<< photo by Senad Palic >>
The event also featured a grudge match between Cody Rhodes and the formidable Brock Lesnar, and a seemingly random pairing of Seth Rollins versus Omos. Despite the lack of a story and Rollins’ character being limited to conducting singalongs to his theme music, he remains the inexplicable betting favorite to win the new WWE World Heavyweight Championship.
Bianca Belair managed to retain her WWE Raw Women’s Championship with a victory over the popular Iyo Sky. The match provided several moments of excitement, with the energetic crowd fully behind Sky and Belair playing an impressive heel.
Seth Rollins and Omos provided another exciting contest, with Rollins managing to secure the victory with a top-rope stomp after a hard-fought battle. Austin Theory emerged victorious in a triple-threat match, defeating Bronson Reed and Bobby Lashley to clinch the US Championship.
In the WWE SmackDown Women’s Championship match, Rhea Ripley managed to overcome the challenge of Zelina Vega and retained her title. The match had a sentimental tinge, as Vega dressed in all white regalia for the special occasion and was accompanied by her family at ringside, receiving an emotional reception from the crowd.
The main event of the evening saw the highly anticipated San Juan Street Fight between Bad Bunny and Damian Priest. The pop for Bad Bunny was in a different league as fans sang his new theme song, 2017’s Chambea. Priest had Bad Bunny beaten with a South of Heaven, but let up after two, looking to exact more damage. Bad Bunny ultimately won with several chair shots and two Bunny Destroyers.
In summary, WWE Backlash 2023 was a thrilling event that saw Puerto Rican wrestling at its finest. From Bad Bunny’s captivating main event performance to the emotional reception of Vega and the significant victories for Belair, Rollins, and others, the evening provided fans with a night of intense action and entertainment.
As we ponder on the future of the WWE, one can’t help but contemplate the importance of cultural representation in sports. In a world torn apart by politics and racial prejudice, Puerto Rico took center stage and provided a positive image for Latin America. The wrestling industry has always struggled with diversity, and this event was a step forward in breaking down barriers. It is essential that we embrace the beauty of diversity and use the platform that sports offers to showcase every community.
