The Dark Match Predicts WWE Backlash, A SmackDown Live PPV

It wasn’t so long ago that we had our last Backlash PPV.  That was the one where AJ Styles became WWE Champion, Becky Lynch became the first SmackDown Live Women’s Champion and Slater and Rhyno became the first WWE SmackDown Tag Team Champions.  It was a momentous night.  Hopefully this night can live up to it.

Tye Dillinger vs. Aiden English (Kickoff Match)

Jeremy:  I think one of two things happen with this match:  1) Aiden English cheats to win.  2) Tye wins by DQ when Aiden English gets caught doing something dirty to try to get the pin here.  I’m going to go with the former.  Aiden English needs to assert himself as a lower-mid card heel than Tye needs a win.  But it definitely needs to be a dirty win.  The Drama King wins by hitting Tye with Brass Knuckles while the ref is distracted.  They’ll have a rematch later where Tye will win.  At Money in the Bank, Tye Dillenger grabs the briefcase.

Matt:  I didn’t even know this was a thing.  Good for Aiden English, he’s finally getting time on a PPV.  This one should be all Dillinger.  Perfect 10, and I fully support Tye getting the MitB briefcase.

Luke Harper vs. Erick Rowan

Jeremy:  I hear that Rowan’s Talking Smack appearance was really good, but I haven’t watched it.  If that hadn’t happened, I would have said that it was hands down Harper’s match to win.  I think it could possibly be evenly matched.  I think Luke Harper squeaks out a win here with a pinfall.

Matt:  I don’t think they know what to do with either of these guys, which is sad, as Harper was in the title picture like a month ago.  Can we get back to there?  I like Luke Harper, he’s incredibly talented.  Same with Rowan, though not quite on Harper’s level, he’s still better than his booking.  Harper wins.

Sami Zayn vs. Baron Corbin

Jeremy: I love Sami, but I think Corbin is going to annihilate him.  I do think both these guys are great choices for the Money in the Bank ladder match next PPV.  Baron Corbin wins when he reverses Sami’s Tornado DDT into an End of Days onto the floor.  Eventually, Sami is going to get that big win.  It just isn’t going to be this month.

Matt:  Sami is going to get slaughtered in the continued Baron Corbin push.  Baron Corbin via pinfall after an End of Days through the Spanish Announce Table.

SmackDown Women’s Champion Naomi, Charlotte Flair & Becky Lynch vs. Natalya, Carmella & Tamina (Six-Woman Tag Team Match)

Jeremy:  It will be interesting to actually see Tamina wrestle.  I think the “faces” hold it together here to get the win.  I think the only way that doesn’t happen is if Charlotte is a bad teammate.  It’s very possible.  Either way, I think Naomi gets the pinfall on Natalya for the win.

Matt:  Charlotte hits Natural Selection on Naomi, rolling a lifeless Natalya over top of her before walking to the back.  Win one for the bad guys.

Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Dolph Ziggler

Jeremy:  This one is delicate.  One the one hand, you don’t want Nak to lose his first big match on the main roster.  One the other hand, it would be a huge boost to Dolph’s heel character if he were to win here.  The best case scenario is that Shinsuke barely wins clean.  Dolph can throw all the heel stuff Shinsuke’s way but it just doesn’t work.  Shinsuke with a Kinshasa!

Matt:  This match is great, I’ve seen it already.  If they bring even half of what they showed in the dark match at Smackdown after Mania, it’ll be great.  Poor Ziggler is going to get his head kicked off.  KINSHASA!!!!

United States Champion Kevin Owens vs. AJ Styles

Jeremy:  I think this championship stays on Owens.  I keep on forgetting this match is happening and it very well could be the match of the weekend.  I think the most effective thing here would be for Kevin to win by cheating to help further solidify AJ’s tweener status.    KO wins with a Popup Powerbomb after a bunch of heel stuff to retain.

Matt:  AJ Styles will win this match, clean, and take the belt.  Put a belt back on the Phenomenal One and add some stakes to all of his MotY candidate performances again.  AJ Styles is the new United States Champion.

SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Usos vs. Breezango

Jeremy:  The Uggos case will be closed when the Fashion Police put them behind bars.  I think it’s the perfect time for these guys to win.  They’ve turned a terrible gimmick into gold and they should be rewarded for doing so.  Breezango are your NEEWWWW WWE SmackDown Tag Team Champions after hitting whatever their finishing move is.

Matt:  Please, oh Lord, please let the Usos drop these belts and disappear.  They are so annoying.  The Fashion Police are on the case.

WWE Champion Randy Orton vs. Jinder Mahal

Jeremy:  THE MAHARAJA IS YOUR NEEEEEEWWWWW WWE CHAMPION!  I think this should happen and see how it goes.  This is the time of year to try some weird stuff.

Matt:  Nope.  There’s no way they’re going to let him beat Orton.  They’ve spent all this time having the Singh brothers help Jinder in his beat downs, with Randy ending every segment laying lifeless in the ring.  If I’ve learned anything at all from years of watching pro wrestling, the guy that gets the shit beat out of him on TV gets the last laugh at the PPV.  Orton retains, returns to storyline with Luke Harper because it actually makes sense.

Crazy Wild Predictions and Final Thoughts

Jeremy:  ADAM COLE WINS THE WWE CHAMPIONSHIP, BAYBAY!

Matt:  Mojo Rawley will attempt to cash in his Andre trophy like a Money in the Bank briefcase.  In a random act, Shane McMahon will allow it and Mojo Rawley will leave Backlash as the WWE Champion, playboy.  HYPE TRAIN!