WWE Backlash 2016 Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights

SmackDown reset its world at WWE Backlash 2016 on Sunday. The blue brand crowned a series of new champions, putting AJ Styles, Becky Lynch and Heath Slater and Rhyno in the spotlight as the New Era marches on. 

Styles stole the WWE World Championship from Dean Ambrose in the latest thriller on his resume. The Phenomenal One will now captain SmackDown, the newcomer continuing a whirlwind, captivating year.

A card light on matches turned out just fine in the end.

Perennial underdog Slater churned out a fantastic moment. He went from a guy begging for a job to a champion celebrating alongside his powerhouse ally.

Lynch is now at the helm of the women's division after a strong opener. The Miz put on one of his better matches in ages. Even the last-minute pre-show contest was good, solid fun.

Despite a seemingly sparse lineup missing John Cena and Randy Orton, Backlash was a (mostly) steady, entertaining pay-per-view. It was a new beginning for the brand. WWE positioned a stellar babyface in Lynch, a lovable loser in Slater and an electric in-ring performer in Styles in prominent positions moving forward.

Those moves promise to pay off in a major way.

Apollo Crews vs. Baron Corbin (Pre-Show)

Backstage, Apollo Crews chatted with SmackDown general manager Daniel Bryan, who told the rookie to loosen up. Baron Corbin stormed in, talking trash to his fellow NXT alum.

Bryan booked a match between the two for the pre-show.

Crews was able to evade The Lone Wolf early on, but Corbin caught him, slowing the bout down. The match became a clash of power versus speed, with the former winning out in the end.

The back-and-forth bout saw each warrior daze the other, but Corbin's End of Days proved to be the decisive move.

Result

Corbin wins via pinfall. 

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• Corbin clobbers Crews off the ring apron with a forearm.
• Corbin while on the attack: "All day long!"
• Crews hits a flying knee to Corbin's chin.
• Mauro Ranallo: "Crews wants to ride that Apollo chariot to Mount Olympus!"
• Crews hits a Samoan Drop on the outside.

Grade

B-

Analysis

Despite a complete lack of build, Corbin and Crews entertained with a fun, physical match. Crews was fiery in spots. Corbin was vicious throughout.  

Backlash needed some additional action, and both men needed a way to get on the card. WWE made a good move to get Corbin a touch of momentum. The next step is to give him a sustained rivalry if the Kalisto story isn't going to continue.

Six-Pack Challenge for the SmackDown Women's Championship

Becky Lynch vs. Nikki Bella vs. Naomi vs. Alexa Bliss vs. Carmella vs. Natalya 

Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan kicked off Backlash, talking up SmackDown's success since the brand split and laying out the matches on the card. 

The bout began with a brawl that left Lynch and Naomi alone in the ring. Fast-paced action saw momentum continue to shift from Superstar to Superstar.

Carmella and Nikki's bad blood boiled over, with the two rivals smashing into each other.

The field soon thinned in a hurry. Naomi eliminated Bliss with a blockbuster, Natalya forced Naomi to tap out, Nikki pinned Natalya, Carmella rolled up Nikki to take her out.

Lynch and Carmella, the last two standing, charged at each other. The Irish Lass Kicker put away her foe with the Dis-Arm-Her.

Result

Lynch wins the Women's Championship by last eliminating Carmella.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• Carmella hits a hurricanrana off the top rope on Lynch.
• Naomi executes Cattle Mutilation on Natalya.
• Natalya powerbombs Nikki as Nikki superplexes Carmella. 
• Naomi hits a springboard crossbody onto all her foes.
• Nikki knocks Naomi out of the air with a forearm shot.
• Carmella after Lynch slapped her: "You want to hit me?"
• Lynch talking about her newly won title: "This is the first time I've held one of these."

Grade

B+

Analysis

Lynch walked away the winner of an energetic, highlight-filled opener. There was some issue with a lack of logic in terms of some wrestlers preventing others from eliminating the opposition, but the end result was good action with the right victor.

The Irish Lass Kicker is the most complete, most popular woman on the SmackDown roster. Crowning her out of the gate made the most sense.

Carmella stealing a pin on Nikki was a smart way to keep that rivalry rolling. Their story has potential if developed in the coming months.

The Hype Bros vs. The Usos

The newly villainous Usos pounded on The Hype Bros briefly, but Zack Ryder had the brothers off balance with his speed.

Jimmy and Jey, though, kept Ryder in their corner, punishing the former intercontinental champ. Mojo Rawley eventually barreled his way into the match. It didn't last long.

The Usos flung Rawley around outside and attacked Ryder's knee to get the win.

Result

The Usos win via submission to earn a spot in the tag team tournament finals.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• Rawley shoulder-blocks both Usos to the floor.
• Ryder hits a top-rope hurricanrana.

Grade

C

Analysis

The Usos' transformation into heels has been emphatic. The brothers wore black, had sneers for much of the bout and happily used underhanded techniques. The character change will boost a team that was growing cold for months.

This was no thriller of a bout, though.

WWE clearly wanted The Usos to save themselves for the finals. The short bout was solid and did the job in showing off Jimmy and Jey's shift in attitude, but it never kicked into a high gear.

The Miz vs. Dolph Ziggler (Intercontinental Championship)

As soon as the opening bell rang, Dolph Ziggler pounced on the champion. The Miz retreated but soon found himself getting dominated on the mat.

