This past Sunday, the WWE Network hosted SmackDown’s first brand-specific Pay-Per-View since the draft in July, Backlash (Which I predicted 100% correctly, by the way.). Backlash featured huge moments, like the first-ever SmackDown Women’s and Tag Team Champions (Becky Lynch, and Heath Slater & Rhyno, respectively). To main event the night, AJ Styles somewhat controversially did what most people never expected: Styles won the WWE World Championship.
Opening Segment
Speaking of Styles, the self-professed “face that runs the place” makes his way to the ring for the first time in the “Phenomenal Era.” After gloating for a little while over his title win, John Cena returns to SmackDown for the first time since before SummerSlam (Cena lost to Styles at SummerSlam). Cena says that he wants the WWE World Championship one more time, to tie Ric Flair for the 16-time World Championship title reign record. Cue Dean Ambrose.
Cena starts insulting Ambrose (why, I’m not sure), and Ambrose fires back to call him a “lazy part-timer,” and tells Cena that he can’t hang in the ring anymore. While the two have at it, Shane McMahon comes down to the ring to schedule two matches.
Tonight, John Cena and Dean Ambrose will take on AJ Styles and a partner of his choosing (if he can’t find a partner, Daniel Bryan will choose one for him). Also, at No Mercy, AJ Styles will defend the WWE World Championship against Dean Ambrose and John Cena.
The Hype Bros vs. The Usos
At Backlash, The Usos defeated The Hype Bros after they targeted the leg of Zack Ryder. These two team have their rematch tonight, where Ryder is obviously still hurting in his leg.
After hitting Rawley with a Superkick and eliminating Ryder outside the ring, Rawley gets hit with a splash to give The Usos the win. Winners: The Usos
In-ring Segment
The Miz comes down to the ring (with Maryse, as usual) to gloat about retaining the Intercontinental Championship last night against Dolph Ziggler. The two had a hell of a match, but The Miz only won after Maryse sprayed something into the eyes of Ziggler. Before Miz brags for too long, Dolph Ziggler comes to the ring to confront the champion about how he is still “a coward.”
Ziggler challenges Miz to another championship match with no gimmicks, distractions, or other methods of cheating. Daniel Bryan comes out to the stage to schedule a rematch, but The Miz says he won’t defend the title until he restructures his contract.
Baron Corbin vs. Apollo Crews
Last night on the Backlash Kickoff, Corbin and Crews set the pace for a great night of wrestling. They put on a surprisingly good match, and Crews looks to get a rematch tonight to make up for his loss.
Or not.
Before the match starts, Baron Corbin attacks Crews from behind and lays him out at ringside. Then out of nowhere, Jack Swagger shows up. Apparently his Monday Night Raw contract was up (the one he signed two months ago in the draft), and he signed with SmackDown. A seemingly reinvigorated Swagger, who lost to Jinder Mahal last night, looks to make waves on Tuesday nights.
Nikki Bella vs. Carmella vs. Naomi vs. Natalya vs. Alexa Bliss – #1 Contender’s Match (SmackDown Women’s Championship)
Becky Lynch won a Six-Pack Challenge this Sunday to become the first SmackDown Women’s Champion, and this match determines who will face Lynch for the title next. Instead of elimination rules, this match is one fall to a finish.
After Carmella hits Nikki Bella with a superkick, Alexa Bliss throws Carmella out of the ring and pins Nikki Bella to win the match. Winner, and NEW #1 Contender: Alexa Bliss
Heath Slater’s SmackDown Contract Signing
Heath Slater spent weeks trying to get signed on either Raw or SmackDown. An opportunity arose, which was that if Slater won the whole SmackDown Tag Team Championship Tournament, he would earn a contract on SmackDown. Thanks to Rhyno and perhaps a stroke of luck, the two won the tournament on Sunday and became the first-ever SmackDown Tag Team Champions.
After saying that they would take on all challenges, anywhere and anytime, The Ascension take advantage of the opportunity. Shane McMahon, who loves excitement for his show, schedules a title defense for right now.
Heath Slater & Rhyno (c) vs. The Ascension – SmackDown Tag Team Championships
What seemed like a tough spot for the new champions turns into a quick win when Rhyno hits Viktor with a Gore to seal the deal. Winners, and STILL SmackDown Tag Team Champions: Heath Slater & Rhyno
AJ Styles & The Miz vs. John Cena & Dean Ambrose
James Ellsworth, the guy who got destroyed by Braun Strowman, was supposed to be AJ Styles’s tag team partner. The Miz, insulted that he is not in the main event but Ellsworth is, attacks Ellsworth from behind and hits him with the Skull Crushing Finale. The Intercontinental Champion proceeds to replace Ellsworth as Styles’s tag team partner.
After Dean Ambrose hits AJ Styles with a suicide dive outside the ring, Cena hits The Miz with the Attitude Adjustment for the win. After the match, Ambrose hits Cena out of nowhere with Dirty Deeds. Winners: John Cena & Dean Ambrose
