WWE Backlash 2017: Most Intriguing Storylines to Track on Road to PPV

The SmackDown Live brand will present its first exclusive pay-per-view event since the Superstar Shake-up, when Backlash will be broadcast live from the historic Allstate Arena in suburban Chicago on May 21.

Headlining the show will be Randy Orton vs. Jinder Mahal for the WWE Championship, with a United States Championship between AJ Styles and Kevin Owens.

Ahead of the matches themselves, the storylines that make up the road to Backlash will be imperative to the overall success of the event.

In preparation for the event, take a look at these four stories to track ahead of SmackDown Live's big night.

The Rise of The Maharaja

The most buzzed about story on the road to Backlash is, without hesitation, the sudden rise of Jinder Mahal to WWE Championship contention.

The longtime enhancement talent earned the right to challenge Randy Orton for the most coveted prize in wrestling by way of his victory in a Fatal 5-Way match, and he will now headline his first pay-per-view extravaganza against The Viper on May 21.

Mahal is a very solid wrestler, but he isn't one who will wow the audience or dazzle them with anything he does.

It is almost ironic that he is wrestling Orton, a performer who almost mirrors Mahal's style. The difference between the two is The Viper's experience, his timing and his mind-blowing RKO finisher.

The likelihood that an explosive main event comes from their pay-per-view showdown is low, but the match will still be talked about heavily because of the experimental run of Mahal.

If the Canada-born competitor can perform up to the level of his competition and maybe stun the wrestling world with a better match than anyone could have expected, WWE's SmackDown Live brand may be more inclined to take a risk with other young Superstars.

If he sinks, it could be the last time we see an unproven star elevated to the main event scene for the foreseeable future.

Mahal carries a huge weight on his shoulders, a burden greater than his own. He will not only fight for the right to remain a top star on SmackDown Live but also the opportunities for every competitor like him who seeks one chance to prove themselves against the best.

Shinsuke Nakamura's in-Ring Debut

SmackDown Live has done a masterful job of building to Shinsuke Nakamura's first in-ring performance. While nothing has been announced officially, all signs point toward Backlash on May 21 as the site for a showdown with two-time world champion Dolph Ziggler.

The Showoff has had some of his finest performances in Chicago, home of the blue brand's exclusive event, but all eyes will be on the King of Strong Style as he delivers his first main roster performance.

A Superstar who figures to be one of the elite names on the SmackDown roster, Nakamura could not have been gifted a better first opponent than Ziggler, who has the innate ability to make every opponent's offense look like the most effective, painful and punishing thing on the planet.

Ziggler will make Nakamura look spectacular, but it will be up to WWE Creative to continue to do so well beyond the upcoming pay-per-view.

If management can continue to understand the character as it has to this point, Nakamura will have the potential to be one of those special acts that generates genuine excitement and intrigue from audiences.

He has not been overexposed or worn out thus far, something that will benefit him and his aura going forward.

A Phenomenal Face of America

AJ Styles is the best wrestler on the planet, a virtuoso performer as capable of delivering a show-stealing display against a broomstick as he is a five-star classic with John Cena. At Backlash, he will challenge Kevin Owens for the United States Championship in one of the night's marquee matches.

There are some who question the validity of two former world champions battling for a secondary title while Jinder Mahal challenges Randy Orton for the WWE Championship; and others debate whether Styles is above even Owens at this point. However, the likelihood of an epic encounter in front of a fanbase that appreciates great wrestling by fantastic workers is high. 

The biggest question on the road to the pay-per-view is whether WWE continues to refer to the United States champion as "The New Face of America" in reference to the ongoing gag involving Owens.

Realistically, it is a nonsensical nickname that two incredibly talented wrestlers such as Styles and Owens do not need in order to deliver a program fans can invest in. It is unnecessary and only serves to diminish the character that got KO over in the first place.

Still, the match will be awesome. Now it's up to WWE Creative to deliver a buildup deserving of the final product.

The Welcoming Committee's Dominance

The SmackDown Live women's division has been taken over by a united force consisting of Tamina Snuka, Natalya and Carmella, accompanied by James Ellsworth.

Dubbed The Welcoming Committee, they have made life a living hell for new arrival Charlotte Flair and women's champion Naomi. On the May 2 episode of SmackDown, Becky Lynch refused entry into the group and became one of its primary enemies.

Now Lynch, Charlotte and Naomi will be forced to put any differences aside to combat the faction if they are to achieve their individual goals.

It is a strong story that should also culminate with Charlotte becoming a bona fide babyface, a role she has not filled since 2015.