Tossing Salt Presents:
WWE Backlash Thoughts and Predictions
May 19, 2017

Coming up on Sunday, live from the All-State Arena in Chicago, IL, it’s WWE Backlash, an exclusive Smackdown Live pay-per-view, available only on the WWE Network. It’s not the most exciting card or event I’ve ever seen advertised, but the matches should be solid and it should be an eventful and entertaining three hours of wrestling action. And of course, I’m here to do that “Sister Cleo meets Gary Spivey who be chillin’ with Jeanne Dixon” thing. Yes, my friends. I’m doing predictions. So why procrastinate and put off what we’re here to do. It’s time to get funky like a monkey and kick in that brain claw just like Baron Von Raschke. In other words, lets do this…

WWE BACKLASH 2017 PAY PER VIEW PREDICTIONS

Kickoff Show: Tye Dillinger vs. Aiden English

I’m actually a big fan of Aiden English and would love to see him get some kind of push from WWE management. The man has great wrestling skills and a pretty good singing voice as well. I’m not sure where they’re going with this whole “breaking down” story he’s been doing for the past month or so, ever since the termination of Vaudevillain partner Simon Gotch, but I don’t like it. Just let the man sing his songs and do what he does best, which is wrestle. As for Tye, he’s a good talent and over with the fans and all of that jazz. He doesn’t do anything for me personally, but he was just called up from NXT and he’s the new flavor of the month so I can’t see him losing yet, at least not to a fellow low to mid-carder like English. The WWE will want to start the show off with a fast match that can get the crowd fired up and this match and these two men will certainly be able to do that. English will dominate most of the match, but Tye takes home the win.

Winner: Tye Dillinger

Smackdown Tag Titles: Usos (c) vs. Breezango

I had almost forgotten that there even was a tag team division on Smackdown since it’s been so neglected as of late. Ever since The Wyatt Family defeated Heath Slater and Rhyno for the titles way back when (remember that?), the Smackdown tag team titles have been pretty much forgotten. What has happened to American Alpha? Or the Ascension? I had honestly forgotten that the Usos were the tag team champs. When did that happen? Yes, Smackdown has been that bad. Breezango and their “fashion police” skits have been funny and it’s good to see Fandango and Tyler Breeze get a bit of a push now. They are so good and have so much charisma and talent, especially Fandango, and it’s good to see that someone in Creative finally remembered that they’re part of the roster. And the Usos are the Usos… what more needs to be said? This match is just here as filler to take up space and time while Smackdown waits for the arrival of The New Day to the Smackdown roster. I’d love to see Breezango win and the jokes they could make about the New Day and their wardrobe choices, which definitely are booty, would be great. But I don’t think that will happen. A good match and the fans will cheer Breezango, but in the end, the Usos are the better tag team and will pull out a convincing win to retain their titles.

Winners and STILL Smackdown Tag Team Champions: The Usos

Charlotte Flair/Becky Lynch/Naomi vs. Natalya/Carmella/Tamina Snuka

The newly arrived “Queen” and her new friends against the Smackdown Live Welcoming Committee. Personally, given their interactions on the past few editions of Smackdown, I’d rather see Naomi fighting James Ellsworth in a street fight or something of that nature. I have absolutely no interest in this match which is sad because I like Charlotte, Natayla and Tamina. Becky kind of bores me and I can’t get into Naomi or Carmella at all, but that’s nothing against them. They’re just not doing it for me. As for this match, I’m thinking that we may just see a change here. Charlotte as a “face” just doesn’t do it for me and having her teaming with the Smackdown Women’s Champion when she should be going after Naomi just doesn’t work. It may happen on Sunday or it may get dragged out a few more weeks, but sooner rather than later, Charlotte is going to take Naomi to school. Count on it. As for this match, I’m not sure if it will be because of Charlotte bailing on her team or just miscommunication between Charlotte and her partners, but the “Welcoming Committee” will walk that walk, talk that talk and take that trip to the pay window.

Winners: Natayla, Tamina Snuka and Carmella w/ James Ellsworth

Luke Harper vs. Erick Rowan

These two should be teaming instead of fighting. I’d love to see someone like Bo Dallas perhaps or maybe even James Ellsworth, expanding his role as a manager, come to the ring and convince these two men, who are struggling to find themselves since the end of the Wyatt Family, that they’re stronger as a unit than as opponents and offer to lead them and show them the way. This match is just filler and taking up space. Rowan has just sort of been there since Bray left and went to RAW and just seems to be going through the motions. Harper has had some mini-pushes and had a fantastic match with Randy Orton a few months ago. He’s not being pushed right now, but that’s more the fault of creative than any fault of Harpers. Look for a good brawl and Harper takes home the win.

Winner: Luke Harper

Baron Corbin vs. Sami Zayn

Sami is a good wrestler, but against anyone else besides Kevin Owens, no one seems to care or give a damn. This is just another filler match and filler rivalry to take up space on Smackdown Live. Zayn is being used as an enhancement talent. Corbin is ready to get that big push to the moon and back. Corbin is definitely getting the win here.

Winner: Baron Corbin

Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Dolph Zigger

All the hype and build for the former NXT Champion, keeping him off TV as a wrestler until this match against Dolph. Do you really think that Nakamura is going to lose here? Really? Really? Really? There’s a better chance of Jeff Jarrett and Scott Steiner showing up on RAW to challenge the Shield. It’s going to be a good and probably stiff match. And the “Artist” wins. Yes, really.

Winner: Shinsuke Nakamura

US Title: Kevin Owens(c) vs. AJ Styles

This will probably be the match of the night and possibly even a match of the year candidate. And it could easily go either way. Do we have AJ win the title and pull a John Cena challenge type role, defending it each week on Smackdown, making it the top title on the brand? Or does Kevin retain the title, gain more momentum as the top heel in WWE and the “Face of America”, propelling his way to a challenge from Jericho when he returns from his Fozzy tour and against the WWE Champion? A loss will not hurt either of these men, although Styles is a bit more immune to any major damage from taking that fall or doing the job. Styles doesn’t need a title right now. Kevin probably does so I’m going to go with Kevin doing some dastardly deed and stealing a win to retain the U.S. title. Sounds like a plan to me.

Winner and STILL WWE United States Champion: Kevin Owens

WWE Title: Randy Orton (c) vs. Jinder Mahal

And here we go with the surprise challenger against the “eh” champion. Randy just isn’t doing it for me this time around and his current reign as the WWE Champion has been less than exciting or inspirational. But Jinder as the champion? I like that he’s getting the push and the shot, but I just can’t see Jinder as the top guy on the Smackdown brand. Can we just go ahead and bring Drew McIntyre up from NXT already and let him take the spot of his former 3MB associate? I’d even rather see Heath Slater in Jinder’s spot or maybe Zack Ryder when he returns from injury. By the way, if we don’t get a heel Zack versus face Mojo war when Zack returns to Smackdown, then I riot. Just saying. As for this, it’s only the first battle with the two men. I think Randy should win and retain the gold.

Winner and STILL WWE Champion: Randy Orton

And I guess that’s all for now. Those are my predictions and thoughts for Backlash. What do you think? Am I correct in my assumptions as to who will win or lose or am I Vince Russo on a pole crazy? Let me know what you think. Comments and thoughts are welcome.

And now, I’m down and I’m gone. Thanks for reading and I’ll see you next time. Take care.

Ubuntu!