ESPN May 6, 2023 11:20 p.m. ET7 Minute Read
Bad Bunny put on an incredible performance at Backlash vs. Damian Priest.WWE
In a seemingly unlikely main event for a pay-per-view, Cody Rhodes and Brock Lesnar delivered riveting – and bloody – drama to wrestling fans in San Juan, Puerto Rico on Saturday.
Rhodes and Lesnar, Roman Reigns’ final two contenders at WrestleMania for championship supremacy, seemed poised to work together to face The Bloodline on Raw after WrestleMania. Instead, Lesnar and F-5 rebelled against Rhodes, and a new feud was set before us.
At Backlash, Rhodes fought like he was ready to quickly get past The Beast Incarnate and put Lesnar on big offense. Rhodes was crisp and dynamic, landing big moves and matching Lesnar’s physicality at every turn. This physicality morphed into Rhodes tripping Lesnar into an exposed turnbuckle, causing Lesnar to crack open and blood spurting.
With Lesnar bleeding and stunned, The American Nightmare landed his double Cross Rhodes and appeared poised to finish off his opponent.
And then Lensar did what he always does: he surprised us all with another F-5.
Rhodes hit the two count, but Lesnar hit a kimura. Rhodes looked ready to tap, but managed to stand up to pin Lesnar’s shoulders to the mat. With Lesnar unwilling to release the suspension, the referee counted him out to give Rhodes the 1-2-3 win.
What’s next: With that kind of finish, it’s almost a guarantee that we’ll get another installment of Rhodes vs. Lesnar.
Six-Man Tag Team Match: The Bloodline (Solo Sikoa and The Usos) def. Matt Riddle, Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn
Solo Sikoa grabbed and then released his brother Jey Uso during the Six Man Tag Match at WWE Backlash.WWE
The biggest question in Backlash’s co-main event wasn’t who would actually win the match; it was about whether The Bloodline (sans Roman Reigns) could hold up against a massive threat from Riddle, KO, and Zayn.
Everything went according to plan in the first two thirds of the game, with both teams fighting for a draw. And then things started to unravel.
It started with Sikoa turning on throughout the game, causing tension among family members. Eventually, a heated debate ensued between Jimmy and Sikoa, allowing Zayn to give Jimmy one hell of a kick. Later, in the heat of the moment, Jey accidentally hit Jimmy with a Superkick, then Sikoa almost hit Jey with the Samoan Spike before catching himself, leading to another family confrontation.
Unfortunately for their opponents, The Bloodline held out as Jey landed a superkick on Zayn and Sikoa spiked Riddle to earn the 1-2-3 win. Afterwards, the members of The Bloodline looked frustrated with their performance but smiled and partied through the chaos.
What’s next: It feels like this is the end of Zayn and Owens vs The Bloodline — Zayn said that much earlier in the week. This drama show was all about The Bloodline anyway, and we’ll see what happens when Reigns returns to the herds after witnessing from a distance what happened. It still feels like a turning point is coming, doesn’t it?
Street Fight in San Juan: Bad Bunny def. Damian Priest
It wasn’t Bad Bunny’s first appearance in a WWE ring, but this one against Priest was definitely the most epic.
Both wrestlers put on a show and delivered several highlights throughout the match. Every time Priest looked like he was in control of the game, Bunny would react in an incredible way. It was a street fight involving guns, rule-breaking and outside help. For Priest, the Judgment Day member was compromised for the second half of the game due to a knee injury. However, when things looked bleak, his faction mates Finn Balor and Dominik Mysterio came to help.
When all was looking bleak for Bunny, reinforcements came to help, some from the region and some from the Latino World Order.
Rey Mysterio came out first to help Bunny, but to even the odds, Carlito made his first WWE appearance in years. However, when it comes to odds and Bunny, who cares? More LWO members and Savio Vega came out to fully take over Balor and Mysterio.
