The show will feature Randy Orton against Edge - a showdown the WWE are calling "The Greatest Wrestling Match Ever", Drew McIntyre defending his WWE Title against Bobby Lashley and The Miz & John Morrison challenging Braun Strowman for his Universal Title.
To ensure their match was the best it could be, The Viper and The Rated R Superstar filmed their contest earlier this week - the rest of the card will be broadcast live as it happens.
The WWE Network will show the event and it is also available on BT Sport Box Office for £14.95 - the pre-show begins at 23:00 (British Summer Time), 7pm Eastern and 4pm Pacific.
Not much is expected from the show, it feels like a filler event, hopefully the superstars pull out all the stops to make it a night to remember.
Asuka (c) Vs. Nia Jax (Raw Women's Championship Match).
When Asuka won the Money In The Bank Ladder Match, everyone wondered when she would cash in her title shot on Becky Lynch - little did we know that The Man was about to become a mum and Asuka had won the Raw Women's Championship instead of the opportunity to challenge for the title.
A week after becoming champion, Asuka held a title celebration but she was interrupted by Nia Jax - who claimed The Empress of Tomorrow "lucked her way into the greatest temp job ever", because of Lynch's pregnancy, and she "didn't deserve the title." Asuka is a woman of few words and hit Jax with a barrage of kicks that sent the Irresistible Force out of the ring. That wasn't the last time things got physical between the two as later that night, Asuka attacked Jax backstage in retaliation for Jax ambushing Kairi Sane earlier that evening.
Seven days later, Jax won a triple threat number one contenders match to become the first challenger for Asuka's title.
While cutting a promo on the June 1st edition of Raw, Jax reiterated her belief that Asuka "didn't earn" the Raw Women's Championship and claimed she was the "victim" of multiple attacks from Asuka and her tag team partner Kairi Sane. Jax beat Sane in a match later that night and looked like she was going to attack The Pirate Princess afterwards but Asuka made the save and Jax backed off however that wasn't the last time we would see her during the show. In the middle of Asuka's match with Charlotte Flair, Asuka's music was played and Jax came down to the ring in the Raw Women's Champion's mask and face paint. Jax, clearly angered by Asuka getting involved in her business earlier, left her laying after a vicious attack.
On the last Raw before their encounter at Backlash, Jax once again got the better of Asuka, when she hit her with a Samoan Drop - after costing her a match against Flair.
Since returning from injury, WWE have done a great job of building Jax up as a the dominate woman she is and she has got the better of Asuka the last two weeks however the two time women's champion has only been had the title for 32 days and has been one of the red brands most valuable players during the 'Empty Arena' era. After being without a singles title for a year, Asuka deserves a long reign and will retain her championship this Sunday.
Winner: Asuka.
Sasha Banks & Bayley (c) Vs. The IIconics Vs. Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross (Women's Tag Team Championship Match).
Four teams have captured the women's titles since they were introduced at Elimination Chamber last year and three of those team are in this match.
Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross were in the middle of their second reign until the June 5th edition of Smackdown, where they lost the titles to Sasha Banks and Bayley in the main event of that show. They held the titles since WrestleMania and will want to become the first ever three time women's champions as soon as possible.
After being off television for six months, The IIconics made their long awaited return to the WWE on May 11th, and immediately positioned themselves in the title picture with a win over Bliss and Cross who were champions at the time. Peyton Royce and Billie Kay want to be taken seriously, now they have comeback, and there is no bigger way to make a statement than becoming women's tag champions again.
Despite Bayley's overzealous nature, that usually results in Sasha Banks being booked into matches she has no desire to be in, The Boss has had her partners back and has helped The Role Model retain the Smackdown Women's Championship on several occasions. Banks pinned Cross to win these title and will not want to lose them so soon after gaining her first piece of gold since last year's WrestleMania. The women's division needs long term tag champions, so it makes sense for Banks and Bayley to retain on Sunday.
Winners: Sasha Banks & Bayley.
Apollo Crews (c) Vs. Andrade w/Zelina Vega (United States Championship Match).
It seems like Apollo Crews and Andrade have been feuding forever, this will be their sixth match (including tags), in the last two months.
Crews defeated Andrade for the United States title, on the May 25th edition of Raw, and the Tranquilo one gained this opportunity after winning a triple threat match - that included Kevin Owens and Angel Garza.
