All things considered, the two women’s matches on the WWE Backlash premium live event each stole the show. Bianca Belair faced Io Sky for the Raw Women’s Championship in a match of the year candidate. Rhea Ripley defended her Smackdown’s Women’s Championship versus Zelina Vega. Both matches were great for two different reasons.
The champion Belair versus Sky kicked off the show, getting the crowd in San Juan, Puerto Rico excited from the start. This match showed off the athletic abilities of the champion and challenger. The crowd was clearly behind Sky as they booed Belair throughout the contest. However, things began to change as Sky’s fellow Damage CTRL members, Bayley and Dakota Kai, came ringside to help Sky.
The WWE universe in Puerto Rico seemed to like me a lot.
— IYO SKY (@Iyo_SkyWWE) May 7, 2023
I hope to see you guys again one day.😈🇵🇷#wwebacklash #PuertoRico @WWE pic.twitter.com/DXIqVyEaht
Kai kicked Belair as the referee was distracted by Bayley attempting to enter the ring. Sky tried for a moonsault off the top rope during the distraction, but the champion moved out of the way. Belair then hit her finishing move, KOD, to retain the Raw Women’s Championship.
The EST of WWE made history with her win, becoming the longest-reigning women’s champion of the modern era.
We did it!
— Bianca Belair (@BiancaBelairWWE) May 7, 2023
399 Days!
LongEST Reigning RAW Women’s Champion
&
LongEST Reigning Women’s Champion of the Modern Era.#ESTofWWE
Zelina Vega’s Big Moment at WWE Backlash
Credit: WWE
Next, Ripley defended her Smackdown Women’s Championship versus Vega. This was Ripley’s first title defense since defeating Charlotte Flair at WrestleMania 39. Here, the champion was confident as she made her way to the ring. For Vega, she came down to the ring with the flag of Puerto Rico as her family was in attendance.
Vega paid tribute to two icons in her match against Ripley. She paid tribute to WWE Hall of Famer and fellow LWO (Latino World Order) member Rey Mysterio by delivering a 619. Also, she did a shimmy off the middle ropes as a tribute to the late great Eddie Guerrero.
What a performance by @ZelinaVegaWWE at #WWEBacklash! pic.twitter.com/6Sw7ewl4rG
— WWE (@WWE) May 7, 2023
In the end, Ripley would retain her championship, but Vega was the true winner.
The way we see it, @ZelinaVegaWWE is already a winner. ❤️🇵🇷#WWEBacklash pic.twitter.com/P8ux3re6HB
— WWE (@WWE) May 7, 2023
Vega was cheered on by the crowd after a valiant effort in the match. This premium live event gave us history and moments that fans will remember for some time.
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