WWE Backlash 2017 Recap & Reaction

Kickoff Show:

Tye Dillinger defeated Aiden English.

Main Card:

Dolph Ziggler vs Shinsuke Nakamura

The Chicago crowd sang along as Shinsuke Nakamura made his way to the ring. Nakamura went for a kick to start off the match but Ziggler was able to get out of the way. The crowd chanted “Nakamura!” as the two Superstars circled each other in the ring. Ziggler rolled Nakamura up for a two count and then locked in an Arm Bar in the middle of the ring.

Nakamura battled to his feet and reversed the hold but Ziggler made it to the ropes to break the hold. Nakamura dared Ziggler to charge at him and Dolph obliged. Nakamura kneed Ziggler in the chest and knocked him to the mat. Shinsuke then shoved his boot in Ziggler’s face and Dolph rolled out of the ring. Nakamura followed him out there and clubbed him across the back.

The action returned to the ring and Ziggler hit a Neckbreaker while Nakamura was hung up on the ropes. Ziggler took control of the bout and applied a Chin Lock in the center of the ring. Dueling “lets go Ziggler!” and “Ziggler sucks!” chants broke out in the crowd as Nakamura broke the hold. Ziggler connected with a big time Dropkick for a two count.

Ziggler hit an elbow to Shinsuke’s chest for a two count. Dolph then taunted Nakamura and shoved him to the mat. Ziggler referred to Nakamura as “boy” and headbutted him in the face. Nakamura connected with a kick to Dolph’s face and both Superstars fell to the mat. Nakamura connected with a series of kicks and then launched Ziggler into the turnbuckle. Shinsuke hung Ziggler up on the top rope and then kneed him in the midsection for a two count.

Dolph elbowed Shinsuke in the face and went for a roll up but Nakamura kicked out at two. Shinsuke quickly applied a Triangle submission but Ziggler’s foot was on the ropes and the hold was broken. Dolph planted Shinsuke with a massive DDT for a two count. The crowd once again chanted “Nakamura!” as the two Superstars got back up to their feet. Nakamura went for the Kinshasa but Ziggler avoided and hit the Fameasser for a two count.

Ziggler was first to his feet and posed for the crowd. Dolph had a massive grin on his face as he stomped his feet on the mat. Dolph went for the Superkick but Shinsuke blocked it. Ziggler then hit the Zig Zag but Nakamura powered out at two. Nakamura connected with a kick to the back of Ziggler’s neck. Shinsuke went for a Suplex but Ziggler landed on his feet and connected with a Superkick to the back of Nakamura’s head for a two count.

Dolph elbowed Nakamura in the back of the head and kicked him the chest. Nakamura got back to his feet but Dolph spit directly in his face. Ziggler went to sweep out Nakamura’s legs but Shinsuke caught him and kneed him in the midsection several times. Ziggler was leaning on the bottom rope and Nakamura hit a knee to his face on the ring apron.

Shinsuke climbed to the second rope and went for a Kinshasa but Ziggler avoided it. Ziggler went for another Superkick but Nakamura was ready for it and planted him with an Exploder Suplex. Nakamura then geared up in the corner and connected with a Kinshasa for the victory.

Winner: Shinsuke Nakamura

Reaction: I thought this match was solid but I was expecting more. It was still an entertaining match, but I was hoping for something special. The match started off much slower than I anticipated, but the last few minutes were great. Shinsuke Nakamura is a rare talent and is already incredibly over with the WWE Universe. Hopefully, WWE has big things planned for Nakamura in the near future. I wouldn’t mind seeing Ziggler and Nakamura have another match because I think that it would turn out much better than this one.

Smackdown Tag Team Championship Match: The Usos (c) vs Breezango

Tyler Breeze came down to the ring in his janitor costume from “Fashion Files”. Fandango controlled the match early and danced around in the ring as Tyler Breeze mopped the ring apron. Breeze was then tagged in and started mopping the ring. The crowd chanted “mop!” as Breeze shoved it in Jey Uso’s face. Jimmy then connected with a right hand and knocked Breeze to the mat. The crowd then booed as Jey broke the mop and threw it out of the ring.

Jey climbed up to the top turnbuckle and Breeze rolled out of harms way. Jey hopped down and climbed to top of the other turnbuckle and Breeze rolled away again. This continued a few more times until Jey finally gave up. Breeze then connected with a kick to Jey’s head for a two count. Fandango was tagged in. Jey Uso was then also tagged in and Tyler Breeze changed his costume into an old lady with a cane.

