WWE Backlash takes place this Saturday from Lyon, France, and should continue the company’s string of hot shows out of international markets.
Backlash in Puerto Rico last year had a fun crowd that created a unique atmosphere. It was pretty much the Puerto Rican WrestleMania and the crowd responded to it as such. The fans in Lyon might not be quite as raucous, but they will still be loud enough to help the show feel important.
The Triple H-era of WWE sure has shortened the amount of matches on PLEs as just five are confirmed for this show. This means everything should get a lot of time, notably the main event between Cody Rhodes and AJ Styles. Those two will be given enough room to do something memorable.
Below are previews and predictions for all five matches currently scheduled for Saturday’s show (1 PM Eastern on Peacock/WWE Network).
All odds are from Betonline as of Thursday, May 2nd.
Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes defends against AJ Styles
The result here is not in question as Rhodes will defeat Styles in what should be an excellent match. The oddsmakers have him as a -4000 favorite and it’s hard to disagree with that.
In the lead-up to WrestleMania 40, Styles said in an interview that his career was getting close to the end and that he doesn’t want to embarrass himself as he gets older. However, at 46, he has shown no signs that his ability is in decline. There is a reason he was selected as Rhodes’ first challenger. He’s a guy that WWE knows can give Rhodes a solid bell-to-bell match to close a fun show in front of what will be a hot crowd.
I thought it was interesting that both Styles and Rhodes were essentially babyfaces in the contract signing recently with Styles speaking about how much he loved Rhodes’ father. Styles has been a heel since both returning from injury and his Mania program with LA Knight, so it was a little surprising to see such a respectful contract signing. I almost wonder if his character is luring Rhodes into thinking it will be a fair fight, only for Styles to do something dastardly in an attempt to win.
Rhodes will still win even if he does, but it might extend their program through the next PLE.
Prediction: Rhodes retains
WWE World Heavyweight Champion Damian Priest defends against Jey Uso
Similar to the WWE Championship match, there is little doubt as to who is going to win this one as Priest is also listed as a -4000 favorite to win and retain.
As much as Priest winning is a slam dunk, I don’t think it’s as big a lock as Rhodes beating Styles. Uso is very popular and sells a lot of merchandise, so I don’t think putting the title on him is out of the question. It just feels too soon for Priest to lose it.
The other factor that I think gives Uso a chance, albeit a small one, is all the dissension going on within Judgment Day. If that drama spills out to the ring area, there’s a chance we could see a new champion. In all likelihood, however, Priest will retain and we will continue getting little bits of teased tension from the group, but it won’t implode for a few months still.
Prediction: Priest retains
WWE Women’s Champion Bayley defends against Tiffany Stratton and Naomi in a triple-threat match
It’s not quite “Tiffy Time” on the main roster yet, but it won’t be long. Stratton will eventually become a perennial champion and top star for WWE, but her ascension to the very “Tiffy Top” won’t come as soon as Saturday.
Bayley is listed as a -1500 favorite, which goes against everything we’ve been taught about a champion’s mathematical chances in triple-threat matches like this. All the same, it feels pretty certain that she walks out of Backlash as the champion.
Similar to Rhodes and Priest, who also just won their titles at WrestleMania, it doesn’t seem like the right time to take the title off Bayley. In all likelihood, either Stratton or Naomi will have the match won, the other will cost them the victory, they will move into a program with each other, and Bayley will move on to a new challenger.
Stratton’s rise to the pinnacle will continue, but I don’t know if she’s winning the title until, at least, WrestleMania 41.
Prediction: Bayley retains
WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions The Kabuki Warriors (Asuka & Kairi Sane) defend against Jade Cargill & Bianca Belair
The one possible, and perhaps even likely, title change to happen at Backlash is here. It’s not a lock, but it will probably happen as Cargill & Belair are listed as -1500 favorites to win the belts.
There is only one scenario I can think of where the Kabuki Warriors retain and that’s if Cargill turns heel on Belair or vice versa. I tend to see Belair as a Ricky Steamboat/Rey Mysterio type where she is just such a strong babyface that she never turns heel, though.
Cargill as a dominant heel who starts her WWE run by taking out a perennial champion/contender like Belair is more likely at some point. In all likelihood, any turn would happen after a run with the tag titles together first which starts Saturday.
Prediction: Cargill & Belair win the titles
Randy Orton & Kevin Owens vs. The Bloodline’s Solo Sikoa & Tama Tonga
This match has the closest betting odds of any on the show. However, that doesn’t mean the result is in question as Tonga & Sikoa will all but assuredly get the win.
Owens will take the pin, but I’m not sure if it’ll be Sikoa or Tonga who get the win for their team. On one hand, it’s Tonga’s debut so making him look strong should be a priority but it’s Sikoa’s first match since he has sort of asserted himself as the interim Tribal Chief, so they’ll want him to look strong, too.
Jacob Fatu’s WWE debut looms in the background of this angle. If WWE wants to keep it secret, they could just have him hide out in the traboules or hidden passageways Lyon is known for.
While that debut could happen here, something tells me it’s more likely for an episode of SmackDown at some point in the next few weeks. Regardless, the idea is to build this Roman-less version of Bloodline for the next few months until he returns. Starting them off with a win here seems essential.
Prediction: Solo Sikoa & Tama Tonga
