WWE Backlash 2018: Full Match Card Predictions After WrestleMania 34

The dual-branded matches won't end at WrestleMania 34. WWE Backlash 2018 is set to feature both Raw and SmackDown Superstars, as well.

WWE has decided to combine the two shows' rosters for the May 6 pay-per-view, meaning fans could see Charlotte Flair, Brock Lesnar, AJ Styles and Nia Jax on the same show.

The wheels are already in motion for the build toward Backlash for both Raw and SmackDown. How WrestleMania unfolded provided strong hints of what to expect that night. The same goes for the confrontations that went down on TV in the days following WWE's version of the Super Bowl. 

Next week's Superstar Shake-up is going to add to that, mixing up the rosters to create new potential matchups.

As of now, Backlash has three official bouts, per WWE.com:

• Seth Rollins vs. The Miz (Intercontinental Championship)
• Roman Reigns vs. Samoa Joe
• Jinder Mahal vs. Randy Orton (United States Championship)

What else is going to feature on the card? What's ahead for the Cruiserweight Championship and the newly arrived Bobby Lashley?

The following is a projection of the Backlash lineup and an attempt to answer those questions.

Cedric Alexander vs. Buddy Murphy (Cruiserweight Championship)

We didn't have to wait long to discover who would first face the new cruiserweight champion.

Cedric Alexander took down Mustafa Ali at WrestleMania in the Cruiserweight Championship tournament finals. Two days later on 205 Live, Buddy Murphy stormed on to the scene during Alexander's celebration and attacked him.

With that, it's clear what direction WWE is going.

Murphy, who has been on a tear in the ring of late, is poised to get the first crack at Alexander's gold. This will create a more traditional face-versus-heel dynamic than what we saw at WrestleMania. It will take advantage of Murphy's recent momentum.

Plus, Alexander will have a great chance of making his first title defense a memorable one.

AJ Styles vs. Daniel Bryan vs. Shinsuke Nakamura (WWE Championship)

No guesswork was required about whether Shinsuke Nakamura would continue to pursue Styles and the WWE Championship after WrestleMania.

The King of Strong Style nailed the champ with a low blow after losing to him. That shot and the beatdown that followed signaled both a heel turn and an intensification of their rivalry.

Nakamura struck again on Tuesday's SmackDown during Styles' bout with Daniel Bryan.

Bryan finds himself suddenly caught in the middle of these two wrestlers' issues. A friendly match with The Phenomenal One ended with him taking a knee to the head courtesy of Nakamura.

Bryan's desire for revenge and to be champion again will see him tangle with both Styles and Nakamura at Backlash.

This way, WWE can save Bryan vs. Styles for a later PPV and provide some variety in the Styles vs. Nakamura feud.

Nia Jax vs. Ruby Riott (Raw Women's Championship)

Jax's WrestleMania victory over Alexa Bliss wrapped up a story of the bullied making the bully pay. 

The powerhouse is now likely to move on from Bliss after dethroning her. Normally, WWE might try to stretch out this feud longer, but the Raw women's division is bound to look a lot different following the Superstar Shake-up and provide The Irresistible Force with a number of alternative options at Backlash.

Ruby Riott has already faced Becky Lynch, Flair and Naomi a number of times. She could use some fresh opposition with a move to Raw.

She would make a quality opponent for Jax. Her nasty, aggressive demeanor would pair well with Jax's babyface persona. If The Riott Squad follows its leader to Raw, it's easy to see the stable swarming the new champ. 

There's a "hero overcoming the odds" take in the making there, at Backlash and beyond.  

Carmella vs. Charlotte Flair (SmackDown Women's Championship)

Eventually, one of the shots Flair took had to knock her off her throne.

The Queen was able to fend off a series of challenges before facing her toughest one yet—Asuka. Flair stood tall after her battle with the undefeated star at WrestleMania, but she couldn't survive what followed.

The debuting Peyton Royce and Billie Kay from NXT thrashed Flair in a brutal attack on Tuesday's SmackDown, and Carmella rushed in to cash in her Money in the Bank contract to rip the women's title from her grip.

Afterwards, Flair shot a look toward Carmella that seemed to say, "OK. You got me this time, but I'm coming after you."

A chance for Flair to reclaim her crown is sure to come. Defeated titleholders usually get a rematch, and in this case, there's plenty of narrative spark to tap into.

An angry Flair chasing the opportunistic Carmella is a story with great potential, one that's likely to be a part of Backlash.

Brock Lesnar vs. Bobby Lashley (Universal Championship)

Lesnar vs. Lashley is normally the type of marquee clash WWE would want to save for SummerSlam or WrestleMania. The Beast Incarnate, however, may not be around much longer.

Dana White confirmed to Fox Sports that Lesnar is returning to UFC at some point. In addition, Dave Meltzer noted on Wrestling Observer Radio (h/t Marc Middleton of Wrestling Inc) that The Beast's deal is reportedly short term.

With that in mind, WWE is bound to jump on the possibility of Lashley going after Lesnar.

It's a battle of amateur wrestling champions, legit tough guys and imposing powerhouses. It's a Vince McMahon dream match. 

Lashley, who returned to the company on Monday's Raw, can now make the Backlash PPV a far bigger deal. The former Impact Wrestling titleholder may prove to be the guy who is finally able to take down The Conqueror.