Even though I was not looking as forward to Backlash as I did the Greatest Royal Rumble, the upcoming pay-per-view seems to have a good match card. Naturally, this means it is time for the predictions of our team. So, who will come out victorious and who will feel the Backlash? Let us find out!
Braun Strowman & Bobby Lashley Versus Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn
Sandra: Even though I do not enjoy matches with little to no backstory, I will gladly make an exception for this one. What is not to like? Some of the biggest names in the WWE are on this match card, so I am sure I will be entertained!
As for my prediction, I think it is unlikely that Strowman and Lashley will lose. Lashley just got back to the WWE after a stint in Impact Wrestling, so the WWE must make him look strong. Strowman just had a massive win at the Greatest Royal Rumble. Therefore, I think Lashley and Strowman will take the win.
Katie: So I didn’t know this match was happening until just now, but I think Strowman and Lashley will get the win. While Owens and Zayn have been a team far longer and undoubtedly have a few dirty tricks up their sleeves, there’s just no stopping Strowman’s dominance right now. While Owens and Zayn could pick up the win using underhanded tactics, I think it’s more likely that Strowman’s path of destruction continues.
Hunter: Owens and Sami win after Braun turns on and destroys Lashley.
Daniel Bryan Versus Big Cass
Sandra: Another match with a flimsy backstory, and once again I find myself not caring as much about that. Daniel Bryan being back as an active wrestler is a reason enough for me to be excited about this match.
I am anxiously awaiting the confrontation between Daniel Bryan and the Miz, but I believe we must wait until Summerslam to see this fantastic match. Until then, we will get a rivalry with fan-favorite Daniel Bryan and the evil 7-footer Big Cass.
The outcome of this match will not be a good one for Bryan in my opinion. Until Daniel can take on the Miz, I think this rivalry will play out a little longer. Cass must also find his footing again after a lengthy injury. So, I believe Cass might take the win, leading to a rematch at Money in the Bank possibly?
Katie: This seems to be a holdover feud for Daniel Bryan until the way is cleared for him to take on The Miz. However, after a win at WrestleMania and a dazzling performance at the Greatest Royal Rumble, it’d be too easy to give Bryan the win here, also. I agree with Sandra that Cass will take the “W,” and the feud will continue at Money in the Bank.
Hunter: The new Big Cass is a character with depth. He’s no longer some jabroni from New York. He’s a man who grewup being bullied but took the wrong lessons from it. I expect Bryan to fell him in a match that will exceed expectations.
Carmella Versus Charlotte (Women’s Championship Match)
Sandra: Carmella is possibly the most annoying WWE Women’s Champion ever! My husband said at one point that her voice was on par with Vicky Guerrero, and I cannot say I disagree with him. However, the high level of annoyance makes her quite the exciting champion in my opinion.
The match between these two could go either way. While there is no doubt that Charlotte surpasses Carmella in wrestling ability, Carmella has some outstanding heel tactics at her disposal that could cost Charlotte the match. However, we must consider some of the long-term plans the WWE may have.
Charlotte losing this match could potentially lead to a bigger and better Money in the Bank event for the female wrestlers on the roster. You include Asuka, Becky, and Charlotte in the Money in the Bank match, and it could be the main event. Therefore, I’m going out on a limb here and predict that Carmella will win with a heel tactic (possibly through the interference of the IIconics).
Katie: Carmella waited forever to finally cash in her Money in the Bank contract, and it’s simply too soon to have her drop the championship. As Sandra stated, the long-term possibilities here are what give Carmella the win, and expect Billie Kay and Peyton Royce to make their presence known.
Hunter: Sandra nailed it: IIconics will interfere and cost Charlotte the match.
Seth Rollins Versus the Miz (Intercontinental Championship Match)
Sandra: LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! The Intercontinental Championship match is one I’m most looking forward to. Even though the outcome of this match might be straightforward.
Miz currently finds himself on the SmackDown Live roster, which already has the United States Championship. It is unlikely the WWE will put the Intercontinental Championship and the United States Championship on the same brand, especially with Brock Lesnar being the Universal Champion. So, I believe Seth Rollins will take the win and continue a rivalry with Finn Balor on the Raw brand.
