Latest WWE Backlash 2023 Match Card Predictions Including Rhodes vs. Lesnar

On the heels of one of the greatest WrestleManias of all time, WWE presents Backlash on May 6 from Puerto Rico, hosted by award-winning singer Bad Bunny.

As of now, the card remains empty as not a single match has been officially confirmed by the company.

Creatively, though, fans have had a sneak peak of what they can expect from the pay-per-view, including a blockbuster main event between two of the biggest names in WWE.

What are those matches and which stories bear watching entering the show? Find out with this early preview of the upcoming premium live event.

Predicted Match Card

Predicted match card for Backlash:

• Cody Rhodes vs. Brock Lesnar
• Matt Riddle, Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn vs. The Usos and Solo Sikoa
• Rey Mysterio and Bad Bunny vs. Dominik Mysterio and Damian Priest
• Raw Women's Championship: Bianca Belair vs. Iyo Sky
• Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Karrion Kross
• SmackDown Women's Championship: Zelina Vega vs. Rhea Ripley

Cody Rhodes' Redemption Begins

The wrestling world is still reeling following Cody Rhodes' loss to Roman Reigns in the main event of WrestleMania 39, with many questioning whether it was the right call creatively.

However, it happened and The American Nightmare will have his first opportunity to redeem himself at Backlash when he squares off with Brock Lesnar.

The match has not yet been made official, but the challenge was laid down by The American Nightmare on the April 10 episode of Raw in response to a beating dealt out by Lesnar the night after The Show of Shows.

Following the assault that left him in a heap and put a not-so-pleasant exclamation point on the worst weekend of his career, Rhodes has the opportunity to regain momentum and restart his grueling climb back to the top, in hopes that he may one day earn another shot at Reigns and the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship.

The signs would seem to suggest he pulls out a valiant performance and finds a way to beat The Beast Incarnate, but if the loss to The Tribal Chief is any indication, there is no such thing as a sure thing when it comes to WWE booking.

Still, the fans know Rhodes is still the guy and Triple H likely does, too. Expect The American Nightmare to reestablish himself in that role with a win in Puerto Rico.

Bad Bunny Joins Rey Mysterio's Feud vs. The Judgment Day

Bad Bunny interjected himself in the closing moments of the father-son battle between Rey and Dominik Mysterio at WrestleMania by preventing the heel from striking his father with a steel chain.

The international music star paid for it the following night, courtesy of a chokeslam through the announce table by Damian Priest.

Since then, Rey has made it his goal to avenge his friend.

Bad Bunny is from Puerto Rico, the host country of this year's Backlash, and has already been announced as the host of the show.

The Grammy Award-winning musician has also already competed in a WWE ring twice before. Look for him to make it a third time on May 6 when he teams with Mysterio to battle Dominik and Priest in the latest chapter of that red-hot feud.

One would be hard-pressed to find a scenario in which The Judgment Day beat the home-nation hero, but they can get their heat back the following night on Raw, just as they did after WrestleMania.

This will be all about the babyfaces and showcasing Bad Bunny, as it probably should be when there is a star of his magnitude willing to lace up the boots and get involved despite having no need to take the risk that comes with an in-ring performance.

Will Damage CTRL Implode Before Iyo Sky Can Dethrone Bianca Belair?

Iyo Sky won a Triple Threat match on the April 10 episode of Raw to earn a shot at Bianca Belair's title.

The news was not the victory, though, but rather the dismay that painted the face of Bayley following her Damage CTRL partner's win. Instead of being excited and enthusiastic for Sky, she was clearly underwhelmed and disappointed.

That is likely because The Role Model believes she should be the one fighting for the Raw women's title and cannot handle the idea of someone from her own group potentially usurping her.

Sky vs. Belair is a match that should be very good based on the talents of the women involved, but it will also serve as the latest chapter in the eventual unraveling of Damage CTRL.

The faction has been beaten down by every babyface on Raw and rarely is allowed to win a high-profile bout. With their loss at WrestleMania to Becky Lynch, Lita and Trish Stratus, it feels like now is the time to split them up.

Bayley's mounting frustration over Sky's title opportunity and continued losses for the faction suggests the WWE Creative team feels the same way.

Sky will give Belair a fight but, ultimately, come up short. Don't be surprised if Bayley is at least partially responsible for that outcome.