In-Ring Segment: WWE United States Champion Austin Theory
Theory welcomes everyone to “Austin Theory Live” and brings up his upcoming title match against Bronson Reed and Bobby Lashley at WWE Backlash. He looks over at the new World Heavyweight Championship and says the title should be around his waist. Theory says he has earned it, but instead he has to compete in a match where he doesn’t have to get pinned or submitted to lose his titles. Bobby Lashley interrupts and wonders when Theory is going to step up and accept every challenge that comes his way. He says he knows how tough Theory is, but he doesn’t think Austin himself doesn’t know.
Lashley questions whether Theory is lazy or scared. Theory fires back by taking a shot at Lashley’s lack of a match at WWE WrestleMania 39. They brawl, and Bronson Reed gets involved. He and Reed double-team Lashley. Theory hits Lasley with the A-Town Down. Reed attacks Theory and hits the Tsunami. Reed poses with the WWE United States Championship.
Elias and Rick Boogs are backstage, and Chad Gable explains the rules of the draft to Boogs. Gable says he has ensured that Alpha Academy will stay together in the draft. Maxxine Dupri says she has made sure that she will go wherever Otis goes in the draft. Mustafa Ali shows up and tries to spread some positivity. He takes a shot at Gable to set up a match.
Mustafa Ali vs. Chad Gable (with Otis and Maxxine Dupri)
Gable and Ali feel each other out and go back and forth. Gable briefly gains an advantage. Ali kicks him, but the former tag team champion drops him with a suplex. Ali spikes Gable with a DDT. Ali counters the Chaos Theory into a roll-up for the win.
Winner: Mustafa Ali
Backstage, Jimmy Uso confronts Sami Zayn and tells him The Usos are going to take back what’s theirs. Uso questions whether Owens would forget all of the times Zayn betrayed him if they lost. He says Owens will turn on Zayn once they lose, and he’s going to deserve it.
Finn Balor vs. Cody Rhodes
Balor and Rhodes square off and battle for positioning. Rhodes hits a gut-buster and gains the upper hand. Balor ducks a charge from Rhodes, sending Cody chest-first into the ropes. Rhodes rallies and plants Blair with a snap powerslam. He hits the Disaster Kick for a two count. Balor briefly takes control, but Rhodes rocks him with a superkick and hits the Cody Cutter for a two count. Balor blasts Rhodes with a shotgun dropkick. Rhodes dodges the Coup de Grâce. Balor counters the Cross Rhodes. Rhodes hits the Pedigree before he gets the win with the Cross Rhodes.
Winner: Cody Rhodes
In-Ring Segment: Seth Rollins
Rollins comes out and says he would have talked about his match with Omos at WWE Backlash, but something bigger has caught his eye. He exits the ring and walks towards the World Heavyweight Championship, which is on a podium at ringside. Rollins says he wants to fight, and the title is an opportunity to fight. He calls the championship an opportunity to push the industry forward. Omos, alongside MVP, interrupts. MVP praises Rollins but says it’s his responsibility to get Omos giant matches, and a win over Rollins would be huge. He warns that Rollins might not have much of a future after WWE Backlash. Rollins squares off with Omos and calls him the most powerful force in WWE. He says Omos is once in a generation because he’s born that way, whereas he made himself a once-in-a-generation talent because he made himself one. Rollins says he’s not scared of Omos, and he’s going to make him famous at WWE Backlash.
Backstage, Kevin Owens questions Sami Zayn about his whereabouts. Zayn says he was talking to The Usos, and Owens asks him why. Owens says it’s too late for The Usos, and they deserve whatever happens to them. He tells Zayn to focus on the titles, and he walks away. Matt Riddle brings up his history with Randy Orton in RK-Bro and says that, like he and Orton, Owens and Zayn are bros.
The broadcast team announces that Brock Lesnar will appear on the May 1 episode of WWE RAW.
Damian Priest vs. Rey Mysterio
Mysterio takes the fight to Priest, who overpowers him. Priest gains more momentum with a gutbuster. The camera pans to a car pulling up backstage, and Bad Bunny steps out. Priest continues to dominate. Rey rallies but Priest takes control again. Priest goes for a chair, but Rey stops him. Mysterio goes to the top rope, but Priest throws a chair at him to force the disqualification.
Winner via disqualification: Rey Mysterio
Priest attacks Mysterio after the bell. Bad Bunny makes the save as he comes out with a kendo stick. He repeatedly hits Priest until the Judgment Day member escapes. Bad Bunny reveals that he is no longer hosting WWE Backlash; instead, he will be facing Priest in a Street Fight.
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