WWE Backlash 2023

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WWE Backlash 2023 Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights

Oh, how thrilling! The wrestling extravaganza known as WWE Backlash 2023 has graced the sunny shores of Puerto Rico, and I, for one, can barely contain my excitement. I mean, who wouldn’t want to spend a lovely evening watching grown adults in spandex throwing each other around a ring? It’s the pinnacle of entertainment, isn’t it?

Now, let’s have a gander at the dazzling lineup for the night:

First up, we have the riveting showdown between Bad Bunny and Damian Priest. Because nothing says “top-notch wrestling” quite like a musician moonlighting as a wrestler, am I right?

Next, we’re treated to a delightful three-way tussle between Austin Theory, Bobby Lashley, and Bronson Reed for the coveted United States Championship. I can barely wait to see who emerges victorious from this veritable human demolition derby.

And who could forget the clash of titans that is Bianca Belair vs. Iyo Sky for the Raw Women’s Championship? I’m sure it’ll be a match for the ages, filled with drama, suspense, and a healthy dose of hair-whipping.

Ah, then we have Seth Rollins taking on the colossal Omos. Because everyone knows that the only thing better than watching two people wrestle is watching one of them potentially get squashed like a bug. It’s what the people want, after all.

Now, brace yourselves, because the excitement just keeps on coming with Cody Rhodes vs. Brock Lesnar. I can hardly imagine a more thrilling spectacle than watching these two behemoths duke it out in the ring. Truly, the stuff of legends.

And then, as if that wasn’t enough, we’re treated to Rhea Ripley vs. Zelina Vega for the SmackDown Women’s Championship. I’m sure the suspense will be palpable as these two warriors vie for the coveted title.

Finally, we come to the grand finale: a six-man tag team match featuring Matt Riddle, Kevin Owens, and Sami Zayn squaring off against The Usos and Solo Sikoa. I can’t think of a better way to end the night than with a dizzying display of teamwork, athleticism, and, of course, some good old-fashioned smack talk.

Now, I don’t know about you, but I’m positively buzzing with anticipation for this star-studded evening of wrestling action. And with a roster chock-full of Puerto Rican talent, it’s no wonder the San Juan crowd has been positively electrified since WWE set foot on their fair island. I do hope this little overview has whetted your appetite for the thrilling world of WWE Backlash 2023. Enjoy the show, folks!

Bianca Belair vs. Iyo Sky

Well, isn’t this just the match of the century? Bianca Belair and Iyo Sky went head-to-head, much to the delight of the ever-enthusiastic San Juan crowd. I mean, who wouldn’t be over the moon to see these two grappling goddesses in action?

The match started off with a good ol’ fashioned display of sportsmanship, but in true WWE fashion, it quickly devolved into a power play, with Belair showing off her mighty muscles as she bodyslammed poor Iyo Sky left, right, and centre.

And, oh, how the crowd adored their precious Genius of the Sky, chanting her name like she was the second coming of Hulk Hogan. It’s always nice to see a bit of fan loyalty, isn’t it?

But alas, the fickle WWE Universe couldn’t resist turning on The EST. Despite her impressive display of strength, the cheers soon turned to jeers every time she managed to land a hit on her opponent. Who doesn’t love a bit of drama, eh?

The ever-resilient Sky, meanwhile, was clearly basking in the adoration, playing the crowd like a fiddle. When she locked Belair in a crossface submission, the audience went absolutely bananas. It’s amazing how quickly one can become the darling of the wrestling world, isn’t it?

But wait! There’s more! Bayley and Dakota Kai made a guest appearance, hoping to tip the scales in their favour. Unfortunately for them, Belair still managed to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat with her KOD finisher.

All in all, a truly spectacular (ahem) way to kick off the show, don’t you think? great start to WWE Backlash 2023.

Winner: Bianca Belair

Grade: A (because who doesn’t love a good underdog story?)

Notable Moments and Observations:

The show opened with a video showcasing Bad Bunny, because, you know, music and wrestling go together like tea and biscuits.
Iyo Sky’s entrance music is an absolute banger, and definitely the right choice over that Damage CTRL theme. After all, it’s all about the tunes, isn’t it?
Belair, ever the chameleon, adjusted her performance on the fly, embracing her newfound villain status with gusto. You’ve got to admire her commitment to the cause.
And let’s not forget Iyo Sky’s gravity-defying moonsault – truly the pièce de résistance of her repertoire. I mean, who doesn’t love a bit of airborne acrobatics in their wrestling matches?

Omos vs. Seth Rollins

Oh, I can just feel the excitement bubbling up as Seth Rollins, The Visionary himself, made his grand entrance. But wait, what’s this? Before the poor chap could even remove his jacket, Omos, The Nigerian Giant, burst onto the scene with a surprise kick. Oh, the drama!

The fans, being the ever-loyal bunch they are, sang Rollins’ theme song like a soothing lullaby while their beloved Visionary was pummelled by the towering Omos. Talk about a supportive crowd!

