WWE Backlash 2016 Matches: Full Card Breakdown, Bold Predictions and More
WWE Backlash is almost here, and it's time to shine for the Superstars of SmackDown Live.
This won't be difficult, as many fans believe the Tuesday program is surpassing Monday Night Raw in terms of overall quality. The battle for ratings and bragging rights has been expertly created here, as WWE has constructed competition within its own company.
That competition will get a real test at Backlash on Sunday.
This brand-specific event is the first of its kind since July's roster split. There's no Seth Rollins, no Kevin Owens and no Chris Jericho. There's no John Cena, either, which means it's all up to SmackDown Live's main cast to bring home the win.
The question is will that happen?
Only six matches have been booked. That doesn't mean the company won't add more, of course, but the fact is there are some gems here to make the night fun. The brand's top stars will be there, and two new championships will be decided.
WWE is attempting to make this pay-per-view both exciting and important for every fan that follows the blue brand.
Backlash is SmackDown Live's opportunity to get over in a big way, and with any luck, that is exactly what will happen.
The Usos vs. The Hype Bros
1 of 6
The Usos have gone wild.
Jimmy and Jey's recent heel turn was unexpected, and with good reason. The hate they received because of their association with Roman Reigns never seemed to faze them. They continued to work as babyfaces, they consistently tried to pop the crowd and they followed along as they always had.
They were two John Cenas; fans were turning on them, but they stayed the course.
So when they made the switch, it legitimately surprised many. And now it's happened, those same fans that booed them likely realize that bigger things are ahead.
The fact is this is a new lease on life for The Usos. Only a personality change can accomplish this, and it will revitalize them in WWE. So does this mean The Hype Bros don't stand a chance at Backlash? The answer is yes.
Zack Ryder continues to try his hand at getting over. WWE has given him opportunities in the past, and he's always made the most of them. His fans still believe in him, and he's more than capable of doing big things.
But WWE just doesn't seem all that interested anymore.
So if tagging with Mojo Rawley is a last ditch effort to get Ryder over, it's failing miserably. It's not for lack of trying; Mojo is giving his all to make this work, so his effort cannot be denied. Ryder is as good as he's ever been, so it's obvious he still has it.
But they're just not clicking.
This is Jimmy and Jey's time to shine, and they will do just that. The Usos are traveling a new road, and that road will take them to the tournament final later in the night.
6-Pack Challenge for the SmackDown Women's Championship
2 of 6
If SmackDown Live has lost any ground to Monday Night Raw, it's in the form of the women's division.
Charlotte, Sasha Banks and Bayley are all on Raw. That fact alone is enough to make WWE fans stop and ponder the lack of reasoning possessed by WWE Creative. Why stack the roster for Raw instead of splitting the three top stars up between the two programs?
But then there's Becky Lynch.
Lynch is over, and that was not a guarantee when she came to the main roster. She had to fight her way up and earn respect the hard way. Charlotte and Sasha both had loyal followings, but Lynch had to build one for herself.
She did, and she's the centerpiece for the women's division on SmackDown.
However thanks to the return of Nikki Bella, everything has changed. There's every reason to believe Nikki will win the new championship at Backlash. WWE has always elevated her and has always used her as a leader for the women.
This is likely not going to change.
Natalya is the veteran and a great plus for SmackDown Live. Naomi is building her character and is getting over quite nicely. Carmella is still trying to find her way and may do just that very soon. Alexa Bliss could very well become the top heel in the women's division on Tuesday nights.
But Nikki has a track record, she's healthy again and WWE has shown more than once she's the top choice. She will go over at Backlash and become the focal point she's always been.
Heath Slater and Rhyno Compete for the WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championships
3 of 6
Heath Slater is quickly becoming the most unlikely underdog of all time.
There's no reason why fans should support him, but they do. There's also no reason why he should get over, but he appears to be doing just that. Maybe it's because he's just been there so long that fans believe it's time he finally gets a shot.
Or maybe it's because WWE is playing everyone here and is setting Slater up to fall.
The fact is The Usos' recent heel turn has given them new life. Fans wanted to hate them because of Roman Reigns, and they did just that. But that hate has followed Jimmy and Jey to SmackDown Live, where they can't seem to shake the shadow of their infamous cousin.
So considering their new-found edge, it's hard to believe WWE will go in another direction.
The good news for Slater and Rhyno is WWE is most likely setting up for a bait-and-switch scenario. The Usos should win the newly created SmackDown Tag Team Championships at Backlash, only to lose them on the following Tuesday night.
To whom should they drop them? Slater and Rhyno, of course.
