Written by: Kevin Berge (All Images Courtesy of: WWE.com)
SmackDown Live has taken a unique direction in its build to Backlash. Giving new stars a chance, this card looks odd on paper. Jinder Mahal is competing for the WWE Championship while Breezango have catapulted their way to a SmackDown Tag Team Championship shot.
This defines what makes SmackDown unique as the Land of Opportunity. Instead of going with the conventional, new stars find avenues to success. The question for Backlash was whether the show could prove that this strategy would work by overperforming its foundations.
This defines what makes SmackDown unique as the Land of Opportunity. Instead of going with the conventional, new stars find avenues to success. The question for Backlash was whether the show could prove that this strategy would work by overperforming its foundations.
Thanks for coming, Aiden. I hope you didn't think you'd be allowed special treatment in your hometown. Just ask Bayley.
Tye Dillinger def. Aiden English
Overview: Aiden English came out and quickly declared himself happy to have left his home town of Chicago before going into a song that was interrupted by Tye Dillinger. English opens against Dillinger, but he easily broke down whenever he couldn't get quick close the match. English hit a body slam then missed a swanton bomb to set up the Tye Breaker for the win.
Highlights:
Analysis: This match was fine and better than the two have had in the past, but it never really got off the ground. The whole emotional breakdown story is an interesting angle for English, but he needs wins at some point as he has spent too long losing so far in WWE. At least Dillinger is on the rise with big potential in WWE long term.
Highlights:
- With the referee stopping Tye, English grabbed Tye and pulled him into the ropes face-first followed by a swinging neckbreaker.
- Dillinger hit an atomic drop then a series of vicious chops.
- English escaped outside only to be forced to the apron but managed to bounce the throat of Tye off the top rope.
- English dodged a splash then hit the Director's Cut only for a nearfall which caused English to break down.
Analysis: This match was fine and better than the two have had in the past, but it never really got off the ground. The whole emotional breakdown story is an interesting angle for English, but he needs wins at some point as he has spent too long losing so far in WWE. At least Dillinger is on the rise with big potential in WWE long term.
Rating: 6.5/10
I'd hate to see the face Nakamura makes when facing his most bitter rival.
Shinsuke Nakamura def. Dolph Ziggler
Overview: Dolph Ziggler went after Shinsuke Nakamura early and tried to embarrass him. Nakamura though was too resilient, taking Ziggler's best and coming right back. Nakamura missed a diving knee then quickly landed the reverse exploder followed by the Kinshasa.
Highlights:
Analysis: I had high hopes for this match coming in, but it was messy to say the least. the structure of the contest was all off with it feeling like no one ever had momentum. Nakamura just happened to kick out of a Zig Zag and superkick along the way then made a sudden comeback for the win. The action itself was fine, but it was tough to watch
Highlights:
- With Ziggler on the mat, Nakamura ran at him rising only to take a dropkick.
- Ziggler headbutt Nakamura then whipped him only for Nakamura to knee him in the gut then miss a roundhouse only to connect with a spin kick.
- Ziggler ran for a roll up only to fall into a triangle choke.
- Ziggler quickly landed a Famouser off a roll up kickout then went for a superkick and managed to avoid Nakamura's counter and hit the Zig Zag for a nearfall.
- Ziggler flipped out of an exploder then hit a superkick to the back of the head.
- Ziggler spit in the face of Ziggler which set off Nakamura who beat on him with knee strikes then elbow strikes in the ropes followed by a running knee on the apron.
Analysis: I had high hopes for this match coming in, but it was messy to say the least. the structure of the contest was all off with it feeling like no one ever had momentum. Nakamura just happened to kick out of a Zig Zag and superkick along the way then made a sudden comeback for the win. The action itself was fine, but it was tough to watch
Rating: 7.5/10
Biggest star coming out of Backlash: that mop.
The Usos def. Breezango to Retain the SmackDown Tag Team Championships
Overview: Tyler Breeze came to the ring in disguise with mop in hand even as the match began. Breeze then transformed into an old lady before The Usos finally ripped up his costume. While Breezango clearly had The Usos rattled, they couldn't quite get it done. Jimmy held Fandango on the top rope to allow Jimmy to hit Fandango with a superkick for the win.
