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Traditionally, Backlash is not one of the most hyped WWE PPVs of the year. Interestingly, that's not the case this time around. The build towards Backlash has been rather interesting and we'll be seeing some really important matches take place this Sunday.
Now, WWE is prone to using the time in between WrestleMania and SummerSlam for filler feuds but we've got quite a few heated rivalries that will reach a tipping point at Backlash.
Strong match card for WWE Backlash
Five championships are scheduled to be defended as of this writing with the headliner being the second installment of Edge vs Randy Orton. I'm still unsold on the 'greatest wrestling match ever' tag – no barbs intended at the individual quality of both these Superstars – but it's a match that's been built well and fans are quite invested in the same.
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Understandably then, a lot is at stake for some WWE Superstars, some of whom can't afford to lose at Backlash. Without further ado then, let us have a look at six of them.
#6 Asuka
Asuka is all set for her first RAW Women's Championship defense at Backlash against Nia Jax and if history is anything to go by, then the Empress of Tomorrow should come out on top. She has never lost to The Irresistible Force and I for one will be hoping that this record stays alive this Sunday.
Asuka has had a good run in WWE but after her streak came to an end at the hands of Charlotte Flair at WrestleMania 34, she's received a start-stop push. She's finally a women's champion again and that reign needs to continue. A loss in her first title defense will simply kill her momentum.
Asuka deserves a lengthy run as the RAW Women's Champion because she is simply that good. And, there's obviously the umpteen feuds she could have in the coming months.
#5 Apollo Crews
Apollo Crews will be going up against the man he beat to win the United States Championship, Andrade at Backlash. While Apollo has had the upper hand over El Idolo these past few weeks, both the contenders are evenly matched on paper. Then there's Zelina Vega who's bound to get involved in some way or the other.
Come what may, Apollo Crews needs to retain his title this Sunday. He's been one of the most underutilized talents in WWE for several years and is finally getting the recognition he deserves. If he loses to Andrade at Backlash, all of his recent efforts would be for naught.
As far as Andrade is concerned, he can afford to take this loss in order to move up the card. He may already have his next feud in sight. We already saw friction between El Idolo and Angel Garza this week on RAW. Maybe he could get involved during Backlash and cost Andrade the match. This would allow Apollo to retain the US title while protecting Andrade.
#4 & #3 Billie Kay & Peyton Royce - The IIconics
While they may not be the biggest names in WWE's women's division, Billie Kay & Peyton Royce are brilliant performers inside the ring and great at evoking reactions out of viewers as a heel duo. They will be vying for the Women's Tag Team Championships at Backlash against Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross and Bayley & Sasha Banks.
The IIconics have lost much steam since their half-year absence from WWE programming. They returned on RAW a month ago and beat the-then champs Alexa & Nikki in a non-title match to get some momentum going.
However, the duo lost their championship opportunity after Royce couldn't control herself and got disqualified. She even got slapped by Billie Kay for this. While the duo moved on from this altercation, they received a further setback as the Boss 'n' Hug Connection became the new titleholders.
The IIconics seriously need to rebuild their credibility and losing at Backlash would take away whatever is left of it. Their original run as women's tag champions wasn't as inspiring either so they need to right that wrong as well. Billie Kay & Peyton Royce becoming the two-time Women's Tag Team Champions at Backlash would certainly give them a second chance.
#2 Randy Orton
One of the best things about Randy Orton going toe to toe with Edge has been The Viper's storytelling. He recently told Sportskeeda's own Riju Dasgupta how he wants to wrestle for another 10 years and if his work this year is anything to go by, he'll certainly be able to do so.
Now, Orton has been brilliant in his promos thus far and the Last Man Standing match at WrestleMania was a great watch too. However, he did lose at the Showcase of Immortals and let's not forget that he was the one who challenged Edge for a match at Backlash. He wouldn't want to be reduced to an "all talk, no bite" guy and this is why winning at Backlash is so important for him.
That result would also work wonders in terms of WWE programming because the company could build towards a trilogy with the conclusion coming at SummerSlam. The feud is simply too big to come to a close at Backlash and perhaps Vince and co. could even have a few fans in attendance – if public regulations allow so – for the conclusion of this epic rivalry.
#1 Jeff Hardy
Jeff Hardy's redemption arc on SmackDown was going well until WWE brought in the whole DUI angle. While it may have left a bad taste in the mouths of many fans, it has definitely opened up an interesting opportunity, one that the company should seize at Backlash.
The Charismatic Enigma is facing Sheamus this Sunday and given how the story has developed so far, WWE could surely throw in a few surprises. There's still a lack of clarity regarding whether The Celtic Warrior actually was behind the whole fiasco or whether Hardy was at fault himself.
Now irrespective of which turn the feud takes, Hardy cannot afford to lose at Backlash. If he was indeed framed and still gets overpowered by Sheamus, he'll lose most of his momentum so far. If he was at fault, losing at Backlash would start his potential heel turn with a bad result, thereby taking away from the potential of such a swerve.
Whichever narrative WWE chooses, The Charismatic Enigma needs to come out on top for it to have the desired impact.
