the ring together, but the storylines to get to the PPV’s are awful. The entire basis of their rivalry is fat-shaming, and how big of a bully Alexa has been to her former friend. I understand that they are trying to bring attention to bullying as a real problem, but I think that the WWE forgets that little girls look up to Alexa Bliss.
All of that aside, I think there will be a lot of interruptions from outside folks. Mickie James might make an appearance and get herself involved. Nattie might show up to back up Nia. Or Bayley, or Sasha. In the end, this match is going to be a whole bunch of fighting in the middle of the ring between everyone.
Prediction: Nia Jax retains the RAW Women’s Championship by disqualification.
Samoa Joe vs. Roman Reigns
This feud has been fantastic. It would be even more fantastic if Joe screws Roman over at the Greatest Royal Rumble, ensuring that the Big Dog does not win the Universal Championship belt.
And if Roman does win, then I hope and pray they put the belt up for grabs here. Even though Joe is now an active member of SmackDown Live, taking the belt over to the blue brand would be fine. It’s not like we see it on RAW anyway. Unfortunately, the designers of the belt made it red. To me, that makes it look extremely brand-specific.
These guys have done well for each other, and Roman has even got some decent promos under his belt because of his work with Joe.
Prediction: Samoa Joe (as long as the belt is not up).
Daniel Bryan vs. Big Cass
And this is where we might see something interesting. I’m putting all my money on The Miz getting himself involved in this one.
I like this pairing of Cass and Miz. If The Miz can make Bo Dallas and Curtis Axel acceptable, then the things he could mold Cass into have potential to be phenomenal.
Prediction: Daniel Bryan (The Miz attacks him during the match, ending it in a disqualification).
We will likely see many more matches start popping up. Especially because these shows are now all co-branded.
Are there any matches at Backlash you’re hoping to see? What are some of your predictions? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
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