SmackDown is in the books and looks to have a healthy lineup come Sunday night. In its first official brand split PPV, Backlash will look to set the new PPV standard in this different era. It will be a night of firsts and history will be made as there will be a Women’s Champion crowned and Tag Team Champions will be crowned to represent the blue brand.
BackLash has the potential to be promising, and on Sunday it must deliver. The go-home show Tuesday night came with a great set up and a shocking heel turn that was much needed by The Usos. As of this writing, whoever wins the matchup between them and The Hype Bros will replace American Alpha in the Tag Team Championship finals.
Can Heath Slater and Rhyno fend them off? Will Bray Wyatt have Randy Orton’s number in this new era? Can Dean Ambrose top AJ Styles? Where will SmackDown go from here? While those questions will be answered Sunday night, here is some predictions.
#1 Randy Orton vs Bray Wyatt
Orton has come off a brutal beatdown courtesy of Brock Lesnar. Fast forward to the Tuesday after SummerSlam and he finds himself in the path of Wyatt. This is a feud I’d like to see go past Backlash. With the era and the trend of out with the old, in with the new could Wyatt finally back up his amazing promos with a win over Orton? Orton laid down his history, presenting the idea that he shouldn’t be underestimated. And he is right.
But Sunday, the chit-chat is over, and it’ll be game time. Both Superstars are cold and calculating, and we should see that in this match-up. Orton is the King of biding his time, and that will be a huge factor. I would love to see a surprise win for Wyatt but in this case, because of the Lesnar beatdown I see Orton taking this one with the hope that the feud continues. I don’t mind him winning either if that is the case.
#2 Six Pack Challenge for the SmackDown Women’s Championship
There is plenty of buildup with this one. The inaugural champion will have a place in WWE history upon winning the Championship. While all the ladies are contenders, my top two picks are either Becky Lynch or Natalya. If I had to choose a surprise winner, I’d say Naomi.
Nikki Bella and Carmella should still feud past Backlash; Carmella will somehow cause Bella to lose Sunday would be my guess. However, Bella has yet to gain the upper hand on the Staten Island Princess. Either way, the culmination of this matchup will pave a clear direction for the Women’s Division from Sunday on.
#3 Dolph Ziggler v. The Miz for the WWE Intercontinental Championship
Ziggler was the Superstar who stood up to The Miz the week after his Earth-shattering promo that he cut on Daniel Bryan two weeks ago. The Miz must back up that promo with a great match Sunday. Thus, I see him retaining the Intercontinental Championship at Backlash in efforts to continue the streak he has been on.
As far as Ziggler goes, while it is great to see him in the Championship picture, perhaps the loss may offer a chance for him to go in a new direction; i.e. a heel turn. Ziggler is very confident going into this match and the loss will surely have an impact on it.
#4 The Usos v. Hype Bros WWE Tag Team Tournament Match
After the attack by the Usos on American Alpha, this match will take place to determine who will face the team of Heath Slater and Rhyno in the WWE Tag Team Finals. The Hype Bros were last defeated by Slater and Rhyno, thus their place in the match.
The Usos have a change of heart and that should fuel a win in this bout. There is no question that is the winner of this, if the Hype Bros win, then The Usos heel turn would’ve been in vain. They must fulfill their purpose continuing on into the finals.
#5 The Usos or Hype Bros v. Heath Slater and Rhyno WWE Tag Team Tournament Finals
While there isn’t a clear winner of the previous match listed until Sunday, whoever wins that matchup will determine the winner of the Tag Team Tournament Finals on Sunday. As I said before, The Usos heel turn should not be in vain. Thus if they are in the finals, my money will be on the Samoan twins. If the Hype Bros somehow win, then I believe that Slater and Rhyno will take the gold (or is it silver?).
In the case of Slater, either way, I think he still has some steam left in his storyline. So whether he wins or loses, I think he just may earn himself a contract with SmackDown either way. With the Uso heel turn, it poses an interesting set up come BackLash. I’m all for a Usos/American Alpha program. Yes sir!
#6 AJ Styles v. Dean Ambrose WWE World Championship
I’m torn in this matchup. Both men have been trying to gain the upper hand on one another in recent weeks, so this match should deliver in the Backlash main event. This could very well end up in a disqualification, and who does that is up in the air with me as of this writing. I think that this will go past Backlash, and it should. While I would very much like to see my GA boy Styles win the WWE World Championship, perhaps Ambrose should hold it a little bit longer.
I’m loving Ambrose’s no BS attitude and swagger since carrying the Championship. If he does lose, then his confidence will be in the way of that for sure. Styles and Ambrose must have focus in this match and whoever can channel their anger at each other more will win this bout.
