WWE Backlash: 5 burning questions heading into Backlash

May 6th approaches, and on that date, WWE will showcase their first co-branded pay per view that is not one of the 'big four PPVs of Wrestlemania, SummerSlam, Survivor Series and Royal Rumble.

After experimenting with brand exclusive pay per views, for their own reasons, whether monetarily or something else, it was decided it would be best suited to put Raw and Smackdown Live matches on the same pay per views going forward.

It does reduce the volume of pay per views, and but also means what could have been lacklustre events are instead something to look forward too.

For the company's first pay per view since Wrestlemania, several different things have developed.

Feuds and storylines are picking up, and talent has returned after being absent from the company for some time.

What will happen with some of the titles; will they change brands? Will talent return to their old brand holding those titles now, or will they add to the championships held on the brand that they are now a part of?

Fans have many questions regarding the event, so here are five burning questions heading into Backlash.

---

#5 How will the women's face dynamic on either Raw or Smackdown Live remain intact?

Will we see roles in heels and faces take place at this year's event?

Once it was determined who would be on Raw and who would be on Smackdown Live after the Superstar Shakeup, the next question became who will remain a face on their respective roster.

On the Raw side, we have seen Ronda Rousey come out to help Natalya not once, but twice. At one point Natalya appeared to look at Rousey with frustration.

Perhaps that frustration could have been because she wasn't able to do it herself, or because she may feel her 'friend' was upstaging her.

The same could be said about Bayley and Sasha Banks; does one of them turn on the other or do we continue to tease tension?

On the Smackdown Live women's side, while there are no clear indications of any animosity between Asuka and Charlotte, one has to wonder how long their respect for one another turns into jealousy, rooted in the desire to become the WWE Smackdown Live women's champion.

Also, read: 5 Potential finishes to the Roman Reigns versus Samoa Joe match

#4 Where does the WWE go with Braun Strowman?

Will Strowman contend for the Universal championship or will he compete in the tag team division?

Someone whose role lately has been undefined is the monster among men. Strowman has organically become a face, and as a result has become a threat for any championship on Raw.

However, similar to what happened at Wrestlemania, he has been added to a tag team match at the last minute.

There has been little in the way of build, and including him doesn't achieve very much and seems to be done simply for the purpose of including him. Strowman deserves a better fate than to be basically a throw in.

What will happen to Strowman when Backlash has come to an end? Will he be a threat in the tag team division possibly with Bobby Lashley or could we see him challenge for either the Universal or Intercontinental championship?

These questions about the booking of Strowman arise because so much is up in the air regarding his direction, and there are few certainties.

#3. Could Bryan actually lose in his first singles match against Big Cass?

Could this be a case where the young big man defeats the savvy veteran?

Big Cass made his return to the ring as part of the Smackdown Live roster and promptly got in the face of Daniel Bryan.

There is a clear height, weight and experience difference between them, and that difference could either be to Bryan's advantage or disadvantage.

When Cass came out at the end of the Bryan/Styles tag match on a recent Smackdown Live and beat down Bryan, it was clear that he was there to send a message.

A major feud for Cass is certainly needed, but having him face Bryan is cause for some to wonder.

When it comes to Bryan, fans won't lose faith in him no matter what, but after all, he has been through to lose in his first feud would be disappointing.

Cass, having recovered from a torn ACL, need to be put in a place to succeed after his time away has needed, so how can Cass lose after being away for so long? It remains to be seen who walks away as the victor.

#2 Has the short time between the GRR, Shakeup and Backlash affected the overall build for the show?

Were the two events to close together?

The Greatest Royal Rumble and Backlash are taking place merely nine days apart, and thus there has been little in the way of building these matches in the lead up to the event, given the focus on Greatest Royal Rumble matches.

As a result, promos, and segments have been more focused on building matches at the earlier event.

A second concern is that matches are taking place between opponents who are no longer on the same roster, as the matches were set prior to the superstar shakeup.

Fans feel that the likelihood of certain wrestles winning championships attached to their old brand is unlikely since they are no longer on that roster.

What is the likelihood that Seth Rollins would lose the Intercontinental title? It doesn't seem likely that The Miz would return to Raw, or bring the title to Smackdown which already has the U.S. title. These kinds of scenarios may have some scratching their heads.

#1 What does a loss mean for either Roman Reigns or Samoa Joe?

Will a loss hurt either man moving forward?

The dust has settled from the Greatest Royal Rumble, and Roman Reigns and Samoa Joe are clearly headed in different directions.

At that event, Joe competed for the Intercontinental Championship in a ladder match while Reigns challenged for the Universal championship; neither man was successful. In any case, this match will be the blow off since Joe has moved to Smackdown Live.

Much like the Bryan and Cass match up, where would a loss in this match put either of them? Reigns continue to demonstrate a strong work ethic and the ability to generate a huge reaction from the crowd, regardless of whether it is a chorus of boos or a chorus of cheers.

In the case of Joe, having him lose doesn't necessarily help, but it may not hurt him either. Smackdown Live, after all, represents a new start, even in the event of a loss to Reigns.