WWE got a bit gutsy with Backlash, its first pay-per-view event exclusively for the Smackdown Live brand. New champions, possible new feuds, and still questions left unanswered. There was plenty of positive things to talk about, especially with a new WWE World Champion in AJ Styles. Two years ago, Styles wasn’t even a consideration by many to be part of the company’s roster and now, he is arguably the best thing to come to WWE in many years.
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Oh, how times have changed.
Now that the show is over and we can all sit back and analyze match after match, trying to create scenarios that will play out over the course of the next month, is this brand better off than it was before the event? The answer is a resounding, YES! The little engine that could brand that has chased its big brother Raw for years has finally caught up to its idol and delivered a B+ performance with fewer matches and a lot more hype.
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The plan worked, but it still left us asking what happens now? That’s what it was supposed to do. By and large, there is plenty to be excited about over the final three months of the year, but there are some issues that have to be ironed out moving forward.
Here are five things that did not work from Sunday night.
1- Randy Orton pulled from the event
A couple of hours prior to the show, it was announced that Orton had still not been cleared to wrestle since his confrontation with Brock Lesnar at SummerSlam. It was believed The Viper would be cleared this week prior to Sunday night’s match with Bray Wyatt. Instead, the company staged Wyatt attacking Orton backstage and injuring his leg.
The fact WWE wanted to promote this match, when officials knew there was still a major possibility Orton could not compete shows the company is desperate to find a place for both Wyatt and the 12-time world champion on the brand.
Orton is said to be advertised in live events with Lesnar, but it is not known if he will be cleared for those as well. The RKO was a nice touch, coming out of the back to help Kane win the match that replaced the one planned, but this did little for me.
Not Putting the Women’s Title on Nikki Bella
With no disrespect to Becky Lynch, who deserves the opportunity to carry the banner for Smackdown Live, it would have made more sense to continue the battle between Carmella and Nikki Bella with the title on the line. Unless the plan is to make Carmella the first opponent for Lynch, this makes little sense. I could see a Triple-Threat Match involving the three women, but I personally would rather see more wrestling and less of the gimmick matches.
Carmella has so much potential and the feud between she and Bella is golden, plus it helps put the rookie over in a big way. While we all love Becky, will she be able continue to get the Staten Island Princess over with the fans? Bella can do that.
3- No Response From Daniel Bryan
You would think that in a situation where the Smackdown Live brand has its own pay-per-view, there would be more to the Miz-Daniel Bryan situation. Granted, it is a well-written, well-played program, but it deserves more. The fact Bryan has no response for The Miz is perfect in this type of angle, but there should have been something a bit more after his match with Dolph Ziggler.
The match itself was really good and The Miz looked strong against arguably one of the best talents on the brand right now. But after Maryse sprayed Ziggler in the face giving the win to her husband, Bryan should have come out from the back and showed muscle as the general manager of the brand. Hopefully, this leads to Bryan finally losing control and getting in the ring with his nemesis.
4- The Usos Got Robbed
Regardless of the angle and the feel good story, I am sure my friend Sarah would agree that Jimmy and Jey Uso should have won the inaugural Smackdown Tag Team Titles. There was a reason for the heel turn by one of the more popular tag teams in some time. Yes, it was warranted, but there should have been a different ending and a way to keep Heath Slater on the roster.
Slater’s story is an example of how WWE has changed and has made storytelling a priority. I thought this would be a situation where Slater and Rhyno would continue in the company, but they would not win on Sunday night.
You can expect the Usos to get another shot at glory some point soon – potentially on Smackdown Live on Tuesday night. For now, the story of Slater is more important – but for continuity sake, he should have not won the title.
5- Dean Ambrose’s Reign Ends
This isn’t as much of something gone wrong as it is the end of Ambrose as champion. I knew going in this would be a marquee match, and it delivered. The fact Styles won via low blow and the Styles Clash solidifies himself as the company’s top villain. Forget what JBL said about the fans’ perception of him, this sets up nicely for a return feud with John Cena.
This pay-per-view was tailor-made for such a moment. How the company capitalizes on this moment is anyone’s guess and how quickly Cena returns to confront Styles is yet to be determined. The Styles Era is now WWE’s to deal with. I assume Ambrose gets a rematch, but Cena will be the one to take the belt away from Styles.