Katie: The Intercontinental Championship is one of the hottest, if not the hottest, titles in all of WWE right now. I won’t be surprised when this match steals the show. I fully expect WWE to have The Miz break a couple of records regarding the Intercontinental Championship,but it won’t happen just yet. Seth Rollins will retain, and The Miz will (eventually) go on to feud with Daniel Bryan.
Hunter: Rollins retains and we get Monday Night Rollins for another few months! Miz moves into position to wrestle Bryan at SummerSlam.
Jeff Hardy vs. Randy Orton (United States Championship)
Katie: This match pits good guy vs. good guy as The Miz found out on SmackDown when he fruitlessly tried to stir the pot between Jeff Hardy and Randy Orton. While this con conceivably go either way, it seems too soon to take the title off Hardy just yet.
Hunter: Is it 2007? Hardy retains. Randy goes to film another movie, probably.
Alexa Bliss Versus Nia Jax (Raw Women’s Championship Match)
Sandra: Hate to say this, but I almost forgot Nia Jax is the current Raw Women’s Champion. Unlike Alexa Bliss, Nia has faded in the background since her win, although it probably has something to do with the Greatest Royal Rumble being a sausage fest.
The WWE probably noticed some problems with Nia Jax as champion, which is a real shame in my opinion. She has a lot more than she is showing us at the moment, so maybe she is just not ready yet. Given the circumstances, and the fact that a continued rivalry between Jax and Bliss could be quite interesting, my prediction is that Alexa Bliss will take the title home at Backlash.
Katie: Nia Jax might have gotten the drop on Alexa Bliss at WrestleMania, but their feud is far from over. There’s a ton of bad blood between these two, and I won’t be surprised if this feud continues beyond Backlash. While this could go either way, I’ll say Bliss wins via some very underhanded tactics.
Hunter: Alexa cheats her way back to the title.
AJ Styles Versus Shinsuke Nakamura (WWE Championship Match)
Sandra: This is the match that leaves everyone guessing, including myself! I love the matches between Nakamura and Styles, although I believe the pair is holding back for something bigger. That is the vibe I have been getting during their past matches.
The low-blows have been entertaining, although maybe not as much for Styles. Still, heel Nakamura is doing a stunning job, and I will not get bored with this rivalry anytime soon. Therefore, I believe Nakamura will win with some dirty tactics. Naturally, this leaves things open for a continued rivalry until Money in the Bank or Summerslam?
There is one thing that bothers me though, more specifically Samoa Joe taunting Styles this week. While it could have been a simple promo for his match, it could mean that Joe is coming after Styles next. A championship match could be more interesting, which could say a win for Styles at Backlash. However, what does this mean for Shinsuke Nakamura? Or, if Nakamura wins, does this mean we get a triple threat? Yes, please!
Katie: I incorrectly predicted that Nakamura would beat Styles at both WrestleMania and the Greatest Royal Rumble, so maybe the third time’s the charm. This feud has to culminate in a title change at some point, and while Backlash is indeed not a marquee PPV, it is the first PPV of the new inter-brand PPV era. So I say Nakamura finally defeates Styles.
Hunter: Nakamura wins via Peensasha
Samoa Joe Versus Roman Reigns
Sandra: Joe will take the win here, and I have some reasons to say this. Firstly, it seems the WWE has given up on the Roman Reigns experiment for now, although I am sure that the WWE is planning something behind the scenes. Secondly, Samoa Joe just came back from injury and needed a couple of wins to put him back on the contender’s map. Being a fan of his promos, I have absolutely no problems with that.
Katie: Given that WWE has been trying forever to make Reigns the company’s top guy, it wouldn’t make a whole lot of sense to have him lose yet again after dropping not one, but two massive matches against Brock Lesnar. However, it would make even less sense to have Samoa Joe, who’s making his significant return to PPV after injury, lose. For that reason alone, I’m picking Joe here.
Hunter: What I want to happen: Samoa Joe brutalizes Reigns and we don’t see him for a few months. What will happen: Reigns overcomes the odds once again in a match even the smarketst fan will love.
Do you agree with our predictions? Lets us know in the comment section below.