The Best And Worst Moments

WWE Backlash 2023 was highlighted by an epic performance from Bad Bunny, The Bloodline beginning to fall apart and Cody Rhodes defeating Brock Lesnar.

In front of a packed and raucous crowd in San Juan, Puerto Rico, WWE put on a very good show from start to finish. The fans were vocal all night and Bad Bunny, Omos and Io Sky all delivered the best performances of their young WWE careers. It wasn’t all great, though.

WWE, of course, made some bizarre creative calls while some of the bigger developments on the show felt off. Let’s take a look at the best and worst booking decisions and moments at WWE Backlash 2023.

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Worst No. 3: Austin Theory Wins Short WWE US Title Match

The United States Championship triple threat match was exciting and fast-paced, but it felt like it ended way too soon. Austin Theory won the match by pinning Bronson Reed after a spear from Bobby Lashley, which of all the predictable outcomes was the most predictable.

Predictable isn’t always a bad thing, though. Theory should have retained because he needed to bring the US title with him to SmackDown following the 2023 WWE Draft. But it felt like Lashley, Theory and Reed were all short-changed with a match that didn’t get enough time and ended when it felt like there could have been another 8-10 minutes of action.

Lashley and Reed are two of WWE’s best heels right now, and they deserved more time—and more—shine at WWE Backlash 2023.

Best No. 3: Seth Rollins Carries Omos To Great Match

Seth Rollins is favored to win the newly created World Heavyweight Championship, so it comes as no surprise that he beat Omos at WWE Backlash 2023.

What was surprising, however, was the quality of Omos vs. Rollins at the event. It was, quite easily, the best match of Omos’ young career, and it wasn’t even a carry job. Omos more than held his own, and he showed that he is improving despite his limited movements and agility.

WWE has a slippery slope when booking Omos because he shouldn’t lose too often or else his appeal will erode away. However, this was a great way to have Omos put over Rollins while still being protected. After all, it took three Stomps to put him away.

Worst No. 2: Cody Rhodes Beats Brock Lesnar In Fluke Fashion

Cody Rhodes beat Brock Lesnar after pinning Lesnar while in the Kimura Lock. Technically speaking, it was a victory for Rhodes, but it sure didn’t feel like one.

WWE loves to protect Lesnar with its booking, but after Rhodes shockingly lost to Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 39, he could have used a major victory over Lesnar and a clean one at that. It felt, however, like WWE wanted to keep Lesnar looking strong, maybe for a rematch with Rhodes or another marquee match at Night of Champions.

But Rhodes didn’t beat either of his two biggest opponents—Lesnar or Reigns—in convincing fashion, which is a weird booking call if WWE wants Rhodes to be the guy.

Best No. 2: Io Sky Shines Against Bianca Belair

If you watched Io Sky vs. Bianca Belair with no prior WWE knowledge, you would have no idea that Belair is the women’s division’s top babyface.

This crowd was firmly behind Sky, who appears to be on the outs with Damage CTRL, and man oh man, did she deliver. This was easily the best Sky has looked on the main roster, with the San Juan crowd chanting for the high-flying star throughout the match. It was clear going into the bout that Belair would win, but Sky turned the fans into believers.

The match ended when Sky lost due to interference from Damage CTRL, so a split clearly coming and Sky could be on the verge of singles stardom.

Worst No. 1: The Anti-Climactic Bloodline Match

In terms of pure in-ring action, The Bloodline vs. Sami Zayn, Kevin Owens and Matt Riddle was very good, but it all felt, sort of, “meh.”

As noted by the Wrestling Observer’s Bryan Alvarez, this was essentially the end to the long-running feud between The Bloodline and the duo of Zayn and Owens. Yet, the main focus was the tension between The Bloodline members, mainly Jey Uso and Solo Sikoa. What’s more, the match ended with Riddle—who only recently entered the feud—taking the pin.

It was certainly not bad by any means, but this felt like a letdown to what was WWE’s hottest story in route to WrestleMania 39.

Best No. 1: Bad Bunny Steals The Show Again

Bad Bunny, the world’s most streamed artist, is an artist inside the WWE ring, too.

He and Damian Priest put on a classic match filled with high spots, weapons and interference from the likes of Rey Mysterio, Savio Vega and Carlito. Priest vs. Bad Bunny was as fun of a match as you’re going to see in WWE, a bout that the San Juan crowd loved—and rightfully so.

Once again, Bad Bunny dominated why he’s an amazing celebrity performer and someone WWE should continue to use in that role. Bad Bunny beat Priest in a stellar match, suggesting he’s going to wrestle sparingly for WWE moving forward. That’s the right call, too.

Bad Bunny is great for WWE, and if he continues to perform like this, he should stick around for the long haul.