Even before he won the US title, Crews was gaining momentum, he qualified for the Money in The Bank Ladder Match only to miss out due to a 'injury' caused by Andrade and he hasn't loss a match since returning. Crews has been on the main roster since 2015 and this is the first time he's been pushed like the tremendous athlete that he is.
Andrande has been in limbo recently, his issues with stable mates Garza and Zelina Vega seems to have distracted him from what really matters and that's the US Title.
These two have good chemistry together, this will be another fine match between them. Crews will keep hold of his title with a feud with Owens on the horizon.
Winner: Apollo Crews.
Braun Strowman (c) Vs. The Miz & John Morrison (Universal Championship Match).
When Braun Strowman decided to team with Otis, against The Miz & John Morrison on the post Money In The Bank episode of Smackdown, he upset the duo - who vowed to make The Monster Among Men life "hell" for getting involved in their business.
The following week, The Miz & John Morrison "roasted" Strowman in a edition of 'The Dirt Sheet' and Strowman defeated The Miz in a one-on-one match later in the show. After that match, Morrison challenged the big man to a Handicap Match at Backlash, a challenge he promptly accepted.
Once and a while, WWE like to try their hand at comedy and this was evident on the 5th June edition of Smackdown.
Throughout the show, The Miz & John Morrison played several 'pranks' on the Universal Champion including tampering with his protein shake, attempting to slime him and destroying his car. However, as the saying goes, he who laughs last, last best, and Strowman got his revenge on the self-proclaimed "Greatest Tag Team of the 21st Century" by flipping over the van they were in.
All three men have made the best out of this situation but it's not ideal. Strowman shouldn't be feuding with a tag team when Smackdown have heels like Cesaro, Nakamura, King Corbin and Dolph Ziggler on the brand - but that goes to show WWE have done a poor job in building credible opponents for the champion.
Strowman will win this match and hopefully have a rematch with 'The Fiend' Bray Wyatt when the latter returns to television.
Winner: Braun Strowman.
Jeff Hardy Vs. Sheamus.
While WWE were showing Jeff Hardy 'redemption' videos, ahead of his comeback, Sheamus was irate at the fact the company were showcasing a "junky" rather than the Irishman himself. When Hardy did return, on May 8th, he called Sheamus out and the two brawled - with Hardy getting the better of his foe by hitting him with a Twist of Fate and a Swanton Bomb.
More verbal back and forth occurred between the two until they finally met in the ring on 22nd May, where Hardy beat Sheamus in the first round of the Intercontinental Title tournament.
Things took a spectacular turn the following week when Smackdown began with the Performence Center car park resembling a scene from the television show Cops as The Charismatic Enigma was taken away in handcuffs after his rental car was involved in apparent hit and run. The officers accused Hardy of being "drunk" and he was arrested however while in custody - Hardy passed several sobriety tests and was released. He returned during the main event of the show - costing The Celtic Warrior his match against Daniel Bryan. A groggy Hardy briefly attacked Sheamus but he managed to escape before any severe damage was done.
When given the chance to explain what had happened the week prior, Hardy said he didn't "slip" into his "old ways" and claimed he was "framed". Hardy said eyewitness accounts stated that the person who caused the crash got out of his car and ran - the man had "red hair and a red beard". Sheamus interrupted and said Hardy was "doing what he always did", blaming others, and Hardy's wife and daughters were used to him "disappointing them". The two came blows and Sheamus hit Hardy with a Brogue Kick then proceeded to throw him into the plexiglass that surrounds ringside - Sheamus stood over his rival as the show went into the commercial break.
On the last stop before Backlash, Hardy and Sheamus were scheduled to sign the contract to make their match official. Sheamus, who still doesn't think his adversary has conquered his demons, claimed he would only face Hardy if he had "assurances" that the former three time world champion was "clean" of all substances and demanded he provide a urine sample immediately. Hardy obliged with Sheamus' request but threw the sample in his foes face. Later in the night, the two had a pull a part brawl backstage.
This has been a well drawn out feud, with WWE bringing Hardy's real life issues into it, to give the rivalry extra spark. Both men have recently returned to television and could do with a win, as Hardy beat Sheamus in their last encounter, it would be just like the WWE's 50/50 booking to have the latter win this time and end the feud at the next pay-per-view - which is Extreme Rules.
