He was only meant to host the event, but now Bad Bunny returns to the ring at WWE Backlash.
Live from Puerto Rico, Bad Bunny will collide with Damian Priest in a San Juan Street Fight.
Just two years ago, Bunny and Priest were a tag team at WrestleMania 37 for the Grammy Award winner’s in-ring debut. But now, with the rivalry between The Judgment Day and Rey Mysterio’s LWO boiling over, Bunny and Priest’s relationship is beyond repair.
A San Juan Street Fight means there will be no rules when Bunny and Priest throw down in one of the hottest pro-wrestling territories in the world.
Who will return to the continental United States with bragging rights? Join the NZPWI Roundtable as we break down the card for WWE Backlash 2023.
* * *
Brock Lesnar vs. Cody Rhodes
David Dunn (78% accurate in 2023):
Cody Rhodes gave it his all at WrestleMania 39 and it still wasn’t enough. Instead of being able to greive his loss and begin working his way back to the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship, Rhodes was blindsided by The Beast the following night. In order to get back to Reigns, Rhodes has to get past Lesnar, and I haven’t seen The American Nightmare let anything stop him yet.
Winner: Cody Rhodes
Grady Hooker (70% accurate in 2023)
Cody Rhodes is one of WWE’s best, but so is Brock Lesnar… I’m looking forward to this fight, but I don’t think Rhodes will can afford to lose two in a row, and will be bringing his A game to overcome Lesnar.
Winner: Cody Rhodes
Steve McCleary (70% accurate in 2023):
Rhodes had Reigns beat at WrestleMania, and while The Beast has a long list of victims behind him, there’s only one Nightmare who’s looking forward to finishing his story.
Winner: Cody Rhodes
AJ Murtagh (65% accurate in 2023):
Cody Rhodes has his back against the wall after losing at WrestleMania and needs this win more than Brock. Cody’s stubborn refusal to quit will be the difference here.
Winner: Cody Rhodes
Sammy G (43% accurate in 2023):
Brock is an interesting one… The Beast Incarnate has been showing a more human side of himself over the last few years. If someone as astute as Cody can recognise an opportunity to exploit a weakness in Brock, it will be a massive win for Rhodes.
Winner: Cody Rhodes
Kevin Owens, Matt Riddle & Sami Zayn vs. Solo Sikoa & The Usos
David:
If this was just Owens and Zayn vs. The Usos – as we’ve seen twice already – it’d be a little easier to predict. But the addition of Solo Sikoa and, perhaps more importantly, Matt Riddle, starts to muddy the waters. The Bloodline are a cohesive unit, while Riddle doesn’t seem to gel with Owens at all. That sounds like enough for a Bloodline win to me.
Winners: Solo Sikoa & The Usos
Grady:
There is a lot of turmoil in The Bloodline right now, and with Matt Riddle having the momentum of just returning, I think it spells disaster for the three brothers.
Winners: Kevin Owens, Matt Riddle & Sami Zayn
Steve:
Things haven’t been going well for The Bloodline, and you love to see it. I think their time is running out.
Winners: Kevin Owens, Matt Riddle & Sami Zayn
AJ:
There appears to be division within both teams but The Bloodline seem more united overall. I think the ruthlessness of Solo and The Usos will bring them the win.
Winners: Solo Sikoa & The Usos
Sammy:
This is going to be a total slobberknocker of a match! Breaking down the different combinations of opponents, all of them are worthy of being featured singles matches.
Winners: Solo Sikoa & The Usos
Picks Summary
Brock Lesnar: – (0%)
Cody Rhodes: David, Steve, Grady, AJ, Sammy (100%)
Kevin Owens, Matt Riddle & Sami Zayn: Grady, Steve (40%)
Solo Sikoa & The Usos: David, AJ, Sammy (60%)
SmackDown Women’s Championship:
Rhea Ripley: David, Grady, Steve, AJ, Sammy (100%)
Zelina Vega: – (0%)
Raw Women’s Championship:
Bianca Belair: David, Grady, Steve, AJ, Sammy (100%)
Iyo Sky: – (0%)
United States Championship:
Austin Theory: David, Grady, AJ, Sammy (80%)
Bobby Lashley: – (0%)
Bronson Reed: Steve (20%)
Omos: Sammy (20%)
Seth Rollins: David, Grady, Steve, AJ (80%)
San Juan Street Fight:
Bad Bunny: David, Grady, Steve, AJ (80%)
Damian Priest: Sammy (20%)
WWE Backlash 2023
Sunday, May 7
12pm NZST (Backlash Kickoff from 11am)
WWE Network
