W2Mnet WWE Backlash 2017 Preview & Predictions

An Introduction To The Article

As someone that has quite a bit of experience doing these roundtable type articles, I wanted to do this a bit differently than some others. Instead of having numerous people all give thoughts on each match, I felt it better to assign one match to each person. So, one of our staff members will give their thoughts on the match itself and predict a winner. – Sean Garmer

W2Mnet Staff

Sean Garmer, Co-Host of Wrestling 2 the MAX, W2Mnet Editor in-Chief

Paul Leazar, Co-Host of Wrestling 2 the MAX, W2Mnet Wrestling Dept. Head

Patrick Ketza, Co-Host of Wrestling Unwrapped, W2Mnet Wrestling Senior Editor

Harry Broadhurst, Co-Host of Wrestling Unwrapped, W2Mnet Wrestling Contributor

Cedric Colon, W2Mnet Wrestling Contributor

Robert Taylor, W2Mnet Wrestling Contributor

Jeff Sugg, W2Mnet Staff Member

Pre-show Match

Tye Dillinger vs. Aiden English

When Tye Dillinger finally made his main roster debut I, like many, couldn’t have been happier. The man worked for YEARS to finally achieve that dream, and it’s always great when you see hard work pay off like that. Unfortunately, he hasn’t been given much to work with, only quick showcase matches here and there, which is fine for now. However, Tye has this incredible babyface fire that the crowds can get behind, so he needs to be put into a program shortly before they lose the crowds.

Aiden English became the unfortunate victim of two things: being called up to a writing team that didn’t “get” his gimmick, and being in a tag team with reported backstage primadonna, Simon Gotch. With the release of Gotch, Aiden English has reverted back to his older NXT gimmick of a master thespian. It doesn’t look like creative has any plans for him outside of jobber to the stars, which is a shame.

The man works very hard, and has a specific charisma that could get him over down the road. In the end, this is another showcase match for the Perfect 10, and I expect him to weather an early storm, only to finish the match clean and definitively around the 10:00 mark. The crowd will be hot, the 10 chants will be loud, and this pre-show match will be perfectly acceptable. – Robert Taylor

Winner: Tye Dillinger

Other Staff Member Predictions: Everyone else also picked Tye Dillinger.

A Frightening Grudge Match

Luke Harper vs. Erick Rowan

Erick Rowan is showing more potential now than at any point in his career. The legitimately highly intelligent monster can fill a unique role within wwe if he can prove more consistent inside the ring. And while Harper might be the perfect opponent to get Rowan accustomed to wwe’s style, I am already tiring of the feud. They really need to add some intensity if they hope to keep it going. Rowan can emerge victorious by using his intelligence and out smarting the Backwoods Brawler.

Luke Harper is one of the most underappreciated talents in all of wwe. It feels like the audience is willing to accept him as a legit contender, but he can’t seem to maintain any momentum. Harper can win this match by using his experience, athleticism, and superior wrestling ability to keep Rowan off balanced and possibly even confused. Harper desperately  needs this victory and I believe his roaring clothesline will provide him with the 1 – 2 – 3. – Jeff Sugg

Winner: Luke Harper

Other Staff Member Predictions: Robert, Patrick, and Harry picked Harper. Paul, Cedric, and Sean picked Rowan.

A Chance for Redemption

Sami Zayn vs. Baron Corbin

Baron Corbin is the total Vince McMahon guy. A former Football player and Boxer who kicks ass and doesn’t give a crap about anybody. He looks like someone that should be in WWE. Credit to Corbin, he’s improved tremendously on the microphone thanks to all those Talking Smack appearances. He’s also made improvements in-ring. Although those are a bit more incremental. Sami Zayn is the great underdog story that is just waiting to be given the green light.

However, this isn’t the time for the Zayn story to go full speed ahead. Baron Corbin is the one being pushed and probably set for a big feud with AJ Styles. It is possible the folks in charge could have Zayn get one of his unexpected wins. While also having an over eager Corbin pull AJ into the feud anyway. By Corbin maintaining that he’s squashed the Sami Zayn bug. For me, it could go either way, but I feel like it’s the End of Days for Mr. Zayn. – Sean Garmer

Winner: Baron Corbin

Other Staff Member Predictions: Everyone else also picked: Baron Corbin.

The Big Debut

Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Dolph Ziggler

Dolph Ziggler is showing more fire in recent months than in the last couple of years. Unfortunately it is hard to take him seriously due to his history. And it feels like the end of this match is not in doubt. But I could see wwe pulling the upset in order to run this feud a little longer. Ziggler is a former world champion with a devastating arsenal; his superkick, his sleeper, and the zig zag can all lead him to victory.

