This Sunday see's the first brand-exclusive PPV since the brand split and it's SmackDown up first with the returning Backlash. The blue brand hasn't had much time to develop stories following SummerSlam due to their PPV coming before Raw's but the card has built together nicely and there is plenty of matches with high significance as two brand new championships will get their first ever holders.
SmackDown Tag Team Championships 'Last Chance' Semi-Finals: Hype Bros - The Usos
The first ever SmackDown Tag Team Championships will be crowned at Backlash and the final was set to be American Alpha - Rhyno and Heath Slater. However, due to the actions of The Usos after their defeat to the former NXT Tag Team Champions resulted in an injury to Chad Gable who will now be out of action for 2-4 weeks.
Because of this, General Manager Daniel Bryan made the decision to give the two losing semi-finalists a 'last chance' at Backlash with the winning team heading into the finals. This now means that The Usos will take on the Hype Bros with the winning team then progressing to the finals later on that night.
For storyline purposes it makes the most sense for The Usos to walk away with the victory and compete in the finals, they are the better team and are going through a character evolution so it would be the right decision to keep building them. Also, we have seen Hype Bros face Slater and Rhyno on SmackDown this week, we saw the outcome.
Prediction- The Usos
SmackDown Tag Team Championship Match: Rhyno & Heath Slater - Hype Bros/ The Usos
No matter who wins the semi-final the story of this match will be whether or not Heath Slater can gain his SmackDown contract, by winning the tournament. For this prediction this writer will be going with the previous prediction and the mindset that this match will be The Usos - Rhyno/Slater.
Here, the WWE has a decision as to whether or not pay-off the storyline of Slater's or give the tag team belts to an actual team who have previously won titles and had success in the company. This writer believes that the heel team will be walking away with the belts for several reasons. It will continue Slater's storyline as he will be able to claim that he was cheated as they were supposed to face American Alpha and it sets up a perfect feud for the Usos when the former NXT team eventually return.
Prediction- The Usos (new champions)
Six Pack Women's Championship Match: Nikki Bella - Carmella - Noami - Alexa Bliss - Becky Lynch - Natalya
This is the second title that was crown its first ever holder at Backlash and it will be done in a six pack elimination match featuring all the women on the SmackDown roster. It was a smart move on the WWE's behalf to change this to an elimination style match as a straight one pinfall had the potential to be chaotic with so many involved.
WWE has tried hard to promote this match and really push the women on the roster and it has worked well, they've been given time to talk and put on good matches which is exactly what the women deserve. There are some rivalries developing slowly too and they are likely going to play out in the way people get eliminated but ultimately there is two real contenders, Becky Lynch and Nikki Bella and one of them should pick up the belt. Having just come back from injury and with a brand new show, Total Bellas right around the corner this writer expects the longest reigning Divas Champion to win here.
Prediction- Nikki Bella
Intercontinental Championship Match: The Miz (c) - Dolph Ziggler
The Miz has been on one of the greatest runs in his career throughout the last few weeks, his pipebomb promo on Daniel Bryan has been one of the most talked about things in the WWE lately and he hasn't looked back since. He is a natural and pure heel that gets good heat from the crowds and having Maryse by his side has really enhanced his character.
Dolph Ziggler ,on the other hand, is still floundering and is in a desperate need of a shakeup to his character, ideally a heel turn. To do that the WWE should continue having him miss out on the big one, leading to some frustration and the fact that Miz is in such good form it makes no sense to take the belt from him yet.
Prediction- The Miz
Randy Orton - Bray Wyatt
Out of all the matches on the card, this has suffered the most from a real lack of build up and story, with the match being formed on the back of just a couple of promos. WWE has booked themselves into a corner here as both men are in a desperate need for a big victory. Bray Wyatt has struggled to make the leap to main event star due to the fact he has lost so many of his feuds, whereas Randy Orton is heading into this on the back of his defeat to Brock Lesnar.
It seems like this is a feud that can and will continue at least for one more PPV and the best way to do that would be with a heel victory, allowing Orton to chase a revenge victory.
Prediction- Bray Wyatt
WWE World Championship Match: Dean Ambrose (c) - AJ Styles
On paper seeing two of WWE's top stars against each other should bring excitement and enthusiasm amongst fans, but the way this has been booked has left plenty to be desired. Instead of booking this as a main event World title match it has been downgraded to genitalia jokes and has had a real lack of seriousness.
Dean Ambrose's run as World Champion has been rather stale so far, something that hasn't been aided by his feuds not being built the way they should be. There has been no intensity to this and it is a tough one to predict because of that, switching the title now could allow for some fun stories over the next few months with the likes of Randy Orton but whether the WWE will finally reward AJ Styles hard work with a title shot remains to be seen.
Prediction- AJ Styles