Try as he might, Rollins just couldn’t seem to gain any momentum against the brick wall that was Omos. But hey, at least the big guy got to show off his impressive array of punishing moves, right?

It wasn’t until Rollins finally had his moment in the spotlight that the crowd erupted with joy, popping like popcorn at his lightning-fast sequences. Ah, the sweet taste of victory – almost.

Just as it seemed like Rollins had the upper hand, Omos effortlessly blocked his Stomp and countered with a devastating chokeslam. Alas, it wasn’t quite enough to secure the win.

In the end, at a respectable 10:31, Rollins emerged victorious with a top-rope Stomp. What a performance! The crowd couldn’t help but serenade him with his theme song one last time.

Winner: Seth Rollins

Grade: B- (Because everyone loves an underdog comeback story, right?)

Notable Moments and Observations:

Two matches in, and the crowd’s energy was already through the roof. I mean, who wouldn’t be amped up watching these gladiators duke it out? They might just go down in history as the most vocal fans ever.
Hats off to Rollins for making Omos look like an absolute beast. Truly, the man deserves an award for his unwavering commitment to making his opponent shine.
And finally, who could resist a cheeky nod to the classic sleeper hold and a giant? It’s like a scene straight out of a fairy tale. “Does anybody want a peanut?” indeed.

Austin Theory vs. Bronson Reed vs. Bobby Lashley

How thrilling! A United States Championship match featuring not two, but three strapping young men ready to duke it out for glory. And what a rollercoaster of a match it was!

In an utterly unpredictable turn of events, Theory and Reed formed a fragile alliance, because, as we all know, that’s just what heels do in Triple Threat matches. Groundbreaking stuff, really.

Now, these three-way tussles are known for following a certain script: the dastardly duo dominates until one inevitably turns on the other in a desperate bid for victory. How very original.

But lo and behold, Reed managed to win the crowd’s favour, drawing jeers when Theory stopped him from delivering his top-rope splash. A star is born, it seems!

Despite Lashley’s valiant efforts, it was clear the crowd had a soft spot for Reed. However, in a shocking twist, A-Town’s own Austin Theory emerged as the victor. Who’d have thunk it?

All in all, a respectable showing from these three fine athletes.

Winner: Austin Theory

Grade: B (Because sometimes it’s nice to see a heel steal the show, right?)

Notable Moments and Observations:

An unfortunate referee mishap led to a somewhat awkward rolling dropkick from Theory. We’ve all been there, haven’t we?
Lashley’s delayed vertical suplex never fails to impress. It’s like watching a well-choreographed dance move, just with more spandex and sweat.
And finally, Reed’s daring moonsault attempt harkens back to the days of Bam Bam Bigelow. Ah, nostalgia. It’s enough to bring a tear to one’s eye, isn’t it?

Rhea Ripley vs. Zelina Vega

Ah, a delightful change of pace! Our SmackDown Women’s Champion, Rhea Ripley, traded in her signature dark attire for something a bit more… angelic, shall we say? White gear with purple accents – how very avant-garde!

And what a showdown it was between The Eradicator and her plucky challenger, Vega. Ripley tried her best to corner and taunt her opponent, but Vega’s lightning-fast reflexes kept her out of harm’s way. And who could forget the legendary flip-flop toss – a move that will surely go down in wrestling history?

Eventually, Ripley’s brute strength proved too much for Vega, and she managed to pin her opponent with the Riptide. Victory was hers!

If only the match had been a few minutes longer, we might have seen even more of the fantastic action that unfolded. But hey, we can’t always get what we want, can we?

As per usual, the ever-enthusiastic crowd added their own special touch to the proceedings, showering Vega with adoration and admiration. great match on WWE Backlash 2023.

Winner: Rhea Ripley

Grade: B+ (Because sometimes, less is more. Or something like that.)

Notable Moments and Observations:

Vega’s entrance featured a fabulous cape made from a Puerto Rico flag. Truly, she and Ripley were the epitome of wrestling fashion.
Michael Cole informed us that Vega dedicated the match to her late father, adding an extra layer of emotion to the already high-stakes battle.
And let’s not forget Ripley’s spectacular counter of a hurricanrana into a powerbomb – a move that surely left jaws on the floor.

Bad Bunny vs. Damian Priest

Joy of joys! A first-ever San Juan Street Fight, featuring our beloved international singing sensation Bad Bunny and his former BFF, the Archer of Infamy, Damian Priest. A match made in wrestling heaven, if ever there was one.

The crowd went absolutely wild for Bad Bunny’s entrance music, as if they couldn’t get enough of it. Meanwhile, Priest showed off his Puerto Rican pride with an all-white ensemble and a massive flag on his leg. How very patriotic!

Now, this match started off as a classic display of strength and agility. But eventually, the two brawlers decided to spice things up a bit, taking advantage of the stipulation and utilising weapons, as well as the ever-enthusiastic crowd, to their advantage.

In a shocking twist, Dominik Mysterio and Finn Bálor decided to crash the party, prompting Rey Mysterio and then Carlito to make their grand entrances, much to the delight of the audience. A bit of a chaotic family reunion, one might say.