A two-day title reign would not hurt The Usos in the slightest. There's a lot to work with here in terms of getting over as heels, and The Usos have plenty of time to do that. But Heath, on the other hand, does not have much time at all.
He's finding his niche in WWE, and that should continue. Heath is fun, he's goofy and fans tend to gravitate to his kind of personality. He and Rhyno are just odd enough to not only get attention but keep it.
So if The Usos viciously take them down at Backlash, Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan would have ample reason to give the two underdogs a rematch. That contest should see Slater and Rhyno come out on top.
Randy Orton vs. Bray Wyatt
4 of 6
The Viper and The Eater of Worlds are going to war.
This match has potential, but most of Wyatt's matches usually do. The reason for that is his character, which is so captivating and intriguing. Every time he stares down a legend, Wyatt's supporters anxiously await the end result.
That's because they're hoping this will be the rivalry that finally elevates him.
But so far, this has just not been the case. Wyatt is doing everything he can to get over; he continues to impress on the mic, and his ring work is extremely solid. But for whatever reason, WWE Creative just doesn't seem too interested in making anything big happen for him.
Having matches with The Undertaker and John Cena on his resume doesn't seem to help his cause.
But that could all change Sunday. This time, Wyatt could find himself on the winning side of a match featuring one of WWE's all-time greats. If Bray does indeed defeat Orton, it could lead to much better things for him down the road.
The possibility of that happening, however, could be slim.
The only way Wyatt could win this is if Brock Lesnar were to interfere, and that may not be the plan. Left to his own devices, Wyatt will turn in a good performance because he is an expert storyteller in the ring.
But without WWE backing him up, Wyatt will likely end up on the losing end once again. Unless he gets a helping hand from Erick Rowan, there's likely no chance of him taking Orton down at Backlash. The fact is this match should go to The Viper as a lead-in to his forthcoming rematch with Lesnar.
Once again, Bray will be left as a massive case of untapped potential.
The Miz vs. Dolph Ziggler for the WWE Intercontinental Championship
5 of 6
The Miz is once again looking for respect.
This time, his quest has led him to Dolph Ziggler, who was unable to dethrone Dean Ambrose for the WWE World Championship at SummerSlam. Ziggler turned in a fine performance against the champ but just couldn't get the job done.
WWE had highlighted Ziggler's inability to win the big matches, so apparently the best thing to do was to not let him win yet another big match.
And now he's getting a consolation title shot against Miz, who may be a champion but doesn't seem to get any credit for his hard work. Consequently, this match appears to be the perfect combination of two talents with a lot to prove.
But will fans go along for the ride?
Ziggler has the respect Miz wants, and he has the support that only a made man in WWE can have. Fans know he's the real deal, and they know he always gives maximum effort every time he's in the ring.
But has the goodwill he's fought so hard to attain finally run out?
It's obvious the company is just not interested in doing anything for him in terms of the main-event level. He's had more than one opportunity, and he continues to come in second place. But he's always ruled the midcard, and that will be the case again when he beats Miz for the Intercontinental Championship.
It's not an easy call either way because Miz could lose a step by dropping the championship. But Ziggler needs this win. He needs the gold, and he needs to reestablish himself as one of WWE's top hands.
Dean Ambrose vs. AJ Styles for the WWE World Championship
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On Sunday, Dean Ambrose is stepping into the ring for perhaps the biggest challenge of his WWE career.
AJ Styles is one of the best in the business and is quite possibly the best in the world right now. He had a whole career before arriving in WWE in January, establishing his reputation. And he's continued to put in the work since his debut.
Styles has not rested on past accomplishments. In fact, he's pushed even harder.
He doesn't take a match off. He proves himself every time he steps through the ropes, and there are few talents in WWE who can match his pace. But this has not been all about AJ; he has fit into the WWE machine and is bolstering his standing like everyone else.
And Ambrose is waiting for him.
Dean is one of the most popular talents in WWE, and he has been since The Shield disbanded in 2014. But he's really hit his stride lately and has become comfortable as WWE world champion. The Hound of Justice who was believed to be the least likely to achieve success has done just that.
Ambrose is the man.
This match should be good and could quite possibly steal the show at Backlash. But as exciting as it will surely be, there will probably not be a title change here. Ambrose may not quite have the reputation Styles does, but he does have support and a following that's keeping him going.
He is the top babyface on SmackDown Live, and he needs more time in his role as WWE champion.
Styles will become the champ eventually, but Backlash will be Dean's night. He's come too far and worked too hard to lose it all on Sunday.
Tom Clark can regularly be seen on Bleacher Report. His podcast, Tom Clark's Main Event, is available on iTunes, Google Play, Amazon Android, Windows Phone and online here.
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