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With Backlash looming, just a few days away, what will be in store for this week’s episode of SmackDown?
Backlash is this Sunday, September 11, and with multiple matches already set to take place, will any more be added to the card during SmackDown? After last week’s action, it certainly seems as if some new feuds will continue and make their way onto the card for Backlash. SmackDown has gotten better week by week. What can we expect for this upcoming episode? Let’s start by looking at what happened last week.
To open the show, they looked at a segment of Talking Smack, only on the WWE network (you’re welcome WWE), the week prior where SmackDown General Manger, Daniel Bryan called out the Miz and his so-called “soft style.” Miz did not take this well as Bryan said he wrestles like a coward. He also claims he finds ways to not get hit.
The Miz would go off on Bryan as he defended himself and then persisted to call out the SmackDown GM for his flaws. Miz opened the show, again defending himself in front of the crowd. He would later be interrupted by none other than Dolph Ziggler. Ziggler’s reason for coming out was to show the fans Miz is not in fact a coward. He called him out for a fight and Miz yet again backed down.
AJ Styles faced off with the young, upstart, Apollo Crews after Styles confronted Crews backstage. To which, Crews asked for the match last week. I for one, cannot wait for that. They are two of WWE’s top in-ring talents. These two will put on a phenomenal pay-per-view match in the future as SmackDown rolls on post brand-split.
Bray Wyatt and Randy Orton promoted their match at Backlash. Wyatt would yet again disappear into the darkness. Also on the card, Dean Ambrose would take on the “Lone Wolf,” Baron Corbin in the main event for the first time ever. Styles would get involved as he kicked Corbin on accident meaning to hit Ambrose.
What is in store for this week’s episode of SmackDown? Let’s take a look.
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Tag Team Tournament Semi-Finals
The final two matches of the tag team tournament quarterfinals got underway last Tuesday night. The Hype Bros took on the Ascension in the first match of the night. After hitting their finisher, the Hype-Ryder, Mojo Rawley, and Zack Ryder would ultimately walk out with the win and advance to the semi-finals set to take place this week. In the second quarter-final match-up of the night, the returning Head Bangers would take on the newly formed team of the Heath Slater and Rhyno.
Heath Slater, as we all know, is the hottest free agent in sports entertainment today. Rhyno and himself will have to win the entire tournament for Slater to receive a SmackDown contract. They took the first step in doing so by defeating former WWE tag team champions, the Head Bangers in their first match back with WWE in over a decade.
This week, fan favorite, American Alpha will take on former two-time tag team champs, the Usos in what should be the most entertaining match of the tournament thus far. These two teams were the opening favorites to win the tournament and here they meet in the semi-finals tonight. In the second match, The Hype Bros and the team of Heath Slater and Rhyno will do battle for the second spot in the finals. Do Slater and Rhyno have what it takes or will the Hype Bros prevail?
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Ambrose and Styles
I would expect to see some fireworks this week as we inch closer and closer to the WWE World Championship match Sunday at Backlash. Styles got involved in Ambrose main event match with Baron Corbin last week. Ambrose and Corbin were both on the ropes when Styles attempted to head kick the Lunatic Fringe. Instead of hitting him, he, in fact, hit Corbin which ultimately ended the match due to disqualification.
Perhaps, this may set up a match this Tuesday night pitting the Lone Wolf against the Phenomenal One. If this does occur, expect Ambrose to cost Styles a victory here. Will they open up the show with the so-called “face that runs the place” and the WWE World Champion? This would be the final promo as they head into Backlash this Sunday. Would Corbin stick his nose in their business? He is certainly not one to hold back his retaliation.
Just a few nights away from the first SmackDown only pay-per-view, expect some bad blood involved the champion, Ambrose and the challenger, Styles. How these two will engage, we will have to wait and see.
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Women’s Championship Promo?
With all of the SmackDown women competing in a six-pack challenge match for the new Women’s Championship this Sunday, can we expect a promo? All six women in the ring at the same time would surely make tensions flair on Tuesday night. I would not mind seeing a similar promo to that of Raw last week before the Universal Championship match. All women can input their thoughts on the match which could cause some fireworks.
Last week, Alexa Bliss and Natalya took on the team of Becky Lynch and Naomi where Bliss ended up pinning the favorite to win the championship Sunday, Lynch. There are plenty of feuds already brewing within this women’s division. Perhaps, most notably, the one between Carmella and Nikki Bella. During the tag match last Tuesday, Bella was on commentary. Carmella would come through the crowd and cheap shot Bella as she was announcing the match. It was this incident that caused the distraction and for Lynch to get rolled up by Bliss 1-2-3.
Will this be the week we see Bella finally taking on Carmella? A rivalry brewing since SummerSlam last month.
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What Else is in Store?
Expect another promo or possibly match interference between Bray Wyatt and Randy Orton. They have cut promos the past two weeks, so perhaps it is time for some match interference. I personally would love to see Orton compete and the lights go out once again. When the lights come back on, Wyatt will already have Orton ready for Sister Abigail. Fans want to see these two brawl and get in each other’s faces.
Is Kane going to make another appearance on this week’s SmackDown? He recently came out and choke slammed this so-called “Milkman” who demanded a match. After which, he had a stare down as Baron Corbin made his way down to the ring. This is a feud fans can get behind between two of WWE’s big men. Kane is nothing more than a filler at this point in his career, but this match could potentially have some meaning.
I would not be surprised if Ziggler has a match this week and the Miz gets involved. He will have another chance to prove he is not a coward this week, however, I don’t think Miz will prove himself until Backlash. The pay-per-view will be the battleground where he will face the “Show Off,” Ziggler for the coveted Intercontinental Championship. Will the Miz’s never ending championship tour come to a close this Sunday or will he find a way around another victory?
If the Miz does not prove himself this Sunday, WWE is wasting him and will have a hard time getting him away from the title “King of Soft Style.” Miz will need to put on a hard fought match without the help of his wife, Maryse if he wants the fans to side with him ever again. Miz has always been a heel and great on the mike, which can make him an asset. Whether you like or dislike him, you cannot deny he is awesome on the microphone. He too has cut some hilarious promos in recent weeks. Don’t waste him and at last put him in a meaningful match at Backlash.
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