The Chairshot Official Staff Picks: WWE Backlash (1-pager)

Less than a month after WrestleMania, and just over a week after WWE hosted a Greatest Royal Rumble, we are back…with Backlash!

Backlash emanates from the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, on Sunday May 6. This is the 14th Backlash PPV in WWE history.

The show is headlined by Shinsuke Nakamura’s third opportunity at AJ Styles and the WWE Championship, this time in a No Disqualification setting. Daniel Bryan also makes his solo PPV return against Big Cass and Roman Reigns battles Samoa Joe.

The Chairshot crew comes together, once again, bringing you their picks for WWE Backlash!

• Dan Phelan: 35-18 (66%)
• Jon Weigell: 33-20 (62%)
• Steven Mitchell: 32-21 (60%)
• Harry Braodhurst: 31-22 (58%)
• Steve Cook: 31-22 (58%)
• Denise Salcedo: 31-22 (58%)
• Franklin Steele: 31-22 (58%)
• Big Rick: 30-23 (57%)
• Stephen Moree: 30-23 (57%)
• Tony Acero: 30-23 (57%)
• Eric Ames: 30-23 (57%)
• Patrick O’Dowd: 29-24 (55%)
• PC Tunney: 28-25 (53%)
• Christopher Platt: 28-25 (53%)
• Andrew Balaz: 28-25 (53%)
• Greg DeMarco: 28-25 (53$)
• Big Dave: 27-26 (51%)
• Mathew Sarpraicone: 27-26 (51%)

No Disqualification Match for the WWE Championship
AJ Styles © vs. Shinsuke Nakamura

People have been saying that this match or that match is make-or-break for Nakamura for several months now. And while I still don’t buy that, this is — without a doubt — the most important match he’s had for WWE to date. He’s headlining with the guy that brought him in to headline with. If Strong Style doesn’t work now that he’s a heel, in the main event, in a no DQ match and working with arguably the best seller in the company, then it’s never going to.

• Franklin: Shinsuke Nakamura
• Andrew: Shinsuke Nakamura
• Platt: Shinsuke Nakamura
• Harry: AJ Styles
• DPP: AJ Styles
• Tunney: Shinsuke Nakamura
• Mitchell: Shinsuke Nakamura
• Weigell: Shinsuke Nakamura
• Mathew: AJ Styles
• Big Rick: AJ Styles
• Eric: Shinsuke Nakamura
• Patrick: AJ Styles
• Denise: AJ Styles
• Greg: Shinsuke Nakamura

Consensus: Shinsuke Nakamura (8-6)

Roman Reigns vs. Samoa Joe

We all know what we wish would happen.  Samoa Joe going over on Roman Reigns would set wrestling Twitter on fire and could make the next two outcomes more palatable. But this is Roman Reigns we’re talking about. After losing repeatedly to Brock Lesnar over the last few months, we have a bad feeling that WWE is going to try and make him look tough again. And it’ll be at the expense of the Samoan Submission Machine. Sadly.

• Franklin: Roman Reigns
• Andrew: Samoa Joe
• Platt: Roman Reigns
• Harry: Roman Reigns
• DPP: Roman Reigns
• Tunney: Roman Reigns
• Mitchell: Samoa Joe
• Weigell: Samoa Joe
• Mathew: Samoa Joe
• Big Rick: Roman Reigns
• Eric: Samoa Joe
• Patrick: Roman Reigns
• Denise: Samoa Joe
• Greg: Roman Reigns

Consensus: Roman Reigns (8-6)

Smackdown Women’s Championship
Carmella © vs. Charlotte Flair

This one has outside interference written all over it. With almost an entire year to go before the next WrestleMania, Flair needs something to do. Chasing a clean match against Carmella appears to be that “thing.” Carmella wins, but not without a lot of help from the Iconics. Fans will still be aching to see Flair get her hands on Carmella, so this match will do what it is supposed to.

• Franklin: Carmella
• Andrew: Carmella
• Platt: Carmella
• Harry: Carmella
• DPP: Carmella
• Tunney: Carmella
• Mitchell: Charlotte Flair
• Weigell: Carmella
• Mathew: Carmella
• Big Rick: Charlotte Flair
• Eric: Carmella
• Patrick: Carmella
• Denise: Carmella
• Greg: Carmella

Consensus: Carmella (12-2)

Daniel Bryan vs. Big Cass

Daniel Bryan said that he wanted to return to wrestling to put some of the younger guys over. That should start right now. Cass is just 30 and has some decent heat after his antics this past Tuesday. Backlash could make him one of the most despised men on the blue brand. SmackDown doesn’t have many heels who can ruffle feathers. This is Cass’ time to shine as a truly bad man.

