This Saturday is Backlash 2023 – the first premium live event (PLE) post-WrestleMania. Additionally, it is the first PLE since the brand split. It’s going to be a big show to kick off what could be an exciting new era for the WWE and for Friday Night SmackDown. Before Backlash, we have a go-home edition of WWE SmackDown live from San Juan, Puerto Rico to deal with – a Puerto Rican SmackDown which will feature the return of pop sensation, Bad Bunny. What else is on offer for the Puerto Rican live audience and the millions watching at home? Let’s dive into the SmackDown preview and find out!
The OC Vs. The Viking Raiders
The OC (Luke Gallows, Karl Anderson, AJ Styles and Michin’ Mia Yim) have all been drafted to SmackDown. In doing so, they have entered into a bit of a feud with the Viking Raiders (Erik, Ivar and Valhalla) after the pillagers accepted an open challenge from Styles and that feud will continue with a match tonight. Let’s not forget, folks, SmackDown is the house that AJ built – expect The OC to pick up the win here.
Shinsuke Nakamura Vs. Karrion Kross (with Scarlett Bordeaux)
Just a couple weeks ago, the “King of Strong Style”, Shinsuke Nakamura, made his long-anticipated return to the WWE and SmackDown in particular. Since then, the Japanese mega star has been rebuilding lost momentum and reminding the WWE audience just why his name is so well-regarded in the industry. Speaking of lost momentum, Nakamura takes on Karrion Kross this week because a tarot card has demanded Nakamura be Kross’ next victim. This is an interesting match-up, in the sense that both men have been so mistreated in the past that they both need this win to continue building momentum. No doubt, whoever wins this match will head into a title match sometime in the future. Additionally, Nakamura has been drafted to Raw, so this will be his farewell to the blue brand until, you know, creative forgets they have a brand split again.
Bad Bunny to Appear on WWE SmackDown
The biggest star in music today, Bad Bunny, will make an appearance on tonight’s WWE SmackDown ahead of his street fight match with Damien Priest at Backlash. You have to give Bunny credit – he’s a star. Not just in the world of music, either; he’s pretty damn good in the ring for someone who doesn’t do this for a living. In front of what’s sure to be a hot Puerto Rican crowd, Bunny is going to no doubt come face to face with his Backlash opponent. Will fists be thrown? Tune into SmackDown on FOX at 8/7c to find out!
More From LWOS Pro Wrestling
Photo Credits: WWE. Stay tuned to the Last Word on Pro Wrestling for more on this and other stories from around the world of wrestling, as they develop. You can always count on LWOPW to be on top of the major news in the wrestling world, as well as to provide you with analysis, previews, videos, interviews, and editorials on the wrestling world. You can check out an almost unlimited array of WWE content on the WWE Network and Peacock.
