WWE Backlash Predictions

Following the brand extension, tonight’s WWE Backlash PPV is the first brand specific show, as Summerslam was a joint venture. Smackdown’s newly minted tag team titles and Women’s Championship will be decided on a card that has few matches, but the potential for a great night of wrestling.

Second Chance Tag Team Match:
The Usos vs The Hype Bros with the winners facing Slater and Rhyno for the Smackdown Tag Team Titles

Winners: Shawn Wilken, Rich Laconi, Jamie Greer,Sean Garmer: The Usos
Ryan Smith: The Hype Bros

Thoughts by Sean Garmer:The Usos turned against American Alpha and injured Chad Gable. This is a big deal for a team that’s been babyfaces for pretty much their entire run. They have to at least make the final or it absolutely kills their momentum.

Six Pack Challenge to Crown the First SmackDown Women’s Champion:
Nikki Bella vs. Becky Lynch vs. Carmella vs. Natalya vs. Alexa Bliss vs. Naomi

Winner: Robby Hinson, Shawn Wilken, Jamie Greer, Sean Garmer: Becky Lynch
Ryan Smith,Rich Laconi: Nikki Bella

Thoughts by Robby Hinson: The obvious choices are Lynch, Nikki Bella and Natalya as the title gets immediate legitimacy with any three of these women winning. On the other hand, Smackdown is being touted as the “new era” brand, so one of the youngsters might just walk away with it. At the end of the day, a Lynch win allows for Carmella and Bella to continue their feud without the title being involved and gets Lynch a chance to defend against Natalya and Bliss.

Finals of the SmackDown Tag Team Tournament to Crown the First Champions
Heath Slater and Rhyno vs. TBD

Winner: Rich Laconi, Jamie Greer, Ryan Smith, Heath Slater and Rhyno
Shawn Wilken, Robby Hinson,Sean Garmer: The Usos

Thoughts by Rich Laconi: Heath Slater and Rhyno are such an odd pairing as a tag team, but that is what makes them work so well. Although they seem like an unlikely pair to have the claim to fame that they are the first winners of the Smackdown Tag Team titles, Heath Slater has proven that the WWE can use him in an important spot and he will deliver inside and outside of the ring. Their reign may be short, but it is still one they deserve to have.

Randy Orton vs. Bray Wyatt

Winner: Ryan Smith,Sean Garmer:Randy Orton
Bray Wyatt: Robby Hinson, Shawn Wilken, Rich Laconi, Shawn Wilken
No Contest: Jamie Greer

Thoughts by Ryan Smith: It feels like Bray Wyatt has become the rebound guy. Whenever a main event or upper midcarder loses a high profile feud, they face off against Bray Wyatt. Wyatt’s biggest problem is that he’s always over with the crowd. He’s talented on the microphone and in the ring, and his gimmick is so unique that fans just have to root for him. Unfortunately, because he’s always over, the WWE know he can lose without losing momentum. SmackDown Live doesn’t have many main event caliber performers, and instead of elevating Wyatt, it seems like they’ll help rebuild Orton.

WWE Intercontinental Championship Match:
The Miz (c) vs. Dolph Ziggler

Winner: Rich Laconi, Shawn Wilken, Robby Hinson,T Jamie Greer, Ryan Smith Shawn Wilken,Sean Garmer:The Miz

Thoughts by Shawn Wilken: Strangely enough, Ziggler’s new gimmick seems to be the “loser that needs to figure things out”. Winning one month in wouldn’t make sense, as it would justify his picking a fight with just any champion instead of slow-cooking a character that thinks he’s better than he really is and needs to re-think his methods of talking a big game. Miz, who has been referred to as a coward, could add to the woes of Ziggler’s current run and in beating him, could force Dolph to start making the necessary changes in order to start succeeding again.

WWE Championship Match:
Dean Ambrose (c) vs. AJ Styles

Winner:Jamie Greer, Rich Laconi,Ryan Smith, Robby Hinson,Sean Garmer: AJ Styles
Shawn Wilken: Dean Ambrose

Thoughts by Jamie Greer: He’s come in and lost to Jericho and then Roman Reigns, before finally toppling the original Face That Ran The Place, John Cena. AJ Styles has been one of WWE’s most consistent performers since he debuted at Royal Rumble this year and his current character would benefit greatly from being the smug World Champion. As much of a favorite as Ambrose has been for years, his run as World champion feels flat on many levels. His lunatic character feels better placed chasing the belts more so than he does holding it. Styles as Champion has the potential for far greater match-ups in the months to come.

Main Photo: WWE.com