WWE Backlash 2023 review: A thrilling day in Puerto Rico

In the words of Eric Bischoff’s theme song, “I’m back…and I’m better than ever”, okay maybe that second part is a bit optimistic. Seriously though, I don’t know if many have you have missed my WWE Premium Live Event reviews since WrestleMania 39 but various circumstances mounted and I fell completely out of whack with things. Not just with the WWE product but many things in life to be fair. And the tragic passing of my – its hardly a surprise – favourite super star in the much missed Windham Rotunda (aka Bray Wyatt) a few months back did not make things easier to get back into my wrestling writing.

However, onto happier vibes, I have lately decided to climb back into the saddle and ride on, and as WWE Survivor Series: War Games 2023 looms, what better time than right now? Well, I haven’t made this easy have I? What is it? Seven events since we last spoke?! Yikes, well forgive me this content influx but we have got to catch up. So for the next few reviews, I’ll be a little more concise than usual! Which may be a blessing to some of you actually.

Anyway, onto the action, in more ways than one, as we step into our WWE time machine and go back to May 6th in sunny Puerto Rico for Backlash, an event now available on DVD and which just might be the best PLE of 2023! 

So let’s get to the first of – re-checks notes – seven WWE PLE reviews to come! Ring that bell!

1. WWE RAW Women’s Championship Match

Bianca Belair (c) vs. Iyo Sky

In the first match of the night then champ Bianca Belair defended against bright star Iyo Sky in a match that lit up the crowd, who were red hot all night onwards to be fair. This was a thrilling affair, back and forth, and the crowd ended up on Sky’s side, who had her best showing in WWE on this night. It genuinely looked like anyone had this one but in the end Belair got the Kiss of Death to retain and subsequently make history with her 400 day historic reign.

Backstage, Bad Bunny talked with Rey Mysterio and the legendary Savio Vega made an appearance to a tremendous crowd pop!

2. Seth “Freakin’” Rollins vs. Omos (w/ MVP)

And you thought Brock Lesnar vs Omos was random? Seriously how random was this match’s creation? Anyway, weirder still was just how good it was. A real attraction match that was probably the best match of Omos’ career. The monster dominated of course but Seth Rollins worked a mighty impressive comeback needing a third curb stomp from the top rope to finally score the hard fought win in this mismatched thriller that the crowd loved. We mocked but this was great stuff.

3. WWE United States Championship Triple Threat Match

Bronson Reed vs. Austin Theory (c) vs. Bobby Lashley

I am a huge fan of Bronson Reed, just want to put that out there, and this Triple Threat needed a bit longer than it got to really get going. Still, for what it was it was a fun clash, that gave Austin Theory a good win on paper in his struggling title run (despite that WM victory over John Cena).

4. WWE Smackdown Women’s Championship Match

Rhea Ripley (c) vs. Zelina Vega

Zelina Vega was obviously the favourite here and her homecoming title match made for a rather inspiring viewing, as she showed us why she deserves this spot. After stealing WrestleMania with Charlotte, Rhea Ripley had another great match, albeit a touch brief. It could have been better but emotion counts for a lot and there was a lot on show here, as the crowd were behind ever moment and many hoped for Zelina’s win. However the end result was always going to be with Mami. Still, this was good, and Zelina got a lovely ovation afterwards.

5. San Juan Street Fight

Bad Bunny vs. Damian Priest

No offence to the star-powered main event but this San Juan Street Fight really should have main vented this PLE. This was a firecracker of a street fight that was beautifully booked chaos, full of memorable moments and nice touches. Not to mention some huge surprises! A star making performance for the ever brilliant Damian Priest and proof that Bad Bunny is one of the best celebrity wrestler transitions ever. Weapons aplenty and some top selling of the knee injury by Priest, as well as some table-crunching high spots. This was outstanding stuff bell to bell. Even the interference worked a treat, as Dominik Mysterio and Finn Balor were seen off by Rey Mysterio AND a returning Carlito, not to mention Savio Vega coming out and getting in on the action too. The crowd went nuts throughout, as Bunny eventually won with a Bunny Destroyer. What a fight this was.

6. The Bloodline (Solo Sikoa, Jimmy & Jey Uso) vs. Matt Riddle, Kevin Oens & Sami Zayn

Post WrestleMania I’d argue that The Bloodline angle has stalled and got stale fast, but this six man tag match, despite the talent, particularly never got going and was over 20 minutes of standard TV show stuff that had flourishes here and there but was overall boring and unmemorable. As The Bloodline won of course. Moving on…

7. Cody Rhodes vs. Brock Lesnar

No shock for Brock but this one did not go too long, though unexpected blood played a part in that! Pre-match Cody Rhodes beatdown Lesnar to gain the advantage and once the bell rang really took it to The Beast. Naturally Brock got back into his dominant form and wore down Rhodes with his suplexes and whatnot. However, an exposed turnbuckle left Brock busted wide open and covered in blood! A nasty gash. Rhodes capitalised with multiple Cross Rhodes moves, before Brock nearly won with an F5. Though Rhodes eventually scored the win by the skin of his teeth, reversing a Kimura Lock into a lucky pin. This was not over. Many did not like this but I enjoyed it, felt like a realistically brutal scrap between two pros because, well, it was just that.

Overall, Backlash was a heck of a night. The Puerto Rican crowd were amazing and barring a naff six man tag and some match length issues, the card was good to outstanding throughout. Brock/Rhodes was a bloody battle, Sky/Belair was fantastic, Omos/Rollins shocked us all and that Street Fight stole the show! A great PLE and for my money the best of 2023.

Right, that’s one down, let us time warp slightly forward to May 27th and Jeddah, Saudi Arabia next for Night of Champions.