WrestleRant
  • Home
  • Columnist Corner
  • Reviews
  • Interviews
  • Audio
  • Videos
  • Store
  • About
  • Contact
Picture

WWE Backlash Review - May 21, 2017

5/21/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture
By Graham "GSM" Matthews

Tye Dillinger def. Aiden English (Kickoff Match)

This was much more of a match than their two previous encounters on SmackDown Live (which were essentially squashes), but it was really just that: a match. Don't get me wrong, it was fine for what it was and there wasn't anything technically wrong with it, but because it lacked importance, it was hard to care. The outcome was never in doubt, but thankfully, Dillinger and his "ten" gimmick is over enough that the fans in attendance gave him a raucous reaction and weren't totally bored by this.

Shinsuke Nakamura def. Dolph Ziggler

I've seen some criticism over this match opening the event and how it should have been positioned higher up on the card, but honestly, if it wasn't going to headline Backlash, it might as well have started the show, and I was glad it did. Another complaint was that it was too back-and-forth, and I do agree that the victory should have been more one-sided for Nakamura. Then again, they were aiming to contest a quality match and they did just that, which I can appreciate. I think we can all agree that Nakamura is such a star and has a bright future ahead of him on SmackDown Live.
Picture

SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Usos def. Breezango

For months, I've said that WWE should just let Breezango ditch the comedy and do their thing in the ring so they can get over with the audience as babyfaces. While this contest consisted of more comedy than exhilarating action, it was a nice mix that ultimately exceeded my expectations. The Breezango disguises were actually comical and the Chicago crowd ate it up. It was fun when they let loose at the end and the fans were bummed when The Usos retained. I hope this isn't the last we've seen of Breezango as title challengers because the crowd bought into them big time here.

Sami Zayn def. Baron Corbin

Zayn and Corbin have collided in Triple Threat and multi-man matches before but never a one-on-one outing if my memory serves me correctly. This was a pretty good match and more competitive than I thought it would be. The commentators praised Corbin afterward for how dominant he was throughout, but he didn't own as much of the match as they claimed he did. The clean finish was also slightly surprising, but maybe Corbin is bound for bigger things in the form of the Money in the Bank briefcase. Besides, Zayn desperately needed a notable victory at this point.

Natalya, Carmella and Tamina def. SmackDown Women's Champion Naomi, Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair

I had a difficult time attempting to invest in this feud coming into the event, but I held out hope the match would change my mind. Unfortunately, it didn't. As a match, it was decent, but absolutely nothing about it was memorable and I'm sure we'll see a receive a rematch on an upcoming episode of SmackDown Live. In fact, this felt like it belonged on TV. Additionally, nothing was accomplished. Natayla pinned Lynch, not Naomi, so it's not like she'll be getting a title shot any time soon, and we still don't know what side of the fence Charlotte is on.

United States Champion Kevin Owens def. AJ Styles by Count-out

I figured this would be the best bout of the night as soon as it was announced and it unquestionably was. The storytelling in Owens' matches has been spectacular recently and this was no different as he targeted the same leg he injured last Tuesday. That was the focus of this matchup with it preventing Styles from hitting the Phenomenal Forearm and then getting caught in the commentator's table at the end. I've never been huge on doing non-finishes on pay-per-view, but this was logical to keep the feud alive while protecting both men.

Luke Harper def. Erick Rowan

It's cool Harper and Rowan made the pay-per-view, but why? Harper is as underutilized as they come, and he should have won here over Rowan, but having him immediately get his victory back after Rowan beat him clean on SmackDown earlier this month is 50/50 booking at its finest. Worse yet, there was no story told or sense of urgency, but rather two big guys beating each other up. The crowd sat on their hands for this and I can't blame them for it.

Jinder Mahal def. Randy Orton to Win the WWE Championship

I might be in the minority on this, but I didn't think this was as strong of a match as some fans have made it out to be. I will say the start of the matchup with Orton immediately going for Mahal was clever and the finish with The Singh Brothers getting involved was well done, but the middle portion of the bout almost put me to sleep. It was painfully lifeless, but that's merely because Mahal is a mediocre performer/wrestler and nothing more. Is he truly capable of carrying a brand as its champion? I commend the company for trying something new and we'll see where it goes, but I'm not yet sold on the idea of Mahal being in possession of the top title.

Overall Show

Of the five SmackDown-exclusive events we've had since the dawn of the Brand Split last summer, this was easily the weakest, but it was a fairly enjoyable show from start to finish. The title change will obviously get people talking and Owens vs. Styles was excellent, while the tag title match was a blast and Zayn and Corbin worked well together. The women's match was forgettable and Harper vs. Rowan was purely filler, but the good outweighed the bad and made this a solid show.
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.


    Categories

    All
    #AskGSM
    Battle Of The Belts
    Cruiserweight Classic
    Halftime Heat
    Hidden Gems
    Interviews
    Lists/Rankings
    Mae Young Classic
    Mixed Match Challenge
    News
    NJPW
    NWA Shockwave
    NXT PLEs
    Opinion
    Previews
    Retro Reviews
    Reviews
    RJ's Two Cents
    Satire
    Slammy Awards
    SNME
    SummerSlam Recall
    The Deadly Draw
    The World Is A Vampire
    Tribute To The Troops
    Women's Eliminator
    Worlds Collide
    WrestleMania Recall
    WWE Draft
    WWE Network Specials
    WWE PLEs
    WWE Starrcade


    Archives

    June 2025
    May 2025
    April 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010

    RSS Feed

©2025 WrestleRant. All Rights Reserved.
  • Home
  • Columnist Corner
  • Reviews
  • Interviews
  • Audio
  • Videos
  • Store
  • About
  • Contact