Countdown to WrestleMania Backlash

Not sure why Strowman had to be included as Drew and Bobby could have put on another strong outing on their own. The WWE shot themselves in the foot disbanding the Hurt Business. Destroy one of the best factions in wrestling today….because why? Like many, I don’t understand WWE logic these days. All that I know is that things are getting very boring and very predictable. I can’t see them continually giving Drew rematches and him botching them when McMahon sees him as the face of the company at present. Winner: Drew McIntyre

Having Lashley retain the WWE Title at WrestleMania was the right decision and so would a victory at WrestleMania Backlash.  However, with a Triple Threat Match WWE Management have the option of Lashley losing the WWE Championship without being pinned.  Could that happen?  There is a small chance, but hopefully not.

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Braun has been a non-entity for months, so I don’t see him winning. If circumstances allowed Drew to make the talk show rounds or do book signings in person to promote his autobiography, he’d be a shoo-in, because having the title during appearances is more impressive. I think there’s a lot more undiscovered territory to be explored with Lashley as champ in terms of storylines and feuds. So I think Drew hits Braun with the Claymore, then Lashley steals the win.  Winner: Bobby Lashley

It would be complete and utter stupidity for the WWE to take the belt off Bianca so early in her reign. Bayley remains as their default champion whenever they need her to step up. This is Bianca’s time though…at least until SummerSlam perhaps. Winner: Bianca Belair

This will be another match which will end somewhat inconclusively with either a count out or disqualification leading to a rematch at the next PPV.  Until the finish though this bout should be very solid with Belair and Bayley putting on a very entertaining match.

Is it just me, or is Bianca one of the most unlikeable babyfaces out there today? Her interaction with Bayley on Smackdown made me really want to see her lose to be knocked down a peg. But I don’t think it’s going to happen. Winner: Bianca Belair

I haven’t been impressed with Ripley’s title reign so far. It seemed like a great idea at the time, however, now it seems too much and too soon for her. If they take the championship off Ripley at this time though that would really put a damper on her career and her rise on the main roster. One wonders if the WWE wants to keep Ripley as champ until Becky Lynch returns sooner rather than later? Winner: Rhea Ripley

The correct decision would be for Ripley to pin Flair to avenge her 2020 WrestleMania loss.  However, instead look for The Queen to pin Asuka and hold the RAW Women’s Title all the way to SummerSlam.

How can you bungle Rhea Ripley as champion? Simple. Don’t make her a complete badass like she was in NXT, have her look third-fiddle to Charlotte and Asuka, and muddy the waters so nobody knows whether to cheer or boo her. Somebody should be fired for dropping the ball with her, as she could be the biggest star in the division if presented correctly. Hopefully they right the ship with a big win here. Winner: Rhea Ripley

Pulling for the Mysterio family here. It would be awesome for Rey and his son to share that moment although I would rather it be on a bigger stage like SummerSlam or something. Dirty Dawgs are about as fascinating as watching dust collect on a windowsill. Winners: The Dirty Dawgs

Ziggler & Roode will get the underhanded victory and hold onto the SmackDown Tag Team Championship for another month.

With all the teasing of Rey and Dominik being the first father-son tag team champions, I think there are two possible options: either they win and have the fairy-tale ending, or they lose and the seeds are planted for a future feud. I think it’s way too early for the latter, so look for them to capture the gold. Winners: The Mysterios (or is it Mysteria?)

This is where Cesaro’s train derails and his push comes to an end. He is a very talented superstar. It is doubtful that he has Vince’s backing for a Universal Championship run though. Winner: Roman Reigns

This match is happening far too soon.  While Cesaro’s victory over Seth Rollins at WrestleMania was a good starting point the Swiss Cyborg simply hasn’t been built up yet as a serious main event contender.  Having Cesaro challenge Reigns this early for the Universal Championship really shows how WWE Creative didn’t know what else to do after The Head of the Table’s dominant victory over Edge & Daniel Bryan at WrestleMania.  The most likely outcome will be a disqualification caused by one of the Usos and a continuation of this program until SummerSlam.

I know there are some who think that Roman Reigns’ Head of the Table story may be getting repetitive, but I think it’s the best-told story in wrestling today. While Cesaro’s opportunity is long overdue – seriously, this guy should have been a major player for years – I think the timing for him hitting his stride is unfortunate, because there’s no way Reigns’ reign ends just yet. Winner: Roman Reigns

Based on the match they had on Raw this match should be Morrison versus Priest. To keep this feud going until SummerSlam…Winner: The Miz.

Most will likely pick Priest to win, but instead look for The Miz to find a way to get the duke at WrestleMania Backlash.

They’ve been teasing a Miz-Morrison split for some time, and I think this is where it gets elevated. Look for Morrison to inadvertently cost Miz the match, leading to the break-up on Monday. If only Bad Bunny were there to see it. Winner: Damian Priest