Highlights:
Analysis: This match was far too short and missed out on action often, but it was pure joy to watch because every second counted. Breezango played the fools to get The Usos off their game in a way that was just ridiculous enough to be funny then turned it up at the end to make it convincing they could win. It made a potential sequel enticing.
Highlights:
- Fandango sent Jimmy Uso to the floor with a tilt-a-whirl headscissors then tagged in Janitor Breeze who tripped Jimmy with the mop.
- After Jimmy got a face-full of mop, Jey tagged in and knocked down Breeze then broken the mop, but his attempts at a frog splash were stopped by Breeze rolling away from his reach each time until Jey walked close for an enzuigiri.
- Fandango hit Jey with a tilt-a-whirl DDT out of the corner.
- Jimmy hit a diving chop on Breeze as Jey held him over his knee.
- The Usos connected with one another with a superkick to the knee then Breeze hit the Unprettier on Jey.
- The Usos threw Breeze onto the barricade then Fandango hit both with a somersault senton.
Analysis: This match was far too short and missed out on action often, but it was pure joy to watch because every second counted. Breezango played the fools to get The Usos off their game in a way that was just ridiculous enough to be funny then turned it up at the end to make it convincing they could win. It made a potential sequel enticing.
Rating: 8/10
Zayn may not win often, but he makes the wins count. You know, he beat a future WWE Champion multiple times recently.
Sami Zayn def. Baron Corbin
Overview: Baron Corbin slowly but surely took over this match, beating down on Sami Zayn, but Zayn refused to quit. When the Deep Six wasn't enough, Corbin lost it and began pounding on him in the ropes with Zayn sending him outside then sneaking in a Helluva Kick on the return for the win.
Highlights:
Analysis: Zayn and Corbin have great chemistry and told a solid story from start to finish here. The fast pace was steadily driven by both men with Corbin's limited offense never causing any slow in the action. This was absolutely a match that could be revisited with higher stakes down the line.
For now, it helped build up Zayn who had yet to win on SmackDown Live. Many have been disappointed with Zayn's usage due to his win-loss record, but he always brings it when it matters and is clearly on the rise given such a decisive victory over a top title contender.
Highlights:
- Corbin caught Zayn with a straight right then whipped him into the barricade only for Zayn to rebound with a moonsault.
- Corbin hit an elbow strike which Zayn responded to with three of his own only to bounce off the ropes into a bearhug then fought out only to run back into it.
- Zayn sent Corbin over the top rope but missed a top rope dive and took a spinebuster.
- Corbin relished in letting Zayn rise but took too long and ran into a clothesline followed by a second then a diving crossbody.
- Zayn threw Corbin outside but had no time to respond when Corbin came running back into with a clothesline.
- Corbin went for a superplex, but Zayn battled him off and hit a sunset flip powerbomb.
- Corbin blocked the exploder suplex then Zayn nearly stole the win with a crucifix only to take a Deep Six.
Analysis: Zayn and Corbin have great chemistry and told a solid story from start to finish here. The fast pace was steadily driven by both men with Corbin's limited offense never causing any slow in the action. This was absolutely a match that could be revisited with higher stakes down the line.
For now, it helped build up Zayn who had yet to win on SmackDown Live. Many have been disappointed with Zayn's usage due to his win-loss record, but he always brings it when it matters and is clearly on the rise given such a decisive victory over a top title contender.
Rating: 8.75/10
The true sad story here is the breakup of Team BAD finally.
Natalya, Tamina, and Carmella def. Charlotte Flair, Naomi, and Becky Lynch
Overview: The Welcoming Committe quickly isolated Charlotte Flair to inflict punishment on her, but the faces managed to get big tags to spell each other. Becky Lynch was the last hot tag, leading to a breakdown with Becky left with Natalya. Becky fought off Tamina with a forearm but then ran into a Sharpshooter and had to tap out.
Highlights:
Analysis: This was the disappointment of the night because the story going in was so solidly built. This was a TV match and not even a good TV match. As has been the case in the past with such bouts, Becky was fantastic when working. Tamina also impressed in a limited showing. The problem was that there was not enough of anything.
It was fascinating to see WWE break its trends so clearly here as the heels have been dominant in what should be a two-sided feud in general. It seemed assured the faces would prevail, but WWE kept building up the cohesive team. This likely sets up Naomi vs. Natalya as the title match going forward.
Highlights:
- Naomi hit Carmella with a springboard crossbody then a series of kicks into a roundhouse followed by a corner dropkick only to be distracted by Tamina and kicked into the ropes repeatedly by Carmella.