Old Lady Breeze was then tagged in and the crowd chanted “lets go grandma!”. Breeze connected with a Dropkick to both members of The Usos. Grandma Breeze then hit the Bronco Buster on Jey Uso. Jey Uso then hit Breeze with a Dropkick of his own and launched Breeze’s wig into the crowd. Jimmy Uso got back into the match and continued the beatdown on Tyler Breeze. Jey Uso then threw Breeze’s dress out of the ring and it landed on JBL’s head.

https://twitter.com/mrdangerously/status/866454970752802818

Fandango was tagged in and he connected with a kick for a two count. Fandango followed it up by hitting a DDT for a two count. Tyler Breeze was tagged and Jey Uso accidentally Superkicked Jimmy Uso in the face. Breeze tried to flip onto both of The Usos outside the ring but was caught and thrown over the barricade. Fandango then flipped onto both of The Usos outside the ring. Fandango climbed to the top rope but was Superkicked in the face. The Usos then pinned Fandango to retain their titles.

Winners & Still Smackdown Tag Team Champions: The Usos

Reaction: I have no idea what I just watched. First of all, the costumes were entertaining but it instantly turned the match into a joke. Half the time I had no idea which member of The Usos was in the ring. The entire match was chaos and I couldn’t help but be entertained by it. Having said that, I would have preferred an actual wrestling match for the titles. However, I’m not going to complain too much about JBL getting a dress thrown on his head. That was a wonderful moment.

Sami Zayn vs Baron Corbin

Zayn knocked Corbin out of the ring. Zayn went to flip on him outside the ring but Corbin avoided it. Sami then bounced off the top rope and flipped back into the ring. Zayn then posed in the ring and Corbin mockingly clapped outside the ring. Corbin got back into the ring and beatdown Sami for a minute. Zayn then hit a Dropkick and knocked Corbin out of the ring.

Zayn was favoring his lower back as he rolled out of the ring. Corbin sent Zayn into the barricade but Sami leaped on top of it and hit a Moonsault onto Corbin. Back in the ring, Zayn connected with a right hand in the corner. Corbin lifted Zayn up and smashed him into the turnbuckle. Corbin then stomped on Zayn’s injured back and connected with a Backbreaker.

Corbin controlled the next few minutes of the match and the crowd started chanting “ole!”. Corbin yelled at Zayn to “stay down” and connected with a right hand. Byron Saxton said that Sami doesn’t know when to stay down. Sami leveled Corbin with a Clothesline. Zayn hit a Crossbody off the top rope for a two count. Corbin connected with a massive Clothesline for a two count.

Corbin hit another Backbreaker for a two count. Zayn hit a Sunset Flip Powerbomb for a two count. Zayn went for a Tornado DDT but Corbin blocked it. Sami went for the Exploder Suplex in the corner but it was also blocked. Corbin then planted Zayn with Deep Six for a two count. Zayn then connected with a Helluva Kick for the victory.

Winner: Sami Zayn

Reaction: Wow. I thought this was just going to be another  typical Sami Zayn match where he hangs around and ultimately loses. The finish to this match completely caught me off guard. I hope that that means that Sami Zayn will actually get the push he deserves. Now, I’m completely confused as to what WWE is doing with Baron Corbin. I thought he was going to win the Intercontinental Championship at Wrestlemania and that didn’t turn out to be the case. I figured that tonight was a guaranteed victory Corbin and I was also wrong about that. I figured Corbin would have a title around his waist by now. Instead, he is losing on a regular basis.

Jinder Mahal pulled up in a car. The Singh Brothers hopped out of the car and laid down a rug. Jinder Mahal got out of the car and was immediately interviewed. Mahal said that Americans hate him because of the way he looks and the way he talks. Mahal said that he was going to turn that hatred into something positive. Mahal said that he will turn the doubters into believers tonight and win the WWE Championship.

James Ellsworth came down to the ring and cut a goofy promo about being the Michael Jordan of sports entertainment.

Carmella, Natalya & Tamina vs Becky Lynch, Naomi & Charlotte Flair

Tamina and Becky Lynch started off the match. Tamina took control and headbutted Becky Lynch into the corner. Natalya was then tagged in and Becky beat her down. Charlotte entered the match and continued the beatdown on Natalya. Natalya grabbed Charlotte’s hair and slung her to the mat. Charlotte connected with a series of chops on Natalya and followed it up with a knee to the midsection. Charlotte then taunted Tamina and Carmella.

Carmella distracted Charlotte on the ring apron and Natalya connected with a Clothesline. Tamina got back into the match and stomped on Charlotte a couple of times. Tamina, Natalya and Carmella then took turns stomping on Charlotte in the corner. Carmella hit a couple of elbows to the neck of Charlotte and then applied a Chin Lock. The crowd got behind Charlotte as she battled out of the hold.