The Miz managed to slow the action and issue a methodical attack. He borrowed several of Daniel Bryan's moves, mocking SmackDown's general manager. The champ hurt his shoulder as the match went on, but a bad knee slowed The Showoff.

Ziggler escaped the Figure-Four Leglock. The Miz survived a superkick by putting his foot on the ropes.

Maryse sprayed Ziggler in the eyes to make sure her husband retained. The self-proclaimed A-lister used the Skull-Crushing Finale to claim the win.

Result

The Miz wins via pinfall.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• The Miz: "After I retain my Intercontinental Championship, negotiations are going to get a lot tougher."
• The Miz bends Ziggler with a bow-and-arrow hold.
• The Miz mocks Bryan's "Yes!" chant.
• The Miz springboards Ziggler off the top rope and hits a sit-out powerbomb.

Grade

B+

Analysis

WWE continued to play up the tension between The Miz and Bryan. The champ bickered with his boss backstage before facing Ziggler. It's unclear where that will lead with Bryan unable to get physical.

The Miz has largely been unable to translate his success as a character into memorable matches during his current reign. Not here. He was vicious, a stalking predator and the star of the contest.

A better buildup, or Ziggler being a legit threat at this point, would have given this more electricity.  

Bray Wyatt vs. Kane (No Holds Barred)

Bray Wyatt attacked Randy Orton backstage, stomping on his ankle. A referee tried to pull him off.

In the ring, The Eater of Worlds demanded that the injured Orton be counted out, giving Wyatt the forfeit win. Kane emerged as his replacement opponent. 

Kane battered Wyatt in the opening moments of the contest. Wyatt evened things up by bringing in a steel chair. The villain then leaped on Kane, crashing through an announcer's table.

Orton later appeared. He hit Wyatt with an RKO to allow Kane to get the pin.

Result

Kane wins via pinfall.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• Wyatt to the referee: "Do your job. Ring the bell and count."
• Wyatt: "This is what gods do."
  
• Kane DDTs Wyatt onto a chair.
• Wyatt mocks Orton's signature pose.
• Wyatt hits a diving senton that breaks the table under Kane.

Grade

D

Analysis

Wyatt did not look nearly strong enough here. This could have been a showcase of his power, something memorably violent. Instead, it deflated Wyatt's momentum in the worst way. 

WWE didn't have a plethora of options with Orton not being cleared, but the end result was a lackluster match dressed up with big spots. The pay-per-view's energy dwindled during the bout.

The Usos vs. Heath Slater and Rhyno (Tag Team Championship)

A fired-up Heath Slater and Rhyno teamed up to gain the early advantage.

The Usos derailed their foes, though, pounding on Slater in their corner. Jimmy and Jey overpowered Slater for a long stretch, leaving him wobbly.

The bout turned on its head when Rhyno tagged in. The Man Beast's assault was short-lived. Slater tagged himself in and tried to play hero.  

A chaotic exchange left Jimmy out cold. Slater slid over him to nab the win.

Result

Slater and Rhyno win via pinfall.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• Fans chant, "Let's go Slater!"
• The Usos double-suplex Slater into the ring post.
• David Otunga: "This is a mugging right now, an absolute mugging."
• Slater: "We're getting a double-wide, Beulah!"

Grade

A-

Analysis

It didn't matter that the match was a bit sluggish. It didn't matter that there wasn't a succession of highlights. The emotion and the story carried the tag team finals.

Slater's story has been the best thing going on SmackDown. Seeing him finally earn a contract, hold up a championship belt and giddily celebrate was one of 2016's best moments. How often does a man screaming about a trailer upgrade leave a lump in one's throat?

Dean Ambrose vs. AJ Styles (WWE World Championship)

AJ Styles focused on Dean Ambrose's neck as he dominated the champ. The challenger managed to stay on top of Ambrose, controlling the pace.

Ambrose battled back by way of high-risk moves. 

The Phenomenal One halted his momentum, however, by zeroing in on his left leg. Styles wrenched his leg back. Ambrose had to simply survive.

The battle moved to the outside as the two warriors slugged it out in the stands. That brawl revitalized Ambrose, but a collision with the referee threw him off balance. A low blow and a Styles Clash earned the heel a win.

Result

Styles wins via pinfall to become WWE world champ.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• Ambrose flings Styles off the top rope, The Phenomenal One landing awkwardly.
• Styles suplexes Ambrose into the turnbuckles.
• Ambrose catapults Styles into the ring post on the apron.
• Styles hits a springboard 450 splash for a two-count.
• Ambrose leaps off the announcer's table into the stands.
• Ranallo: "AJ Styles is the WWE world champion, but at what cost to his legacy?"

Grade

A

Analysis

Ambrose and Styles delivered what one expects from a main event. Intensity and drama powered a well-executed bout.

The Lunatic Fringe outdid his disappointing SummerSlam effort. Styles added to his impressive collection of big-time matches in what has been an MVP-caliber year.

Things are set up for the sequel thanks to Styles' cheating. That's good news considering how engaging their pre-Backlash confrontations were. The big news, though, is Styles walking away with the title.

Crowning him changes the dynamic of SmackDown and injects the show with electricity in much the same way that Kevin Owens' Universal Championship win did for Raw. What a wild ride for Styles, from TNA to Japan to the WWE mountaintop.

His reign promises to be must-watch.