The questionable logic behind the Backlash main event

We are nine days out from WrestleMania 41, yet the gossip mill is already force-feeding us the card for WWE Backlash on May 9. Reports indicate a tag team match featuring Pat McAfee and Randy Orton against Cody Rhodes and Jelly Roll. This feels like a blatant attempt to capture the mainstream spotlight rather than prioritizing in-ring chemistry.

Bringing a musician into a marquee spot for Backlash is a tired trope. While Jelly Roll has expressed genuine interest in training, putting him in a match of this magnitude is a gamble that ignores the actual athletes on the roster. It devalues the work of performers who spend their lives perfecting their craft.

McAfee and the surprise factor

Pat McAfee has promised a huge surprise for an upcoming SmackDown, and it is impossible to ignore how this ties back to his sudden involvement with Orton. McAfee remains a polarizing figure in the locker room, bringing a high-energy commentary style that occasionally spills over into ego-driven booking.

Meanwhile, the chatter regarding Randy Orton as a main character has hit a breaking point. Kit Wilson has been vocal about his dislike for Orton’s current heel persona, and seeing Orton paired with a non-wrestler for a major show like Backlash feels like a square peg in a round hole.

The booking blind spot

The core issue here isn't the talent involved; it’s the lack of narrative cohesion. We are rushing past WrestleMania 41 to prioritize a spectacle match that relies on name value instead of credible rivalries built in the squared circle. It treats the audience like they only tune in to see celebrities walk the ramp.

My prediction: This match gets booked to spike social media metrics, but the ring work will be disjointed at best. Expect a chaotic finish, likely involving a run-in that protects the outcome to set up a secondary feud during the summer months. It is an easy win for the company’s analytics team and a frustrating reality for viewers who want actual wrestling excellence in the top spot.