Tossing Salt Presents:
WWE Wrestlemania Backlash 2021
Thoughts & Predictions
May 15, 2021
DougMaynard.com

Coming up tomorrow night on the WWE Network, available on Peacock in the United States and as its own entity around the rest of the world, is WWE Backlash. Well, it’s Wrestlemania Backlash now and that sounds stupid to me, but if that’s what WWE wants, so be it. Tomorrow night is Wrestlemania Backlash. And that means it’s time to make a few predictions. Let’s do this.

Triple Threat – WWE Championship
Bobby Lashley (c) (with MVP) vs. Drew McIntyre vs. Braun Strowman

We all know why Braun is there and it’s not to add the words “WWE Champion” to his resume. He’s there to take the fall and keep both Drew and Lashley looking strong. A big monster like that and he’s just the fall guy. Gotta love WWE. As for who will win, do we take the belt off of Bobby and end what has been a really good title run thus far, giving it back to Drew, or do we go in the other direction, letting the Mighty One keep the belt and putting Drew on the backburner for a few months? It’s a tough call, but what is best for business? I don’t think we’re getting any kind of title switch here and Drew will get the belt back at Summerslam. Lashley takes out Braun and retains.

Winner and STILL WWE Champion: Bobby Lashley

WWE Smackdown Women’s Championship
Bianca Belair (c) vs. Bayley

This one is unfortunately too easy. It’s Bianca’s first title defense and she’s not going to lose here. Bayley has had a hell of a year and she will make Bianca look like a billion bucks, but the belt stays with the EST of WWE, as it should.

Winner and STILL Smackdown Women’s Champion: Bianca Belair

Triple Threat – WWE Raw Women’s Championship
Rhea Ripley (c) vs. Asuka vs. Charlotte Flair

The Empress is getting screwed here. Despite being one of the most dominant women in WWE history and also one of the most entertaining performers in WWE, regardless of gender, this is where she moves down the line and does the honors of putting Rhea over and helping make her into a bigger name. Charlotte is there as well, but I expect that Rhea pins Asuka to keep her title, and Charlotte whines and complains to management to get another shot, probably at SummerSlam. I hope Rhea keeps the belt for a while. Charlotte and truth be told, Asuka, don’t need it, but Rhea is on the rise. Let her have her due.

Winner and STILL WWE RAW Women’s Champion: Rhea Ripley

WWE Smackdown Tag Team Championship
The Dirty Dawgs (Dolph Ziggler and Robert Roode) (c) vs. Rey Mysterio and Dominik Mysterio

History will be made as we will see the crowning of new tag team champions, the first-ever father-son tag team combination to share WWE tag team gold, with Rey & Dominik taking the win.

Winners and NEW Smackdown Tag Team Champions: Rey Mysterio & Dominik Mysterio

WWE Universal Championship
Roman Reigns (c) (with Paul Heyman) vs. Cesaro

I would so love to see Cesaro have a run with the Universal Championship and I’m sure that 98% of the WWE Universe agrees, including most of the WWE roster. But now is not yet the time. Look for Usos to get involved, Jey on behalf of Roman and Jimmy perhaps on behalf of Cesaro, and for the Head Of The Table to take advantage and snatch a win from the jaws of defeat. It should be one great back and forth match and this could be the one that takes Cesaro to the next level. I wouldn’t even be surprised to see Seth Rollins, who is conspicuous by his absence from this show, show up and give his former partner a helping hand or two. It’ll be a match for the ages, but the final outcome is in little doubt.

Winner and STILL WWE Universal Champion: Roman Reigns w/ Paul Heyman

Lumberjack Match
Damian Priest vs. The Miz

Here is where all the guys hanging out in the back get to pull a quick cameo and we get to see the implosion of the Miz/Morrison relationship. Miz could lose every match for the rest of his career and it wouldn’t matter much, but this is Priest’s big moment. Look for lots of chaos, craziness, shenanigans, and even a little random stupidity. And when the bell rings, Priest will be the man to get his arm raised as the victor.

Winner: Damian Priest

And there you go with the matches that have been announced thus far for the Wrestlemania Backlash event. Knowing WWE, I’m sure that another match will be announced sometime tomorrow afternoon at the last minute and if it does happen and I happen to see it, I’ll make a prediction for that one as well, but if not, oh well.

My thanks for reading. Comments, thoughts, and any questions you may have, about this show or anything wrestling-related, use the comment box or drop me a line at my e-mail addy of Doug28352@yahoo.com. Until the next time, take care of yourself and stay safe. I’ll see you at the matches.

Ubuntu!