Since the WWE split its roster in half and incorporated two separate shows, the decision was made to have two pay-per-view shows per month (except on months that feature WrestleMania, Summerslam, Royal Rumble and Survivor Series), where each brand would have their own shows to showcase their talent. Sunday is the first of those brad specific pay-per-views as Smackdown Live will present Backlash .
The consensus from many fans suggests Smackdown Live has been the better show since the brand split, with the only exception being the very first show from Raw. More action, less talking and a two-hour show, as opposed to a three-hour show, has been the hallmarks of Smackdown Live’s success. Sunday’s show, while light on matches, will feature two new champions and a WWE title match that will determine the flag bearer of the Smackdown Live brand.
We take a look at the WWE Backlash matches and share our predictions:
Smackdown Tag Team Title Tournament Final: Slater/Rhyno vs. The Winner of The Hype Bros and The Usos
The outcome of this match can go two ways. The highlight of the brand split has Heath Slater’s fight for a contract with the company. Putting Slater with Rhyno and a contract being awarded if they won the tag titles was a stroke of genius. Giving Slater the title would be the end of the free agent storyline, which may not be a good thing.
The Usos just turned heel this week, and winning the the tag titles allows them to build on their heelish persona until American Alpha, the team they knocked out of the tournament, makes their triumphant return. That seems to be the more likely scenario the WWE are leaning towards.
Winner And New Smackdown Tag Team Champions: The Usos
Six-Pack Challenge For The Smackdown Women’s Title
Since the return of Nikki Bella at Summerslam, you just knew that this title would be won by her. The WWE loves her and since the new Bellas reality show is set to begin, it was a lock that she would be the first Smackdown Women’s champion. It’s all about the synergy between the WWE and their television partners.
Of the other competitors in the match, only Natalya and Becky Lynch are ready to hold that title right now. Carmella is not good, Alexa Bliss is close and Naomi still has to get her gimmick over with the crowd a little more. Needless to say, a Nikki Bella championship run is likely.
Winner And New Smackdown Women’s Champion: Nikki Bella
Intercontinental Championship: The Miz, champion vs. Dolph Ziggler
I think the WWE lost the opportunity to finally get people to care about Ziggler after he didn’t turn heel and lost the WWE Title at Summerslam last month. Since then, he has gone back to no one caring about him or his matches. The Miz on the other hand stirred up the wrestling world after his part shoot, part work promo about Daniel Bryan during the Smackdown Post-Show. For the first time in a long time, unlike Ziggler, people are started to care about The Miz.
This match features two wrestlers on opposite ends of the crowd reaction spectrum. People hate The Miz but it’s turning into a respect hatred. Dolph Ziggler has the crowd response of nobody caring and probably going to the bathroom during his match because everyone knows he’s going to lose another match.
Winner And Still Intercontinental Champion: The Miz
Randy Orton vs Bray Wyatt
This is by far the most aggravating match of the night. Orton, after getting busted open badly by Brock Lesnar at Summerslam, needs a win to get him back in the hunt for the title on Smackdown Live. However that win will come at the expense of Bray Wyatt, who loses every time he steps into a ring on a big show.
The WWE loves Orton and will want him in the mix on Smackdown Live. The problem is that Wyatt seems to constantly be in booking purgatory because the writers have no idea what to do with him. They break up The Wyatt Family one week and then put them back together the next. The only hope that Wyatt has of winning this match would be the return of his buddy Luke Harper.
Winner Of The Match: Randy Orton
WWE Title: Dean Ambrose, champion vs. AJ Styles
Ambrose is not a good WWE Champion right now. Something seems off and it's just not clicking anymore. Is it his mic work? Is it his in-ring work? Is it the tank top? No one knows but nothing is working. Insert AJ Styles who just defeated John Cena clean at Summerslam. Even though he’s a heel, the crowd cheers for him like he is a good guy. This match is just a bad formula for the champion.
With Styles defeating Cena, the WWE has placed Styles as one the flagships for Smackdown Live and giving him the title will only bring him higher up the card...only to be defeated by Cena when he returns. Ambrose chasing the title is a better role for him at this moment than being the champion. I think the WWE knows that now.
Winner And New WWE Champion: AJ Styles
Backlash takes place tonight from Richmond, Virginia. The show starts at 8 p.m.ET/5 p.m. PT and can be seen on the WWE Network .
What do you think about tonight’s show? Let us know in our comments section.
