I don’t wish to get myself in bother right here by pulling a Bobby Heenan and prematurely bragging somewhat too aggressively, however traditionally, Backlash is the best PLE on WWE’s whole calendar to foretell. I’m 14 and 4 over the past three years, and I’m hoping to enhance on that successful proportion with one other robust efficiency this yr because of a crop of matches that largely really feel fairly straight ahead.
All of it comes all the way down to the place Backlash falls in WWE’s yearly calendar. Triple H, Bruce Prichard and the remainder of the writers spend months establishing storylines and paying them off at WrestleMania. Then, lower than a month later, we’re given one other PLE, usually crammed with a bunch of matches that includes newly topped champions. I’m not saying WWE doesn’t ever give us an enormous WTF shock, however typically, crowning a brand new champion after which having them lose the belt three weeks later doesn’t make a ton of sense. It’s a really late phases WCW transfer.
That being stated, I do assume we’re going to get one title change, and I do assume we’re going to get some good matches the group will likely be sizzling for. This card may need some fairly apparent outcomes, nevertheless it additionally options some good employees and characters who’re very over with the group. Plus, you possibly can by no means go improper with John Cena and Randy Orton going to warfare once more.
You’ll be able to take a look at a fast rundown of my current and profession report on WWE predictions beneath…
|
Occasion |
Wins |
Losses |
|
2025 Royal Rumble |
3 |
1 |
|
2025 Elimination Chamber |
2 |
2 |
|
WrestleMania 41 |
9 |
3 |
|
General File |
176 |
59 |
Pat McAfee Vs Gunther
Gunther goes to win this match. His character can survive the WrestleMania loss to Jey Uso with out sacrificing a lot aura, however he can’t take again to again Ls to the Yeet Man and a broadcaster like Pat McAfee. It’s vital Gunther comes out on high right here, and ideally, comes out wanting fairly robust.
It doesn’t have to be a squash match nonetheless, and it shouldn’t be. McAfee has confirmed prior to now that he’s method higher than you’d guess within the ring, and as a sympathetic babyface defending Michael Cole, he ought to no less than be given some hope spots. I feel there’s an actual probability this finally ends up being a low key banger.
To me, the larger query is whether or not this finally ends up writing McAfee off tv for awhile. The previous NFL punter usually takes an prolonged break through the yr due to his football-related duties on ESPN. The sabbatical ordinarily doesn’t begin till later in the summertime, however given the timeframe, there’s definitely a risk we may see Gunther “injure” the speaking head to the purpose the place he must step away for the remainder of the yr. That would definitely give The Ring Basic loads of warmth, and it might enable Pat some wanted day off, in addition to give Corey Graves the possibility to return from NXT.
Predicted Winner: Gunther
Lyra Valkyria (Champion) Vs Becky Lynch For The Ladies’s Intercontinental Championship
I’ve been actually impressed with Lyra Valkyria over the previous few months, and I used to be particularly impressed along with her microphone work earlier this week on Uncooked. She’s additionally getting over with the group. You’ll be able to hear it throughout her entrances. You’ll be able to hear it throughout her matches. She’s not fairly on that high degree but, however she’s actually getting there. I feel it was an amazing choice by Triple H to place the IC Championship on her and let her run with it.
However I don’t see the way you convey again Becky Lynch to have her lose right here. She’s some of the standard feminine stars on the whole roster, and he or she’s been gone for an prolonged time period. Her successful the Intercontinental Championship would additionally legitimize it in a method Lyra isn’t able to doing at this level in her profession. If you happen to look again on the historical past of the lads’s title, an awesome majority of the largest names held the belt sooner or later in time, and it might be good to start out including some legends to the ladies’s facet as nicely.
Plus, it looks like we’re finally going to get Becky and Bayley. Becky admitted she was the one who attacked Bayley and took her spot at WrestleMania, and people two are going to want to have a program to settle the rating sooner or later. WWE goes to need Becky with as a lot momentum as doable when that program occurs, and which means she must win her matches.
