Tonight is Backlash, the first SmackDown-specific Pay-Per-View since the brand extension in July. SmackDown has to prove tonight that they are on the same level as, if not better than, Monday Night Raw. With the Six-Pack Challenge, WWE World Championship match, and the SmackDown Tag Team Championship Tournament Finals, the blue brand will do just fine.
Apollo Crews vs. Baron Corbin
This match was announced on, and for, the Backlash Kickoff Show. It really says something about Crews and Corbin that they can’t fit on a Pay-Per-View card that is only featuring one brand. Both of these men have trouble getting successful television time, and a win in this match could help whoever comes out on top.
Corbin hits a vicious knee to the face of Apollo Crews, and follows it up with the End of Days to put Crews away. This was perhaps the best Kickoff Show match I have seen, up there with Kalisto vs. Ryback from earlier this year. Winner: Baron Corbin
In-ring Segment
To start the main show, SmackDown Commissioner Shane McMahon and General Manager Daniel Bryan make their way to the ring. They get the fans excited for what’s on the card, and things get underway.
Becky Lynch vs. Naomi vs. Natalya vs. Nikki Bella vs. Alexa Bliss vs. Carmella – SmackDown Women’s Championship (Six-Pack Challenge)
Since Monday Night Raw has the original Women’s Championship, it was time for SmackDown to create a title for their own women’s division. As opposed to just being a one-fall match, a Six-Pack Challenge has elimination rules. If a competitor is pinned, submitted, or counted out, they are out of the match.
Natalya tries to powerbomb Alexa Bliss, but can only do it successfully when Naomi hits a frontflip neckbreaker in combination. Naomi then pins to eliminate Bliss. Eliminated: Alexa Bliss
Naomi taps out to the Sharpshooter, Natalya gets pinned after the modified Argentine backbreaker, and Carmella rolls up Nikki Bella for three quick eliminations. Eliminated: Naomi, Natalya, & Nikki Bella
Carmella waits a little to long to pin a grounded Becky Lynch, then Lynch counters into the Disarm-her to win the match and her first championship in WWE. Winner, and FIRST-EVER SmackDown Women’s Champion: Becky Lynch
Predicted Winner: Becky Lynch (1/1)
Backstage Segment
We pan to backstage and it shows Bray Wyatt assaulting the leg of Randy Orton, attacking The Viper before their match later tonight. Whether they have one or not is to be seen.
The Hype Bros vs. The Usos – Second Chance Challenge Match
Last week on SmackDown, the Usos lost to American Alpha in under 30 seconds. Jimmy and Jey Uso would then injure Chad Gable, leaving the SmackDown Tag Team Championship Tournament finals spot open. This was the start of a new attitude, and new look, for the former Tag Team Champions. They compete in this match wearing black and white, and no face paint.
Whoever wins this match will go on to face Heath Slater and Rhyno later in the night for the chance to become the first-ever SmackDown Tag Team Champions.
Mojo Rawley crashes and burns after failing to take out one of the Usos, leaving Zack Ryder in a two-on-one situation. The Usos immeditately target Ryder’s left leg, and force the Long Island Iced Z to tap to a modified single leg Boston crab. Winners (via submission): The Usos
Predicted Winners: The Usos (2/2)
The Miz (c) (w/Maryse) vs. Dolph Ziggler – Intercontinental Championship
Before the Miz makes his way to the ring, he is shown backstage with Daniel Bryan to demand a contract renegotiation. Bryan doesn’t say anything, and Miz taunts that he is about to go do what Bryan can no longer do (compete in a wrestling ring).
Fun fact: Ziggler and Miz are both from Cleveland, Ohio, and reside in Hollywood (Miz in California, Ziggler in Florida).
Throughout the entire match, The Miz uses moves out of Daniel Bryan’s playbook, including the Romero Special and repeated dropkicks to the corner.
Dolph Ziggler kicks out of a roll-up, and Maryse sprays something into the eyes of Dolph Ziggler, giving The Miz the opportunity to hit the Skull Crushing Finale for the win. Winner, and STILL Intercontinental Champion: The Miz
Predicted Winner: The Miz (3/3)
Bray Wyatt vs. Randy Orton
Due to the assault earlier in the night, Randy Orton cannot compete due to injury. To add insult to injury, Bray Wyatt asked for the official 10-count, signifying that Randy Orton forfeits. Winner (via count-out): Bray Wyatt
Predicted Winner: Bray Wyatt (4/4)
After the match, it announced that Bray Wyatt will be competing in a No Holds Barred match against the man he defeated in an Inferno match, Kane.
Bray Wyatt vs. Kane – No Holds Barred
Well, this was something no one expected.
Randy Orton limps to the ring, and hits an RKO on Bray Wyatt. This set Kane up for the chokeslam and the victory. Winner: Kane
Heath Slater & Rhyno vs. The Usos – SmackDown Tag Team Championships
Like the Women’s Championship, SmackDown needed belts to give their tag team division. After a tournament that has featured teams like Breezango and the Headbangers (you read that right), but it culminates tonight in the finals. Slater and Rhyno have an advantage going into this match, since The Usos already battled the Hype Bros earlier tonight.
If Slater wins, he earns more than the championship. He also finally earns a contract for SmackDown that he has been pursuing for weeks.
Heath Slater gets hit with a superkick, but while the referee is distracted, Rhyno hits a Gore in the center of the ring. Slater groggily get the pinfall, a SmackDown contract, and the SmackDown Tag Team Championships. Winners, and FIRST-EVER SmackDown Tag Team Champions: Heath Slater & Rhyno
Predicted Winners: Heath Slater & Rhyno (5/5)
Dean Ambrose (c) vs. AJ Styles – WWE World Championship
After AJ Styles beat John Cena at SummerSlam, the new “face that runs the place” has found himself at the #1 Contender’s spot for the WWE World Championship. Styles has had a hell of a year, and a victory in this match is the only way it can get better.
Styles accidentally runs Ambrose into the referee, and he takes advantage by hitting the champion with a low blow. After the cheap shot, he hits the Styles Clash to put Ambrose away and win the WWE World Championship. Winner, and NEW WWE World Champion: AJ Styles
Predicted Winner: AJ Styles (6/6)