Charlotte tagged in Naomi and she immediately hit a Crossbody onto Carmella. Naomi then hit a series of kicks and knocked Carmella to the mat. Naomi kicked Tamina in the head while she was on the ring apron. Carmella capitalized on the distracted and beatdown Naomi. Carmella moonwalked in the ring and then yelled “woo!” at Charlotte.

Tamina entered the match and punched Naomi in the stomach and applied a Chin Lock. Naomi battled out of the hold but Tamina knocked her back to the mat and tagged in Carmella. Carmella went for a Bronco Buster but Naomi got out of the way. Tamina got back into the match and tried to prevent Naomi from tagging anyone else in. Naomi went to tag in Becky Lynch but Carmella pulled her off the ring apron.

Natalya was tagged in and Naomi sent her to the mat. Becky Lynch was tagged in and she knocked Carmella and Tamina off the ring apron. Becky planted Natalya with a Suplex and connected with a forearm to Natalya’s face for a two count. Lynch climbed to the top rope but Tamina shoved her off.

Becky knocked Tamina off the ring apron but Natalya knocked her to the mat and went for the Sharpshooter. Becky reversed it into the Dis-Arm-Her but Carmella broke up the hold. Charlotte threw Carmella out of the ring and then Tamina connected with a kick to Charlotte’s face. Natalya then applied the Sharpshooter to Becky Lynch for the submission victory.

Winners: Carmella, Natalya & Tamina

Reaction: This match was decent. The Welcoming Comittee was the right team to win this match. I’m glad Ellsworth didn’t get too involved in this match. Instead, Carmella, Natalya and Tamina picked up the victory on their own.

United States Championship Match: Kevin Owens (c) vs AJ Styles

Styles controlled the match early and Styles rolled out of the ring to stop his momentum. Styles chased after him and Owens rolled back into the ring. The crowd chanted “stupid idiot” at Kevin Owens as he connected with a chop to AJ’s chest. Styles hit a Dropkick and knocked Owens to the mat. Owens slammed AJ’s head into the turnbuckle and followed it up with a massive Clothesline for a two count.

Owens applied a Chin Lock in the middle of the ring. Owens broke the hold to knee Styles in the back and then applied the hold again. Owens planted Styles with a DDT and hit three Sentons in a row for a two count. Owens went right back to the Chin Lock and barked at the referee to ask Styles if he wanted to quit. The crowd started chanting “AJ Styles!” as AJ made his way back to his feet.

Styles broke the hold but Owens knocked Styles to the mat. AJ got back up and connected with a kick to the side of Owens’ head. AJ connected with several strikes and then knocked Owens to the mat with a Clothesline. Styles then hit a flying forearm for a two count. Styles planted Owens with a Michinoku Driver for a two count. Owens hit a Superkick and a Pumphandle Neckbreaker for a two count.

AJ went for a Styles Clash on the ring apron but Owens blocked it. Owens then slammed AJ’s leg into the ring post and launched him into the steel steps. Back in the ring, Owens connected with a Cannonball as Styles was propped up in the corner. Owens then wrapped up AJ’s leg in the bottom rope and hit a Cannonball on AJ’s injured right leg. Owens then applied an Ankle Lock on AJ’s injured leg in the middle of the ring.

Styles was able to break the hold by reaching the bottom rope. Owens brought Styles up to the second turnbuckle and lifted him onto his shoulders. Styles reversed it into a Powerbomb and Owens went flying to the mat. AJ then got onto the ring apron and went for the Phenomenal Forearm but his injured leg gave out. Owens then planted Styles with a DDT for a two count.

Owens slapped Styles in the face and AJ countered with a Pele Kick and both Superstars fell to the mat. Styles went for a Superplex off the top rope but Owens reversed it into a Suplex of his own. Owens then went for the pin but AJ kicked out at two. Styles rolled to the ring apron and Owens joined him there. Owens went for a Suplex and Styles reversed it into a Suplex of his own onto the ring apron. Owens spine smashed off the ring apron and he screamed in pain on the floor outside the ring.

Owens threw Styles into the timekeeper’s area. Styles leaped off the barricade and hit the Phenomenal Forearm. Styles went for the Styles Clash on the announce table but his foot fell through one of the openings on the table. Owens then rolled back into the ring and AJ Styles was counted out.

After the match, Owens hit a Superkick to the back of AJ’s head. Styles then limped backstage after Owens left.

