WWE Backlash 2018: Preview and predictions

Roman Reigns vs. Samoa Joe

In this case, the RAW vs. SmackDown issue isn’t an issue at all. This is just a grudge match and I’m completely okay with this. Samoa Joe has been absolutely perfect in the build for this bout. Him getting on Roman Reigns about not being able to beat Brock Lesnar has been done to perfection, and it’s put him in a really good spot heading into all sorts of scenarios on the blue brand. We’ve got him and AJ Styles to look forward to at some point, which is crazy after all of their time together in the ring outside of WWE, and so many other great matches that we’ll get if he can stay healthy.

As for Roman, he’s fresh off another loss to Brock Lesnar, even if Kurt Angle has come out and said that he actually won the cage match in Saudi Arabia. So Roman still looks strong in defeat and now has an even bigger chip on his shoulder by not being WWE Universal Champion. Or will he become the guy (get it?) that will just cry and cry until he gets another shot at Brock, who isn’t supposed to show up again until Money in the Bank? He’s been firing back at Joe in the promos, and these two have put on some decent matches in the past, so I am actually optimistic about this one.

Prediction: The problem with Roman Reigns losing here is that it essentially turns into what John Cena just went through. A loss here and another there and can’t win the big one anymore and everything that goes along with that. I can’t yet believe that Vince is going to go away from Reigns after all this time, so it’s hard for him to take a pin here. On the other side, Samoa Joe has already declared his intention to go after the WWE Championship, and I think a build for AJ Styles vs. Samoa Joe at SummerSlam would be the way to go. It’s hard for him to take a loss here as well with the momentum he has. So I’ll think outside the box here and pick neither. People won’t like it, but let these guys have a physical, all-out brawl that either goes double DQ or double countout. Nobody is hurt and they can go their separate ways for a while on their respective brands.