WWE is presenting us with the latest pandemic-era pay-per-view with Backlash. It’s a seven match card, which could mean we’re getting another short show. Still, many titles are on the line and we’ve been promised the “greatest match ever” between Edge and Randy Orton. Who will prevail? We’ve got the predictions of the FPC Wrestling staff here:
Apollo Crews (c) vs Andrade – United States Championship match
Billy MacDonald, FPC Contributor: I feel an Angel Garza interference coming to cost Andrade the match. We saw the two get physical in the number one contenders triple threat match on Raw, and Backlash could be the end of their alliance if Garza does cost Andrade the shot of regaining the U.S title. I believe they are going to give Crews some time with the title and he will retain somehow on Sunday.
Pick: Apollo Crews
Evan Gomes, FPC Wrestling Editor: It would be far too early to give up on Crews’ first championship reign in WWE. He has shown a new edge in his character, and he can put on excellent midcard matches. Let him hold it a bit longer, or until someone hotter needs the belt.
Pick: Apollo Crews
Javier Melo, FPC Contributor: There is a Crews heel turn on the horizon and I think it’s smart to keep the belt on him for now and progressively have him turn over the next coming weeks. Andrade deserves better, but here we are folks.
Pick: Apollo Crews
Kaden Hanafi, FPC Contributor: I honestly had no clue this was happening until I just now looked at the card. Crews can’t lose this early.
Pick: Apollo Crews
Jeff Hardy vs Sheamus
Billy: The whole DUI storyline is something I wasn’t personally a fan of given Hardy’s past and it just prolonged the rivalry with Sheamus that fans are already over. Hardy has already beaten him twice and at Backlash it looks like it will be no different. Hopefully Hardy wins and can possibly head into a storyline with AJ Styles for the Intercontinental championship.
Pick: Jeff Hardy
Evan: Wouldn’t it be the most WWE thing to have Sheamus win this match? I have no idea where they could go if they kept extending this feud. Both men move on to new opponents after this, and Hardy closes the book with a win.
Pick: Jeff Hardy
Javier: Surely you can’t have a whole feud that demeans Hardy and have Sheamus win in the end. You just can’t do that.
Pick: Jeff Hardy
Kaden: I hate this storyline. Let Hardy win and challenge AJ next for the IC to keep him happy so he won’t go to AEW.
Pick: Jeff Hardy
Sasha Banks & Bayley (c) vs IIconics vs Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross – Women’s Tag Team Championships
Billy: Bayley and Banks just won the titles recently and they have already done more in a short time than Bliss and Cross’ two reigns. The smart thing to do is have them retain because they are two of the biggest women stars and they truly elevate the titles and make them relevant.
Pick: Banks & Bayley
Evan: I really don’t think they’re going to let Bayley be Bayley Dos Belts for too long. Would the IIconics give the titles more importance? Maybe, but only if WWE puts some actual time and creative into the Women’s tag team division. Still, they’re my picks here to steal the belts.
Pick: IIconics
Javier: Conventional wisdom would lead me to pick the IIconics because of the story between Bayley and Sasha. I think WWE is pushing it as far as possible because it wants a crowd when the match happens. With that, I think this feud continues because if the IIconics take the belts off of Bayley and Sasha in a multi-team match AGAIN, it’ll be a bit disappointing.
Pick: Banks & Bayley
Kaden: Bayley/Banks will continue their title run and win here. The night of turns continues as we finally see Bliss turn on Cross and we see the return of heel Alexa!
Pick: Banks & Bayley
Edge vs Randy Orton
Billy: Does anybody actually think this match is going to be the greatest match ever? No, but it can still be an above average match with two veterans who have worked so much together. WWE is building this match up so highly that it may not reach expectations and people may be disappointed. Either guy can win here since Edge won at ‘Mania, and a sadistic Orton could take Edge out here at Backlash. If Edge is going to enter a new feud immediately after this then he will win, but if he is going to take some time off having him lose here won’t hurt.
Pick: Edge
Evan: This can’t be the greatest match ever. That title is already held by Sharmell vs Jenna Morasca. Still, “second greatest match ever” isn’t too bad of a title. I think Orton sneaks his way into a win here. Edge is going to have to overcome some self doubt once he moves on to his next opponent.
