8 HUGE WWE Backlash 2023 Predictions You Need To Know
Piping hot crowds, red hot at the box office and Cody Rhodes still headlining. What could go wrong?
The actual backlash to this year's WrestleMania started before the 'Show Of Shows' had even concluded.
As the referee's hand struck the mat for the three in the main event, the atmosphere turned from one of adulation and celebration of the greatest WrestleMania ever to one of confusion and resentment about an epic flight of fancy that failed to stick the landing.
The pain of the Cody Rhodes loss doesn't speak to every fan's experience from the night, but many lapsed ones that returned to watch 'The American Nightmare' "finish the story" were given a finale that probably reminded them why they became lapsed in the first place. Meanwhile, many loyal supporters that had dared to suggest that WWE might yet be capable of seeing through a committed and bold longterm push were made fools of once again. Not the vibes to match Night One's euphoria, to say the least.
Compounding all that was a Raw-After-WrestleMania remembered for two things; a) the return of Vince McMahon to doing just about whatever he wanted in WWE following the sale of the company to Endeavour, and b) Rhodes getting beaten down even more aggressively than he was the night before.
It's been a long month inside the warped walls of the market leader. Will Backlash mark the return of the pre-Mania form, or reveal more clues about a potential summer of discontent?
8. Matt Riddle, Kevin Owens, & Sami Zayn Vs. The Bloodline
There's a ghost at this particular feast.
After Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens defeated The Usos in a rematch of their WrestleMania 39 classic, Paul Heyman and Solo Sikoa's withering patience appeared to fully run out.
Since then and by orders of 'The Tribal Chief' himself, the two sides haven't really been working as one. Not completely, anyway. Jimmy and Jey have tried to have Solo's back but the favour hasn't always been returned, and if what Heyman's saying is true, Roman Reigns could be destined to strike down upon his longest-serving soldiers should they fail again.
Here lies the failure.
The folding back in of Matt Riddle into The Bloodline's business has made for a nice return for the 'Original Bro', and the babyfaces winning here will be Owens and Zayn's final vindication for their 'Show Of Shows' win and validation that they have done the necessary damage to Reigns' dominant group. This means an Uso has to lose, but the intrigue is surely in Jimmy facing defeat (and Roman's wrath) in order for Jey to block Solo's spike just as he did during Sami's own trial earlier this year.
Winners - Matt Riddle, Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn