What’s the story?
Dave Meltzer recently provided information on the potential main event of WWE Backlash, which will take place on May 21st in Chicago, Illinois. He believes that either Baron Corbin or Erick Rowan will face Randy Orton for the WWE Championship at the SmackDown Live branded pay per view.
In case you didn’t know...
This would be Corbin’s very first one-on-one chance at the WWE Championship (not counting WWE Live events). In his two chances at the title, Corbin competed in the Elimination Chamber match and had a triple threat at the end of 2016 with Dolph Ziggler when AJ Styles was Champion.
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The heart of the matter
Rowan, who is a former NXT Tag Team Champion with Luke Harper, is an interesting name as he’s never really been in the hunt for a mid card Championship, let alone the top prize on Smackdown Live. With Bray Wyatt moving over to Monday Night Raw, both he and Luke Harper now get to shine on their own apart from the Wyatt Family.
Corbin has impressed since his debut in the Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal last year at WrestleMania. He’s been in prominent feuds ever since that debut with the likes of Dolph Ziggler and Dean Ambrose.
What’s next?
There is a little over a month until Backlash, but the chance to face Orton could occur as soon as the next SmackDown. Now that the smoke has cleared from the Superstar Shake-up, that puts the next pay per view into the forefront.
Author’s take
I’m really surprised that Meltzer mentions Rowan as a potential opponent for Orton, considering he lost to the champion in five minutes on the last Smackdown Live. He’s definitely got potential, but I can’t recall a lengthy one-on-one match that he’s had, to give the WWE faith to put him in the main event.
Luke Harper has completely impressed this year and should get a chance before Rowan.
As for Corbin, I have been a fan of his since his NXT days. I’m very pleased that he has impressed management on the main roster because he’s done very well in his first year. Of these two wrestlers, Corbin is the clear choice to get a shot at Orton before Randy’s eventual feud with AJ Styles begins.
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