Time for another PPV, just nine days after Greatest Royal Rumble. On Sunday, May 6, Backlash will come to PPV and the WWE Network from the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. At least women will be allowed to compete at this show, which starts at 8 PM ET / 5 PM PT. As always, a Kickoff Show will air both the WWE Network and YouTube one hour before the main card.
The big deal with Backlash is that it will consist of both Raw and Smackdown superstars, as all WWE events from now on will feature wrestlers from both shows. Additionally, there are a couple crossover matches at this event, including one for the Intercontinental Championship. The main event for the evening will be Raw's Roman Reigns vs. Smackdown's Samoa Joe, who recently returned from injury.
Luckily, because of the new dual-branded PPVs, the next WWE event won't be until June 17 for Money In The Bank, which will be in Rosemont, IL. This will help cut back the big events from 16 in 2017 to 12 in 2018. More could be announced for this year, but that's currently how many WWE has on the docket. For now, however, there is Backlash, and make sure to come back to GameSpot on Sunday for live coverage of the event.
Braun Strowman & Bobby Lashley vs. Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn
Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn aren't making any friends since moving to Raw a few weeks ago. Now, they'll have to fight the biggest men on the Monday night show, Bobby Lashley and Braun Strowman. This really feels like a case of Raw trying to find a place for three big stars and strapping Lashley to it just because. Hopefully, this won't be a squash match, and we're giving the win to the big dudes.
Our prediction: Strowman and Lashley win
Jeff Hardy (c) vs. Randy Orton
(For the United States Championship)
Randy Orton will get a rematch for the United States Championship at Backlash, after losing the title at Wrestlemania. Both men are Grand Slam Champions, meaning they've held four of the major WWE titles during their careers. During an episode of MizTV, The Miz tried stirring the pot between Hardy and Orton, which didn't go to Miz's liking. This match is being booked as a pretty straightforward face vs. face match. This is early in Hardy's run with the title, so I'm giving the win to him, so he can keep his solo run going.
Our prediction: Jeff Hardy wins
Daniel Bryan vs. Big Cass
Every WWE fan is waiting for Daniel Bryan to take on The Miz, and we'll get there. However, standing in Bryan's way is Big Cass, who just returned after injury and is super jealous that Bryan's return is getting all the attention. Will Cass get his revenge for Bryan stealing his spotlight? Alright, this storyline is weird and forced, but I like that it's a speedbump on the way to Bryan fighting Miz. This won't be a one-and-done match though. Cass will get the win here, and the two will have a rivalry, leading into Money in the Bank.
Our prediction: Cass wins
Carmella (c) vs. Charlotte
(For the Smackdown Women's Championship)
At the Smackdown after Wrestlemania, Carmella cashed in her Money in the Bank contract and won the Smackdown Women's Championship; however, she couldn't have done it if the IIconics [sic] hadn't given Charlotte a huge beating in the ring prior to the match. Now, Charlotte wants a rematch, and she'll get one at Backlash. Carmella is known for winning big events using classic heel tactics, so I am thinking that's going to happen one more time here.
Our prediction: Carmella wins
Seth Rollins (c) vs. The Miz
(For the Intercontinental Championship)
If Miz doesn't win this match, this will probably be the last time we see him have a battle for the IC Championship for now. Seth Rollins is still a new champion and already has a bit of a friendly rivalry going on with Finn Balor. Because Miz is now on Smackdown, where the United States Championship is, I'm giving the win to Rollins, so he can progress on the Monday night show.
Our prediction: Rollins wins
Nia Jax (c) vs. Alexa Bliss
(For the Raw Women's Championship)
Much like the Smackdown Women's Championship, Raw's title is on a new face, and before the champ can move on to a new contender, the past rivalry has to be wrapped up. However, the battle between Nia Jax and Alexa Bliss is far from over. There is a lot of bad blood between the two, but Jax won't come out on top this time. Bliss will come out the victor, and the two will have a rubber match at Money in the Bank in June.
Our prediction: Bliss wins after interference
AJ Styles (c) vs. Shinsuke Nakamura (No DQ Match)
(For the WWE Championship)
If seeing AJ Styles get punched in the crotch when the ref isn't looking is your thing, then you'll love this match. The Styles/Nakamura rivalry has been phenomenal--pun intended. Both these men are fantastic storytellers in the ring and the rivalry between them has been the highlight of Smackdown. This will be the third match between the two, with Styles winning the first one and the second ending with a double countout. I'm thinking Nakamura will win here, and the two will fight each other, one more time, at the next PPV.
Our prediction: Nakamura wins
Secondary prediction: Styles gives a low blow to Nakamura
Roman Reigns vs. Samoa Joe
Brock Lesnar has been throwing around Roman Reigns like a ragdoll, even though Reigns should have won the cage match at Greatest Royal Rumble. Reigns has made it known he's frustrated with the champion and the WWE Universe deserves better, but he's full of excuses. That's where Samoa Joe comes in: He's had enough of Reigns' recent complaints and wants to shut him up the only way he knows how. There aren't a lot of stakes in this match, and it's more of a homecoming for Joe, who's been injured for months. Because of this, I think Joe is getting the win.
Our prediction: Joe wins
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