The WWE holds their "SmackDown Live" exclusive pay-per-view "Backlash" tonight and there are three title matches and a total of eight matches on tap for the show. The two main title matches involve wrestlers who were considered jobbers just months ago and the best match on the card is for the mid-card United States title. Here is a look at the WWE "Backlash" card, predicted winners, and a breakdown of the matches.
Randy Orton vs. Jinder Mahal
The main event on "Backlash" sees WWE world champion, Randy Orton, defending his title against Jinder Mahal.
This is an interesting match because Jinder Mahal had not won a match on "SmackDown Live" in a very long time before he won the No. 1 contender spot in a multi-man match. He has since gotten minions in The Bollywood Boyz and wants to win his first major singles title tonight. While some betting odds listed Jinder as a favorite, there is little chance he leaves "Backlash" as the champion.
AJ Styles vs. Kevin Owens
The best match at WWE "Backlash" tonight should be the United States Championship match between Kevin Owens and AJ Styles. Outside of Randy Orton, these are the two best wrestlers on "SmackDown Live" but they continue to wrestle for the mid-card championship. This will be an amazing match but expect Owens to leave the event with his title, even if he loses by DQ.
The Usos vs. Breezango
Much like the WWE world title, the tag team titles also see a mid-card jobber tag team winning the opportunity, this time in a Beat the Clock challenge. Tyler Breeze and Fandango are both great wrestlers and a win over The Usos would not be unexpected. If Owens and Orton both leave as champions, expect this to be a title change.
If either of those men lose their titles, The Usos are likely to hold their WWE belts.
Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Dolph Ziggler
Outside of the Kevin Owens vs. AJ Styles match, the Shinsuke Nakamura match with Dolph Ziggler should be the next best. Ziggler hasn't been doing great lately in the WWE but he can sell like no one else and should make Shinsuke look amazing in his debut.
Nakamura doesn't need much help anyway and will be a huge star on "SmackDown Live." It all starts here.
Six-Woman Tag Team Match
The "SmackDown Live" women's title won't be on the line at "Backlash." Instead, champion Naomi will team with Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair to fight Carmella, Natalya, and Tamina Snuka. This match might see Charlotte turn heel and set up her match with Naomi or it will just see the status quo and lead to a Charlotte Flair singles feud with Natalya. Expect the bad girls to win either way.
The "Backlash" Undercard
The undercard sees three singles matches. The pre-show will see Tye Dillinger wrestle Aiden English and Tye will win this one easily. The next match is Sami Zayn vs.
Baron Corbin. Zayn is perfect at selling for bigger wrestlers and will either win in an upset, only to get beat down after the match, or he will lose in style. Either way, Corbin needs to come out of "Backlash" looking strong. Finally, Luke Harper battles Erick Rowan in a match of former Wyatt Family members. Harper is the more talented but the WWE seems ready to push Rowan.