Pick: Randy Orton
Javier: It probably won’t be the GREATEST WRESTLING MATCH EVER, but I think it’ll be pretty good. I think Edge will win and put this feud to bed once and for all. I’m excited to see what direction these two head in after this match.
Pick: Edge
Kaden: In what many legends are saying could be the greatest wrestling match ever, Edge has his first straight up wrestling match in 9 years. And of course, he won’t win. There’s no point in Edge winning. There is no crowd. No stakes. He hasn’t wrestled a singles match in 9 years. Orton should win this match doing some dastardly heel move and we can get a rematch in front of fans to close out the trilogy.
Pick: Randy Orton
Asuka (c) vs Nia Jax – Raw Women’s Championship
Billy: Hopefully Asuka does not get injured in this match. Too soon? Jax has been built up to be the dominant force in the Raw Women’s division, but she really has no shot at beating Asuka for the title. Although I could see her getting disqualified. They have already begun building for another Asuka and Charlotte feud, meaning Asuka is retaining here.
Pick: Asuka
Evan: Yeah, it isn’t going to be Nia’s time to shine here. Once Asuka dispatches her, it will be neat to see who her next feud will be. Shayna Baszler may be the next woman up.
Pick: Asuka
Javier: Nia is not ready for Asuka. Make it quick and easy please.
Pick: Asuka
Kaden: I swear if they take the title off of Asuka here. Nia was supposed to go against Becky at MITB so I’m guessing this is her replacement feud. Asuka is going over here and joshi wrestling will continue its dominance.
Pick: Asuka
Braun Strowman (c) vs Miz & John Morrison – WWE Universal Championship
Billy: Strowman is undoubtedly going to win this handicap match. The question is will “The Fiend” make an appearance after Strowman retains his title? Don’t be surprised if Strowman puts the former multi-time tag champions away in less than five minutes.
Pick: Braun Strowman
Evan: Remember when Chris Jericho & Chyna were co-Intercontinental Champions, and how goofy that was? That isn’t what is going to happen here. Miz and Morrison are entertaining, sure. It isn’t a “co-world champions” gimmick, though.
Pick: Braun Strowman
Javier: I believe that this match wouldn’t be happening if Bray Wyatt hadn’t just had a baby. He’s staying away for that reason and with Roman Reigns still gone for the same reason, Strowman’s title reign is the beneficiary. Hopefully Miz and Morrison aren’t buried with this match.
Pick: Braun Strowman
Kaden: Strowman wins and they split up Miz and Morrison. They’ve been teasing a split for a few weeks with their arguing and this will be the nail in the coffin.
Pick: Braun Strowman
Drew McIntyre (c) vs Bobby Lashley – WWE Championship
Billy: McIntyre really should retain at Backlash, but I am really starting to believe that Vince might throw the title on Lashley for the time being and have McIntyre and/or Lesnar be involved in the first title feud when fans return. I’m hoping they have McIntyre win here, but my gut is telling me Lashley will win his first WWE Championship and shock everyone.
Pick: Bobby Lashley
Evan: Claymore party! Seriously, I do love the direction WWE is going with Lashley & MVP. I still think there is lots to do with McIntyre during his first run. If WWE wants him to be a main eventer in everyone’s eyes for good, they need to have McIntyre make a string of defenses. Lashley will be the first, but it wouldn’t surprise me if he eventually is the guy to dethrone McIntyre.
Pick: Drew McIntyre
Javier: There are so many matches for McIntyre in his title reign and I really hate that WWE pushed this story so soon. I think McIntyre wins because he still has so much steam behind him and deserves a lengthy reign. Hopefully it’s a win that makes Lashley look very strong.
Pick: Drew McIntyre
Kaden: I always like to go bold on my predictions so I’m going bold again. I’m thinking Lashley will take the title off McIntyre. We’ve heard rumblings that he was paired with MVP for a title run so it makes sense that this is the title run we’ve been waiting for him to have since he returned 2 years ago. They could also just put the title back on Drew at Summerslam in front of a crowd.
Pick: Bobby Lashley
That’s who we see winning at Backlash 2020. Agree or disagree, let us know in the comments or on Twitter at @FPC_Wrestling.
