On Sunday, May 21, the Smackdown brand-exclusive event Backlash is coming to the Allstate Arena in Chicago, IL. The event will have almost all of the show's titles on the line, and it will be the in-ring debut of Shinsuke Nakamura. We think we have a good idea for who is going to win, so here is the full card and our predictions for each match
Tye Dillinger vs. Aiden English (Kickoff Match)
Tye Dillinger has already beaten Aiden English twice now, and at Backlash, English will have one more chance to best "The Perfect 10." This is English's first solo storyline now that his former tag partner, Simon Gotch, left the company. We're getting to see a pre-Vaudevillains English from his early NXT days. However, he's still not back to singing his own entrance music.
Seeing as Dillinger has already beaten English twice already, it's a bit of a head scratcher to see this match happen for a third time. Dillinger is already over, as you can hear the "10" chants at every WWE event, and English is reestablishing his early NXT character. Because of this, we think that English is going to come out on top, as he's been squashed in way too many matches during the past year.
Prediction: Aiden English wins.
Sami Zayn vs. Baron Corbin
Two mid-carders working their way up the ladder, Sami Zayn and Baron Corbin, have found themselves in a little bit of a feud. The two have been attacking each other during segments and matches, and now, they'll be fighting each other at Backlash.
From what it seems, this is the year that Corbin will get a bigger push. This is a tad problematic since both of these stars are over with fans. However, since Zayn is usually pushed as the ultimate underdog, we're giving the win to Corbin--who seems like he's on his way to main event status a lot quicker. The hope is that this rivalry will continue, with Zayn eventually coming out on top at the next PPV.
Prediction: Baron Corbin wins
Luke Harper vs. Erick Rowen
In a hastily put together match, the two former members of the Wyatt Family, Luke Harper and Erick Rowen, will square off at Backlash. WWE has been pushing this rivalry, but it just doesn't feel like it's working yet, even though it has an incredible amount of potential. Hopefully, the PPV will give this story some legs.
Luke Harper has been on a roll as of late, especially with his involvement in the Randy Orton/Bray Wyatt story. We're thinking this match will be a bigger push for him, but at the same time, it should push the Harper/Rowen story further. Because of that, Harper will win but only because Rowen will get disqualified.
Prediction: Luke Harper wins by DQ
Naomi, Charlotte Flair, & Becky Lynch vs. Natalya, Carmella, & Tamina
The faces take on the heels in this six-woman tag match, utilizing the entire female roster. Natalya, Carmella, and Tamina--now going by the name "The Welcoming Committee"--have assumed a dominant role in the women's division with a "you're either with us or against us" attitude. They'll be taking on the heroes of the division: Becky Lynch, Charlotte, and Smackdown Women's Champion Naomi.
It's a huge bummer to see the entire women's roster be thrown into one match for the PPV. Personally, a couple of singles matches would help fill out the PPV a bit better, and this match doesn't showcase any single talent. We think to unify the team a bit more and establish them as a fearsome force, the win will go to the Welcoming Committee. In addition, this may be where Charlotte turns on her partners, to join the villains.
Prediction: The Welcoming Committee wins dirty, with the help of Charlotte
The Usos (c) vs. Breezango
(For the Smackdown Tag Team Championships)
In one of the biggest shockers of the year, Breezango became the No. 1 contenders for the Smackdown Tag Team Championships. Very quickly, because of their backstage antics, they are now one of the most entertaining parts of the show. Now, they'll take on the Usos, who are also in the middle of a resurgence with a fantastic new gimmick.
These two teams have quickly become the best in their division, especially when the Usos turned heel/paranoid conspiracy theorists. Maybe it's the Breezango fanatic talking, but the win will go to the fashion police, in hopes this rivalry continues, which should help revitalize Smackdown's tag team division.
Prediction: Breezango wins
Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Dolph Ziggler
Shinsuke Nakamura has finally made his way to Smackdown. However, since his first appearance, he hasn't had an actual match. This has upset veteran Dolph Ziggler, and the two will battle it out at Backlash.
This match is going to be a barn-burner, with both men having a record of putting on some great matches. Considering how much time and effort WWE has spent building up Nakamura, it seems insane to give the win to Ziggler here, unless he does something dastardly. All-in-all, we're giving the win to Nakamura.
Prediction: Shinsuke Nakamura wins
Kevin Owens (c) vs. AJ Styles
(For the United States Championship)
"The New Face of America," Kevin Owens, is now on Smackdown and already making enemies with well-established stars. He'll be taking on one of the show's premiere athletes, AJ Styles. Just like Ziggler/Nakamura, this match has the potential to be a barn-burner as well.
Owens was already an established star on Raw. Now, he just needs to prove his worth on the Tuesday night show. The only way for him to do that is get the win at Backlash. We're thinking he's going to get the win dirty, but one thing is for sure: this has the potential to be match of the night.
Prediction: Kevin Owens wins dirty
Randy Orton (c) vs. Jinder Mahal
(For the WWE Championship)
Jinder Mahal came over to Smackdown and was very quickly thrust into the WWE Championship picture. While this seemed out of nowhere and ridiculous, it quickly got over with many fans, especially with the addition of the Singh brothers as his henchmen.
This storyline has been a lot of fun, especially when Mahal did a photoshoot while holding the championship belt, and his character went from mid-carder to main event status quickly. It also made many people realize that Orton is as an uninteresting champion when compared to those who came before him. In order for Smackdown to keep beating Raw in the ratings, Mahal has to win.
Prediction: Jinder Mahal wins after interference from the Singh brothers.
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