Bunny later hit Priest with a four and several steel chair wacks to Priest’s knee. To finish it off, Bunny beat his Bunny Destroyer for the win and huge pop from his hometown fans.
What’s next: Whenever Bad Bunny wants to wrestle, let the man wrestle. As quickly as possible.
SmackDown Women’s Championship: Rhea Ripley (c) defeated. Zelina Vega
Vega, decked out in Puerto Rican attire, was in full Boricua mode in San Juan. The fans in attendance showed her nothing but love as Vega was touched by the ovation. Ripley’s reaction to fan appreciation for her opponent? A vicious powerbomb and a repellent jump out of the ring. It looked like the SmackDown Champion would quickly deal with Vega, but the LWO member responded by connecting a DDT and a Rey Mysterio-approved 619. Vega then landed double knees on Ripley for a two count.
Ripley oriented and landed a vicious Riptide finisher, securing the win to retain her belt. in defeat, Vega got another standing ovation From the crowd.
What’s next: Ripley’s reign as champion continues undisturbed and it will be interesting to see who competes this summer. It could be Vega, but how she gets there is unclear.
WWE United States Championship: Austin theory (c) def. Bobby Lashley vs. Bronson Reed
Lashley looked ready to take Theory’s belt off as The Almighty quickly sent Theory out of the ring and then got to work on Reed. Lashley almost pinned the hurt lock on Reed only for Theory to interfere with the hold. Then it was Reed and Theory’s turn to get revenge on Lashley when Reed hit a springboard tackle from the apron to Lashley outside the ring. Reed then hit a top rope splash to Lashley for a two count. Seeking revenge, Lashley hit Reed with a javelin, only for Theory to divert Lashley out of the ring and pin Reed to keep him.
What’s next: Reed had some big moments on his first run at a big show, but it’s time for Lashley and Theory to end their rivalry this summer. The theory seems poised for a bigger opportunity, but it might make sense for a worker like Lashley to hold the belt next.
Single game: Seth Rollins def. Omos
Seth Rollins handled the deal against Omos at Backlash.WWE
Rollins went to San Juan with fans who sang his signature chorus and played his greatest hits in the ring against huge target Omo. Given his recent run in promotion, Rollins is asked to level his opponents and Omos delivered an inspired performance. This is the ultimate compliment to Rollins and a sign of WWE’s good faith in the still-rising Omos.
Rollins tried his curbstomp that Omos only used his face to counter him, then chokeslammed out for a two count. Rollins went to the sleeper only for Omos to erupt twice. Undeterred, The Architect went off the top rope with a curbstomp to take home the win.
What’s next: We’re here for more Rollins matches against emerging prospects when it allows for more experimentation and to gauge which wrestlers deserve more promotion. We’re also here for Omos to be in a match with some stakes he could actually win. However, we are not here for these two to compete again. It’s all right.
Raw Women’s Championship: Bianca Belair (c) defeated. Iyo heaven
Bianca Belair shows off her power during her match at Backlash vs. Iyo Sky.WWE
Sky was up to the task on Saturday night against the Raw women’s champion. Fighting in single actions apart from her Damage CTRL faction, Sky didn’t need support against Belair. Sky had a counter for every rise in champion as The EST seemed poised to retain their title on numerous occasions. A 450 Splash? counters. One-armed gorilla press? counter? code? You guessed it, counters.
Even as Belair came up to knock Sky off the second rope like a vicious powerbomb, Sky kicked out. It felt like Sky would provide any answer for the champion, but then faction members Bayley and Dakota Kai came to step in. Her intervention looked like it would make all the difference, but this time it was Belair who countered…er, escaped a sky-top rope moonsault and eventually ended the match with her patented KOD
What’s next: Belair is a worthy champion, probably still belt-defining, but lacks worthy dance partners that don’t include Charlotte Flair and Rhea Ripley. Sky’s dancing shoes shone brightly on Saturday, and a rematch at Money In The Bank or SummerSlam – without the help of her teammates – could make for convincing drama.