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#5 The implosion of The Kabuki Warriors
It’s been a long time coming at this point. The Kabuki Warriors have been one of the most toxic (Not now, Kit Wilson) groups in all of WWE. Asuka’s been, to put it lightly, abusive towards her protege and longtime partner Kairi Sane since turning on IYO SKY and Rhea Ripley back in September.
The Empress of Tomorrow seemingly forced Sane’s hand on that one, as Sane had attempted to play peacemaker between Asuka and SKY for quite a while. Even after attacking RhIYO, Sane continued to fix their problems. On many occasions, this has led to Asuka physically and verbally assaulting the Pirate Princess. The former Damage CTRL members have been going at it since then, and seemed to be heading towards a clash at WrestleMania 42 last weekend.
Instead, all three women were left off the card, much to the dismay of fans. Despite Ripley’s permanent transition to SmackDown after winning the Women’s WWE Championship, SKY has continued her feud with the Kabuki Warriors. Well, more so Asuka than the whole tag team. Hopefully, we’ll see SKY and Asuka finally meet one-on-one at WWE Backlash.
Not only will we get the big bout fans have been waiting on since their last singles match in 2023, but it’ll finally give Kairi Sane a chance to stand up for herself. Asuka forced Sane to obey her commands for nine months, and it seems that the split between the Kabuki Warriors is just on the horizon.
#4 Kevin Owens makes an appearance
The last time Kevin Owens wrestled on WWE TV, fans saw him demolish his longtime friend Sami Zayn at Elimination Chamber 2025. The Prize Fighter was on his way towards a WrestleMania clash with Randy Orton when he was put on a shelf. Following the cancellation of that bout, Orton would face then-TNA World Champion Joe Hendry at the Show of Shows while Owens prepped for a serious operation.
In July, Owens underwent a successful neck fusion surgery. Since then, we’ve heard no answers regarding a timetable for his return. Despite that, some were expecting to see him as Randy Orton’s instigator for the attack on Cody Rhodes in March. It would’ve made sense, as their crumbling friendship came about when KO began targeting Rhodes and the WWE Championship, something Orton even mentioned when explaining his betrayal.
Well, we know that’s not how it worked out. Still, there’s a chance we could see KO sooner rather than later, and that’s thanks to the return of LFG. Several months ago, it was reported that Owens and Natalya Neidhart would be joining the show as coaches. WWE posted a preview of the upcoming season today, with footage of the pair alongside Booker T and Bully Ray, the two returning coaches.
While the show airs this Sunday, April 26, an appearance by Owens at Backlash on May 9 could serve to do two things.
- Promote LFG, possibly with some of the more impressive prospects
- Side with Randy Orton
Yes, I’m still pulling for this. Owens doesn’t even need to wrestle for this to work. But the Pat McAfee thing didn’t work, and a way to wash the taste of that story out of our mouths could be bringing back the former Universal Champion in a managerial role. Even if he’s not around long or every week, pairing Owens up with Orton could lead to some fresh promos, and maybe Randy Orton’s 15th World Title.
#3 The Judgment Day loses faith in Liv Morgan
Trouble, trouble could be in store for the Women’s World Champion. At Wrestlemania 42 Night 1, Liv Morgan took the title off of Stephanie Vaquer, thanks mostly to the rampant interference of the Judgment Day. Raquel Rodriguez and Roxanne Perez distracted the referee and attacked La Primera, earning Morgan her latest championship in under seven minutes.
The Judgment Day’s been a bit…fragile as of late. Sure, they kicked Finn Balor out this year and brought a major championship home at WrestleMania. But “Dirty” Dominik Mysterio has lost his Intercontinental Championship, and while he’s still the AAA Mega Champion, it seems he and Liv are the only ones prospering from the group’s efforts lately.
JD McDonagh is repeatedly battered by the Judgment Day’s ops, and neither Raquel nor Roxanne has been able to pick up any gold since the group lost the Women’s Tag Titles at SummerSlam. There also seemed to be a lot of heat between Morgan and the group when she returned from injury last summer, especially Roxanne Perez, who seemed to be zeroing in on Liv’s Daddy Dom.
If Morgan is unable to maintain her grip on the WWE Women’s World Championship at Backlash, it could spell the beginning of the end for Morgan in the group. Even if she’s able to hold onto it with the help of the group, at some point, that’ll get old with her stablemates. After all, it wouldn’t be the first time that the Judgment Day has looked down on one of their members for not being able to handle business on their own.
The group’s been going for four years now, and one has to wonder just how much more gas is left here.
#2 Jacob Fatu joins The Bloodline
On Monday Night RAW, Jacob Fatu challenged Roman Reigns for the Men’s WWE World Heavyweight Championship at Backlash. Reigns didn’t give Fatu an answer just yet, instead asking the Samoan Werewolf a few questions. Could Fatu handle the weight and pressure of the World Title if he won?
What if he lost? Could he…acknowledge the Tribal Chief? The OTC told Fatu he’d give him an answer on the next WWE RAW, while also telling The Usos to talk some sense into their estranged family member. And while there’s a chance Fatu convinces The Usos to betray the OTC, there’s just as likely a chance that Fatu fails and aligns with Roman Reigns.
Remember, before the Bloodline formed, Roman Reigns defended the WWE Universal Championship against Jey Uso a handful of times. Through two brutal matches with Jey, including an I Quit Hell in a Cell match where he made Jey quit to save Jimmy, who Reigns had trapped in a guillotine, the Head of the Table brought The Usos under his wing. They got in line, leading to four years of dominance.
If Jacob fails to capture the WWE World Heavyweight Championship, he could end up making that same move. Especially if that’s a stipulation Reigns presents Fatu with on next week’s RAW.
#1 Cody Rhodes vacates the WWE Championship
Cody Rhodes is dealing with a pretty nasty eye injury coming out of WrestleMania 42. While it’s not reported to be an orbital bone fracture, Rhodes is not currently cleared to compete in the ring, per a report from Bodyslam. And while the promotion is not expecting the American Nightmare to vacate the championship just yet, it is a possibility.
Rhodes posted an update on Instagram today, saying, “You won’t lose the eye…’ has to be the most positive yet absurd thing I’ve ever heard in a doctor’s office.” And while it’s great to know Cody won’t be losing his eye…that is not exactly the most encouraging update the Men’s WWE Champion could’ve given us.
If Cody Rhodes is still on the shelf by the time Backlash rolls around on May 9th, WWE might be forced to make a change. And with Randy Orton punting Rhodes’ face off after their match at WrestleMania Night 1, they could hotshot it right to Orton and reignite this feud once Rhodes is cleared.
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