WWE Backlash 2023 Results: Bad Bunny Beats Damian Priest In Star-Studded Street Fight
Key Highlights :
The WWE Backlash 2023 event in Puerto Rico was one for the ages. The night was headlined by a star-studded street fight between two of the company’s top stars, Damian Priest and Bad Bunny. In front of a piping-hot Puerto Rican crowd at Coliseo de Puerto Rico, Bad Bunny emerged victorious over Priest in a match that featured several cameos from Judgment Day (minus Rhea Ripley), Savio Vega and former WWE Superstar Carlito.
Bad Bunny was announced for WWE’s rare Puerto Rican show, which was its second since 2005. The megastar received a nuclear babyface reaction as fans sang along word-for-word to his 2017 hit “Chambea” when he made his way to the ring. Despite being in his home country, Priest was a massive heel compared to the beloved Bad Bunny.
The match was one-half of a double main event, with the show-closing main event being Brock Lesnar vs. Cody Rhodes. Bad Bunny and Priest’s street fight was a fast-paced affair that saw both men pull out all the stops in an attempt to secure the victory. Priest attempted to use a chair at one point, but it was Bad Bunny who eventually emerged victorious.
The match was a continuation of a recent trend of WWE Superstars losing in their home countries. Scottish top star Drew McIntyre reportedly may be on his way out of WWE after suffering a crushing defeat against Roman Reigns at WWE Clash at the Castle back in September of 2022. Five months later, it was Sami Zayn’s turn as the piping-hot Canadian came up short against Reigns in his home country of Montreal. Domestically, Cody Rhodes suffered a shocking defeat at WrestleMania 39, and while it was not in his hometown of Marietta, Ga., the deflating loss in front of a crowd thirsty for change certainly felt like it.
WWE reportedly received $1.8 million in Puerto Rican tourism subsidies to host Backlash as live event revenue continues to produce a huge haul for the already historically lucrative promotion. With WWE recently being acquired by Endeavor, which specializes in the live event experience, WWE’s already strong live event business could somehow become stronger. WWE’s next three Premium Live Events will be held on three different continents, with Night of Champions in Saudi Arabia, Money in the Bank in London and WWE SummerSlam in Detroit, Mich. SummerSlam recently surpassed 40,000 tickets sold in what is expected to be a complete sellout.
The victory for Bad Bunny was a huge moment for the Puerto Rican star, who overachieved in a very good tag team match against The Miz and John Morrison at WrestleMania 37. The win also marked the end of a streak of WWE Superstars losing in their home countries, setting the stage for a potential streak-breaking win for a hometown hero at one of WWE’s upcoming Premium Live Events.
