Two Title Matches Announced For WWE Backlash 2023 During SmackDown
WWE added two bumper title bouts to the Backlash lineup on this week's SmackDown.
WWE added no less than two title matches to the upcoming Backlash 2023 pay-per-view on Friday night's edition of SmackDown.
Zelina Vega approached Adam Pearce backstage in his office and pitched a SmackDown Women's Title scrap vs. Rhea Ripley in Puerto Rico on 6 May. Pearce, as the default sheriff in town, said he'd see what he could do. Later, the match was made official.
LWO member Vega will be a speed bump-style challenger for Ripley (there's no way she's getting the belt), but her Puerto Rican heritage should guarantee some interest from the locals in San Juan. It'd be great to see Zelina smash this opportunity, and for Ripley's first title defence to be a winner.
Elsewhere, Austin Theory defends his United States Title vs. both Bobby Lashley and Bronson Reed. The latter pair have been locked in a power vs. power feud on Raw, so it makes sense that they're involved with one another again for the PLE.
Other matches confirmed for Backlash include Seth Rollins vs. Omos, Cody Rhodes vs. Brock Lesnar and a six-man tag pitting The Usos and Solo Sikoa vs. Sami Zayn, Kevin Owens and Matt Riddle.