Wrestlemania Backlash has always been known as the “Wrestlemania rematch pay-per-view” in which a lot of matches were seen already on the grandest stage of them all and this show really didn’t make sense. However, this year’s show blew that out of the water. From the electric 18,000+ Puerto Rican fans eating everything up, seven amazing matches, and even some legends appearing on this show it definitely delivered.
WWE Raw Women’s Championship: Bianca Belair vs Iyo Sky: This was honestly a five star classic. People have been saying for months about the Io Shirai that we saw in NXT, well here she is. This went back and forth and got a lot of time on the card. Interestingly enough, the crowd was booing Bianca Belair and they were disappointed when the EST got the three count to end the match. Maybe the EST should finally lose the title since she has beaten mostly everyone on the main roster? Great match, we hinted at the demise of Damage CTRL as well as a great way to kick off the show.
Winner: “And Still” Bianca Belair
Seth Rollins vs Omos: There isn’t much to say about this one. Rollins was extremely over with the crowd again to prove why he should win this new title at the end of the month. Omos gave a valiant effort, but in the end the architect always has a plan. Rollins also gave Omos his best match of his career which shows how great of a wrestler he truly is.
Winner: Seth Rollins
WWE United States Championship: Austin Theory vs Bronson Reed vs Bobby Lashley: This was a lot better than the expectations I had for this match. Reed shockingly got a lot of offense and there were a lot of times throughout the match where it could have gone anyway. Theory outsmarts Lashley and throws him out of the ring to pin Reed. The feud between these two is not over. A-Town Down retains!
Winner: “And Still” Austin Theory
WWE Smackdown Women’s Championship: Rhea Ripley vs Zelina Vega: The reception Zelina Vega got, WOW. You can tell how much this moment meant to her. Her family was sitting at ringside and she also dedicated the match to her late father and even had special gear made that had the colors of the Puerto Rican flag. Ripley dominated most of this match, but to see Vega get that kind of reception was truly inspiring. She even got a standing ovation at the end of the match. She might not have won, but Vega was definitely made a star at this show.
Winner: “And Still” Rhea Ripley
San Juan Street Fight: Bad Bunny vs Damian Priest: The fact that this was not the main event for this show was truly disappointing. I can’t even put this match into words, just go watch it. From the entire crowd singing Bad Bunny’s entrance song, the surprise appearances of Carlito & Savio Vega, and the amazing celebration at the end with LWO with the crowd screaming. This is why you love wrestling this match! Don’t be shocked if this is on some people’s MOTY 2023 list.
Winner: Bad Bunny
The Bloodline (Jimmy Uso, Jey Uso, & Sola Sikoa) vs Matt Riddle, Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn:
This match was in a really bad spot especially considering how hot the crowd was for the match before. This match was fine, nothing really special happened. The Bloodline remains dominant for now as they get the upset over Zayn, Owens, and Riddle, guess this feud isn’t over yet either.
Winners: The Bloodline (Jimmy Uso, Jey Uso, & Sola Sikoa)
Cody Rhodes vs Brock Lesnar: We saw blood on WWE programming in 2023, that is pretty shocking all to itself. This match was a lot more back and forth than I was expecting. There were multiple times where Lesnar had Rhodes, but unlike the show of shows he finished his story and picked up a quick pin over the beast incarnate. Will this feud continue in Saudi Arabia under bigger circumstances in a couple weeks?
Winner: Cody Rhodes
Overall: Like I said in the beginning this was a really fun show. All of the matches were action packed and the crowd just added to the show as a whole. WWE should run in Puerto Rico more often based on a lot of the things that happened this past weekend. Fun first show in the post Wrestlemania era of 2023.
WWE Wrestlemania Backlash is now streaming live on Peacock!
