8 HUGE WWE Backlash 2023 Predictions You Need To Know

7. Rhea Ripley (c) Vs. Zelina Vega

Backlash Brock Lesnar Cody Rhodes
WWE.com

It might be to a lesser scale than Drew McIntyre and Sami Zayn’s shots at Roman Reigns at Clash At The Castle and Elimination Chamber respectively, but Zelina Vega going for gold at Backlash is a genuinely inspired bit of matchmaking.

First major title defences are typically difficult hurdles when the new champion has actually been well established on their journey to the belt. The result isn’t in doubt - or at least shouldn’t be if the titleholder is over, and Rhea Ripley is absolutely that - and the losing challenger can be left in a far worse state than before they earned the shot. Not here.

The Judgment Day’s feud with The LWO has lit up WWE’s midcard across both Raw and SmackDown, and Ripley and Vega’s interactions have been some of the notable highs. Spreading her wings as a babyface for the first time, Vega has at long last been able to use her dazzling aerials for big pops rather than cruel cut-offs and ‘The Nightmare’ has only just started to take her seriously.

Add the hugely partisan crowd to the mix and Ripley’s run might temporarily look in real danger in front of a Puerto Rico crowd willing Vega over the line.

She’ll fall just a little short, but the drama won’t.

Winner - Rhea Ripley

Contributor
Contributor

Michael is a writer, editor, podcaster and presenter for WhatCulture Wrestling, and has been with the organisation over 7 years. He primarily produces written, audio and video content on WWE and AEW, but also provides knowledge and insights on all aspects of the wrestling industry thanks to a passion for it dating back over 30 years. As one third of "The Dadley Boyz", Michael has contributed to the huge rise in popularity of the WhatCulture Wrestling Podcast, earning it top spot in the UK's wrestling podcast charts with well over 50,000,000 total downloads. He has been featured as a wrestling analyst for the Tampa Bay Times and Sports Guys Talking Wrestling, and has covered milestone events in New York, Dallas, Las Vegas, London and Cardiff. Michael's background in media stretches beyond wrestling coverage, with a degree in Journalism from the University Of Sunderland (2:1) and a series of published articles in sports, music and culture magazines The Crack, A Love Supreme and Pilot. When not offering his voice up for daily wrestling podcasts, he can be found losing it singing far too loud watching his favourite bands play live. Follow him on X/Twitter - @MichaelHamflett