- Naomi bounced off the ropes right into a running clothesline.
- Tamina blocked Naomi long enough for Carmella to knock Becky off the apron followed by a Samoan drop on Naomi by Tamina.
- Becky landed a Bexploder then a running forearm on Natalya out of the corner, but she was knocked off the top rope by Tamina into the Sharpshooter which Becky turned into the Dis-arm-her.
Analysis: This was the disappointment of the night because the story going in was so solidly built. This was a TV match and not even a good TV match. As has been the case in the past with such bouts, Becky was fantastic when working. Tamina also impressed in a limited showing. The problem was that there was not enough of anything.
It was fascinating to see WWE break its trends so clearly here as the heels have been dominant in what should be a two-sided feud in general. It seemed assured the faces would prevail, but WWE kept building up the cohesive team. This likely sets up Naomi vs. Natalya as the title match going forward.
Rating: 6.75/10
If Styles can get that kind of height on a bad leg, he should be hitting the ceiling on a good leg.
Kevin Owens def. AJ Styles By Count Out to Retain the WWE United States Championship
Overview: Kevin Owens' damage to the right leg on SmackDown came up early in this match as Owens targeted AJ Styles' leg and left him constantly limping. Styles found ways back into the match, but the damage was too much.
Styles went for a Styles Clash on the table, but KO tripped him, sending his bad leg into an opening in the table to allow Owens to steal the win by count out. Afterward, KO superkicked Styles into the table.
Highlights:
Analysis: This was far-and-away the match of the night with the most given to it, showing that WWE knew it was going to be just that. Styles and Owens had their best match together in WWE with the focus of KO on Styles' leg that made for a great steady psychology in this contest.
Styles was near perfect in selling the damage he was taking even as he battled back. Ultimately, the weak finish was necessary to set up a round two that should be even better and stand among the best matches of the year.
Styles went for a Styles Clash on the table, but KO tripped him, sending his bad leg into an opening in the table to allow Owens to steal the win by count out. Afterward, KO superkicked Styles into the table.
Highlights:
- KO tripped Styles jumping up to the top rope then hit a running clothesline.
- KO hit a DDT followed a trio of standing sentons.
- Styles stunned KO with an enzuigiri then began a flurry of strikes followed by a clothesline then hit a running low-angle forearm strike.
- Styles connected with a wheelbarrow facebuster followed by an ushigoroshi.
- Styles missed a backflip off the ropes into an Owens superkick followed by a pump-handle neckbreaker.
- KO avoided a Styles Clash off the apron then sent Styles' right leg into the post followed by the barricade.
- KO hit a cannonball then a second targeted on the right leg, quickly transitioning into a Boston crab then ankle lock.
- Styles fought KO off him on the top rope and hit a powerbomb.
- Styles completely collapsed on a Phenomenal Forearm then took an impact DDT.
- Styles rolled to the apron just as KO was ready for a frog splash then connected with a suplex on the apron to KO.
- Owens launched Styles into the timekeeper's area only to have Styles return with a Phenomenal Forearm.
Analysis: This was far-and-away the match of the night with the most given to it, showing that WWE knew it was going to be just that. Styles and Owens had their best match together in WWE with the focus of KO on Styles' leg that made for a great steady psychology in this contest.
Styles was near perfect in selling the damage he was taking even as he battled back. Ultimately, the weak finish was necessary to set up a round two that should be even better and stand among the best matches of the year.
Rating: 9/10
Luke Harper def. Erick Rowan
Overview: Erick Rowan came out aggressive early in this match only to miss when it mattered most, letting Luke Harper get rolling. After Rowan tried to find extra encouragement from his sheep mask, sitting on the steel steps, he walked right into a discus clothesline for the loss.
Highlights:
Analysis: This was a far better match than their first encounter and showed what these two can do. They are both proving to be excellent heavyweights with a strong understanding of pacing in this era where everything needs to be moving. However, many moves just missed their mark with it hard to even call what they actually were which let down the contest. It was as if Harper and Rowan were trying a bit too hard.
Highlights:
- Rowan sent Harper into the barricade then sent him back to the ring to step over him and hit a running senton.
- Rowan sent Harper hard into the corner followed by a sudden dropkick.
- Rowan hit repeated body slams then a pump-handle onto his knee into a clothesline.
