WWE Backlash will feature eight intense match-ups, including “The Viper” Randy Orton battling “The Maharaja” Jinder Mahal for the WWE World Championship in the main event. Stars will be made and dreams may become reality this Sunday night.
“The Phenomenal” AJ Styles will also be in action, as he challenges Kevin Owens for the WWE United States Championship. The SmackDown Tag Team titles are also on the line, as Breezango battle The Usos for those fashionable blue straps. “The Underdog of the Underground” Sami Zayn made a big splash on his way to SmackDown Live, but Baron Corbin may just squash this dog before he ever accomplishes anything on the blue brand.
WWE Backlash 2017: Date, Time, TV Channel, Card & Location
We also get to see a six-women’s tag team match pitting the team of Charlotte Flair, Becky Lynch and WWE SmackDown Women’s Champion Naomi against the tandem of Tamina Snuka, Natalya, and “The Princess of Staten Island” Carmella. Oh, and you can bet “The Chinless Wonder” James Ellsworth will get involved somehow.
We also have the privilege to see the WWE pay per view debut of Shinsuke Nakamura as he battles “The Showoff” Dolph Ziggler. Backlash will give you over three hours of action, from pre-show to the main event. But before you watch this show, you should look into my professional wrestling crystal ball & you might just see into the future!
WWE Backlash 2017 Viewing Details
Date: Sunday, May 21, 2017
Time (kick-off show): 7:00 P.M. EST
Time (main show): 8:00 P.M. EST
TV Channel: WWE Network / Pay-Per-View
Location: Allstate Arena, Rosemont, Illinois
Main Event: WWE World Championship match: Randy Orton (c) vs. Jinder Mahal
Kickoff Match: Tye Dillinger vs. Aiden English
WWE.com
Aiden English will start off this match in song, but “The Perfect 10” Tye Dillinger will get the crowd hyped. English will show a true vicious streak in this contest. But Tye will show the speed, endurance and athleticism. “The Shakespearean” Aiden will most likely resort to some type of trickery in attempt at victory.
But this Perfect 10 will be too much to put down for the 3 count. After the match, I see English losing his sh*t. Aiden may just become violent and spoil Tye’s first pay per view win.
Tye Dillinger defeats Aiden English
Dolph Ziggler vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
DanielBryan95BITW/YouTube
Shinsuke is looking to prove himself in his WWE debut. Dolph Ziggler will bring the fight to “The King of Strong Style.” He may even humble Nakamura in his debut match and win this match because The Showoff is just “that damn good.” But I don’t think that WWE officials are too invested in Nakamura to let him lose right off the back. Shinsuke has WWE Champion written all over him. He has the charisma, the crowd reaction and a unique wrestling ability that only he can bring to the squared circle.
Ziggler will fight hard and I’m sure Shinsuke can certainly recover from a loss to The Showoff, but I just don’t see Nakamura losing on Sunday.
Prediction: Shinsuke Nakamura defeats Dolph Ziggler
Shinsuke Nakamura WWE Debut: Nakamura SmackDown Debut Video
Sami Zayn vs. Baron Corbin
TJD/YouTube
Sami will fight with every ounce of energy in his heart. But Corbin is an absolute beast and I’m sure he’s going to mop the floor with Sami for much of this match. Corbin is strong in body, but Zayn has got possibly the biggest heart in the business. He’ll give Corbin everything and more on Sunday.
I can see the closing moments of this match right now. Baron Corbin about to put away Sami, but then “The Underdog of the Underground” quickly rolls up “The Lone Wolf.” And we have an upset victory in favor of Sami. Later, I see these two men feuding all the way to the Money in the Bank match and beyond.
Prediction: Sami Zayn defeats Baron Corbin
WWE United States Championship match: Kevin Owens (c) vs. AJ Styles
WWE.com
Can the WWE keep playing hot potato with the WWE United States Championship? I mean, Kevin Owens just got the thing.
I see a very competitive match-up between KO and Styles. Expect a lot of back-and-forth action between both star competitors. AJ will probably have KO, but I see the French-Canadian U.S Champion pulling off something extremely sneaky and underhanded to pull off this victory.
AJ and KO’s feud will most likely be dragged out until the Summer.