• Franklin: Big Cass
• Andrew: Daniel Bryan
• Platt: Big Cass
• Harry: Big Cass
• DPP: Daniel Bryan
• Tunney: Daniel Bryan
• Mitchell: Daniel Bryan
• Weigell: Daniel Bryan
• Mathew: Daniel Bryan
• Big Rick: Big Cass
• Eric: Big Cass
• Patrick: Big Cass
• Denise: Daniel Bryan
• Greg: Big Cass

Consensus: Even Split (7-7)

Intercontinental Championship
Seth Rollins © vs. The Miz

This is a really odd match because these two men are now representing different brands. With the United States Championship still on SmackDown Live, odds are good that Seth Rollins is going over here. It’ll be a fun match, but it’s Rollins’ turn to elevate the IC Title. This could be the match of the night — yes, perhaps even better than Nakamura/Styles simply because that bout will have a hard time matching the hype.

• Franklin: Seth Rollins
• Andrew: Seth Rollins
• Platt: Seth Rollins
• Harry: Seth Rollins
• DPP: Seth Rollins
• Tunney: Seth Rollins
• Mitchell: Seth Rollins
• Weigell: Seth Rollins
• Mathew: Seth Rollins
• Big Rick: Seth Rollins
• Eric: Seth Rollins
• Patrick: Seth Rollins
• Denise: Seth Rollins
• Greg: Seth Rollins

Unanimous Consensus: Seth Rollins (14-0)

United States Championship
Jeff Hardy © vs. Randy Orton

Jeff Hardy has had a stellar run over the last several weeks, but we’ve seen Randy Orton put a stop to more than one “stellar run” during his time on the blue brand. Seeing Hardy win here would be a lot of fun, but we aren’t so sure that the WWE won’t put the belt on the “safer” bet now that Jeff is a Grand Slam champion. Prediction: Randy Orton wins

• Franklin: Randy Orton
• Andrew: Jeff Hardy
• Platt: Jeff Hardy
• Harry: Jeff Hardy
• DPP: Jeff Hardy
• Tunney: Jeff Hardy
• Mitchell: Jeff Hardy
• Weigell: Jeff Hardy
• Mathew: Jeff Hardy
• Big Rick: Jeff Hardy
• Eric: Jeff Hardy
• Patrick: Randy Orton
• Denise: Jeff Hardy
• Greg: Jeff Hardy

Consensus: Jeff Hardy (12-2)

Raw Women’s Championship
Nia Jax © vs. Alexa Bliss

Has Nia Jax already had her moment in the sun? Her win at ‘Mania was one of the highlights of the evening, but will the WWE continue to utilize her as a face champion? Bliss’ recent segments have been so good that she could be baby facing herself, making this match ripe for a turn of some kind. Since there’s probably going to be interference in the Carmella/Flair match, odds are good that this one will be clean. And if it’s clean, it’s tough to imagine Bliss not getting taken apart by Jax.

• Franklin: Nia Jax
• Andrew: Nia Jax
• Platt: Nia Jax
• Harry: Alexa Bliss
• DPP: Nia Jax
• Tunney: Alexa Bliss
• Mitchell: Nia Jax
• Weigell: Nia Jax
• Mathew: Nia Jax
• Big Rick: Alexa Bliss
• Eric: Nia Jax
• Patrick: Nia Jax
• Denise: Nia Jax
• Greg: Alexa Bliss

Consensus: Nia Jax (10-4)

Braun Strowman & Bobby Lashley vs. Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn

This is a vehicle to fire the crowd up and make Braun Strowman and Bobby Lashley look like animals. Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn are bulletproof in the eyes of the WWE, so don’t expect to see them get a whole lot of offense in this one. If anything, we could see Lashley or Strowman turn on the other, making the actual outcome of the contest moot.

• Franklin: Braun Strowman & Bobby Lashley
• Andrew: Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn
• Platt: Braun Strowman & Bobby Lashley
• Harry: Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn
• DPP: Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn
• Tunney: Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn
• Mitchell: Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn
• Weigell: Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn
• Mathew: Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn
• Big Rick: Braun Strowman & Bobby Lashley
• Eric: Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn
• Patrick: Braun Strowman & Bobby Lashley
• Denise: Braun Strowman & Bobby Lashley
• Greg: Braun Strowman & Bobby Lashley

Consensus: Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn (8-6)

Note: Bayley vs. Ruby Riott was announced after selections went out to the team.

Who do you think comes out on top for each match-up at WWE Backlash? Tweet your picks @theCHAIRSHOTcom and use the hashtag #UseYourHead!

Follow Franklin Steele on Twitter @SteeleTheHeel!