WWE Backlash 2023 live results, match grades, highlights from ...

Cody Rhodes’ quest to return to the top of WWE’s title picture will have to go through former world champion Brock Lesnar. Can “The American Nightmare” get past “The Beast Incarnate,” or will he be taken to Suplex City on May 6? 

WWE presents its Backlash PPV event, which will be in Puerto Rico. It is the first WWE event in Puerto Rico since New Year's Revolution in 2005. 

Lesnar attacked Rhodes on the RAW after WrestleMania when the two were supposed to team with one another. Per WWE officials, Lesnar did not like opening WrestleMania 39 while Rhodes was main eventing against Roman Reigns. A first-time affair, what will happen when the two face off in the squared circle? 

Another big match on the card will be the WWE singles debut of music artist Bad Bunny. The Puerto Rican native was meant to be the host of Backlash. However, he got attacked by The Judgement Day’s Damian Priest after supporting Rey Mysterio in a match. Bad Bunny wanted revenge and challenged Priest to a Street Fight. 

MORE: How to bet WWE Backlash 2023

Also on the card will be Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, and Matt Riddle vs. The Bloodline. With Reigns not around, The Usos and Solo Sikoa will attempt to keep The Bloodline together against their enemies. Is the group slowly cracking? 

The Sporting News will provide results and match grades from Backlash. Stay tuned! 

WWE Backlash 2023 results, highlights

Welcome everyone to The Sporting News' live coverage of WWE Backlash in Puerto Rico!

The pyro has been set off, and the crowd in Puerto Rico is as passionate as any pro wrestling crowd out there. What an atmosphere. Michael Cole and Corey Graves welcome us to Backlash. 

It is ???????????? at #WWEBacklash right now in Puerto Rico! pic.twitter.com/ttYlUjunUq

— WWE (@WWE) May 7, 2023

Out first is Bianca Belair, defending the RAW Women's Title against Iyo Sky. Bayley and Dakota Kai are not in Sky's corner, for now. 

Bianca Belair defies the odds, beats Iyo Sky to retain title

The crowd in Puerto Rico were loud to start, cheering on Belair. Both women exchanged holds to start the bout. Now the crowd started to boo Belair and cheer Sky. Grabbing Belair's hair, Sky choked her by the ropes, and started to attack the arm. The crowd on her side, Sky dominated with arm holds. She drove Belair's arm into the turnbuckle and the floor. 

Sky landed a jumping gut shot as Belair attempted to find some momentum. They exchanged shots, with Sky getting cheered and Belair booed. Belair with a backbreaker and she landed a flurry of moves. Suplex by Belair and a kip up. On the ropes, Belair landed a one-handed military press. Wow! Moonsault but only for two. 

Sky blocked the KOD, and landed a missile dropkick. Belair missed a 450 Splash and Sky locked in the crossface to the delight of the crowd. Facebuster by Sky but only for two. Double knee by Sky, they exchanged finisher attempts, and Sky landed a moonsault from outside the ring. Sky with another moonsault attempt but Belair caught her, hitting a powerbomb from the ropes, but only for two. 

EST of WWE! ????#WWEBacklash pic.twitter.com/6HA6qrxq1C

— WWE (@WWE) May 7, 2023

Kai and Bayley come out to distract Belair, and Sky grabbed the hair of Belair. KOD attempt by Belair but Sky rolled her up for two. Bayley went in the ring and Belair took care of her. Kai kicked Belair, Sky went for a moonsault but missed, and Belair landed the KOD for three. 

A great crowd can make a difference in a match. The Puerto Rican fans delivered, and so did the wrestlers. Bianca Belair is a star, and Iyo Sky proved why she is one of the best wrestlers in the world. 

Grade: A

Bad Bunny and Rey Mysterio speak to one another backstage. Savio Vega(!) comes out to give Bad Bunny a kendo stick. 

.@reymysterio introduces @sanbenito to ... SAVIO VEGA!#WWEBacklash pic.twitter.com/lS98GTSc6i

— WWE (@WWE) May 7, 2023

Omos comes out for his match against Seth "Freakin'" Rollins.

