WWE Backlash Card, Analysis, And Match Predictions

It’s time for the second pay-per-view in a row with back in the name. Yes, WWE is literally going back to back with Payback and Backlash. We wonder if this was on purpose and Vince is trying to copyright the word “back” at this point. Here are some other suggestions of other “back” PPVs they could go with next: Back To Basics, Back In The Habit, Sexy Back…I could keep going, but I won’t.

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Backlash looks like it’s going to be a good show though, so let’s get right into it.

Tye Dillinger vs Aiden English

As awesome as Aiden English’s gimmick is, Tye Dillinger is the one that’s really on fire. He receives some of the best reactions from live crowds and his move set is exciting.

English has more of a spotlight on him now since his partnership with Simon Gotch dissolved but he’s still got a long way to go until he beats a guy like Tye. While it might always be possible for Aiden to pull off a win here, let’s air on the safe side and assume Tye Dillinger is going to prove why he’s The Perfect 10.

Luke Harper vs Erick Rowan

These former Wyatt Family brethren are tangling at Backlash. When they last met, Erick Rowan had gone full heel. He resulted to underhanded tactics like using his Slipknot-inspired sheep mask as a weapon and low blows. He’s also plenty creepy. These two are sure to have a hard hitting match.

Luke Harper aka Bruiser Brody 2.0 is an outstanding athlete for a man his size. Out of the two it’s a toss-up as to who has more ability. But Luke is probably more likely to win this encounter. Then again, they could show a new stranger side of Erick Rowan and he could win the match by having a sandworm wearing a sheep mask pop out from underneath the ring to assist him in victory. It could be like Beetlejuice meets WWE.

The Usos vs Breezango (SmackDown Championship)

Let’s get real, Breezango is amazing. Their comedic timing is so great they really should be in the spot they are. It took a long time though, but now that they’ve reached the top of the tag team division it looks good on them.

The Fashion Files segments are outstanding. If they can topple The Usos and claim those titles it would be an incredible accomplishment and well deserved. Let’s just hope they get the chance to show how good they are in this Backlash encounter.

Shinsuke Nakamura vs Dolph Ziggler

I’m going out on a limb here to say Shinsuke Nakamura’s going to win this one. I know it might not be a popular decision, but The King Of Strong Style is probably going to defeat The Show Off. I just have this feeling about it. Who am I kidding though? Of course Nakamura’s going to win. But we’re still excited to see him work.

It’s been a long time coming to see Nakamura land his first Kinsasha on WWE television. Now the time is finally here and Dolph Ziggler is the lucky man who will take the first dose of Strong Style. If Dolph beats Nakamura it might be the most shocking loss in a WWE ring since Lesnar beat Taker’s streak at WrestleMania 30.

WWE did a great job hyping this match and prolonging Nakamura’s first real match. Even though it might not feel as special as Nakamura’s debut match against Sami Zayn at NXT TakeOver: Dallas, it will still more than deliver.

Naomi, Charlotte Flair, and Becky Lynch vs Natalya, Carmella, and Tamina

This match could go any direction possible. The SmackDown Women’s Division is in transition right now to figure out where Charlotte will fit into the puzzle. Either way, the Welcoming Committee doesn’t like her strut, so they’re trying to shut her down.

If the heels win this match, it would be a big deal for them and it wouldn’t hurt the momentum of the babyfaces much at all. Besides, The Nature Girl, The Lass Kicker, and The Glow are all very much cemented with their fan base. So it might be a good idea to let the heels win this one. Besides, James Ellsworth needs something to be happy about.

Of course, they could always just use this match as an opportunity for a feel good moment and let the babyfaces reign supreme. Whatever happens it is clear Charlotte wants a piece of the SmackDown Women’s Title eventually. So her friendship with Naomi can’t last too long.

Kevin Owens vs AJ Styles (US Title Match)

This match will probably be the match of the night to be honest. Kevin vs AJ is a dream match and we’re getting it at Backlash. Let’s hope WWE lets these guys go out there with no time constraints and allows them tell an amazing story.

Whether AJ wins the US Title or not is irrelevant. We’re just excited about this match. But if we’re going to pick a winner we’d have to go with KO because his Face Of America gimmick is too good to stop at this point.

Randy Orton vs Jinder Mahal (WWE World Championship)

It’s time for the main event and the closet thing to the kind of match you’d pick in a video game since Lesnar vs Goldberg at WrestleMania 33. Jinder has worked his butt off to get where he is and he’s receiving a lot of his heat-bringing gimmick directly from Vince McMahon. So he’s there for a reason.

Randy Orton is rumored to be earmarked at SmackDown’s new top face, but that doesn’t mean it’s a sure thing he’s going to win the match. Orton is expected to win, but the Singh Brothers are always a wild card in the situation.

Then again, Jinder Mahal could always expand on his heel stable of Indian wrestlers and Jeet Rama could debut to help steal the title for real this time. Randy’s a thirteen-time world champion, which means he’s lost it twelve times before.

Anything is possible in WWE, it might sound hokey but it’s true. Backlash is just a stepping stone to Money In The Bank and after that Summerslam approaches. Therefore, everything that happens is always working for the next big pay off.

Pro wrestling is like a mill, always spinning and using the natural winds of change to produce it’s next big angle. Backlash has an exciting line-up that is certainty worth tuning in for. We’ll have to just watch and see what Vince McMahon and Company have planned in the always evolving landscape of WWE.