Tossing Salt Presents:
WWE Backlash: France
Thoughts & Predictions
DougMaynard.com
Doug Maynard

WWE will present Backlash: France this Saturday 5/4 on Peacock and the WWE Network from Lyon-Décines, France at the LDLC Arena. Here is my take on what will happen on Saturday. Let’s roll.

Jey Uso versus Damian Priest for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship.

This is Priest’s big day as the defending WWE World Champion and I don’t see that belt changing hands just yet. It’s too soon for Priest to lose and also, to be honest, I don’t think Jey is quite ready to be the World Champion as of yet. He’s over like Rover and the “Yeet” thing is hot, but I just don’t look at Jey and see the top guy. Priest has said that he doesn’t need Judgment Day, but I expect he’ll get their aid anyhow and it will allow him to get the win and retain his title. Jey will look great and come just so close, but the night will belong to the Judgment Day as Priest retains.

Winner and STILL WWE World Champion: Damian Priest.

AJ Styles versus Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship.

This match should be epic from start to finish. That being said, Cody just finished the story at Mania and there is no way that the WWE will allow it to end this quickly. AJ is phenomenal and the match will be a banger. That part is guaranteed. Cody remains champion in the end and takes that trip to the pay window if you will.

Winner and STILL WWE Undisputed Champion: Cody Rhodes.

Tiffany Stratton versus Naomi versus Bayley for the WWE Women’s Championship.

Has Bayley had her big moment yet since winning the title at WrestleMania? It sure doesn’t seem like it. I think it’s too soon to have a title switch, but that being said, Tiffany is on fire and looking good these days. Is she ready to be the champ? Personally, I would like to see Bayley retain and have more moments as champ, but I just got a feeling in the gut and while it would defy all logic and make no sense, what if Naomi managed to steal a win and pin Tiffany to win the belt? Bayley would lose her title without being pinned and to one of her best friends. That sounds like drama just waiting to happen. Naomi hasn’t impressed me much since her return to WWE, but it would be an interesting twist and throw the WWE Women’s Division on Smackdown into chaos. Let’s go with that.

Winner and NEW WWE Women’s Champion: Naomi.

Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill versus Kabuki Warriors for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship.

One of my major rules in life is never to bet against Asuka. The Empress is amazing and has become the modern-day equivalent of Ivory in my wild little life. But that being said, Bianca and Jade are not going to take a fall. Not at this point. Jade is a star of the future and will be big money for the WWE. Putting her with Bianca is allowing her that rocket ride to the top, but still keeping her advancement slow and steady. Some time as a top team will give them plenty of opportunities to keep that development on track while at the same time, keeping Jade as the next big thing in the eyes of fans. A run with the tag team titles makes worlds of sense.

Winners and NEW WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions: Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill.

Solo Sikoa and Tama Tonga versus Randy Orton and Kevin Owens.

Is this when we see the debut of Jacob Fatu? It doesn’t make sense to have The Bloodline lose as they’re just really getting settled in with the new alliances and members. But then again, it’s against KO and Orton and we won’t see those two top guys take a clean pin or loss, nor should we. Let’s go for a chaotic DQ finish as Fatu debuts and we end with a three-man beatdown on KO and Orton. The Bloodline 2.0 loses the battle by getting disqualified but wins the war as they leave their opponents laid out.

Winners by DQ: Randy Orton and Kevin Owens.

And there you go. I wouldn’t be surprised to see another match added during Smackdown and if that happens, I’ll come back and update this post. My thanks for reading. Are you excited about this first-ever WWE PLE from France? Let me know, along with your comments and predictions for the event. And with that, let’s wrap it up. Take care and be well, my friends. Stay good and I’ll see you at the matches.

Ubuntu!