WWE Backlash 2016: Overlooked Stars Who Will Make Big Impact at PPV
We are headed into unfamiliar territory in WWE. For the first time since No Way Out 2007, SmackDown will have a brand-exclusive pay-per-view where only members of the SmackDown roster will perform (with one odd exception). After years of WWE events using all the top stars signed to a contract, WWE can now only use under half its wrestlers to set up a three-hour show.
This makes Backlash a rare opportunity for a much wider group of talent to perform on a major stage. SmackDown's roster only consists of 33 wrestlers, including six tag teams and the yet-to-return Curt Hawkins. That is far from a deep pool to pull from to create a major WWE event.
In order for Backlash to succeed, WWE will have to rely upon its whole roster, placing many overlooked stars in spots to succeed. Whether those wrestlers can make the most of those opportunities is another story.
The following are overlooked SmackDown wrestlers who will take their opportunities at Backlash and run with them, helping them become bigger parts of WWE's plans going forward.
Breezango
1 of 5
Fandango and Tyler Breeze have been through the ringer in WWE. Fandango has gone from winning a season of the reality show NXT as Johnny Curtis to winning his debut at WrestleMania against Chris Jericho to having his theme become wildly popular with European fans only to spend much of his career losing because his dancing gimmick never allowed him to be taken seriously.
Tyler Breeze was one of the longest-tenured developmental talents in WWE before settling on the Breeze gimmick that allowed him to be a major star in WWE's developmental brand, NXT. However, he quickly lost his debut feud on the main roster against Dolph Ziggler and fell into the background, also playing an enhancement role due to his gimmick.
Recent events, though, have given them their first real chance to succeed in WWE in years. The two were paired together as Breezango, a self-absorbed, highly fashionable duo who will do anything to find a win. Luckily, shortly after being paired together, they were drafted to SmackDown, becoming perhaps the top heel team on the roster.
American Alpha already eliminated them from the tag team tournament, but they had a competitive match in the first round against the favorites to win the whole tournament. If AA end up winning the titles, Breezango should be near the top of the list of contenders to face them.
At Backlash, SmackDown will need to use much of its roster to make a complete show, which makes it unlikely Breezango will miss out on the card. Pair them up against The Usos or Hype Bros at Backlash and give them enough time, and WWE can bank on Breezango continuing to put on quality performances.
Baron Corbin
2 of 5
During this year's WWE draft, SmackDown's biggest surprise draft pick was Baron Corbin at No. 19, above stars such as Enzo and Cass, Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson, Dolph Ziggler, Cesaro, and Sheamus. It's a testament to how well-respected Corbin is as a potential star in WWE, which was also shown earlier in the year when he debuted at WrestleMania and won the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal.
His booking outside of those moments, though, indicates WWE is less certain of his potential. His first feud in WWE against Ziggler went on without flair, mostly spent fighting on the kickoff shows of PPVs. While Corbin dominated the feud, it was Ziggler who ended up slipping into the spotlight when both were drafted to SmackDown Live.
Corbin has been feuding with Kalisto since the draft, with the two barely interacting; however, it seems clear they are headed for a showdown at Backlash. This will be only Corbin's second singles match on the main card of a WWE PPV, with his previous match being the surprisingly strong closer to Corbin vs. Ziggler at Money in the Bank.
If Corbin had the option of selecting his opponent for his second main-card PPV match in WWE, there's a good chance he would choose Kalisto, who has been consistently good in competitive matches, particularly against heavyweight opponents.
The two could both be major players on SmackDown going forward, but they need to prove themselves. You can bet they'll both do their best to steal the show at Backlash.
Heath Slater
3 of 5
WWE has always been driven by a hierarchy. Some wrestlers are brought in purely to serve one purpose: enhancement. They spend much of their time talking a big game yet lose in quick fashion. WWE's longest-tenured talent at the bottom of the totem pole is Heath Slater.
Since his time in The Nexus in 2010 and The Corre in 2011, where Slater won the Tag Team Championships alongside Justin Gabriel three times, he has not even been close to championship gold since. He has spent almost his entire time losing to talent and random legends despite rare moments of relevance where he lost at least competitive contests.
Slater has spent six-and-a-half years on the main roster, but he has never been given much to work with. However, that all changed when he remarkably went undrafted in the WWE draft. This allowed him to become the top free agent of WWE, traveling to both brands to cut promos about how he deserves a contract.
Slater's impassioned promos have led to a rise in popularity and his repeated use on both brands, particularly on SmackDown where he is now in the middle of a SmackDown tag team title tournament where winning the whole tournament will earn him a spot on the SmackDown roster. With Slater already becoming a bigger deal, he now has the potential to steal the show at Backlash.
Likely competing at Backlash alongside his new partner, Rhyno, against American Alpha for the tag titles, win or lose, you can bet Slater will use this huge opportunity to make his mark—just as he has done week in and week out of late.
Becky Lynch
4 of 5
When Becky Lynch first debuted on the main roster, she was the third wheel behind the more accomplished and popular Sasha Banks and Charlotte. That has been the story of her career so far in WWE despite her noticeable improvement and growing popularity as a singles wrestler.
SmackDown has given Lynch her first real chance at a starring role, and we have yet to see how that opportunity will pan out. It all begins at Backlash with Lynch being one of the six competitors vying for the SmackDown Women's Championship in a six-pack challenge.
Lynch has frequently proved herself to be a show-stealer in her short time in WWE. Her charismatic and fiery performances always make a lasting impression. Even just a few weeks ago at SummerSlam, Lynch was the bright spot of an otherwise sloppy six-woman tag team match. She will be competing with the same women come Backlash.
Of the six competitors in the match—the other five being Nikki Bella, Natalya, Naomi, Carmella and Alexa Bliss—Lynch and Nikki seem like the only two who have a shot at winning the match. While Nikki would be the safer pick, Lynch is the one most ready to rise to the challenge, and it is likely Lynch will go out of her way to show it in the match.
Bray Wyatt
5 of 5
On this list, Bray Wyatt is the least overlooked of the wrestlers. He has main evented pay-per-views and competed against the best in WWE, from John Cena to The Undertaker, at WrestleManias. However, Wyatt has always played second fiddle to whomever he feuds against, inevitably causing him to fade to the background.
Somehow Wyatt went through every hour of WrestleMania and SummerSlam this year without a match. The plot device that Wyatt provides was unneeded; therefore, he was left on the outside looking in, talking up his grand plan never realized.
Now Wyatt is on a collision course with Randy Orton. Orton is a veteran who can put on a good performance with anyone, and Wyatt is certainly no slouch in the ring. Together they will have one of the biggest matches on the Backlash card.
You can bet Wyatt will be looking to make a major statement, particularly given how he is now one of SmackDown's biggest young stars. He needs to come out of a feud having made an impact just in time for WrestleMania season to begin. Who better to help him make that impact than a refreshed Orton, who recently returned after being sidelined with an injury and is looking to rekindle his love for wrestling?
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