Winner: Sheamus.
Randy Orton Vs. Edge.
After their brutal Falls Count Anywhere match at WrestleMania 36, you would think Edge and Randy Orton would be done with each other but that is not the case.
On May 11th episode of Raw, Edge made his first appearances since defeating Orton on the Grandest Stage of Them All, and was going to up date the WWE Universe on what his future plans were until he was interrupt by the master of the RKO. The Viper gave Edge credit for his win but questioned if had the "guts" to face him again and challenged the 11 time world champion to a "straight up wrestling match" at Backlash. Carly Courso, who was conducting the interview with Edge, asked him if he accepted the challenge but he did not respond. Courso than claimed if Edge did agree to the match, it could possibly "The Greatest Wrestling Match Ever" - a tag line we would hear constantly over the next four weeks.
A week later, Orton cut a promo saying that he didn't need weapons to defeat Edge because he is the "superior athlete" and his former tag team partner's "grit" and "passion" has faded away and been replaced with "doubt". Orton explained that "wrestling" in the essence of everything he does and he will "prove he is the better man" at Backlash. Edge made his way to the ring and responded to Orton's verbiage - saying Orton was "resting on his laurels" and "collecting a paycheck". After further baiting from Orton, Edge accepted the challenge and Orton left the ring with a smug look on his face - he got what he wanted.
As Backlash drew closer, the war of words continued between the two, with Orton vowing to "embarrass" Edge and send him home to his wife and children a "broken man". On Christian's 'Peep Show', Captain Charisma questioned if Edge was ready for this Sunday and claimed The Rated R-Superstar couldn't have The Greatest Wrestling Match Ever "in his prime". Edge reassured his best friend that he was ready and would defeat Orton at Backlash.
This will be a great match between two of the best ever but expectations are so high, due to "The Greatest Wrestling Match Ever" tagline, that Edge and Orton are in a no win situation. This match has been filmed already, so it should be a flawless encounter that everyone can sit back and enjoy. Edge will win and hopefully move on to feud with fresh opponents like Seth Rollins or AJ Styles (Brand to Brand Invitational).
Winner: Edge.
Drew McIntyre (c) Vs Bobby Lashley (WWE Championship Match).
Since aligning himself with Montel Vontavious Porter, Bobby Lashley has been on a rampage on Raw. MVP has got inside the head of The Almighty and reminded him how dominate he could be with a little focus and let him know that it had been 13 years since he last competed for the WWE Championship.
While the current champion, Drew McIntyre defeated King Corbin, Lashley and MVP were scouting the Mayor of Claymore Country from the entrance way. While celebrating his win, McIntyre spotted Lashley and told him he's been waiting for him to become a "killer" and to "step up" if he wants a shot at the title.
On May 25th, MVP invited McIntyre into his VIP Lounge and promised the Scotsman that he would be personal responsible for him losing the WWE title. Sick of all the talking, McIntrye hit MVP with a Claymore Kick as Lashley made his way towards the ring. McIntrye begged Lashley to get inside the squared circle but the former Intercontinental Champion was more concerned with getting his advisor backstage. Later that night, after Lashley and MVP lost to The Street Profits, McIntyre and the number one contender for his title engaged in a wild brawl that was eventually halted by Performance Center trainees - who were acting as member of the WWE Universe.
The following week, McIntyre beat MVP in short order but was ambushed by Lashley after the match. Lashley applied a Full Nelson on the WWE Champion - who could not break the hold as Raw went off the air.
On the go home Raw before Backlash, McIntyre was once again a guest on MVP's VIP Lounge and put over the Full Nelson, saying he was "still feeling the effects" of the move seven days later. He told MVP that the only way Lashley was going to get his title was to "pry it from his cold dead hands".
Later that night, Lashley would use the aforementioned Full Nelson to gain victory for him and MVP against The Viking Raiders, but he refused to release the hold after the bell had rung. McIntyre, who was at ringside for that match, jumped into the ring and hit Lashley with a Claymore Kick - that sent him sprawling towards the entrance way but didn't not knock him off his feet.
Lashley has been impressive recently but McIntyre has won his last 25 singles matches and that run will continue this Sunday. Lana may play a role in this match, her distraction could cost her husband and that could prompt him to finally get rid of her.
Winner: Drew McIntyre.
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