The WWE returns to St. Louis! Just 21 days after Wrestlemania, St. Louis gets to host the next pay-per-view, Backlash. The WWE has quite a card set up for Saturday. Four of the five matches will be title matches. The event will conclude with John Cena facing Randy Orton for the title. Orton will look to grab gold in his hometown, but will Cena let us record title reign end so soon? Today, we will go through the Backlash card and try to predict each match. We may even have a surprise prediction!
Backlash Predictions
Pat McAfee vs. Gunther
McAfee has had a few matches in the WWE. To his credit, he has looked good in them. However, the idea of someone of Gunther’s size fighting someone like McAfee is not super exciting. However, what makes this match fun is McAfee’s energy. McAfee is out to avenge Michael Cole following Gunther’s brutal assault. Gunther, meanwhile, is angry and just wants to hurt people.
This match is going to get ugly. McAfee will have his moments without a doubt, but the match will end with McAfee passing out to Gunther’s submission hold. Gunther will not stop there, however. He will continue to brutalize McAfee. On Monday, Gunther said only the “grace of God” will get Gunther off Gunther. We do not think God is going to make an appearance to help McAfee, although that would be an interesting way for the “Second Coming” to happen. However, we do think Goldberg shows up to make the save. After prying Gunther off McAfee, Goldberg will perform a spear and a “Jackhammer” on Gunther. Goldberg will look at Gunther and say, “you/re next!” Thus, we will know who Goldberg will be facing in his retirement match later this year.
Gunther beats McAfee via technical submission.
Women’s Intercontinental Championship: Lyra Valkyria (Champion) vs. Becky Lynch
There is a lot of ways this one could go. Either could win outright. We could see Bayley interfering in retaliation for Becky attacking her and costing her a Wresltemania match. This could go multiple ways and all them work.
It comes down to what WWE wants to do with Lyra. Lyra is a budding star and should be a favorite to win the Royal Rumble next year. A lot of what happens these next few months is going to be about building up Lyra. For Lyra to rise to the top, however, she should hit rock bottom first. She needs to tap out to the “Man” at Backlash. Becky is a heel now. This is a feud that can really build up Lyra and set her up to regain the title from Becky later. Think about what happened with Becky and Bianca Belair in 2021/22. Something similar is in store this time around. The “Man” gets her hands on some gold.
Becky beats Lyra via submission.Â
United States Championship: Jacob Fatu (Champion) vs. L.A. Knight vs. Damian Priest vs. Drew McIntyre
The over/under needs to be set at how many times the crowd chants, “holy ____” during this match. This is going to be a fun way. All four men have a case to win. Both are bruisers in the ring.
What makes this interesting is that Fatu could lose the title without being pinned or submitted. Fatu can lose the title without his credibility taking a hit. However, does it make sense for anyone else to be the United States Champion at this point in time? McIntyre is a short time away from being back in the main title picture. Priest and Knight seem to have some friction between the two that will need to be solved later. The title does not have to be involved for that feud to happen. This match will be fun, but it only makes sense for Fatu to retain.
Fatu beats Knight, Priest, and McIntyre via pinfall.Â
Intercontinental Championship: Dominik Mysterio (Champion) vs. Penta
“Dirty Dom” got his Wrestlemania moment, but it is possible Dom loses the title so soon after winning it. Not only is he going against a worthy opponent in Penta, but there are at least three people who could get involved against Dom. First, there is the looming betrayal by Finn Balor. We also know A.J. Styles has his eyes on the title. Furthermore, there is the possibility of Rey Mysterio getting involved to help a fellow luchador.
We are crossing Mysterio off the list. While he may be willing to put his hands on Dom when needed, he will not cost his son his championship. We are also crossing off Styles. He wants the title, but does not care who he faces for it. That leaves Finn, who will cost Dom the title, but accidentally. Finn will come out to help Dom, but his plan will “backfire” and Penta will win the title. The question that will remain is whether or not Finn truly did not mean to cost Dom or if this is part of the pending split between the two.
Penta beats Mysterio via pinfall.
Undisputed WW Championship: John Cena (Champion) vs. Randy Orton
This is likely the final matchup between Cena and Orton. Orton is looking for his 15th title in front of his hometown. This has “match of the year” written all over it.
Hopefully, we do not see any interference from the Rock or Travis Scott. Cena vs. Orton deserves to be about the wrestlers in the ring. Two of the greatest of all-time, clashing for the gold for the final time. Sadly, while St. Louis would love to see Orton win another title, it will not happen Saturday. Cena walks out still as the champion. However, St. Louis will be proud of their hometown hero, who will surely acknowledge the fans once the event goes off air. It will be a historic main event Saturday night.
