'%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,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
WrestleMania 37 is in the history book and WWE has now announced that the next pay-per-view will take place on May 16, 2021, named WrestleMania Backlash. Originally, the show was just known as Backlash, and making it WrestleMania Backlash has probably given away the theme of the show.
Yes, the WrestleMania season isn't over just yet and the upcoming pay-per-view will likely see many of the feuds continue. Fans can expect several rematches from WrestleMania 37 which isn't really a great idea. In any case, WWE would like to continue the moment and deliver a strong show.
Let's take a look at the full match-card predictions for WWE WrestleMania Backlash 2021. Comment down and let us know which of these matches would you like to see at the pay-per-view. Also, feel free to share your own predictions.
Note: The matches are not necessarily in the order in which they could take place at WrestleMania Backlash.
#7 Bobby Lashley (c) vs. Drew McIntyre for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania Backlash
The only confirmed match for WrestleMania Backlash so far is for the WWE Championship, with Bobby Lashley once again defending his title against Drew McIntyre. The two faced off against each other in the opening match of Night One of WrestleMania 37 where many expected McIntyre to become the new WWE Champion. Shockingly, that didn't happen and Lashley retained.
This past week on Monday Night RAW, Drew McIntyre defeated Randy Orton and Braun Strowman to get another opportunity at the WWE title. However, the show closed out with RETRIBUTION members T-BAR and Mace attacking McIntyre, seemingly joining hands with MVP.
It is yet to be confirmed whether these two will now officially be the new members of The Hurt Business. If yes, they could play a massive role in the outcome of the WWE Championship match at WrestleMania Backlash. The way WWE has booked Lashley recently, it's unlikely that he'll lose the WWE Championship now. Maybe a major match at SummerSlam is in the works for him with a certain Beast Incarnate.
Prediction: Bobby Lashley retains the WWE Championship
#6 Bianca Belair (c) vs. Sasha Banks for the SmackDown Women's Championship at WrestleMania Backlash
As mentioned earlier, WrestleMania Backlash will likely see several rematches from WrestleMania 37. The main event of Night One of WrestleMania was the SmackDown Women's Championship match with Sasha Banks defending her title against Bianca Belair. It was Belair who emerged victorious after a great match, becoming the new SmackDown Women's Champion.
Justin Barrasso of Sports Illustrated has reported that these two will continue their feud. It could result in a rematch at WrestleMania Backlash next month, but this time with the roles reversed as Bianca Belair would enter as the champion.
This past week on Friday Night SmackDown, WWE planted the seeds of a rematch. Sasha Banks appeared backstage and showed off the scar that was left by Belair's braid whip at WrestleMania 37. It is highly unlikely that Bianca Belair will lose the title so quickly after winning it.
One change that WWE could possibly make is to add Bayley to this match, making it a triple threat at WrestleMania Backlash. She made her intentions clear of wanting the SmackDown Women's title back. However, it would be better to have a proper singles feud between Bayley and Belair after WrestleMania Backlash.
Prediction: Bianca Belair retains the SmackDown Women's Championship
#5 Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler (c) vs. Natalya and Tamina for the WWE Women's Tag Team Championships at WrestleMania Backlash
Another rematch that could happen at WrestleMania Backlash is for the WWE Women's Tag Team Championships. Night Two of WrestleMania 37 saw Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler defend their titles against Natalya and Tamina. Many expected the two to finally end the reign of the champions but surprisingly that didn't happen.
This past week on SmackDown, Natalya defeated Baszler in a singles match. This would likely lead to yet another title shot for Natalya and Tamina at WrestleMania Backlash. WWE's booking of Jax and Baszler has been questionable, to say the least. They aren't booked strongly, yet they are not losing the titles and putting over another team. It is high time WWE separates them and gives a proper singles push to Shayna Baszler.
Prediction: Natalya and Tamina become the new WWE Women's Tag Team Champions
#4 Apollo Crews (c) vs. Big E for the Intercontinental Championship at WrestleMania Backlash
Apollo Crews defeated Big E at WrestleMania 37 to win the Intercontinental Championship. However, he got some massive help from his new ally, Commander Azeez. WWE is really going all-in with this new Nigerian royalty gimmick of Crews, but only time will tell how successful it turns out to be.
