WWE Backlash 2023: 10 Things That Must Happen

The biggest selling point for WWE's next pay-per-view is that it takes place in Puerto Rico and native boy-done-good Bad Bunny is trading rapping for wrestling on the card. That's the biggest dangling carrot in front of fans, but it isn't the only one. The not-so-small fact that Cody Rhodes will face Brock Lesnar has also piqued audience attention.

Backlash could and should be the start of WWE's road towards crowning a brand new World Heavyweight Champion who can lead their flagship Raw brand through the rest of 2023. Roman Reigns is still Undisputed Champ over on SmackDown post-Draft, so Monday nights need a linchpin titleholder too.

That's coming, and this weekend is the start of creative's march towards it.

Saturday could be a rare PLE for the company - it probably won't feature any title switches at all, which could make it a glorified house show in the eyes of some. Don't be too quick to judge though, because there's a lot to like about the lineup for San Juan.

Here's everything, including World Title implications, that must happen on the show.

This is a no-brainer.

Imagine the pop if Sami Zayn's music hits first at Backlash. That'd be quickly followed by big cheers for both Kevin Owens and Matt Riddle, then booming boos for The Bloodline trio of Solo Sikoa, Jimmy and Jey Uso. Every PLE needs a memorable launching point, and this six-man tag is very-much it this weekend.

Admittedly, there is something very house show-y about the whole thing, but that's not meant as criticism. These guys could work top matches in their sleep, and there's more than enough narrative context to keep their feud hot for just one more banger in San Juan.

Backlash is the true end of the road for Sami's ties to Bloodline business, meaning the new Raw draftee will be determined to go out on a high. Meanwhile, The Usos and Solo Sikoa have bigger challenges ahead when it comes to keeping folks interested in what they're doing over on SmackDown.