WWE BACKLASH RESULTS: Shenanigans Derail Damage CTRL’s Joshi Judas and Vega Battles the Eradicator in Emotional Setting (May 6th 2023)
Welcome all to the WWE Backlash report, discussing all things womens wise from this Past Saturdays Pay Per View, which hailed from San Juan, Puerto Rico. The night served up a big opportunity for the home crowd favorite of Zelina Vega, taking on Rhea Ripley for her Smackdown Womens Championship, while Iyo Sky put on a defining performance, challenging Bianca Belair for her WWE RAW Womens Championship.
In fact, the main show opened up with the RAW Womens Championship defense, as Bianca Belair defended the RAW Womens Championship against Iyo Sky. Late on, Bayley and Dakota Kai would rush to ringside, Bayley interjecting herself into the situation by grabbing Bianca’s braid while at ringside during Iyo’s moonsault set up, but the referee would notice those shenanigans. Iyo leaps into the air regardless to attempt her newest moonsault, but Bianca moves out of harms way in time, then connects with K-O-D to the Joshi Judas for the three count. Bianca wins the match, retaining the WWE RAW Womens Championship.
A few matches later brings us to the other and remaining womens title defense, as Zelina, to the support of the Puerto Rican Crowd, enters to challenge Rhea Ripley for the Smackdown Womens Championship, bedazzled in country flag gear. While Zelina did look to be closing in towards the end, having delivered a 619 and also a meteora to Rhea, the pinfall does not suffice, as Rhea survives. Zelina delivers several jabs then runs the ropes, only to eat a kick by Rhea who then scoops up Zelina and connects with Riptide for the three count to end the Jessicka Carr officiated match up, defeating her emotional challenger. Rhea wins the match, retaining the Smackdown Womens Championship.
Thoughts On:
Iyo vs Bianca: A fantastic match with a breakout performance for Iyo, whose history with Bianca goes back to their days and their clashes in NXT. Of course, it was expected for Dakota and Bayley to dabble with the ending and its evident that Bayleys supposed help backfiring is going to lead to Damage CTRL breaking off, but as to who executes the turn out of the trio is unknown.
Zelina vs Rhea: Another great match for the women as Zelina, understandably emotional, got a deserved amount of time for what can be considered her biggest WWE PPV match so far. All signs pointed to Rhea retaining, especially with her being so early into her reign, but Zelina shone and rightfully so in front of the San Juan crowd.
– Catherine
Cattie's Womens Wrestling 