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John Morrison challenged Braun Strowman to a two on one handicap match for The Universal Title at Backlash and the move has instantaneously changed the title picture of SmackDown. Furthermore, it has forced The WWE Universe to ask a variety of key questions regarding this match, which could ultimately make Backlash a must watch pay per view.
With that being said and the Universal Title match between Braun Strowman, The Miz and John Morrison set for Backlash, here are five reasons behind the creative decision. As always, let us know your thoughts in the comments below and be sure to tell us who you think will walk out of Backlash with The Universal Title.
#5 Tease Money in the Bank cash in
Whether The WWE Universe can believe it or not, Otis is the 2020 men's Money in the Bank winner and could very well become Universal Champion at a very early stage in his career. Of course it's not known if he will be successful in his bid to become champion or not, but a handicap match between Braun Strowman, The Miz and John Morrison definitely creates an interesting opportunity.
Think about it! Strowman vanquishes The Miz and Morrison after a 15 physical 15 minute match and then Otis can come out of nowhere to cash in his briefcase. Not only would this end up being one of the biggest omg moments of the year, it also creates a situation where fans almost have to watch Backlash to find out what happens.
In the end, WWE might be serving their audience with the addition of this stipulation, but with everything going on, it's too interesting not to watch. In fact, one could almost argue that due to the Money in the Bank briefcase being at play, the Backlash pay per view could change the very landscape of the company.
#4 Create rift between Miz and Morrison going into Backlash
Nothing lasts forever and unfortunately for fans of the Dirt Sheet, that just might include the ongoing bromance between The Miz and John Morrison. While the actual split probably won't happen for several months as the company tries to wait for the right time to execute it, a handicap match at Backlash is a great way to get the ball rolling.
At least that way, WWE has yet another intriguing storyline to play up at Backlash and it also forces the duo to choose between working to together to win the title and trying to win it themselves. If nothing else, that's going to be a very must see dynamic to watch play out at Backlash and fans should really enjoy it.
Maybe WWE doesn't go in this direction and has something else planned for the upcoming pay per view, but it would at least be fun to watch the company tease these two turning on each other for The Universal title. It could also serve as a red herring for something even more groundbreaking if the company players their cards right.
#3 Leave the outcome of Backlash pay per view in doubt
There's no better way to create doubt around a title match then to add a stipulation to it and that is exactly what WWE is doing here. In fact, between making the contest a handicap match and having The Money in the Bank briefcase in play, the company might just have a must see pay per view on their hands.
Of course that might be impossible to believe due to the problems caused by the ongoing pandemic, but the company is really going all out her. Furthermore, they are doing so without relying on the cinematic type matches that The WWE Universe has gotten tired of over the last couple of months.
In the end, doubt is a very power thing and that's going to play into this match Backlash a lot. It might even be what finally helps WWE cements Braun Strowman as that top tier guy who can carry WWE in the absence of Roman Reigns. What WWE does is ultimately up to them and this could all just be a way of the company spinning their wheels, but this is also a grand opportunity for change.
#2 Utilize Miz and Morrison as heels
The Miz and John Morrison are nothing short of the perfect heel duo and while some of their jokes get a little corny at times, they are great Superstars for Braun Strowman to work off of. Furthermore, the idea of these two scheming together against the monster among men in a handicap match at Backlash is nothing short of brilliant.
Think about it! Who isn't going to enjoy watching The Miz and Morrison try to play cat and mouse with Strowman to cheat him out of the title. Imagine all the hold your breath or OMG moments the company can up with from this one match. It's all there and it is thanks to the type of heat that Miz and Morrison are able to generate.
With that being said, The Miz and Morrison are also absolute savages on the microphone and can help carry a relatively deadpan Strowman through this feud. Now that doesn't mean that The Monster among men doesn't have some one liners of his own, but he works better off of a good heel. Expect to hear some great zingers on the way to Backlash.
#1 Make Braun Strowman look good at Backlash
It's no secret that Braun Strowman is an absolute Monster Among Men, especially after flipping over semi trucks and demolishing a ring in a match with the Big Show, which is why the company now needs to stack the deck against him. At least that way, it puts Strowman in a situation where he can't just rely on his strength at Backlash. He will also have to watch his back as well.
If nothing else, this should lead to some very creative storytelling inside the ring between the three Superstars and could serve to test the limits of Strowman as well. In fact, WWE almost seems to be putting him in a do or die Superman situation here and this could be a way to establish him as the next top guy.
Whether that actually happens or not remains to be seen and will depend on what the company is thinking, but there is a case to be made for this being a way to make him the top guy. Either that, or WWE is just looking to create reasonable doubt during one of their B level pay-per-views and plans on changing nothing. Regardless, a win over Miz and Morrison at Backlash will do wonders for his title reign.