- Rowan missed a diving splash then ducked outside only to take a running shoulder into the barricade followed by a suicide dive.
- Harper hit a slingshot senton then a big boot. Harper ducked out of a slam then hit a tilt-a-whirl side slam with Rowan fighting back with a spinning kick then powerbomb.
- Rowan and Harper traded chops before Rowan went for a powerbomb only for it to turn to a headscissors followed by a superkick.
Analysis: This was a far better match than their first encounter and showed what these two can do. They are both proving to be excellent heavyweights with a strong understanding of pacing in this era where everything needs to be moving. However, many moves just missed their mark with it hard to even call what they actually were which let down the contest. It was as if Harper and Rowan were trying a bit too hard.
Rating: 7.5/10
Well, Jinder, as our new champion, I just have one request: learn more ways to work the arm please.
Jinder Mahal def. Randy Orton to Become the New WWE Champion
Overview: Orton went after Mahal before the match could even begin, pounding on him and throwing him over the announce table. Mahal finally gained some momentum after sending Orton into the ring LED board. That damage coupled with the assistance of the Singh brothers kept Mahal in the match until Orton lost it on the Singh brothers.
Orton slammed them both onto the announce tables then hit them with double hanging DDTs only for Orton to walk right into the Khallas for the win. Mahal headed to the crowd then celebrated the win high above the ring.
Highlights:
Analysis: Mahal passed the first test of becoming a top guy in WWE, putting on a solid match in the main event. Even with little experience in this type of bout and against an opponent who often slows matches to a halt, Mahal looked good enough. He did not overly impress and spent too much time on the same move targeting the elbow but ultimately put in a solid showing.
WWE can do the insane at times to spark interest, but Jinder Mahal as WWE Champion is just about the last thing I expected. He is not completely ready for the spotlight, but he is far more interesting than Orton and the win gave this show a true moment.
Orton slammed them both onto the announce tables then hit them with double hanging DDTs only for Orton to walk right into the Khallas for the win. Mahal headed to the crowd then celebrated the win high above the ring.
Highlights:
- Orton launched Mahal to the outside then hit a spinning slam onto the table.
- Orton dodged a charging Mahal, sending him into the post.
- Orton tripped Mahal on the top rope then landed a superplex.
- Orton and Mahal traded blows then Orton hit a series of clothesline into a scoop powerslam then a fallaway powerslam.
- Orton landed a backbreaker slowly into the hanging DDT thanks to his shoulder.
- Orton threw the Singh brothers into the barricade then was repeatedly pushed into the post by Mahal shoudler-first only to head back into the ring into an RKO with the Singh brothers pulling Mahal to safety.
Analysis: Mahal passed the first test of becoming a top guy in WWE, putting on a solid match in the main event. Even with little experience in this type of bout and against an opponent who often slows matches to a halt, Mahal looked good enough. He did not overly impress and spent too much time on the same move targeting the elbow but ultimately put in a solid showing.
WWE can do the insane at times to spark interest, but Jinder Mahal as WWE Champion is just about the last thing I expected. He is not completely ready for the spotlight, but he is far more interesting than Orton and the win gave this show a true moment.
Rating: 8/10
Who knew giving Finn Balor a near-concussion could lead to this so quickly?
Conclusion: This show was tightly booked with no backstage segments and a steady flow of action. That made up for a card that only met expectations, elevating this to an entertaining show that exceeded those expectations particularly thanks to some unexpected results.
Mahal's win will be the big story going forward, but the show also had multiple solid wrestling matches that told stories that should go steadily forward. Hopefully, SmackDown can build on this an put on a more complete event come Money in the Bank which has always been top tier for WWE.
The Land of Opportunity has taken over SmackDown wholeheartedly, and it has made the product fresh in a way that was completely unexpected. Top tier talent and new stars alike will come together to hopefully keep building the brand's rise to the level of Monday Night Raw.
Mahal's win will be the big story going forward, but the show also had multiple solid wrestling matches that told stories that should go steadily forward. Hopefully, SmackDown can build on this an put on a more complete event come Money in the Bank which has always been top tier for WWE.
The Land of Opportunity has taken over SmackDown wholeheartedly, and it has made the product fresh in a way that was completely unexpected. Top tier talent and new stars alike will come together to hopefully keep building the brand's rise to the level of Monday Night Raw.