That unpredictability can serve Dolph well. But no one, and I mean no one, is more unpredictable than the King of Strong Style. And while Dolph’s feet might be educated, Swagske’s feet have their doctorates. No superstar in wwe possesses a more dangerous weapon than Nakamura’s knee strikes. More specifically, the Kinsasha is one of the best finishers in the entire wwe universe. Shinsuke also has the best grappling on the roster. When you combine his technique with his momentum, then I can’t see Nakamura losing his in-ring, main roster debut. –
Jeff Sugg

Winner: Shinsuke Nakamura

Other Staff Member Predictions: Everybody else also picked Shinsuke Nakamura

Six Woman Tag Team Match

Naomi, Charlotte Flair, and Becky Lynch vs. The Welcoming Committee (Natalya, Carmella, and Tamina) w/ James Ellsworth

(I swear I don’t always choose the women’s matches…) 3 on 3 warfare… because this worked SO WELL 2 years ago. It feels so weird that after starting to pull matches that equaled, and sometimes surpassed, the monotonous Raw matches, we get a step backward with teams that make very little sense. The Welcoming Committee’s top heel… is James Ellsworth. That doesn’t help. This can be a great match, and I hope it is, but I’m not comfortable with it, because it just feels like a step back. But, the smart money would be on Team Corporate sponsor picking up the win.

Winners: Team NBC (Naomi, Becky Lynch, Charlotte)

Other Staff Member Predictions: Robert picked NBC. Everybody else picked The Welcoming Committee

WWE Smackdown Tag Team Title Match

(Champions) The Usos vs. Breezango

Here’s a match that should not be overlooked. In one corner you have arguably one of the greatest tag teams of the modern era in the Usos. Two brothers raised in wrestling royalty who continue to redefine themselves as tag team specialist. And although this new transformation leaves a question mark during their promos, is their aggressiveness in the ring that leaves no questions. They will do what it takes to hurt and beat their opponents, and stay in their rightful place as kings of the tag team division.

But with all their funny antics, The Usos better not sleep on Breezango. The combination of Tyler Breeze and Fandango bring youth, athleticism and technique. And the WWE Universe knows that these two won’t stop at nothing to have those belts adorn their enviable waistlines and put a stop to horrible fashion that plagues the tag team division. – Cedric Colon

Winner and STILL SmackDown LIVE Tag Team Champions: The Usos

Other Staff Member Predictions: Patrick picked Breezango. Everybody else picked The Usos.

WWE United States Title Match

(Champion) Kevin Owens vs. AJ Styles

Man, what a terrific match to look at on paper here. Kevin Owens vs. AJ Styles on a big stage for a championship is a big reason to watch this show all by itself. While I think a bunch of people are pulling for AJ Styles, they are a few important reasons why KO should hold onto the belt here. First, I’d wager that AJ Styles has become such a big part of Smackdown that he doesn’t really need to hold the championship. He’s already getting a pretty platform on his own without needing to tote around the hardware. Kevin Owen’s new gimmick as “The Face of America” just falls so flat for me. He’s nowhere near as entertaining as he was on RAW last year, and while Chris Jericho might have had a big hand in that, he still had the angry prize fighter stuff to fall back on.

Kevin needs the championship to stay relevant right now until they sort the gimmick out. Secondly, Kevin’s entire gimmick right now is based on holding that, and since his feud with Jericho is over, a string of defenses are going to be needed to keep everything a float for him. Finally, I still firmly believe the Summerslam main event for Smackdown this year is going to be AJ Styles against Randy Orton. It’s match that WWE has wanted to put on since the brand split IMO, and Summerslam is the proper stage for it (plus, the proof for me lies in how hard WWE has tried to keep them away from each other.). At any rate, I’m picking Kevin Owens to retain here. It doesn’t have to be clean, he just needs to walk away with the belt. – Paul Leazar

Winner and STILL WWE United States Champion: Kevin Owens

Other Staff Member Predictions: Robert, Patrick, and Cedric picked AJ Styles. Jeff picked Kevin Owens.

WWE World Heavyweight Title Match

(Champion) Randy Orton vs. Jinder Mahal w/ The Singh Brothers

Jinder Mahal raise your hand if you saw this coming? Alright, Jinder’s parents, you can stop raising your hand now. Let’s be honest people. The Wyatt feud was a bust and they needed to get away from it. That being said, I’m not sure that Jinder is the answer. I like the gimmick, but I liked it a lot more when it was Mohammed Hassan doing it. Truthfully, I’m not sure that the SmackDown title doesn’t need to shake up. Orton is a stale champion. The belt was much better off in the hands of people like styles and though I hate to say this Cena. That being said there is like no chance to me that Jinder walks out champion. My other concern is that they need something to fill the void until SummerSlam. Therefore, my prediction, is Orton retains by DQ

Winner and STILL WWE World Heavyweight Champion: Randy Orton

Other Staff Member Predictions: Everyone else also picked Randy Orton

Farewell For Now

Well, this concludes our WWE Backlash Preview. Be sure to continue W2Mnet for all of our other great content. Not to mention, leave your predictions in the comments below. Also, check out Gary Vaughan, Paul and Sean give their predictions on-air, on the Wrestling 2 the MAX Podcast