WWE Backlash 2016: American Alpha replaced due to Chad Gable injury

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Following Chad Gable’s injury on WWE SmackDown, Shane McMahon announced that American Alpha would be out of the tag tournament finals at Backlash.

One of the SmackDown Tag Team Tournament semifinal matches saw American Alpha defeat The Usos to advance. This lasted less than a minute, with Chad Gable and Jason Jordan hitting Grand Amplitude for a quick victory. They would move on to face Rhyno and Heath Slater in the finals of the tournament.

However, after the match ended, The Usos ran back into the ring to beat down the former amateur wrestlers. They ended up targeting the left leg of Gable’s. He got attended to by trainers afterward. SmackDown Commissioner Shane McMahon would note that Gable’s status is questionable for WWE Backlash.

It seems AA will not compete on Sunday, though, as McMahon noted on WWE Talking Smack that Gable’s injury will keep him out 2-4 weeks. He called it an injury to the MCL.

Instead, The Hype Bros and Usos will have a match, with the winner wrestling twice at Backlash.

Given that Rhyno and Slater are babyfaces, along with Jimmy and Jey turning heel, one would think the latter would be favored to advance to the final match on Sunday. They have momentum from Tuesday’s events, and may get a second chance to win go for the belts.

There is a lingering presence of Jason Jordan, though. He could be booked to interfere without getting Mojo Rawley and Zack Ryder disqualified to cost The Usos a chance at advancing. This would further the feud for the next SmackDown pay-per-view.

If The Usos win, though, then we could see an intriguing tag title feud with American Alpha looking for revenge. This may be the better route coming out of Backlash.

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