WWE Backlash Preview

By Brandon Albright, @B_Rock1978

WWE is back with another exciting pay per view this weekend on WWE Network. This time around it'll be Smackdown Live bringing you the entertainment with WWE Backlash. WWE Backlash will be live at the Allstate Arena in Chicago, Illinois. One prediction I'm making right now that you know is going to happen is.....CM Punk chants! Because for some odd reason WWE fans are still holding on to the very slim chance of the Second City Saint himself appearing and turning WWE upside down. It would be cool, but it won't happen. Alright with that said, let's get to the WWE Backlash preview.

- "WWE World Heavyweight Championship Match": Randy Orton (c) vs. Jinder Mahal: Randy Orton has been sitting on top of Smackdown Live as the WWE World Heavyweight Champion since defeating Bray Wyatt at Wrestlemania 33. While Orton continued his feud with Bray, a new face was added to the main event scene and his name was Jinder Mahal. Mahal would win a Six Pack Challenge Match on Smackdown Live and earn himself a shot at the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. Mahal made himself noticed to Orton by attacking Orton along with Mahal's new friends the Singh Brothers and stole Orton's title. Mahal and the Singh Brothers would show up again and attack Orton during his House of Horrors Match with Bray Wyatt at WWE Payback and cost Orton the match. Orton has guaranteed that he will defeat Mahal at WWE Backlash. Mahal has also guaranteed victory himself and has stated that he will take the WWE World Heavyweight Championship back home to India once he wins the title and his home country will construct a statue of him in his honor. 

- "WWE United States Championship Match": Kevin Owens (c) vs. AJ Styles: Kevin Owens defeated Chris Jericho to win the WWE United States Championship and become the self proclaimed Face of America again, two days after losing it to Jericho at WWE Payback. Meanwhile, Smackdown Live was looking for a new #1 Contender to face the winner of Owens and Jericho at WWE Backlash. AJ Styles came out victorious, defeating Baron Corbin and Sami Zayn in a Triple Threat Match. Styles would face and defeat Corbin in a one on one match, but ended up getting jumped from behind by Owens, who was sending Styles a message. Kevin Owens has promised to not only defeat Styles, but he has also sent a message to WWE World Heavyweight Champion Randy Orton that he's coming for him next. Styles claims to still be the face that runs the place and says he'll prove it when he defeats Owens to become the new WWE United States Champion.

- "WWE Smackdown Live World Tag Team Championship Match": The Usos (c) vs. Breezango: Not much has been going on with The Usos since Wrestlemania 33, as one if not both Usos have been suffering from minor injuries. While The Usos have been sitting on the DL, Tyler Breeze and Fandango won a Beat The Clock Challenge Match to become the new #1 Contenders to the WWE Smackdown Live World Tag Team Championship. Breezango proved that they were a team to be taken seriously as they went on to defeat The Ascension the following week. The Usos appeared after the match and promised Breezango that The Usos would be leaving WWE Backlash still the WWE Smackdown Live World Tag Team Champions.

- Dolph Ziggler vs. Shinsuke Nakamura: 2 Time NXT World Champion Shinsuke Nakamura arrived on Smackdown Live and interrupted Dolph Ziggler while Ziggler was cutting a promo. Ziggler, not happy, tried to super kick Nakamura, but ended up getting dropped by the king of strong style. The following week Ziggler interrupted Nakamura's interview and the two began to brawl, ending with Ziggler retreating. Ziggler went on to complain to Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan about all the attention Nakamura was getting and he hadn't even wrestled on Smackdown Live yet. The following week Ziggler called out Nakamura and challenged him to a match at WWE Backlash. Another brawl broke out between the two that ended with Ziggler retreating again.

- "Six Woman Tag Team Match": Charlotte, Becky Lynch and Naomi vs. Carmella, Nattie Neidhart and Tamina: Due to the Superstar Shakeup Draft, Charlotte was sent over to Smackdown Live and her welcome wasn't a very nice one by a few of the women in the Women's Division. Charlotte immediately demanded a WWE Smackdown Live Women's Championship Match, which upset Carmella, Nattie Neidhart and Tamina. The trio of ladies along with James Ellsworth formed the faction known as the Welcoming Committee and immediately targeted Charlotte. The Welcoming Committee went onto disrupt the title match between Charlotte and Naomi and beat both ladies down. The Welcoming Committee attempted to get Becky Lynch to join them next. Becky faked joining them and then attacked the Committee. The Committee ended up beating Becky down and made her their target as well. Shane McMahon announced a Six Woman Tag Team Match with The Welcoming Committee battling Charlotte, Naomi and Becky Lynch so things can finally get settled.

- Baron Corbin vs. Sami Zayn: Baron Corbin and Sami Zayn have been in a heated rivalry the past few weeks as both men went after an opportunity for the WWE United States Championship, but both came up short. A few weeks later Corbin and Kevin Owens attacked AJ Styles until Zayn made the save and took out Corbin. Later that night on Talking Smack, Corbin attacked and beat down Zayn for getting involved and also shoved an official, getting Corbin suspended for a week. After losing to Corbin's team in a six man tag team match, Zayn demanded and received a one on one match with Corbin at WWE Backlash. Corbin would then go on to attack Zayn from behind and beat him down again.

- Erick Rowan vs. Luke Harper: After the Superstar Shakeup Draft back in April, both Erick Rowan and Luke Harper have made Smackdown Live their permanent homes. Harper had completely cut ties to the Wyatt Family, after Bray refused to listen to Harper about Randy Orton eventually turning on him, which Orton did. Erick Rowan returned from injury a month ago and has apparently targeted what was once his Wyatt Family brother, Luke Harper. Both men went after each other in a Six Pack Challenge Match to crown a new #1 Contender. In week's to come Erick Rowan would defeat Luke Harper in a one on one match. Rowan stated on Talking Smack that he disapproved of the way Harper left the Wyatt Family and has promised to continue his attacks on Harper. Rowan vs. Harper was then made official for WWE Backlash by Shane McMahon.

- Tye Dillinger vs. Aiden English: Tye Dillinger and Aiden English both were brought in on Smackdown Live after the Superstar Shakeup. Dillinger defeated English a few weeks back in their first and second meetings against each other. Shane McMahon announced a third meeting between the two would take place at WWE Backlash.