We are just under two weeks away from the Smackdown brand-exclusive Pay-Per-View, Backlash. We already know the of the championship matches that will take place, and there is still more of the card to be built. Tonight, Randy Orton returns to SmackDown Live for the first time since Payback, we see further development in the Women’s Division, and of course, there is another episode of Breezango’s Law & Order parody, “The Fashion Files.”
Opening Segment
The WWE Champion, Randy Orton, makes his return to SmackDown Live after being absent last week. He starts addressing the fact that Jinder Mahal cost him the House of Horrors Match at Payback, but Mahal himself interrupts The Viper. Mahal shows Orton the promotional pictures he has already taken with the WWE Championship that he stole and he claims that he will officially take the title at Backlash.
It seems like Orton is going to respond, but both men are interrupted by the United States Champion (and also the Face of America), Kevin Owens. Owens brags about injuring Chris Jericho last week, and he says that after he retains the United States Championship against AJ Styles at Backlash, he is coming after the WWE Championship to become the Face of WWE. Of course, Styles has to interrupt this segment as well.
Styles barely cuts a promo when things get out hand by Baron Corbin also showing up. Corbin starts warning everybody about his championship pursuits, but he is attacked by Sami Zayn, who was attacked by Corbin two weeks ago on Talking Smack. There is a short brawl but is settled quickly.
Becky Lynch (w/Naomi & Charlotte) vs. Natalya (w/Carmella, Tamina, & James Ellsworth)
Two weeks ago, Naomi was defending the SmackDown Women’s Championship against Charlotte when the newly established Welcoming Committee (Natalya, Carmella, Tamina, & James Ellsworth) attacked both of them to ruin the match. Last week, Natalya and Carmella defeated Naomi and Charlotte with some underhanded tactics, and Becky Lynch aligned herself with Naomi and Charlotte. While this is only a singles match, all six women are around for the match.
Becky Lynch goes up to the second rope when Tamina provides a distraction at the apron. Naomi attacks Tamina, and this distracts Lynch for just too long. Natalya sweeps Lynch off of the rope then pins the Irish Lasskicker for the win. Winner: Natalya
Charlotte and Naomi start arguing backstage, but Becky Lynch is able to calm them down. Lynch plans to “outbond” the Welcoming Committee and she wants the three of them to fight the Welcoming Committee at Backlash. Naomi instantly agrees while Charlotte agrees a little more reluctantly.
Luke Harper vs. Erick Rowan
Both Luke Harper and Erick Rowan used to be part of the Wyatt Family, but while Rowan was on the shelf with an injury, Harper freed himself from blindly following Bray Wyatt. Now both focusing on their solo careers, the two men two held the NXT Tag Team Championships together square off against each other.
Harper seems to have the match in his favor when Rowan grabs his sheep masks. The referee takes it from him so he can’t use it as a weapon and while the referee takes his eyes off of the match, Rowan pokes Harper in the eye. Rowan then finishes off his former brother with a spinning powerslam for the win. Winner: Erick Rowan
Hopefully, this feud will lead to something more for both Luke Harper and Erick Rowan. Rowan has had a decent run since his return a few weeks ago, but Luke Harper seemed to get the short end of the stick when it came to the WrestleMania feud between Bray Wyatt and Randy Orton.
In-ring Segment
Dolph Ziggler has been bothered and annoyed by Shinsuke Nakamura over the past few weeks, so he calls out the King of Strong Style. Ziggler calls Nakamura a fraud because even though he has been on SmackDown Live for a month, the former NXT Champion is yet to compete in a match. Nakamura wants to fight tonight, but Ziggler prefers to fight on his own terms, which translates to Backlash in under two weeks.
Breezango vs. The Ascension
Since becoming the #1 Contenders to the SmackDown Tag Team Championships two weeks ago, Breezango has been featured in “The Fashion Files” video segments where they parody Law & Order. While that can’t help them build much momentum to their title match against the Usos, this match against The Ascension might.
Tyler Breeze hangs Viktor up on the second rope and Fandango knocks him down to the canvas. Fandango then goes to the top rope and hits the “Last Dance” leg drop to score the victory. Winners: Breezango
After the match, The Usos interrupt the celebration to cut an intense and odd promo about how they are going to retain the SmackDown Tag Team Championships at Backlash.
Video Segment
SmackDown airs a video that Rusev posted on his Twitter account earlier today. Rusev demanded a title opportunity at Money in the Bank a couple weeks ago, but he has heard nothing. The Bulgarian Brute announces that he will be at SmackDown Live next week to demand answers from Commissioner Shane McMahon. Since this will be just a few days before Backlash, perhaps we could see the former United States Champion on the upcoming show.
Jinder Mahal, Kevin Owens, & Baron Corbin (w/The Singh Brothers) vs. Sami Zayn, Randy Orton, & AJ Styles
After the crowded opening segment, a tag team match was scheduled in true Teddy Long style. Sami Zayn and Baron Corbin have been feuding for a few weeks, but there is no official match scheduled for them to fight it out. However, Randy Orton is scheduled to defend the WWE Championship against Jinder Mahal at Backlash, while Kevin Owens is defending the United States Championship against AJ Styles on the same night.
All competitors fight in the ring and it leads to Randy Orton hitting Kevin Owens with an RKO. However, Jinder Mahal is the legal man. Mahal takes advantage of Orton’s unawareness to pin the WWE Champion after a Cobra Clutch slam. Winners: Jinder Mahal, Kevin Owens, & Baron Corbin
