The eyes of the wrestling world will be firmly affixed on the Allstate Arena this Sunday night, as Smackdown Live hosts their first brand specific Pay-Per-View since the Elimination Chamber event in February, live on the critically acclaimed WWE Network. Lauded by superstars past and present as a top venue, the former Rosemont Horizon should be packed with rowdy wrestling fans from the Chicago area, expecting another great WWE show to take place in the shadow of the Windy City. The card will bolster eight matches in total, just 24 hours after NXT runs their first Takeover show since WrestleMania weekend, in the same building.
Randy Orton vs Jinder Mahal (WWE CHAMPIONSHIP)
The main event of Backlash has had the internet in a tizzy for weeks. Former mid-carder Jinder Mahal (of 3MB fame) has been rejuvenated, and earned a main event title shot against Randy Orton, the first such opportunity of his career. Mahal's antics of late have been nothing short of must see TV on Tuesday nights, from physically stealing the title belt from The Viper, to costing him the "House of Horrors" match with Bray Wyatt at Payback just a few weeks ago. While no one should expect a 5 star caliber match from Orton and Mahal, who's in-ring styles are very similar, this match has the element of unpredictability that could send the Pay-Per-View off the air with fans intrigued and wanting to see how the feud continues to develop. Also keep an eye out for the underhanded tactics of the pesky Singh Brothers, who figure to be in tow when the challenger makes his way to the ring, and could have a serious affect on the outcome of the match.
AJ Styles vs. Kevin Owens (United States Championship)
In what is perhaps the most anticipated match on the card for Backlash, Kevin Owens will defend his United States Championship against The Phenomenal One A.J. Styles. Owens comes in fresh off his feud with former best friend Chris Jericho, who defeated KO for the title at Payback last month, before giving it right back on television 48 hours later after a savage beating which put Jericho on the shelf indefinitely. Styles, who is arguably the best in-ring performer in the world, has had some of the best matches in WWE over the past year, and this encounter figures to be no different. I fully expect these two guys to have a main-event caliber type match that should pick up the slack left by a lackluster title match at the top of the card.
Dolph Ziggler vs Shinsuke Nakamura
After a long reign as NXT champion, Shinsuke Nakamura fans can finally rejoice. The King of Strong style will make his in-ring debut on the main roster as he takes on former two time world champion Dolph Ziggler. No one can deny Nakamura's in-ring prowess, and American fans have quickly taken to the intriguing performer since he landed stateside just over a year ago. This match has sleeper potential to be the encounter of the evening, especially with Zigglers reputation for making guys who are in the midst of moving up the card look even better in the ring. Expect this one to steal the show!
Elsewhere on the Card
Aiden English will take on budding star Tye Dillinger during the kickoff show, in a bout that was announced just a few days ago. "The Perfect 10" has already secured two victories over English in recent weeks, so the former Vaudevillian will certainly be looking for a measure of revenge before the start of the main show.
Fan favorite Sami Zayn will face Baron Corbin, in a rivalry that stems from both men losing to AJ Styles in a triple threat match to determine the number one contender for the United States Championship. The Lone Wolf has attacked Zayn numerous times in recent weeks, including during an episode of Talking Smack, which resulted in Corbin being suspended for one week. Zayn should have his hands full with the ultra-aggressive Corbin come Sunday night.
The Usos are still the class of a deep tag team roster on the blue brand, having held the Smackdown tag titles for nearly two months. The new number one contenders for said tag titles were determined by a Beat The Clock challenge on the April 25th episode of Smackdown. Fandango & Tyler Breeze defeated The Ascension in a shorter time than American Alpha was able to defeat The Colons, thus earning them a match at Backlash.
Dysfunction over the recent months has been the catalyst for a meeting between former Wyatt family brothers Luke Harper and Erick Rowan. Harper's unceremonious departure from the family hasn't sat well with Rowan, and despite defeating his former tag team partner on the May 9th edition of Smackdown Live, felt Harper deserved more punishment and requested another meeting at Backlash, which commissioner Shane McMahon granted earlier this week. Even with Bray being on Raw now, I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if the New Face of Fear were to show up in support of Rowan, as we know from the past, Wyatt doesn't take kindly to defection from his clan.
Finally, Smackdown Live Women's Champion Naomi will team with Charlotte Flair and Becky Lynch to face The Welcoming Committee of Natalya, Carmella, and Tamina Snuka in a 6 woman tag match. Flair, who has had lengthy title runs in the past, debuted on Smackdown Live following the superstar shakeup, and immediately made her claim for the shows top spot. Despite defeating Naomi in a non-title match to earn a shot at the belt, the following week that title shot was interrupted by The Welcoming Committee, who didn't take kindly to Charlotte's arrival and subsequent move into a number one contender position. The Committee would later attempt to recruit Becky Lynch, but the Lass Kicker would side with Charlotte & Naomi, setting the stage for a tag team showdown at Backlash. Carmella, who has had the champions number as of late, albeit with substantial help from her valet and internet darling James Ellsworth, figures to play a big role in the outcome of the match, and I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if she were to secure the victory for her team in the Allstate Arena Sunday night.
The Backlash kickoff show begins at 7pm eastern time, with the main card to follow at 8pm, available nationally on the WWE Network. Stay with ProFanz throughout the weekend for the latest on WWE Backlash, and on twitter @ProFanzForum & @ThaKiddVicious
The Backlash kickoff show begins at 7pm eastern time, with the main card to follow at 8pm, available nationally on the WWE Network. Stay with ProFanz throughout the weekend for the latest on WWE Backlash, and on twitter @ProFanzForum & @ThaKiddVicious
