'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAGAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFQABAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABgf/2gAIAQEAAAAAkjT/xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAE/9oACAECEAAAAA//xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAG/9oACAEDEAAAAEH/xAAhEAACAQMDBQAAAAAAAAAAAAACBAMAAQUTIYIGBxESQf/aAAgBAQABPwCPqLItRZBlecY2obMlIen49rMgEW3AbUh3xyOPRXSgWDSWjGENvg8q/8QAFhEBAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAgAD/9oACAECAQE/AHmb/8QAGhEAAQUBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQACBBEiUf/aAAgBAwEBPwCPs27gX//Z'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
This coming Sunday, May 16, 2021, WWE is set to present WrestleMania Backlash. Previously known as just Backlash, the addition of WrestleMania to the title has been an interesting move.
WrestleMania Backlash is set to feature a number of rematches from The Show of Shows last month with certain changes and additions. As of the writing of this article, a total of six matches have been announced for the show, including five title matches and one Lumberjack match.
With this being the first post-WrestleMania 37 pay-per-view, WWE would like to start on a positive note and avoid bookings that could hurt them in the long run. With that in mind, let's take a look at five mistakes WWE shouldn't make at WrestleMania Backlash. Be sure to comment down and let us know your thoughts and opinions on the same.
#5 Rhea Ripley loses the RAW Women's Championship at WrestleMania Backlash
Rhea Ripley won the RAW Women's Championship at WrestleMania 37 last month by defeating Asuka. A little over a month later, she is all set to defend her title against The Empress as well as Charlotte Flair at WrestleMania Backlash this Sunday.
All these three women have a lot of history as all of them have faced each other in singles matches at WrestleMania in the last few years. Without any doubt, when they clash at WrestleMania Backlash, the match has the potential to be an instant classic.
Charlotte Flair returned to RAW after WrestleMania and has made some interesting changes to her character. WWE might be inclined towards putting the RAW Women's title on The Queen again, but that is a mistake that they shouldn't make.
Rhea Ripley is the future of WWE's women's division and she deserves a proper first reign as the RAW Women's Champion. She has been impressive so far and WWE should continue making her look strong. A victory for her over the likes of Asuka and Flair would show that WWE trusts Ripley to be the face of their women's division and that she is not just a makeshift champion.
#4 The feud between Damian Priest and The Miz continues after WrestleMania Backlash
The latest match to be announced for the card of WrestleMania Backlash is Damian Priest going one-on-one against The Miz. On this week's edition of Monday Night RAW, Priest picked up a victory over John Morrison and hence got to choose the stipulation for his match against The Miz at WrestleMania Backlash, which he revealed to be a Lumberjack match.
Damian Priest made his debut on Monday Night RAW earlier this year and has since been in a feud with The Miz and John Morrison. At WrestleMania 37, Priest teamed up with Peurto Rican rapper and singer Bad Bunny to defeat the team of The Miz and Morrison. However, rather than ending this feud, WWE has continued it, leading to this match at WrestleMania Backlash.
A former NXT North American Champion, Priest has impressed fans with his run on the Black and Gold brand. The Archer of Infamy has all the qualities to be a successful main roster star for the company.
As great as The Miz has been as a heel, helping put over Damian Priest as the babyface, WWE needs to end this feud at WrestleMania Backlash this Sunday with Priest picking up a convincing victory. He can then go on to have a feud with United States Champion Sheamus.
#3 Bianca Belair looks weak at WrestleMania Backlash in her match against Bayley
WrestleMania Backlash will feature SmackDown Women's Champion Bianca Belair defending her title against Bayley. It was in the main event of Night One of WrestleMania 37 where Belair picked up a historic victory as she defeated Sasha Banks to win the SmackDown Women's Championship.
As great as the entire storyline of her chasing the title was, WWE hasn't booked her very well after that. It has been the typical case of WWE not booking their babyface champions properly following their massive title victory.
Bianca Belair has appeared alongside The Street Profits on multiple occasions since WrestleMania 37. While there's nothing wrong with that, the focus hasn't been properly on her. Now, in her feud against Bayley ahead of WrestleMania Backlash, she is again being portrayed as the underdog.
While it's unlikely that Belair will drop her SmackDown Women's Championship to Bayley at WrestleMania Backlash this Sunday, WWE needs to ensure they don't make the mistake of making her look weak. The two should have a competitive match, but in the end, The EST of WWE should pick up a convincing victory and solidify herself as the top female superstar on SmackDown.
#2 Roman Reigns loses the Universal Championship at WrestleMania Backlash
In what would likely be the main event of WrestleMania Backlash, Roman Reigns will defend his Universal Championship against Cesaro. The Swiss Superman is in the middle of arguably his best singles push in WWE. After a string of major victories on SmackDown followed by defeating Seth Rollins at WrestleMania 37, Cesaro is at the top of his game.
The WWE Universe has been very vocal in the last few years about wanting to see Cesaro win a world title. However, as great as it would be to finally see him become the Universal Champion, WrestleMania Backlash is probably not the correct stage for that.
Roman Reigns has held the Universal Championship for over 250 days and it could be argued that this has been the best Universal Championship reign ever since the inception of the title in 2016. After so much build-up, The Tribal Chief losing the Universal title should happen at a much bigger stage than WrestleMania Backlash, probably SummerSlam 2021, or even next year's WrestleMania 38.
#1 Cesaro loses clean to Roman Reigns at WrestleMania Backlash
While Roman Reigns losing his Universal Championship at WrestleMania Backlash is not something WWE should do, they should also not make Cesaro lose clean to The Tribal Chief. As mentioned in the last point, The Swiss Cyborg is in the middle of a great singles run on Friday Night SmackDown.
WrestleMania Backlash might not be the perfect time for Roman Reigns to drop the Universal title to Cesaro, but the latter losing clean would badly hinder his momentum. Former WWE Superstar Tommy Dreamer recently heaped praise on Cesaro, even claiming that he will be "the guy" in WWE.
"He will be the guy, and I'll tell you why, because you know we're wrestling fans, and it's like, how come they haven't given this guy the ball forever," said Tommy Dreamer.
WWE could instead have Roman Reigns pick up the victory with some outside help from Jey Uso, or even the returning Jimmy Uso, who could properly turn heel and acknowledge Roman Reigns as The Head of the Table. This would protect Cesaro and could also kick-start a proper heel-run of The Bloodline.