With Bad Bunny applying a figure-four lock on Priest’s injured knee, it seemed like victory was within reach. But alas, it was a Canadian Destroyer that ultimately sealed the deal for our hometown hero.

If this wild ride of a match didn’t leave you grinning from ear to ear, well, you must have been watching something else entirely. My favorite match from WWE Backlash 2023 was this.

Winner: Bad Bunny

Grade: A (Because who doesn’t love a good old-fashioned street fight with a dash of international superstar flair?)

Notable Moments and Observations:

Priest’s all-white get-up and Puerto Rico flag made quite the fashion statement.
Just in case you missed it, Bad Bunny’s entrance music was a real crowd-pleaser.
Priest’s bleeding mouth added a touch of gritty realism to the match. Ouch.
The stiff chair shot to Priest’s knee? Absolutely brutal.
The surprise appearances by Savio Vega and Carlito were nothing short of delightful.

The Usos and Sikoa vs. Riddle, Zayn and Owens

Oh, how we do love a good six-man match to really spice up the night! The Usos and Solo Sikoa, sans Paul Heyman, faced off against the fabulous trio of Riddle, Kevin Owens, and Sami Zayn. And, of course, it played out exactly how you’d expect a match with six – yes, count ’em, six – superstars would go.

Jey Uso, clearly mistaking this for a high school sports event, decided to celebrate a simple takedown like he’d just won the lottery. Naturally, Zayn taught him a lesson with a swift clothesline. Ah, the joys of hubris.

As the match progressed, it seemed that Jey and Sikoa might need some couples therapy to work on their communication issues. Zayn’s Helluva Kick further complicated their already strained sibling relationship. But who doesn’t love a bit of family drama, right?

In the midst of all the tension, Sikoa managed to pull off a win for his team, pinning Riddle and stealing the spotlight. A true underdog story!

While this match may have had more plot twists than a soap opera, it still managed to be entertaining and further some juicy storylines. Great show on WWE Backlash 2023 so far.

Winners: The Bloodline (The real winners here were family therapists everywhere)

Grade: B (Because nothing says quality entertainment like a healthy dose of sibling rivalry)

Notable Moments and Observations:

The crowd serenading Zayn during his entrance warmed even our cynical hearts.
Solo Sikoa’s subtle gestures and hesitations in his interactions with his brothers were a masterclass in character development.
The Usos’ overuse of the superkick? A classic case of “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” They certainly know how to make it look good.

Brock Lesnar vs. Cody Rhodes

Ladies and gentlemen, gather ’round for the pièce de résistance of the night: Cody Rhodes versus Brock Lesnar. Because nothing says “recovery” after losing to Roman Reigns at WrestleMania like going toe-to-toe with The Beast Incarnate, right?

Rhodes wasted no time in launching himself at Lesnar with a suicide dive, clearly taking the element of surprise to heart. Lesnar was treated to a lovely assortment of ring steps and steel chair shots, just to keep things interesting.

Once the bell finally rang, Rhodes took his sweet time hitting not one, but two Disaster Kicks. Sadly, the third time wasn’t the charm as Lesnar caught him and delivered a good old-fashioned German suplex. From there on, it was a one-way ticket to Suplex City for Rhodes.

Despite Lesnar’s best efforts (and a generous amount of bloodshed), Rhodes managed to pull off the win with a sneaky pin. Sure, the method might be debatable, but who are we to judge a victory? WWE Backlash 2023

Winner: Cody Rhodes (May his victory lap be long and glorious)

Grade: B+ (Because nothing beats a well-paced match with some good old-fashioned blood and guts)

Notable Moments and Observations:

The camera work for the suicide dive was sheer perfection. It was as if Rhodes materialised out of thin air.
The third Disaster Kick was about as predictable as a British summer, but who doesn’t love a bit of déjà vu?
Lesnar’s bloody fury at the end was the cherry on top of a wonderfully brutal match.

Final Thoughts

Well, well, well. Can you believe it? WWE actually managed to pull off a cracking PPV with WWE Backlash 2023. Kudos to them for not completely messing it up for once!

With the Puerto Rican crowd being hotter than a fresh cuppa, the wrestlers had no choice but to put on a show. And let’s face it, with WWE’s track record, that’s no small feat.

Take Sky and Ripley, for example. Despite the crowd chanting their hearts out for Sky, Ripley kept her title, which was undoubtedly the right call. No need to snatch the belt from her just yet, eh?

It’s almost as if WWE remembered that they have a whole roster of talented Puerto Rican Superstars and legends who, shockingly, were given the star treatment. Who would’ve thought?

Even the Omos and Rollins match, which had everyone’s expectations lower than the temperature in the Arctic, turned out to be a jolly good time, all thanks to that delightful crowd.

So hats off to WWE for making the right call by going to Puerto Rico. Let’s just hope they don’t forget this newfound wisdom and make San Juan a regular stop on their international tour. Fingers crossed!