10 Expectations Vs. Reality For WWE Backlash 2020

7. Who Turns On Who?

Backlash Expectation Reality
WWE

Expectation:

This is an interesting, dovetailing cross-brand storyline laced with narrative possibility. The IIconics have heavily teased a split, under the somewhat unconvincing premise that Billie Kay is upset at Peyton Royce's in-ring performance. Bayley and Sasha Banks have also shared or endured a tense relationship weighted very heavily in Bayley's favour. One of these teams will split as foreshadowed, informing the finish of this Triple Threat Women's Tag Team Title match.

Reality:

This is a good subversion, as opposed to "The Fed will have a normal one again" measured expectations. The IIconics' stubbornly entertaining symbiotic meme-generator of an act shouldn't get broken up. This is a red herring, or it should be, else WWE is dumber than they look. Meanwhile, the dynamic between Bayley and Sasha Banks is significantly less symbiotic than the former would have the latter believe, but there's scope to threaten the turn, but swerve in the direction of Alexa Bliss, who can help make Nikki Cross a proper babyface star ahead of a potentially great underdog storyline opposing the towering and aloof Charlotte Flair.

This will all come at the total expense of the Women's Tag Team Title division, but who cares. They never gave a sh*t about it and nor should you.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!