Winner & Still United Champion: Kevin Owens

Reaction: I really enjoyed this match and thought it was very well done.. Owens targeted AJ’s leg and in the end it ultimately cost Styles the match. The finish absolutely sucked but it made sense. I hope this leads to another match between these two Superstars. There was no reason to take the United States Championship off of Kevin Owens right now.

Erick Rowan vs Luke Harper

Rowan controlled the match early. Harper climbed to the second rope and Rowan knocked him off. Harper’s head bounced off the steel steps. Rowan then hit a Dropkick that sent Harper into the barricade. Rowan slammed Harper into the barricade and punched him in the head several times. The action returned to the ring and Harper hit a Splash for a two count.

The crowd became restless as Rowan continued to control the match. A faint “lets go Harper” chant broke out as Rowan slammed Harper to the mat. Rowan hit a Clothesline for a two count. Harper climbed to the top rope and went for a Splash but Harper rolled out of the way. Harper slammed Rowan’s head into the announce table outside the ring. Harper got back into the ring and then bounced off the ropes and hit a Suicide Dive onto Rowan outside the ring.

Back in the ring, Harper hit a Senton and a big boot for a two count. Harper then hit a Sideslam for a two count. Rowan connected with a kick and then Powerbombed Harper in the middle of the ring. Harper battled back and hit a Superkick. Rowan then started talking to his mask outside the ring. Harper then hit a Clothesline for the victory.

Winner: Luke Harper

Reaction: I’m not a fan of Rowan’s gimmick at all. Harper picks up the victory, but this match felt meaningless and will hopefully be forgotten about by Tuesday’s episode of SmackDown. I have very little interest in a feud between Rowan and Harper.

WWE Championship Match: Randy Orton (c) vs Jinder Mahal

Orton attacked Jinder Mahal during the introductions. Orton threw Mahal over the announce table and then started punching him in the face. Orton then threw Mahal in the ring and the match officially started. Orton connected with right hands and went for an RKo. Mahal blocked it and rolled out of the ring. Orton followed him out of the ring and leveled Mahal.

The action returned to the ring and Mahal once again escaped to the outside. Mahal slammed Orton into the led board on the ring apron. Jinder threw Orton into the ring and applied a Chin Lock. Orton broke the hold and Jinder Mahal locked in an Arm Bar. There were dueling “lets go Jinder!” and “Jinder sucks!” in the crowd. Orton fought out of the Arm Bar and knocked Mahal to the mat.

Mahal battled back and connected with a knee to Orton’s chest for a two count. Orton launched Mahal over the top rope. Orton then slammed Mahal onto the announce table. The match returned to the ring and Mahal once again took control. Mahal applied a submission hold and continued to target Orton’s left shoulder. Orton finally battled out of the hold. Mahal charged at Orton in the corner but Orton got out of the way and Mahal slammed into the ring post.

Orton and Mahal battled on the top rope. Mahal knocked Orton down but Randy took out Jinder’s leg and he fell onto the top rope. Orton then hit a Superplex for a two count. Both Superstars got back up to their feet and traded punches. Orton knocked Mahal to the mat with a Clothesline and followed it up with a Powerslam. Orton grabbed his left shoulder in pain after delivering the Powerslam.

Orton hit a Fallaway Slam for a two count and once again grabbed his left shoulder. Mahal battled back and connected with a Neckbreaker for a two count. The crowd has been pretty quiet for the past 5 minutes of the match. Orton hit a DDT while Jinder was hung up on the second rope. Orton geared up for the RKO but Mahal rolled out of the ring.

Randy Orton followed Mahal out of the ring but the Singh Brothers got in his way. Orton threw both of them into the barricade, but Mahal capitalized on the distraction. Mahal slammed Orton into the ring post twice and then brought him back into the ring. Orton hit an RKO out of nowhere but the Singh Brothers dragged Mahal out of the ring before Orton could attempt a pinfall.

Orton then slammed both of the Singh Brothers onto the announce table. Orton hit a double DDT on the Singh Brothers while they were hung up on the second rope. Mahal then came up behind Orton and hit the Khallas to win the WWE Championship. Mahal brought the title into the crowd and posed as the crowd booed.

Winner & New WWE Champion: Jinder Mahal

Reaction: I don’t hate this at all. Yes, it is completely random for Jinder Mahal to become WWE Champion. It is also completely boring when Orton is WWE Champion. I love how pissed off people are that Mahal is WWE Champion. It is thoroughly entertaining. This match wasn’t anything special, but the angry faces on people in the crowd were priceless. Overall, Backlash was a decent show. I’m looking forward to this week’s SmackDown and seeing the reaction Mahal gets when he walks out with the WWE Championship.

What did you think of WWE Backlash 2017? Let us know in the comments below.

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