There May Be Controversy Ahead

Braun Strowman's addition to the WWE Championship match - for WWE WrestleMania Backlash - has the potential to cause more controversy in regards to how Paddy Power Betfair has started to settle its pro wrestling match markets.

Earlier this year, I wrote about a situation in which the sportsbook graded my wager on Keith Lee to win the WWE United States Championship triple threat match at WWE Elimination Chamber 2021 as a loss when Lee did not wrestle in the match and was replaced by John Morrison.

Matt Riddle was declared the winner by pinning Morrison and - as a result - Bobby Lashley dropped the US Title.

I'm once again holding a bet receipt for a Bobby Lashley title defence. This time, I have two bets - one at 10/11 and the other at 5/4 - for Drew McIntyre to beat the WWE Champion at WrestleMania Backlash.

In my opinion, Strowman's inclusion should now void ALL previous bets on the match due to Paddy Power's rule - which can be viewed below - that states 'should a match have a wrestler added/removed/replaced so that it fundamentally alters the manner of the contest, all bets will be void'.

Ideally, the trader in charge of the market would see that the addition of Strowman to the match now fundamentally changes its dynamic, but - going by recent history - I have a feeling they will once again claim that the market was antepost despite only two people being advertised for the contest at the times my bets were struck.

I thought that, with McIntyre having a protected loss at WrestleMania through a ref stoppage, he would come back and pick up a win - whether it be straight up or via disqualification - at the next PPV.

Braun Strowman now being added to the mix makes me suspect he'll be the fall guy to give either Lashley or McIntyre an out when they 'lose'.

As of the time of writing, Paddy Power Betfair has a market for the new match. Bobby Lashley is a 5/6 favourite, Drew McIntyre is 13/8 and Strowman is 10/3.

8:20PM BST UPDATE: I have cashed out both bets for a loss. I'd rather take a hit than go through the hassle of trying to get the bet voided/refunded after the PPV if McIntyre isn't declared the winner. As I said above, the dynamic has fundamentally changed and I am not as sure now that McIntyre will get the W.