It feels like it has been an eternity since the last WWE PPV, but we are finally here. Backlash is under a new name and I’m not too fond of it, but I get what they were trying to do. The shows this week finally did a good job to promote the upcoming matches and as we speak, there are only 6 matches on the card. On paper, these matches should be wonderful, but I think for the most part, creative is just scrambling for ideas and it shows. I think the show will turn out fine, because it normally does for the PPV events, but they sometimes make it brutal to watch the weekly shows. Here are my predictions for the WrestleMania Backlash PPV.

*Match Card is likely not in the exact order

*Predicted winners will be bolded

- Men’s Tag Team Match: SmackDown Tag Team Championship

The Dirty Dawgs (C) vs. Rey and Dominik Mysterio

Of the matchups that could be considered a toss-up, this is probably the most sure-fire prediction. Ziggler and Roode have held the titles for 127 days and what do they have to show for their reign? Not so much. They have had the longest SmackDown tag title reign in over 3 years and if you asked me at the beginning of the week who the tag champs on SmackDown were, I would really have to concentrate to tell you. They have been pumping up the fact that the Mysterios could be the first father/son tag champs in WWE history and it is just a matter of time before that happens. I think this will be a predictable match, with a predictable outcome and that isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

- Men’s Lumberjack Match

Damian Priest vs. The Miz

This feud feels like it has got to end at some point soon. I know the WrestleMania feud was supposed to focus on Bad Bunny, but Priest has been involved and the feud has taken place since Royal Rumble. The lumberjack match is a nice added touch, but I think it is too soon for one. I say that because The Miz lost the WWE Championship fairly recently in a lumberjack match. This is supposed to ensure that no funny business takes place and that’s why I think Priest wins pretty easily. Priest is a -500 favorite.

- Women’s Singles Match: SmackDown Women’s Championship

Bianca Belair (C) vs. Bayley

I really like this feud for Belair and to be honest, I would’ve loved for Bayley to face Belair at WrestleMania. Bayley is a great matchup for her and I’ve said it before, Belair and Banks were just too similar as characters for me to be fully invested. Bayley and Belair are total opposites and their ring styles aren’t the same either. I think this should be a good match, but I don’t think it will be the last of this feud.

- Men’s Triple Threat: WWE Championship

Bobby Lashley (C) vs. Drew McIntyre vs. Braun Strowman

I think the build for this match has absolutely sucked. RAW in general has been pretty suckish since WrestleMania and this feud has been the bright spot of the show if that tells you anything. They haven’t persuaded me that the title could possibly change hands. McIntyre has been the same guy ever since he lost the title and Braun Strowman is officially just a big doof that can’t be taken seriously. Lashley is the favorite at -300 and I really can’t see it going any other way. I would avoid picking Strowman at any cost despite his +800 odds, but McIntyre may not be a terrible option at +300.

- Women’s Triple Threat: RAW Women’s Championship

Rhea Ripley (C) vs. Charlotte Flair vs. Asuka

Speaking of bad builds, they have managed to absolutely destroy Rhea Ripley’s emergence on the main roster. Don’t take this the wrong way, I really like what Rhea Ripley brings to the table, but she shouldn’t be champion right now. A couple weeks ago, Ripley told Charlotte that she didn’t earn the right to be in a championship match and I had to stop and think, did she really say that? The woman that shows up on a random RAW episode 3 weeks before WrestleMania and demands a title shot at the biggest PPV event without ever stepping foot inside a RAW ring is telling a 13-time champ that she didn’t earn her shot? Hmm... interesting. I think Charlotte Flair wins because her actions as of late tell me that she deserves to be champion over the other two. Also, I was upset that Asuka straight up lost on RAW on Monday. I think if Asuka would’ve won on a roll up, the match build would’ve been a lot stronger and fans would’ve been a lot more interested, because now you’re telling me Asuka doesn’t have a chance in the match and if she doesn’t have a chance in the match, why is she in the match? By the way, Batista felt the same way. Ripley is the favorite to retain at -175, Asuka is at +650 and Flair is at a nice +180. I would take that Flair bet all day.

- Men’s Singles Match: Universal Championship

Roman Reigns (C) vs. Cesaro

Roman Reigns is a huge favorite and I understand why, but this has been a great feud. Cesaro is a great face matchup for Roman and it doesn’t appear that Cesaro will be likely in the long-term plans for the Universal title picture, but he could force them to make him apart of the big picture. I don’t think Cesaro has a real chance tonight, but if they decide to continue the feud, I could see him capturing the title at SummerSlam. This should be a wonderful match.

Yacs

WrestleMania Backlash (2021) Predictions