Seth "Freakin'" Rollins impresses, slays the giant in Omos 

The crowd was LOUD when chanting Rollins' theme song. It was going on for a while, so Omos ended it by kicking Rollins. He landed a shoulder tackle. Well, the crowd is singing the song in the middle of the match. Rollins tried to land any form of offense, but Omos slapped him down. He grabbed his head and pushed him outside. Rollins back in the ring and landed a suicide dive, but a second one turned into a chokeslam to the apron. 

Omos with a big boot in the ring, egging the crowd on to sing Rollins' song. Rollins with a knee to the face of Omos, and attempted to chop the giant down. Superkick by Rollins, but a Pedigree attempt was thwarted. DDT by Rollins and a splash, but only for two. He went for the Stomp but Omos stopped it with his neck. A double chokeslam attempt by Omos, but Rollins tried a sleeper hold, but it didn't work. MVP in the ring and Rollins landed the Stomp. He took out MVP (who handed Omos a cane) and landed another Stomp but only for two. 

What will @WWERollins have to do at #WWEBacklash?! @TheGiantOmos isn't having ANY of it right now... pic.twitter.com/UbOIoXMkju

— WWE (@WWE) May 7, 2023

Rollins went for a top rope stomp, and got the three. 

This was a match that showed how big Omos is and how good Seth Rollins is as a wrestler. Like most Omos matches, it didn't do much to impress. He is now 0-2 when it comes to big matches on PPV. The top rope Stomp and Omos blocking a stomp was cool. 

Grade: C+

The United States Title is now on the line, as Austin Theory defends against Bobby Lashley and Bronson Reed. 

Austin Theory survives, retains U.S. Title against Bobby Lashley and Bronson Reed

Theory went after Lashley right away, big mistake. Lashley went for the Hurt Lock on Reed, but Theory attacked him to break it up. Theory and Reed teamed up on Lashley, with Reed stomping on Lashley. Reed then turned on Theory, showing it's every man for themselves. One armed chokeslam by Lashley and a spear to Theory but Breed stopped it. Splash by Reed on the outside. Hurt Lock by Lashley to Theory, but Theory countered. Big slam by Reed from the top, but Theory stopped the count. 

Theory with a blockbuster to Reed. He attempted to lift Reed up, but Reed with a powerslam. Top rope moonsault by Reed misses and Lashley landed a spear. Theory kicked Lashley out the ring and pinned Reed to retain. 

The match was quick and just started to get momentum before it ended. Theory winning by taking advantage of others dominance is on brand. 

Grade: B- 

When is WWE Backlash 2023? 

• Date: Saturday, May 6 | Sunday, May 7
• Pre-Show: 7 p.m. ET | 12 a.m. BST | 9 a.m. AEST
• Main card: 8 p.m. ET | 1 a.m. BST | 10 a.m. AEST

WWE Backlash 2023 takes place on May 6. The pre-show starts around 7 p.m. ET | 12 a.m. BST | 9 a.m. AEST. The main card begins at 8 p.m. ET | 1 a.m. BST | 10 a.m. AEST.

MORE: Cody Rhodes vs. Brock Lesnar rivalry, explained

How to watch WWE Backlash 2023

Country	Date	Channel + Live Stream (main card)
United States	Saturday, May 6	Peacock
United Kingdom	Sunday, May 7	WWE Network
Australia	Sunday, May 7	Foxtel/Kayo & Binge

Backlash will be available on pay-per-view or via Peacock for fans in the U.S. Outside the U.S.. the event is available on the WWE Network. 

In Australia, Backlash is available via Foxtel/Kayo & Binge. 

WWE Backlash 2023 price: How much does the WWE event cost? 

• A Peacock Premium subscription costs $4.99 a month.
• Subscribing to the WWE Network costs $9.99 a month. 
• Subscribing to Binge in Australia costs $10 AUD a month. 

MORE: Breaking down Bad Bunny's WWE history, career earnings

WWE Backlash 2023 results

• Cody Rhodes vs. Brock Lesnar
• Matt Riddle, Kevin Owens, and Sami Zayn vs. The Bloodline (Solo Sikoa, Jey Uso, and Jimmy Uso)
• Bad Bunny vs. Damian Priest in a Street Fight
• Rhea Ripley (c) vs. Zelina Vega for the WWE SmackDown Women's Title
• Austin Theory (c) def. Bobby Lashley vs. Bronson Reed for WWE United States Title
• Seth "Freakin" Rollins def. Omos
• Bianca Belair (c) def. Iyo Sky for the WWE RAW Women's Title