WWE Backlash 2016 Review: Live Results, Analysis, and Grades; Dean Ambrose vs. AJ Styles
Follow along with our live review of the WWE Backlash pay-per-view.
On Sunday night, WWE SmackDown’s first exclusive pay-per-view will take place with Backlash. This show will emanate from the Richmond Coliseum in Richmond, VA. Six matches are scheduled for the show, including four for titles.
The main event of Backlash will see Dean Ambrose defend the WWE World Championship against AJ Styles. This got determined after Styles defeated Dolph Ziggler to become the No. 1 Contender to the belt on the post-SummerSlam SmackDown episode.
The Phenomenal One is riding a wave of momentum. He defeated John Cena at SummerSlam in a fantastic match, which put him over The Face That Runs the Place 2-0 in singles competition. This hardly happens, so Styles has rubbed it in that he’s The New Face That Runs the Place.
As for Ambrose, he has held the WWE world title for nearly three months. He has defeated the likes of Ziggler, Seth Rollins, and Roman Reigns to retain the belt. Styles may be his toughest test, though. Will we see a title change here?
The new SmackDown Women’s Championship will also be handed out in a Six-Pack Challenge Elimination match. Alexa Bliss, Becky Lynch, Carmella, Naomi, Natalya, and Nikki Bella will compete for this belt. Each woman has shown in some way that they deserve a chance to win, so who will become the inaugural champion?
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The SmackDown Tag Team Championship will also be handed out. The oddity team of Heath Slater and Rhyno have advanced to the final match of the tournament. If they win, Slater walks out of Backlash with a SmackDown contract. If not, then his free agent shtick will continue.
As for who they face, it’s supposed to be American Alpha. However, due to The Usos injuring Chad Gable’s leg, they will be unable to compete. Instead, Jimmy and Jey will face The Hype Bros for the chance to face Slater and Rhyno. The winning duo will become the new SmackDown Tag Team Champions.
The Miz will walk into Backlash with the WWE Intercontinental Championship, but has to get past Dolph Ziggler to retain it. These two have cut some of WWE’s most passionate promos over the past few weeks, including the A-lister’s famous pipe bomb on Talking Smack. Will his talk live up to the hype?
Backlash’s only match without title implications will see Randy Orton and Bray Wyatt go head to head. These two have feuded for the past three weeks, leading to this bout to potentially culminate their feud. Can Orton rebound from his TKO loss to Brock Lesnar at SummerSlam?
Here is a look at the match card for Backlash.
WWE World Championship Match
Dean Ambrose (c) vs. AJ Styles
Six-Pack Challenge Elimination Match for the SmackDown Women’s Championship
Alexa Bliss vs. Becky Lynch vs. Carmella vs. Naomi vs. Natalya vs. Nikki Bella
WWE Intercontinental Championship Match
The Miz (c) vs. Dolph Ziggler
SmackDown Tag Team Championship Tournament Semifinals Match
The Usos vs. The Hype Bros
SmackDown Tag Team Championship Tournament Finals Match
Heath Slater and Rhyno vs. The Usos or The Hype Bros
Bray Wyatt vs. Randy Orton
Follow along with our coverage of WWE Backlash right here beginning at 7:00 PM ET.