Prediction: Kevin Owens defeats AJ Styles to retain the WWE United States Championship
Kevin Owens Net Worth 2017: How Much Is Kevin Owens Worth Now?
WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championship match: The Usos (c) vs. Breezango
WWE.com
Now is the time for Breezango to shine. The Usos are the veteran team, but the duo of Tyler Breeze and Fandango are turning heads as Tuesday night’s Fashion Po Po. Breezango is looking to put down those “Ugos” and finally claim those fabulous blue leather belts with that marvelous silver center.
The Usos will look primed for victory, but somehow, someway, Breezango will walk out of Rosemont with those championships pinned around their waists.
Breezango defeats The Usos to win the WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championship
Luke Harper vs. Erick Rowan
WWE.com
All hell is sure to break loose when two former Wyatt Family brethren collide! The last time that these two men stepped into the ring, Erick Rowan walked out victorious. I don’t think Rowan will be so lucky this time. I see the action spilling out at ringside. I predict steel steps will become apart of this contest somehow.
But in the end, I see Harper making up for his May 9th SmackDown loss against Erick Rowan.
Luke Harper defeats Erick Rowan
WWE SmackDown: Results, Live Updates & Highlights - May 9, 2017
Six-Women Tag Team Match: Charlotte Flair, Becky Lynch, & WWE SmackDown Women’s Champion Naomi vs. Carmella, Natalya, & Tamina Snuka w/James Ellsworth
FlashCraze/YouTube
The reigning champion Naomi says she plans on snatching all her opponents bald on Sunday night. And she’ll kick James Ellsworth’s skinny little ass if he decides to get involved again like he’s accustomed to do. Charlotte Flair is sure to dominate like she usually does. And Becky Lynch will be straight fire like always.
Becky Lynch: Hottest Photos Of The WWE Wrestler
But the bad girls need to make their mark. They need to stand out and be taken seriously as stars. The team of Lynch, Naomi, and Charlotte can afford a loss. But Carmella, Tamina, and Natalya need this victory to solidify themselves as a true force on the blue brand.
Carmella, Natalya, & Tamina Snuka defeats Becky Lynch, Naomi, & Charlotte Flair
Carmella, WWE: Hottest Photos Of WWE SmackDown Wrestler
WWE World Championship match: Randy Orton (c) vs. Jinder Mahal
WWE.com
I went back-and-forth on the outcome of this match more than any other on the Backlash card. Mahal has really proven himself in the past month. He’s went from a fish out of water to a shark swimming in his environment. SmackDown needs new blood in the main event, and they’re looking to turn a solid worker into an absolute superstar.
Mahal’s rise on SmackDown draws me back to 2004 when John “Bradshaw” Layfield came outta nowhere and won the WWE Championship from the legendary Eddie Guerrero. Months before their ascension to the top, Mahal and JBL were nowhere near the main event. Both Mahal and JBL have taken this great opportunity and transformed themselves from the lower cards on house shows to closing the show at a pay per view.
But just like JBL, I don’t see Mahal winning the big one in his first title shot. Though the idea of him grabbing that brass ring is an exciting though. I don’t think he’s ready yet to hold the top gold. I predict that he will win the Money in the Bank ladder match next month and then go onto capture the WWE World Championship during the summer or fall.
Rusev is looking to challenge for the WWE Championship next month, and it’d make more sense if The Bulgarian Brute challenged Orton. Mahal is way too green at this moment.
Randy won’t let his title split from his grasp that easily. I still see The Viper as the reigning WWE Champion for at least a few more months. But I could be wrong…
Randy Orton defeats Jinder Mahal to retain the WWE World Championship
Randy Orton Net Worth 2017: How Much Is Orton Worth Now?
WWE Backlash Match Card
- WWE World Championship: Randy Orton (c) vs. Jinder Mahal
- Dolph Ziggler vs. Shinshuke Nakamura
- Baron Corbin vs. Sami Zayn
- WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championship: The Usos (c) vs. Breezango
- WWE United States Championship match: Kevin Owens (c) vs. AJ Styles
- Naomi, Charlotte Flair & Becky Lynch vs. Carmella, Natalya & Tamina Snuka
- Erick Rowan vs. Luke Harper
- Kickoff match: Tye Dillinger vs. Aiden English
