Backlash (2017)
| Backlash | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 Promotional poster featuringShinsuke Nakamura | |||
| Promotion | WWE | ||
| Brand(s) | SmackDown | ||
| Date | May 21, 2017 | ||
| City | Rosemont,Illinois | ||
| Venue | Allstate Arena | ||
| Attendance | 9,800[1] | ||
| WWE Networkevent chronology | |||
| |||
| Backlashchronology | |||
| |||
The 2017Backlashwas the 13thBacklashprofessional wrestlingpay-per-view(PPV) andlivestreamingeventproduced byWWE.It was held exclusively for wrestlers from the promotion'sSmackDownbrand division.The event took place on May 21, 2017, at theAllstate Arenain theChicagosuburb ofRosemont,Illinois.It was only the second Backlash event to be held in the Allstate Arena, after the2001 event.
Eight matches were contested at the event, including one on the Kickoff pre-show. In the main event,Jinder MahaldefeatedRandy Ortonto win his firstWWE Championship,becoming the first wrestler of Indian descent to win the title. In other prominent matches,Kevin Owensretained theUnited States ChampionshipagainstAJ Styles,andThe Usosdefeated Breezango to retain theSmackDown Tag Team Championship.The event was also notable for the televised main roster in-ring debut ofShinsuke Nakamura,who defeatedDolph Zigglerin the opening bout.
Production[edit]
Background[edit]
Backlashis a recurringprofessional wrestlingeventthat was established byWWEin 1999.[2]It was held annually from 1999 to 2009, but was then discontinued until it was reinstated in 2016. The original concept of the event was based around the backlash from WWE's flagship event,WrestleMania,but this theme was dropped with its revival in 2016. Announced on March 6, 2017, the 2017 event was the 13th Backlash and was scheduled to be held on May 21, 2017, at theAllstate Arenain theChicagosuburb ofRosemont,Illinois,which was the first Backlash to be held in May since the2005 event,as well as the second Backlash held at this venue after the2001 event.After the reintroduction of thebrand extensionin mid-2016, the2016 eventfeatured wrestlers exclusively from theSmackDownbrand, with the 2017 event also being SmackDown-exclusive. The event aired onpay-per-view(PPV) worldwide and waslivestreamedon theWWE Network.Tickets went on sale March 18 throughTicketmaster.[3][4]
Storylines[edit]
The event comprised eight matches, including one on the Kickoff pre-show, that resulted from scripted storylines, where wrestlers portrayedheroes,villains,orless distinguishable charactersin scripted events that built tension and culminated in a wrestling match or series of matches. Results were predetermined by WWE's writers on the SmackDown brand,[5][6]while storylines were produced on WWE's weekly television show,SmackDown Live.[7]
AtWrestleMania 33,Randy OrtondefeatedBray Wyattto win his ninthWWE Championship.[8]On the post-WrestleManiaSmackDown,Wyatt challenged Orton to a "House of Horrors" match;[9]after Wyatt moved toRawas a result of theSuperstar Shake-up,the match was made a non-title match and scheduled for Raw's pay-per-viewPayback.[10]On the April 18 episode ofSmackDown,Jinder Mahal,who had moved over from Raw, defeatedDolph Ziggler,Mojo Rawley,Erick Rowan,Luke Harper,andSami Zayn,who also moved over from Raw, in asix-pack challengeto become the number one contender for the WWE Championship at Backlash. During the match, Mahal received help fromNXT'sThe Bollywood Boyz,who made their SmackDown debut as The Singh Brothers (Samir and Sunil Singh).[11]The following week, Orton defeated Rowan in a no disqualification match and was afterwards attacked by Mahal and The Singh Brothers; Mahal subsequently stole the WWE Championship belt.[12]At Payback on April 30 during Orton's match against Wyatt, Orton easily fought off an attack by The Singh Brothers, but then Mahal attacked him with the title belt, costing Orton his match.[13]On the followingSmackDown,as Mahal was having a photo shoot with the stolen WWE Championship, SmackDown CommissionerShane McMahonappeared and retrieved the title belt from Mahal and later returned it to Orton.[14]On the May 9 episode, Orton was interrupted by Mahal, who stated that he would be taking the championship back to his home country of India where they would erect a statue of him. The two were later involved in a six-man tag team match that ended with Mahal pinning Orton.[15]The following week, after Orton defeatedBaron Corbin,Mahal appeared. Orton was then attacked by The Singh Brothers, but fended them off. Mahal then attacked Orton with theKhallas.[16]
At WrestleMania 33,Kevin OwensdefeatedChris Jerichoto win his firstUnited States Championship.[8]On the post-WrestleManiaRaw,Jericho was granted a rematch for the title at Raw's pay-per-view Payback,[17]but the following week, Owens was moved to the SmackDown brand as a result of the Superstar Shake-up. SmackDown General ManagerDaniel Bryandecided that if Jericho won the title at Payback, he would also transfer to SmackDown. Also on the April 11 episode ofSmackDown,AJ Stylesdefeated Sami Zayn and Baron Corbin in atriple threat matchto earn an opportunity for the United States Championship at Backlash.[18]Over the next couple of weeks, Styles defeated Corbin in back-to-back matches, while Owens sat at ringside on commentary.[11]After Styles defeated Corbin on the April 25 episode, Owens attacked Styles and Corbin joined in on the attack. Zayn came out for the save and took out Corbin, but was overpowered by Owens.