WWE Backlash: Early Predictions for Matches on the Card

Six matches, all of which carry genuine unpredictability and uncertainty. There's no reason why the return of WWE Backlash can't be one of the company's most compelling shows of the year so far.

SmackDown has been the leading brand in many ways since the draft took place a few weeks ago. The show seems to have genuine depth throughout, with some well-worked storylines setting an intriguing road to the first brand-exclusive pay-per-view since the split.

With two fan favorites in the WWE World Championship picture, an unclear tag title scene and the prospect of genuine mayhem in the SmackDown Women's Championship match, Backlash could set the bar even higher for Raw to follow in a few weeks when Clash of Champions takes place.

The go-home edition of SmackDown locked in the card, and there's plenty to get excited about. So here are full previews for each bout, as well as predictions for who will come through each to boot.

The Miz vs. Dolph Ziggler

The Miz's controversial outburst on Talking Smack late last month certainly got people talking about whether he is truly WWE's greatest heel.

Whether it was kayfabe or not, it has elevated The Miz and Maryse as a duo expertly well. 

And it's difficult to see the momentum he has garnered in recent weeks being brought to a halt by Dolph Ziggler.

Ziggler's position within the SmackDown card is still unclear. From fighting for the WWE World Championship a month ago, he's now sliding back down the card once again, although being in an Intercontinental Championship match on pay-per-view is nothing to be ashamed of.

The only worry for Ziggler is what happens next if he comes up short here. Unfortunately, that looks likely to be the case, as The Miz shouldn't be dropping the title any time in the future.

Prediction: The Miz

Randy Orton vs. Bray Wyatt

As the first match of what will almost certainly be a feud lasting several months, it's difficult to know what to expect from the first meeting of Bray Wyatt and Randy Orton.

The winner of the feud should realistically be in a position to challenge for the WWE World Championship, regardless of who the champion is by that point.

Who needs the win more? It's undoubtedly Wyatt. Sure, Orton was beaten up pretty badly at the hands of Brock Lesnar at SummerSlam, but the focus was more on Lesnar's actions at that show rather than anything that happened to Orton.

Bray has come up short in big feuds on too many occasions. That has to change now, with Wyatt getting the upper hand on Orton from the very start.

The move to SmackDown should be the catalyst for him to move into world title contention in the future. Beating Orton would be a great platform for him to move on from.

Prediction: Bray Wyatt

Culmination of SmackDown Tag Team Championship Tournament

It's fair to say that The Usos' heel turn on SmackDown this past Tuesday was overdue. 

For months now they've been stranded in limbo in a tag division scene they used to dominate, and with good reason.

They've had no direction, and in truth, they've been harmed by their alliances with Roman Reigns as his popularity continued to tumble.

So turning them heel felt like the right move. But even though they've been handed a second chance at the tag titles this Sunday, it's almost certain Jason Jordan will cost them victory at some point throughout the course of the evening.

That may not come against The Hype Bros, more in the final against Heath Slater and Rhyno.

Expect them to beat Mojo Rawley and Zack Ryder, before Jordan interferes in the final to set up a feud with American Alpha.

It was easy to wonder how WWE would develop the Heath Slater storyline without any other tag team being seriously hampered. As it turns out, WWE's inspired piece of booking with the scripted injury for Chad Gable has worked to perfection.

It's just another example of how SmackDown is setting the bar high in the weeks following the draft.

Winners of semifinal: The Usos

Winners of final: Heath Slater and Rhyno

WWE SmackDown Women's Championship Match

With Eva Marie still suspended, SmackDown's other six female competitors will do battle for the right to be called the first winner of the SmackDown Women's Championship.

In reality there are some women who have a stronger chance than others, but WWE has done a pretty decent job of making all six women feel relevant in the build-up to this match.

The leading contenders? Nikki Bella probably goes straight in at the head of the queue following her return from injury. Whether she remains a babyface or not remains to be seen, but she'll be expected to go quite a long way into this elimination match.

Naomi's new gimmick seems to have given her a boost once again following a pretty unspectacular alliance with Tamina Snuka, and she's probably going to be at the forefront of the hunt, too.

But the leading candidate has to be Becky Lynch. Since being involved in one of the standout matches at WrestleMania earlier this year, Lynch had got lost in the shuffle somewhat.

However, she's now got the opportunity to become the top female star on the SmackDown brand for a significant period of time, and WWE should reward her accordingly this Sunday.

Prediction: Becky Lynch

Dean Ambrose vs. AJ Styles

Backlash's most unpredictable match comes in the main event, where there is a genuine case for both Dean Ambrose and AJ Styles to win the WWE World Championship.

For Ambrose, there's the feeling that he hasn't quite fulfilled his potential as champion yet, although that wasn't helped by a fairly uninspiring, short-term feud with Dolph Ziggler.

The chance to work with Styles on a prolonged basis has already shown glimpses of promise, with Ambrose's character slowly reverting more toward the anti-hero, carefree babyface he should have been all along.

For Styles, there's the chance to claim WWE's biggest prize less than a year since debuting for the company. For a guy who has come from a rival promotion like TNA, that's an incredible rise to prominence.

Styles is well worthy of a title run after his clean victory over John Cena, and there's the possibility these two could pass the belt around for a good few months.

But in reality, it feels like Ambrose has more of a right to win this weekend. Maybe then we can continue to see his character evolve and get even better while under pressure from such a strong challenger like Styles.

Prediction: Dean Ambrose