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This year’s edition of WrestleMania Backlash looks quite interesting. WWE has confirmed five title matches for the show as well as a Lumberjack match. We could see more exciting additions to the match card as we move closer to the pay-per-view. Many superstars booked for the show will have the opportunity to pick up a career-defining win on Sunday. Unfortunately, some need this victory more than others.
In this article, we will take a look at five WWE Superstars who desperately need to win at WrestleMania Backlash.
#1 Roman Reigns (Universal Championship match at WrestleMania Backlash)
At WrestleMania Backlash, Roman Reigns will look to defend his Universal Championship against Cesaro. He recently defeated Daniel Bryan in a title match and barred him from SmackDown. Reigns will now look to continue his title reign by beating The Swiss Cyborg in a title match. The previous altercations between both these superstars were quite promising.
Reigns initially labeled Cesaro as an ‘undeserving’ superstar who isn’t worthy of his attention. But the latter fought hard for the title shot at WrestleMania Backlash. Although his build-up has been credible, Cesaro might not be the best option to dethrone Roman Reigns at the moment. That could, of course, change in the next few months if the writers continue to invest more in his push.
However, for now, Roman Reigns should retain his championship. He can rely on conventional methods to defend his Universal Championship by ensuring that Jey Uso helps him. He recently picked up a clean victory over Daniel Bryan, which accounted for a rare instance in Reigns’ current title run. He can easily revert to bending the rules for a successful title defense at WrestleMania Backlash.
Roman Reigns is expected to carry the Universal Championship until at least SummerSlam. In the meantime, he can have a memorable feud with Cesaro that will help The Swiss Cyborg in establishing himself as a credible threat in the world title picture. Even if the former United States Champion loses the match at WrestleMania Backlash, it has the potential to be the turning point in his career.
WWE has also teased a lot of tension between Jimmy Uso and Roman Reigns. The returning superstar refused to acknowledge Reigns as The Head of the Table, and the Universal Champion assured everyone that he would make his cousin get back in line. It would be interesting to see how this storyline will develop after WrestleMania Backlash.
#2 Braun Strowman (WWE Championship match at WrestleMania Backlash)
Bobby Lashley is set to put his WWE Championship on the line at WrestleMania Backlash in a triple-threat match against Drew McIntyre and Braun Strowman. This match could see a potential title change, and it is Strowman who needs a win more than the other two superstars. Lashley has had a good run with the title, and McIntyre has proven himself to be one of the best fighting champions in WWE history.
Braun Strowman, on the other hand, has never won the WWE Championship. Every time he gains momentum and gets a title shot, he fails to get his hands on the gold at the last moment. Unfortunately, this affects his push, and he again has to build from scratch. The creative need to avoid this repetitive booking at WrestleMania Backlash.
Strowman has undergone a massive transformation to pose a credible threat on the WWE RAW roster. He has improved inside the ring and deserves to be a part of intense title feuds. Winning the WWE Championship at WrestleMania Backlash will allow him to feud with the likes of McIntyre and Lashley after the pay-per-view. A good title run has the potential to finally do justice to Strowman’s booking on the Red brand.
#3 Rhea Ripley (RAW Women’s Championship match at WrestleMania Backlash)
WrestleMania Backlash will feature a triple threat match between Charlotte Flair, Asuka, and Rhea Ripley with the latter’s RAW Women’s Championship on the line. She won the title at WrestleMania 37 after defeating Asuka. Now, Ripley has to defend her championship against The Queen and The Empress. Losing the championship will take a huge toll on her momentum, and that could have a brutal impact on her main roster career.
Both Asuka and Charlotte Flair have enjoyed good title runs on WWE RAW. The former deserved her title rematch, whereas Flair is involved because she was offended by being left out of WrestleMania. Both these superstars have nailed their roles of a babyface and a heel, respectively. They should now use their position to put Rhea Ripley over at WrestleMania Backlash.
Charlotte Flair doesn’t need a title run immediately, and she can feud with other top names in the women’s division. Following that, her return to the title picture will carry more weight in the future. Asuka has been one of the most entertaining superstars on RAW lately, and she can feud with Alexa Bliss. Thus, both these superstars can afford a loss at WrestleMania Backlash, but that is not the case with Rhea Ripley.
She has had a dominant start to her career on WWE RAW as she went for the title right after her debut. Ripley can also carry herself well as a heel, and the creative can use her to establish top babyfaces on the brand. Defending her championship against both Charlotte Flair and Asuka at WrestleMania Backlash will account for a memorable title run as well.
#4 Bianca Belair (SmackDown Women’s Championship match at WrestleMania Backlash)
Another recent NXT graduate is scheduled to compete in a title match at WrestleMania Backlash. Similar to Rhea Ripley, Bianca Belair also has had a promising start to her main roster career. She is currently one of the most dominant performers on WWE SmackDown and will look to defend her women’s title against Bayley.
Belair won the SmackDown Women’s Championship by defeating Sasha Banks in a historic match at WrestleMania 37. Banks insinuated that was not yet done with Belair, but before she could get a championship rematch, Bayley swooped in and demanded a title shot at WrestleMania Backlash. Both these superstars were involved in an intense feud earlier this year as well.
Bayley has conquered incredible milestones with the title, and she can afford a loss in the upcoming title match. Belair is just getting started, and defending her title against Bayley will add a lot to her credibility as a champion. She will also possibly feud with Sasha Banks after the pay-per-view. The three superstars share a brutal history, and the creative will have ample opportunities to explore following WrestleMania Backlash.
#5 Damian Priest (Lumberjack match against The Miz to at WrestleMania Backlash)
At WrestleMania Backlash, Damian Priest will face The Miz in a Lumberjack match. The two have been feuding ever since Priest made his debut on WWE RAW. This storyline has been going on for a while, and it should end with The Archer of Infamy picking up a win at the upcoming pay-per-view. Both superstars will then be free to pursue other challenges on the Red brand.
The Miz and John Morrison have attacked Priest on multiple occasions. The latter deserves credit for taking the fight to them every single time. He recently defeated Morrison and got the opportunity to pick the stipulation for the match at WrestleMania Backlash. Given that The Miz has sneakily escaped on multiple occasions, Priest's decision to make it a Lumberjack match seems apt.
The A-Lister recently won the WWE Championship, but he was mainly booked as a transitional title-holder. After his storyline with Priest ends, he will be free to go after other opportunities that can get him closer to the title. He will obviously have a lot on his plate with the Money in the Bank pay-per-view coming up.
Damian Priest’s recent run on WWE RAW has gotten mundane, and he needs a big win that can finally thrust him forward on the roster. A win at WrestleMania Backlash could be significant for his future on the Red brand.
Bayley gives us a HUGE update on a top Superstar's upcoming return RIGHT HERE.
