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We are merely a few hours away from WWE's first post WrestleMania 37 pay-per-view as WrestleMania Backlash will take place this Sunday on May 16, 2021. A total of six matches have been announced for the show and five of them will see championships being on the line.
Backlash might not be the most popular WWE pay-per-view, but there have been several major moments and title changes at the show over the last few years. WrestleMania Backlash this year could also fall into the same category and with a packed card, fans could be in for a treat.
To get you all ready for the pay-per-view, here are the top last-minute rumors that might have a major impact. Be sure to comment down and let us know your thoughts on the same and predictions for all the matches at WrestleMania Backlash.
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#5 WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair to return at WrestleMania Backlash?
Two-time WWE Hall of Famer and 16-time world champion 'The Nature Boy' Ric Flair could be making an appearance at WrestleMania Backlash. During a recent appearance on a podcast with Conrad Thompson, Flair mentioned that he would be making his presence felt at the show this Sunday. However, he did not reveal any details about the same.
Rhea Ripley is set to defend her RAW Women's Championship in a triple threat match against Charlotte Flair and Asuka at WrestleMania Backlash. It is possible that Ric Flair's appearance could happen during this match.
It was not long ago when Ric was feuding against his daughter Charlotte Flair on WWE TV, aligning himself with Lacey Evans. While that angle was dropped abruptly due to Evans' pregnancy, WWE could pick it up again at WrestleMania Backlash with The Nature Boy somehow costing The Queen a title victory. Alternatively, he could also help Charlotte in some way to win the RAW Women's Championship.
#4 Major pushes planned for Aleister Black and Damian Priest after WrestleMania Backlash
WrestleMania Backlash is set to feature a Lumberjack match between RAW superstars Damian Priest and The Miz. Priest has been in a rivalry against The Miz and John Morrison ever since getting called up to Monday Night RAW.
According to a recent report from WrestleVotes, WWE wants to make changes to the RAW roster and The Archer of Infamy could be in line to get a big opportunity. Considering this, it's almost guaranteed that Priest will be walking out with the victory against The Miz at WrestleMania Backlash. Here is the report from WrestleVotes:
"There has been backstage chatter recently that the RAW roster needs some fresh faces. Two ideas I’ve heard talked about are Damien Priest getting a big opportunity & Aleister Black being moving over. Orton & AJ having tag team roles have left the top a bit weak," wrote WrestleVotes.
The report also suggests that WWE might be considering moving Aleister Black to Monday Night RAW. Since last month, the company has been airing Black's return promos on SmackDown in what seems to be a new gimmick for the former NXT Champion. However, he is yet to make an in-ring appearance on the Blue brand, and WWE might change their plans and make him return on RAW instead.
In any case, both Damian Priest and Aleister Black are surely in for a push following WrestleMania Backlash.
#3 Could John Cena make an appearance at WrestleMania Backlash?
WWE legend John Cena could be making an appearance at WrestleMania Backlash this Sunday. Recently, the 16-time world champion got the fans talking about a return by posting a picture of WWE's logo on his Instagram.
Earlier this week, the Peacock network also confirmed that Cena will be creating, producing, and narrating a new show that will showcase the best bad guys in WWE history. John Cena also promoted the show with the following tweet:
"For every good guy, there has to be a bad one and @WWE has created some of the BEST bad guys (and ladies) in the history of entertainment. Excited to highlight those who made us boo, scream, and sometimes cry! WWE Evil on @peacockTV!" wrote John Cena in his tweet.
With all these recent activities, fans are speculating a potential return of John Cena at WrestleMania Backlash. While that might happen, it's highly unlikely that he will make an in-ring appearance at the pay-per-view. However, he could appear in a promo package at WrestleMania Backlash hyping up the above-mentioned show on the Peacock network.
John Cena last wrestled for WWE at WrestleMania 36 in a losing effort to "The Fiend" Bray Wyatt in a bizarre Firefly Fun House match. Recently, he had some interesting back-and-forth against NXT Champion Karrion Kross on social media, with the latter claiming that he would be honored to face Cena in his retirement match.
#2 SmackDown Tag Team Championships could change hands at WrestleMania Backlash
SmackDown Tag Team Champions Dolph Ziggler and Robert Roode are set to defend their titles at WrestleMania Backlash against the team of Rey Mysterio and his son Dominik Mysterio. WWE has hyped up the entire scenario of a father-son duo never being the tag team champions and Rey and Dominik will likely achieve that feat at WrestleMania Backlash this Sunday.
To add to that, WrestlingNews.co has reported that WWE is planning to have Jey and Jimmy Uso win the SmackDown Tag Team Championships from a babyface team in the coming months.
WrestlingNews.co was told that the next several months are mapped out for Reigns and his faction and the plan is for Jimmy and Jey to win the SmackDown Tag Team titles from a babyface team in the coming months.
This further confirms that Rey and Dominik Mysterio will be winning the titles at WrestleMania Backlash and ultimately lose them to The Usos in the near future. The Mysterios winning the titles could be an amazing "feel good" moment for the WWE Universe and would also be the first title victory of Dominik's WWE career.
#1 What will be the fate of the Universal Championship at WrestleMania Backlash?
In what would likely be the main event of WrestleMania Backlash, Roman Reigns will defend his Universal Championship against Cesaro. The Swiss Superman is in the middle of arguably his best singles push and has actually led fans to wonder whether he could be the one to finally dethrone The Tribal Chief.
WWE Hall of Famer Booker T even stated on his podcast recently that Cesaro might defeat Roman Reigns at WrestleMania Backlash to win the Universal Championship. He noted that the timing is right for this title change.
"I don't think it's bad timing (for Cesaro to win the title). He (Reigns) could win it back a month from now. I can actually see Cesaro winning, the fans loving it, we could always pull the trigger and get Roman Reigns back in that position. But for Cesaro to have that moment, you know, WrestleMania Backlash moment, could be the best thing (for Cesaro). That's the press, that's news, that's news around the world, that Cesaro wins the title over Roman Reigns. If Roman wins, it's just another win, so I can definitely see something like that happening," said Booker T.
However, the backstage reports still suggest that Reigns is the favorite to win this match at WrestleMania Backlash and retain his Universal Championship. It's possible that the match ends without a clean finish due to the interference of The Usos and Cesaro continues his feud with Roman Reigns after WrestleMania Backlash.
