The next pay-per-view (PPV) on the WWE schedule is the Backlash show set to take place on Sun., Sept. 11, 2016, at the Richmond Coliseum in Richmond, Virginia. This will be the first SmackDown Live exclusive event since the brand split. The PPV is shaping up to be a good one with a stellar WWE World Championship bout between AJ Styles and Dean Ambrose. The Intercontinental Championship scene has also become very interesting since The Miz cut his promo on Talking Smack against Daniel Bryan. We will also see The Viper, Randy Orton, take on Bray Wyatt in one of the marquee matches of the night amongst a host of other top level bouts.

Confirmed matches-

Dean Ambrose(c) vs AJ Styles(WWE World Championship):

New Champs in WWE! More RIGHT HERE

AJ Styles has had a wave of momentum the last few months. If it wasn’t clear before, it is clear now – WWE Officials are very high on AJ Styles. In fact, it can be said without a doubt that he is one of the top 5 acts in the eyes of the WWE officials. He defeated John Cena clean at SummerSlam, becoming the first heel (barring Lesnar) in a long time to cleanly defeat John Cena in a feud. The company has put an immense amount of faith in The Phenomenal One, and it can be seen in his booking. Dean Ambrose had a good first couple of defenses of his WWE World Championship, and even had a great feud with Ziggler, but unfortunately, the match fell quite flat.

It is being said that if Roman Reigns would have been suspended, the WWE World Championship would have stayed on Raw, and the WWE Universal Championship would be introduced on Smackdown Live, where AJ Styles would defeat John Cena to become the first champion. However, with plans changing all the time, one thing that seems highly likely is that they want Styles to carry the Smackdown Live brand, and will likely give him his coronation at Backlash.

Prediction: Winner, and NEW WWE World Champion - AJ Styles

Becky Lynch vs Carmella vs Alexa Bliss vs Natalya vs Nikki Bella vs Naomi(Six-Pack Challenge for the Smackdown Women’s Champion)

The first ever Six-Pack Women’s Challenge

At first thought after the draft, many believed that SmackDown Live were robbed in the women’s division, with a good chunk of the bigger names going to Raw. However, SmackDown Live have been featuring utilizing the female talent pretty well in the last few weeks.

Two examples are - 1)Booking Eva Marie’s appearances into comedic gold that made Eva Marie enjoyable instead of the usual negativity she receives from fans; and 2)Turning Carmella heel when she wasn’t clicking as a babyface, while the returning Nikki Bella has been getting organically cheered. Eva Marie was reportedly planned to be the inaugural Smackdown Women’s Champion, but those plans were clearly tossed out of the window after she received a 30-day suspension for failing the Wellness Policy.

Either way, Smackdown Live has an interesting dynamic with the women. Though Nikki Bella has returned, it has been reported constantly that she will be back on only a part-time basis, and if that is the case, there is only one obvious option to be the face of the Smackdown Live Women’s division: Becky Lynch.

WWE definitely know what they have with Becky, who is among the most beloved babyfaces on the entire roster, male or female. However, to be the face of a brand is a long-term process, and it seems clear that Becky Lynch is the long term plan for the division, and not the immediate one, so they will likely start the lineage with a familiar name who they are comfortable with. However, the whole division will clearly benefit from the consistent booking, and are bound to get a title run at some point.

Prediction: Winner, and inaugural Smackdown Women’s Champion, Nikki Bella

Smackdown Tag-Team Championship Tournament Final – American Alpha/The Usos vs The Hype Bros/Heath Slater and Rhyno

American Alpha have been pushed right off the bat since their arrival on SmackDown Live, and it is obvious that they are destined to become the top babyface team of the division. A problem that the SmackDown Live tag team division faces it that it is very shallow with very few teams, and even fewer with credibility. It is being rumored that The Usos will be turning heel to take on American Alpha.

It is unclear how the brackets of the tournament have worked so far, but it is likely that The Usos will be turning heel and try to cost Alpha the titles. Even though it contradicts the previous point of how “to be the face of the division, there must be a long build”, it is more likely that Alpha will be crowned right off the bat, with The Usos chasing them. However, it must be noted that even teams like The Ascension and Breezango who were practically enhancement talent for a while have been given better opportunities. Expect all teams to benefit on Smackdown Live, with Alpha being the leaders of the pack.

Prediction: Winners, and inaugural Smackdown Tag Team Champions – American Alpha

Bray Wyatt vs Randy Orton

This is an extremely interesting feud between two stars who are beloved to the fans. On the final SmackDown Live of August, Randy Orton challenged Bray Wyatt after he was called out by The Eater of Worlds. Expect this feud to go on for a few months, lasting a few Pay-Per-Views. This feud will undoubtedly be really important in elevating both stars going forward when carrying the blue brand.

Prediction: Bray Wyatt

The Miz(c) vs Dolph Ziggler(Intercontinental Championship)

The past couple of weeks have been really interesting for The Miz. He has had several eyes on him after he cut his now-famous promo on Daniel Bryan last week on Talking Smack. Even on SmackDown Live on 30th August, he showed a very different aggressive side, when Ziggler came out and provoked him and challenged him to a fight. Miz was about to go back to the ring and fight The Showoff, but his wife Maryse stopped him. Miz may be accused of being a coward, but he is showing a new, fresh and aggressive side of himself.

Prediction: Winner, and STILL Intercontinental Champion, The Miz

Predicted matches:

Kalisto vs Baron Corbin

We might see Baron Corbin take on Kalisto

This was a match that was supposed to take place at SummerSlam, but couldn’t because of time constraints in the mammoth 4-hour main card and 2-hour pre-show. However, now, in a brand-exclusive pay-per-view with more time to fill, this is a match that will definitely be taking place.

Prediction: Baron Corbin