Breaking down the best moments from WWE Backlash 2016.
WWE Backlash 2016 had on paper at least, major potential. With 4 title matches, 2 of them being inaugural championships, this should’ve been a historic night. On top of that, a main event pitting AJ Styles and Dean Ambrose for the WWE Championship headlined Smackdown’s pay per view and all in all, it was pretty good. There were some solid moments, some questionable ones, but overall came out as a solid night of wrestling.
But what were the best moments? There were a few to choose from. The Miz’s performance against Dolph Ziggler for the Intercontinental Championship, although outstanding, just missed making the top 3 moments from Backlash. The Bray Wyatt/Randy Orton matchup never happened as the ever-original Kane stepped in to take an injured Orton’s place. That clearly had no chance of cracking Backlash’s top 3.
But the top 3 moments at Backlash were not only great pro wrestling but a foreshadowing of what the Smackdown brand could potentially bring in the future. Ahead we break down the 3 best moments from Backlash 2016.
3. Becky Lynch Does Her Job
If you’ve been following the WWE for the past 3 years, you’d know that Ireland’s Becky Lynch has been one of the best and most consistent wrestlers on the roster, male or female. As her character has evolved from tricky heel to hard-hitting babyface, The Irish Lass Kicker has been without question the best woman wrestler on the roster to never win a title, be it WWE or NXT.
Going into Backlash, she clearly seemed the odds-on favorite to become the first ever Smackdown Women’s champion. But that did not mean that it was going to be easy. Of her 5 opponents in the six-pack challenge at Backlash, 2 had already been world champions (Natalya, Nikki Bella), 1 is the most athletic woman in the WWE (Naomi), and the other 2 are future world champions in the making (Alexa Bliss, Carmella). This clearly would be no cake walk for Lynch.
But Becky walked into the Richmond Coliseum and seized her opportunity, and did it with grace. She was the clear ring general from the very beginning of the match and seemed to be the one foiling every other competitors chances. She took every opportunity she had to soften up her opponents arms in hopes of locking in her Dis-Arm-Her submission hold in the future. And she did just after snatching Carmella’s left arm for the tap out and win.
Even though the most deserving potential winner, Lynch still brought the sell-out crowd in Richmond to their feet as she captured her first title. It was a long time coming for Lynch and her fans and it was the pinnacle moment of her career. Her five combatants were all impressive in their match and in saying that, shows that the Smackdown Women’s division has a very bright future.
2. Heath Slater Gets His Contract…and a Championship
Wow, what a few months for Heath Slater. After the only marquee angle of his career as part of The Nexus ended in 2012, Slater had been mostly used as a low card time filler. Actually, that might be an over-statement. He’d been a side-show act, no other way to say it. From being squashed by a number of legends, to the failed 3 Man Band clique, to the Social Outcast abomination, the talented Slater was being summarily wasted. As a solid in-ring worker but an even better microphone personality, Heath deserved more.
The July brand split seemed to be the best thing to happen to him. After not getting drafted, his “hottest free agent” gimmick had been one of the best angles in the company. Flat out, Slater has been awesome in this role. From hilarious promos, to a new found intensity, Slater was captivating the WWE Universe, consistently getting some of the loudest crowd reactions of anyone else.
So when Daniel Bryan offered him a chance to get a Smackdown contract only by winning the Smackdown tag title tournament, the deck was heavily stacked against him. Heck, he didn’t even have a partner. But after having enlisted Rhyno as his teammate, the two, with the fans behind them, flew through to the finals of the tournament. But even by the time Backlash came around, it still seemed a bit far-fetched that the duo would win.
But win they did, and it was glorious. Taking on a newly heel Uso Brothers, Slater and Rhyno matched their aggression with reinvigorated intensity. Slater has suddenly gone from an afterthought to a legitimate star. Couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy.
1. AJ Styles Does The Unthinkable
There was a ton of fanfare for AJ Styles when he was signed to the WWE in January. He was highly regarded as one the best professional wrestlers in the world for over a decade and his resume spoke for itself. But with his signing, came the opportunity for history. By winning the WWE Championship he would’ve become the first man to ever win that title as well as the TNA World Championship, as well as the IWGP World Championship. Truly rarified air.
Styles had already had a couple of chances to accomplish this feat as he battled Roman Reigns unsuccessfully during the Spring. But after besting John Cena at SummerSlam, Styles quickly became the legitimate number one contender to Dean Ambrose after both were drafted to Smackdown.
The two warriors tore into each other at Backlash and showed the WWE Universe what a championship match should be. And with Styles digging into his heel back of tricks to get the belt, it’s clear that this feud will continue with some heat.
Ambrose has been nothing short of brilliant as champion and has absolutely no reason to put his head down. But for Styles, wrestling fans need to start asking themselves a question. Is Styles officially now the best wrestler of our generation? He can very easily make that argument. At 39 years old, he seems as good as ever. And with the amount of talent the WWE has ready to do battle with him, the future is bright for the WWE Championship. For AJ Styles fans, life is good.
More from Daily DDT
This article originally appeared on 
