Now we get to see if Smackdown Live can produce a pay-per-view on its own that will leave us wanting more.
There is the slightest margin for error on Sunday night, with Smackdown Live’s version of Backlash, where the brand will have matches solely based on its roster. I’m not sure who is winning the “war” on weekly television as each has their own successes and failures, but this has a chance to be a very good event.
Like many of you, I am still getting used to the notion of one wrestler, one brand, one title, etc. It’s hard at times to watch (and listen for that matter) and understand Dean Ambrose or AJ Styles won’t face Seth Rollins or the Beast Incarnate, Brock Lesnar won’t walk on stage and give an F5 to Dolph Ziggler.
There seems to be an unbalanced roster when it comes to the promotion and Raw, but it is what it is. Now, the promotion that has been treated like the red-headed stepchild of the company has a chance to prove itself in a big way. Six matches have been announced, all impact the title scene and the next three months moving forward. Here are five things that should happen at Backlash on Sunday.
5: Dean Ambrose Beats AJ Styles for the WWE World Title
I am not sure how popular a choice this is, but the reason is simple – the feud must create drama for three matches. Styles is in his element as the brand’s top heel and has been phenomenal (I used the word, sue me) in his transformation from hero to villain. There is no John Cena in this pay-per-view. It has to deliver on so many levels.
Styles is the better man when chasing a title, but once he wears the belt, his appeal might drop off. WWE must capitalize on the notion that chasing a champion makes you better, not holding a championship.
4: The Miz Keeps Winning
Regardless of whether you love or hate this match – which I think could be better than Ziggler’s match with Ambrose at SummerSlam, the one thing that remains constant is The Miz is a rising star once again. The confrontation between him and Daniel Bryan was to help put the Intercontinental Champion over, nothing more at the moment.
I like this match because Ziggler is reaching for the brass ring once again – only to be discouraged. It is a lot like what WWE did with Roman Reigns and his rise to the world title picture. The seasoned veteran that Ziggler is makes it more intriguing. The one caveat in all of this is Maryse, who will help her husband retain and set up a rematch.
3: The Rise of Heath Slater
One of the best parts of Smackdown Live the past few weeks has been the story of Heath Slater, the guy who did not have a WWE contract and needed a tag team partner to survive. Enter Rhyno and the story of how Slater is rising in the ranks of the promotion.
I don’t expect Slater and Rhyno to win the Smackdown Tag Team Titles, but what I do expect is for Slater to continue his relevance with the fans who are getting behind him like the underdog story that works well in this business. Expect Slater and Rhyno to lose to the Usos, but the story continues to be told.
2: Nikki Bella wins women’s gold
I don’t have a dog in the fight in the women’s division on Smackdown Live like I do on Raw (Sasha, come on down) but I know a precedent might be set here. Because of the lack of a huge star on the roster (sorry Becky Lynch), the safe bet is to put the title on Bella and have Lynch and others challenge her to build the division.
With Bella, although I am not a fan, you get someone who takes heat well and performs well enough in the ring to make her opponents look good. WWE needs to tighten up this division so it rivals Raw and its star power. Right now it looks muddled at best.
1: Randy Orton must beat Bray Wyatt
After the main event at SummerSlam (if you want to call it that) what can WWE do to make us all forget the match that should have never taken place? Wyatt is a great test for Orton, but it must prove Orton is still a top star in this company. The thing about Wyatt is he does not have to win a match to get over and remain popular.
Orton, on the other hand, suffers a bit from losing to Lesnar the way he did. WWE has to make sure The Viper goes over before they make plans whether or not to take this feud a step further.
