This weekends’ event carries a lot more weight than what most fans realize. While there may only be six matches in total, there's a new era hovering over this event. Backlash will be the first single branded pay-per-view of the New Era since the brand split and draft. Smackdown is first up to bat and with Backlash not having very much hype and build, in comparison to typical pay-per-view events, it still has strong potential, as long as the WWE creative team realizes what's at stake here and makes decisions accordingly.
More important than wins or losses, is the challenge WWE officials are faced with in simply making this event entertaining. I truly believe if the company goes back to the fundamental basics and concentrates on delivering a solid, entertaining event, we will be looking back at this one as a success.
In this article, I'm not going to give you my predictions, but rather tell you which results, match-by-match, make the most sense to ensure a quality, successful and highly entertaining event.
Intercontinental championship
The Miz(c) vs. Dolph Ziggler
In my opinion, The Miz is one of the most underrated champions of the last decade. The problem he's had all throughout his career is the inability to get over with the fans. There's a large number of folks who have never been able to see him as anything other than a reality television star. However, ever since he arrived, the guy has worked tirelessly and has taken advantage of every opportunity thrown his way.
The bottom line is that The Miz is a great champion, with a poor perception from the WWE Universe.
With that being said, if the company wants to truly begin the process of elevating the status of the Intercontinental Title, as well as give the Smackdown brand a viable champion, there's only one outcome that makes sense here.
Winner: DOLPH ZIGGLER (Becomes new IC champ)
Tag Title Tournament SemiFinal
The Usos vs. Hype Bros
I'm going to say something that some of my readers may or may not agree with here, but guys...Mojo Rawley is garbage. I'm sorry, I have tried to get behind that guy, but I cannot stand the sight of him. He completely ruins Zack Ryder as well. The best thing to happen would be to dismantle this ridiculous tag team and send Mojo back to Maryland, wishing him well in his future endeavors.
As far as this match is concerned, there should be no question whatsoever about the outcome. The Usos are getting a much-needed heel turn, which will undoubtedly raise their stock for the long-term.
Winners: THE USOS
Tag Titles Tournament Finals
The Usos vs. Heath Slater & Rhyno
WWE creative has butchered this tag tournament all to hell. There's entirely too much talent to have the final three teams being who they are. Nonetheless, as I mentioned, The Usos have a golden opportunity to make something special happen out of this heel turn. It's up to them to make the most out of this situation.
Everyone loves a good underdog story. The way they've booked Slater up to this point to be the guy who continues to sneak his way back onto the scene, it's been a lot of fun to watch, even with the silly trailer trash segments.
Moving forward, The Usos appear to be the clear-cut favorites to win this match. But, having the underdogs come away with the big win, it would propel Slater and Rhyno into the world they've never seen and it would make for a very compelling story.
Winners: SLATER & RHYNO (Become new Smackdown Tag Champs)
Women’s Title: Six Pack Challenge
Natalya vs. Becky Lynch vs. Naomi vs. Alexa Bliss vs. Carmella vs. Nikki Bella
This match will go one of two ways. It'll either be one of the best matches of the night, or it'll be an epic failure. None of the ladies are really used to a match like this, especially the newer NXT call-ups. It'll be up to the veterans to carry the load and lead the others through this one.
In the end, we need the lady who is best suited to lead the Blue Brand into the heart of this new era, as the Smackdown Women's Champion. It'll likely come down to two or three ladies in the end, but there can only be one!
Winner: Becky Lynch (New Smackdown Women’s Champ)
Bray Wyatt vs. Randy Orton
If you were to ask a thousand WWE fans who they pick as the winner of this match, it's highly likely that the results would be a landslide, in favor of The Viper. However, when you truly analyze the fallout from what each result would be, Orton really has nothing to gain by beating Wyatt, nor will he lose much momentum, if any, if he were to lose the match.
On the other side, Bray Wyatt is in desperate need of a big-time win. A loss would dig him deeper, but a win would be huge for The Eater of Worlds. Be on the lookout for a long lost brother to get involved.
Winner: Bray Wyatt (With help from Luke Harper)
Main Event: WWE Championship Match
Dean Ambrose(c) vs. AJ Styles
This is a main event that could actually steal the show. Two of today's best talents, going at it for the top prize in the business. When Styles first came to the WWE, I honestly expected him to be wearing a title by now. I feel like they missed the mark by not fully capitalizing on the Bullet Club spinoff opportunity. However, Styles is red hot right now, as is Ambrose.
This match will likely go upwards of 20 minutes or so, but I think the best bet at this point, is to leave the strap on Ambrose, only because of what his next feud could potentially be. Ambrose retains...lights go out...Wyatt and Harper deliver a message to Dean Ambrose, that the era of Wyatt has begun.
Winner: Dean Ambrose
Teddy Long snaps when Swerve Strickland's race is brought up HERE
