With SummerSlam in the books, SmackDown needs to look forward to its first brand-specific Pay-Per-View, Backlash. Since it’s only a couple of weeks away, Daniel Bryan announced that there will be two new championships unveiled tonight. How can SmackDown start building their Pay-Per-View, and the foundation for their brand?
Opening Segment
A few Superstars are in the locker room, including a frustrated Dolph Ziggler, who lost a WWE Championship match to Dean Ambrose at SummerSlam. AJ Styles enters the locker room, mocks Ziggler, and the rest of the Superstars have to keep them apart before things get out of control.
In-ring Segment
Shane McMahon, Daniel Bryan, the tag division, and the women’s division are all in the ring. Two new championships have been unveiled: The SmackDown Tag Team Championships, and the SmackDown Women’s Championship. The Women’s Championship will be determined in a Six Pack Challenge, and the Tag Team Championship will be determined in a tournament that ends at Backlash.
Heath Slater, still a free agent, interrupts in search for a contract and championships. If Slater finds a partner, he can compete in the tournament. Also, only if Slater wins the entire tournament, he will earn a SmackDown contract.
Styles comes down to the ring to complain about Ziggler from before, and not before long, Ziggler attacks him from behind and the tag teams have to break them up.
Becky Lynch vs. Alexa Bliss – SmackDown Women’s Championship Six Pack Challenge
To scout their Six Pack Challenge competitors, Natalya and Naomi are at the commentary team with Mauro Ranallo, JBL, and David Otunga.
Becky Lynch works Bliss’s arm the entire match and it comes in handy when she locks in the Disarm-her to pick up the victory. Winner (via submission): Becky Lynch
The Ascension vs. The Usos – SmackDown Tag Team Championship Tournament
SmackDown has their brand-specific Pay-Per-View, Backlash, on September 11. Since the Tuesday night show has become equal to Raw, it only makes sense that every division has their own championship.
The former longest-reigning NXT Tag Team Champions can’t get the job done, and the Usos hit the splash on Viktor to advance in the tournament. Winners: The Usos
In-ring Segment
AJ Styles claims that since he defeated John Cena, he should be the face that runs the place. Before he continues, Ziggler tries to storm the ring again, but officials stop him from entering the ring. Daniel Bryan comes out to settle the situation.
Ziggler and Styles will compete in the main event tonight. If Styles wins, he will go one-on-one against Dean Ambrose for the WWE Championship at Backlash. If Ziggler wins, the match becomes a triple threat match. Daniel Bryan just made Styles the #1 Contender guaranteed.
Carmella vs. Nikki Bella – SmackDown Women’s Championship Six Pack Challenge
Two nights ago at SummerSlam, NIkki Bella returned from an injury that put her out of action for seven months. Renee Young enters the ring to interview Nikki Bella about her return, and Carmella attacks her from behind. Carmella ends the assault with some irony, using the Bella Buster. This was a surprising double turn, but it gives some good direction to both women. Result: No Contest
In-ring Segment
Two days after getting 10 staples in his head, Randy Orton is back in the ring to address the WWE Universe. He starts talking about his match with Brock Lesnar, when he gets interrupted by The Eater of Worlds, Bray Wyatt. Orton motions him for a fight, the Wyatt disappears.
Backstage Segment
Heath Slater fails to recruit Arn Anderson as a partner, but Rhyno comes in to help out Slater. It’s official: Slater and Rhyno will be competing in the Tag Team Championship tournament.
American Alpha vs. Breezango – SmackDown Tag Team Championship Tournament
The arguable favorite in this tournament is American Alpha. Breezango, however, is not to be overlooked. Tyler Breeze and Fandango have impressed before the draft, and have the talent to be Tag Team Champions.
Breezango almost put American Alpha away several times, but Jordan manages to get the better of Tyler Breeze. Jordan tags in Gable, and the two hit Grand Amplitude on Breeze to pick up the victory and to advance to the semifinals. Winners: American Alpha
Dolph Ziggler vs. AJ Styles
Man, this match is sure to be great. Ziggler is one of the hardest workers in the company, and AJ Styles is arguably the best in-ring performer in the industry. Styles needs to win to increase his chances at Backlash, and Ziggler needs to win to have a chance at all.
Styles kicks out of an emphatic Zig Zag, and hits the Styles Clash to put Ziggler away and make the WWE Championship match one-on-one. Winner: AJ Styles