With the match not having a clean ending, the feud between Crews and Big E may continue, leading to a rematch at WrestleMania Backlash. Hopefully, WWE doesn't drop the ball on Apollo Crews and let him have a decent reign as the Intercontinental Champion. As for Big E, he will surely be in the Universal Championship picture soon.
Prediction: Apollo Crews retains the Intercontinental Championship
#3 Rhea Ripley (c) vs. Asuka vs. Charlotte Flair for the RAW Women's Championship at WrestleMania Backlash
Another match that looks likely for WrestleMania Backlash is that for the RAW Women's Championship. On Night Two of WrestleMania 37, Rhea Ripley defeated Asuka to become the new RAW Women's Champion.
However, Charlotte Flair made her return to WWE TV this past week on RAW and attacked both Asuka and Ripley during their match. The Queen has made her intentions clear and it could lead to her getting a title shot at WrestleMania Backlash.
Before WrestleMania 37, Rhea Ripley had the following to say about Charlotte Flair possibly getting added to her match against Asuka at The Show of Shows
"I’d be down for the match if she got added, but also in a selfish way I really want to have a one-on-one match with Asuka. It’s something that I’ve wanted for a long, long time. I’ve always wanted to step in the ring with Asuka and we haven’t had a one-on-one match ever. So I think there is that it factor that everyone is really excited about. If Charlotte gets added to the match, I’m still not going to complain. It’s still going to be a fantastic match and it’s going to be a fantastic story."
Charlotte Flair vs. Asuka vs. Rhea Ripley at WrestleMania Backlash has the potential to be a match of the year candidate. Hopefully, WWE keeps faith in Ripley and gives her a big victory once again.
Prediction: Rhea Ripley retains the RAW Women's Championship
#2 Roman Reigns (c) vs. Cesaro for the Universal Championship at WrestleMania Backlash
This past week on SmackDown, WWE teased a major match for WrestleMania Backlash. After defeating Seth Rollins at WrestleMania 37, Cesaro stepped up and confronted the Universal Champion Roman Reigns on SmackDown. He even demanded a match against The Tribal Chief but instead got to face Jey Uso in the main event of the show.
However, the match ended in a DQ with Rollins attacking Cesaro. It's clear that The Messiah isn't done with The Swiss Superman just yet. But there's still nearly a month left for WrestleMania Backlash and we might see Cesaro defeat Seth Rollins once again in the coming weeks before moving on to Roman Reigns.
WWE could be heading towards Cesaro vs. Roman Reigns at WrestleMania Backlash for the Universal Championship. However, it's unlikely that WWE will take the title off Reigns anytime before SummerSlam. Maybe Jimmy Uso could be back in the mix at WrestleMania Backlash to cost Cesaro the match. He could then join hands with The Head of the Table, completing The Bloodline.
Prediction: Roman Reigns retains the Universal Championship
#1 Alexa Bliss vs. Bray Wyatt in a cinematic match at WrestleMania Backlash
The name WrestleMania Backlash suggests that the pay-per-view will be the follow-up of what took place at WrestleMania 37. One of the biggest angles coming out of The Show of Shows this past weekend was Alexa Bliss turning on "The Fiend" Bray Wyatt, costing him his match against Randy Orton.
On the latest episode of Monday Night RAW, Bliss claimed that she doesn't need the darkness (The Fiend) anymore. She also introduced the WWE Universe to her new friend, Lily - a creepy-looking doll. Fans have since been speculating whether this is a hint towards Bliss debuting a new Fiend-like character of her own.
Bray Wyatt, on the other hand, didn't specifically address being the victim of this betrayal during his appearance on RAW. Fans are not excited to see where this angle is headed towards. It is possible that The Fiend and Alexa Bliss face each other at WrestleMania Backlash in an intergender cinematic match. Wyatt didn't get his revenge against Orton, but he could get it against Bliss at WrestleMania Backlash.
Prediction: Bray Wyatt wins
