WWE Backlash: Preview, Match card, Analysis & Predictions

WWE Backlash takes place later today and we have 5 title matches to look forward to. We also get two hotly anticipated matches as Samoa Joe takes on Roman Reigns and Big Cass takes om fan-favorite, Daniel Bryan. The main card is rounded off by a huge tag-team match as Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn team up to face Braun Strowman and Bobby Lashley.

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Bayley vs Ruby Riott

The kick-off show sees Bayley take on Ruby Riott. Their rivalry started when the Riott Squad attacked Bayley and Sasha Banks during a match on RAW. With Riott taking on Bayley, expect Liv Morgan and Sarah Logan to be nearby as insurance.

I expect Ruby Riott to follow up last week’s win against Sasha with another one against Bayley, with a little help from her friends of course.

PREDICTION: Ruby Riott

Jeff Hardy (C) vs Randy Orton (for the WWE US Championship)

Two grizzled veterans face-off for the US Championship next. Former US Champion Randy Orton looks to win back the title he lost at WrestleMania to new SmackDown star Jeff Hardy. Hardy only won the belt during the Superstar Shake-Up episode of RAW before moving to SmackDown the next night.

I expect Jeff Hardy to retain his title and go on a longer title run.

PREDICTION: Jeff Hardy

Seth Rollins (C) vs The Miz (for the WWE Intercontinental Championship)

Both The Miz and Seth Rollins are at the top of their game right now, especially Rollins, who has been on fire since December last year. Rollins won the title from The Miz in the triple threat match at WrestleMania.

Miz, now on SmackDown, will be looking forward to winning back his beloved Intercontinental Championship and bring it back over to SmackDown. However, with the US title on SmackDown already, the smart money is on Rollins to win and retain his title.

PREDICTION: Seth Rollins

Nia Jax (C) vs Alexa Bliss (for the RAW Women’s Championship)

As entertaining as Alexa Bliss’ anti-bullying PSA’s have been, this storyline hasn’t exactly taken the WWE by storm. Alexa and Nia’s match at WrestleMania didn’t disappoint though, with Nia Jax showing impressive range, speed and strength on her way to winning her first, and definitely not last, title in the WWE.

I expect Nia to retain tonight before moving onto a new challenger after Backlash.

PREDICTION: Nia Jax

Braun Strowman and Bobby Lashley vs Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn

This match could go one of two ways.

First: Owens and Zayn can get steamrollered by the two monsters in the opposition corner despite trying their heelish best to try and eke out a result against all odds.

Secondly: The second way this could go is a change Lashley desperately needs. Lashley and Strowman could come to loggerheads during the match, leading to Lashley turning on Strowman and costing his team the match.

My gut tells me WWE won’t give up on Lashley as a face yet and that they will go with the first option.

PREDICTION: Braun Strowman and Bobby Lashley

Carmella (C) vs Charlotte (for the SmackDown Women’s Championship)

Carmella cashed-in her Money In The Bank contract on the SmackDown after WrestleMania, capitalizing on a beatdown by the newly debuted IIconics.

Come tonight, there will be nowhere to hide for Carmella but could she leave still holding onto her title by the skin of her teeth?

My gut tells me that the IIconics could find a way to get involved somehow.

PREDICTION: Carmella

Roman Reigns vs Samoa Joe

What’s next for Roman? I have no idea, but Roman badly needs a win tonight. I feel that WWE may have made a huge mistake by not having Roman win at Mania, not to mention the epically botched finish at the Greatest Royal Rumble.

Joe is set for great things on SmackDown and is over with a majority of the fans. He can afford to take an L tonight and come out all guns blazing on Tuesday night.

PREDICTION: Roman Reigns

Big Cass vs Daniel Bryan

Who isn’t rooting for Daniel Bryan to beat the hell out of Big Cass tonight? Cass has been all over Bryan since his return on the Superstar Shake-Up episode of SmackDown Live.

He followed up his repeated attacks by eliminating Bryan from the Greatest Royal Rumble after a record-breaking performance at the Greatest Royal Rumble.

Bryan will have revenge on his mind tonight as he faces the much bigger Cass, but can his running knee take Cass down for the 1-2-3?

PREDICTION: Daniel Bryan

AJ Styles (C) vs Shinsuke Nakamura (No-DQ match for the WWE Championship)

It definitely feels like Shinsuke Nakamura turned a corner when he turned heel at WrestleMania. Accompanied by a modified version of his theme, ‘nutcracker’ Nakamura has been low-blowing AJ Styles for weeks. This led to SmackDown GM Paige booking them in a No-DQ match for tonight, especially after their GRR match ended in a count out.

It looks like Nakamura could finally be on his way to winning the WWE Championship tonight. If he ends up not winning it, it begs the question, if not now, when?

PREDICTION: Shinsuke Nakamura

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