Predicted Winner: Becky Lynch
Dominik Mysterio (Champion) Vs Penta For The Intercontinental Championship
It’s onerous to think about the primary few months of Penta’s WWE profession going higher than what we’ve gotten. He’s actually gained over the followers and turn out to be an enormous mid-card attraction. He additionally had his first WrestleMania match, which was extraordinarily nicely acquired by followers and extensively thought of the most effective of the weekend.
Nonetheless, I don’t like his probabilities right here although. He’s been feuding with each Judgment Day and Chad Gable/ El Grande Americano in current weeks, and it looks like the long-term feud goes to be the one with El Grande Americano. That most likely doesn’t want the Intercontinental Championship, as there’s loads of inbuilt pleasure for that already. There’s even a risk we may get a masks versus masks match between the 2 sooner or later.
Plus, Dominik Mysteiro simply had a profession spotlight. His victory and post-match celebration was most likely the most effective second of the whole WrestleMania weekend. I’m not going to say a loss right here would invalidate that, however it might make me actually confused about the place WWE goes together with his character. He’s so sizzling proper now, and a loss would solely decelerate that momentum. That being stated, I don’t anticipate him to win clear right here. Search for outdoors interference, random weapons or a referee bump. One thing bizarre goes to occur, and he is not going to apologize for it.
Predicted Winner: Dominik Mysterio
Jacob Fatu (Champion) Vs Damian Priest Vs Drew McIntyre Vs LA Knight For America Championship
This match might be probably the most thrilling to me of any on the whole card. All 4 of those guys are tremendous over with followers. McIntyre and Priest have each been world champions throughout the final yr and alter. Jacob Fatu is extensively thought of by followers to have future WrestleMania important occasion potential. LA Knight is sneaky nonetheless some of the standard wrestlers on WWE’s whole roster. The gang goes to be very popular for this match and rightfully so.
The obvious selection right here is to say Jacob Fatu goes to retain. He simply gained the title and is clearly ascending up the cardboard. Weakening him so rapidly doesn’t seem to be it’s the fitting transfer, nevertheless it’s onerous to know when his long-term plans aren’t clear. There’s a risk he has a Gunther-like year-plus reign the place he simply dominates everybody on the mid-card degree. Then once more, it’s additionally doable that we’re lastly going to get the long-awaited feud between Fatu and his sidekick Solo Sikoa. Many followers thought he’d lose at WrestleMania due to Solo and that will lead into an prolonged program between the 2. That would nonetheless occur right here.
If he does lose, it’s anybody’s guess as to who may win the title from him. LA Knight might be the obvious candidate, as he’s been concerned on this title image the longest and already has a number of reigns to his title. I wouldn’t thoughts seeing him on high once more for a couple of extra months.
This is also a solution to give Damian Priest course. He was elevated to the principle occasion scene final yr with an enormous ‘Mania second and did a very nice job, but when we’re being trustworthy, as a lot as I really like him, he’s simply not fairly on that degree. He’s a spectacular mid-carder or a midway first rate important occasion man. I may see WWE placing this title on him once more and letting him rule the mid-card. Drew McIntyre makes much less sense to me, as he feels somewhat bit above this title, but when he’s not going to get booked to win a World Championship anytime quickly, then this could possibly be a solution to give him one thing.
I’m going to stay with Jacob Fatu, however I’ve extra doubt right here than with many of the matches.
Predicted Winner: Jacob Fatu
John Cena (Champion) Vs Randy Orton For The WWE Championship
Deep down, everyone knows Randy Orton isn’t going to win this. I’m from St Louis. I really like Randy Orton. It pains me in my soul to say he’s positively going to lose out loud, however John Cena didn’t lastly flip heel and beat Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania to lose a forty-five yr previous that’s misplaced much more large matches than he’s gained over the past half decade. It’s simply not going to occur.
Now, I feel we’re going to get a terrific match. I feel Cena goes to make use of some heelish ways as a way to win. I feel there will likely be a second or two the place the group thinks Orton may win, however the upside of maintaining the belt on Cena is simply method greater. There are much more cash matches available proper now with the belt round his waist than on Orton’s.
I’m assured about a whole lot of these matches, however I’m probably the most assured about this one. Aside from instructing followers something can occur, I don’t see a single motive why WWE can be higher off with Orton as champion. So, anticipate Cena to win right here.
Predicted Winner: John Cena