WWE Backlash 2016: Full Card Predictions After SummerSlam

At WWE Backlash 2016, new beginnings await SummerSlam's warriors, whether they emerged victorious or conquered at The Biggest Party of the Summer.

On Sunday's pay-per-view, Dean Ambrose made good on his promise to keep the WWE World Championship away from Dolph Ziggler. Randy Orton will be seething following his savage encounter with Brock Lesnar. AJ Styles' stock is soaring after he outlasted SmackDown megastar John Cena. 

SmackDown's first brand-exclusive PPV is set to offer each Superstar a fresh challenge.

Cena may not be around come Sept. 11 to join those men on the Backlash card. Another leave of absence appears to be on the horizon. 

Denise Petski of Deadline Hollywood noted that "Fox has ordered a second season of competition series American Grit." Last year, Cena missed time in the ring to film the reality series.

And after his loss to Styles on Sunday, he created an image that has many speculating that he's on his way out the door again when he left his "Never Give Up" wristband in the center of the ring:

A Cena-less PPV would clear up room on center stage, allowing Superstars like Bray Wyatt and the returning Curt Hawkins to find a spot on the PPV.

Match	Championship
Kalisto vs. Baron Corbin	N/A
American Alpha vs. The Usos	SmackDown Tag Team Championship
Curt Hawkins vs. Dolph Ziggler	N/A
Nikki Bella vs. Carmella vs. Becky Lynch vs. Naomi	SmackDown Women's Championship
The Miz vs. Apollo Crews	Intercontinental Championship
Bray Wyatt vs. Randy Orton	N/A
Dean Ambrose vs. AJ Styles	WWE World Championship

The Lone Wolf Gets His Prey

In the weeks leading up to SummerSlam, Corbin made it his mission to torture Kalisto. He attacked The King of Flight backstage several times, seemingly setting up a David-versus-Goliath match.

On the SummerSlam pre-show, however, Corbin announced that Kalisto couldn't compete on the PPV due to injury: 

The Lone Wolf took shots at his rival, implying that he was a coward. Expect that kind of animosity to continue in the coming weeks. The brewing narrative will be a part of the Backlash midcard.

WWE will be looking to showcase Corbin and try to build on what it started for him when he won the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal.

Top SmackDown Teams Collide

When SmackDown's duos locked horns of late, the announcers have talked of a new tag team championship coming to the blue brand. At SummerSlam, the entire tag division faced off in 12-man action, with each squad looking to position itself for that future prize. 

Jason Jordan and Chad Gable of American Alpha were the stars of that bout.

That's no surprise at all. They have been the central figures of the division since arriving post-draft and are undefeated thus far. It's clear that WWE is high on that pair.

The safe bet is that they get a crack at the new tag titles right away. But who will face them is tougher to predict. WWE hasn't done anything to create momentum for anyone else.

The Vaudevillains, The Ascension and Breezango all feel like bottom-feeders at the moment. None of those teams are legit contenders. As two-time champions, it would be easier for The Usos to believably climb into that spot.

And there was a hint of tension between them and American Alpha at SummerSlam. WWE will assure itself an electric showdown if it pits the high-flying Usos against the mat technicians from NXT.

The Battle for the Blue Brand's Women's Title

The SmackDown women's division is promised a championship of its own, too.

Eva Marie might have been in the mix for the belt, but she's serving a 30-day suspension for violating the company's talent wellness policy. A returning Nikki Bella took Marie's spot at SummerSlam and is poised to be an instant contender for the new title.

Bella helped Alexa Bliss and Natalya score a tag team win at the PPV. This was her first in-ring action in months thanks to neck surgery.

WWE has always made showcasing the Bella sisters a priority. That won't change with the coming of the New Era; she's sure to get a crack at the gold.

A Fatal 4-Way match would allow WWE to avoid having to build up a one-on-one rivalry in just three weeks. This format lets the company lean on both old and new Superstars and get a good chunk of the division on the card with a single match.

Monster vs. Viper

At the end of Orton's battle with Lesnar at SummerSlam, his brow painted the canvas red with blood. The Beast Incarnate will now head back to Raw, leaving Orton without a rival, without a chance for vengeance. 

Wyatt, who is need of direction of his own, would gladly embrace Orton's rage. He's just the type to pounce on Orton while he's vulnerable, too.

And WWE clearly wants to elevate Wyatt despite him not making the SummerSlam card. En route to the PPV, The Eater of Worlds hovered around the world-title picture, antagonizing Dolph Ziggler and looking to get a shot at Ambrose.

A blood feud with Orton would be a wise way to give Wyatt momentum as he continues his pursuit of the world championship.

Styles Claims No. 1-Contender Spot

A decisive victory over Cena at SummerSlam will launch Styles into Backlash's main event.

Styles now owns two PPV wins against the 15-time world champ. He thrilled again in yet another big-time match. He is clearly connecting with the crowd. It's world title or bust at this point.

Ambrose finished off Ziggler in Brooklyn to extend his reign. WWE will consider giving The Showoff a rematch to continue that rivalry, but Styles is too red-hot not to position opposite Ambrose.

Ziggler, meanwhile, may suffer a mental tailspin after failing in such an important bout. His story is poised to veer off to include the soon-to-return Hawkins while The Phenomenal One calls out Ambrose.

Styles and Ambrose is an intriguing combination of foes, one sure to produce some memorable contests. 

SummerSlam help set that feud up. And now its time for that story to unfold in the months ahead. The Lunatic Fringe vs. Styles promises to be SmackDown's marquee matchup for Backlash and beyond.