[12]Afterwards onTalking Smack,Corbin attacked Zayn and shoved an official. He was subsequently suspended for one week.[19]At Payback on April 30, Jericho defeated Owens to win the United States Championship, thus transferring Jericho to SmackDown.[13]On the following episode ofSmackDown,however, Owens defeated Jericho to regain the title, making him the defending champion against Styles at Backlash. After the match, Owens continued to beat and injure Jericho, taking him out of action.[14]On the May 9 episode, Owens interrupted a segment between WWE Champion Randy Orton and Jinder Mahal and claimed that he would eventually become the face of the WWE. Styles then came out, followed by Corbin and Zayn, who attacked Corbin. A brawl ensued that resulted in a six-man tag team match where the team of Owens, Corbin, and Mahal defeated Styles, Zayn, and Orton.[15]The following week, Owens hosted his ownHighlight Reelwith Mahal as his guest, but before Mahal could come out, Owens was interrupted by Styles. Styles then faced Mahal, but was defeated by Mahal due to an attack from Owens while the referee was distracted by The Singh Brothers. Later in the show, Zayn was granted a match against Corbin at Backlash. Corbin then appeared and attacked Zayn.[16]
On the April 11 episode ofSmackDown,The Usos(Jey UsoandJimmy Uso) retained theSmackDown Tag Team ChampionshipagainstAmerican Alpha(Chad GableandJason Jordan). After the match,The Shining Stars(PrimoandEpico Colón) appeared, revealing they had been moved over from Raw and renamed to The Colóns. They attacked American Alpha,[18]and defeated them the following week.[11]On the April 25 episode ofSmackDown,Breezango (FandangoandTyler Breeze) won aBeat the Clock Challengeto become number one contenders: American Alpha defeated The Colóns, but Breezango defeatedThe Ascension(KonnorandViktor) in a shorter time, thus earning a title opportunity at Backlash.[12]
On the April 4 episode ofSmackDown,NXT'sShinsuke Nakamuramade his main roster debut by interruptingThe MizandMaryse,[9]who were both transferred to Raw the following week.[10]On the nextSmackDown,Nakamura interrupted Dolph Ziggler's in-ring promo. Ziggler attempted a superkick on Nakamura, but Nakamura countered and Ziggler retreated.[18]On the April 25 episode, Ziggler interrupted Nakamura's in-ring interview byRenee Young.After the two traded barbs, Ziggler attacked Nakamura, who retaliated with an Inverted Exploder Suplex on Ziggler, who retreated.[12]It was then announced that Nakamura would have his SmackDown in-ring debut at Backlash against an unknown opponent. On the May 2 episode ofSmackDown,Ziggler criticized Commissioner Shane McMahon and General Manager Daniel Bryan for hyping Nakamura for Backlash, even though he had not had a match on an episode ofSmackDownyet.[14]The following week, Ziggler cut a promo touting his accomplishments before calling out Nakamura. Nakamura called for a referee, but before the match could begin, Ziggler backed out and said he would face Nakamura at Backlash and then attacked Nakamura, but Nakamura overpowered Ziggler.[15]
At WrestleMania 33,Naomiwon a six-pack challenge to win her secondSmackDown Women's Championship,[8]and she subsequently retained the title against former championAlexa Blisson the post-WrestleManiaSmackDown.[9]As a result of the Superstar Shake-up, Bliss andMickie Jameswere moved to the Raw brand,[10]andCharlotte FlairandTamina,who was a free agent, were moved to the SmackDown brand.[18]The following week, Flair demanded a title shot. She was confronted by the champion, and SmackDown Commissioner Shane McMahon decided that if Flair could defeat Naomi in a non-title match, she would be granted a title match the following week, which she did. This angeredNatalya,Tamina, andCarmella(withJames Ellsworth), as they each felt that they should have been the number one contender.[11]The following week, Flair and Naomi's title match ended after they were both attacked by Natalya, Tamina, and Carmella.[12]On the May 2 episode, Flair, now a face, was attacked backstage by the three heels, now calling themselves The Welcoming Committee, who also tried to convinceBecky Lynchto join them. Naomi and Flair then teamed up, but were defeated by Natalya and Carmella. After the match, The Welcoming Committee teamed up on Flair and Naomi. Lynch then came out and acted like she was going to join the three, but then attacked them, but got overwhelmed.[14]The following week, during a match between Natalya and Lynch, Flair kept Naomi from attacking Tamina, who was trying to cause a distraction, and Natalya got the win. Later, after some arguing backstage, Flair, Naomi, and Lynch got on the same page, and were scheduled to face The Welcoming Committee at Backlash.[15]
On the post-WrestleManiaSmackDown,The Wyatt Family(Bray Wyatt and Erick Rowan) were defeated by WWE Champion Randy Orton and former Wyatt Family member Luke Harper.[9]The following week, Wyatt was moved to the Raw brand as a result of the Superstar Shake-up, effectively disbanding The Wyatt Family.[10]Rowan and Harper then both competed in the WWE Championship number one contender's six-pack challenge, but were unsuccessful.[11]On the May 9 episode ofSmackDown,Rowan defeated Harper in a singles match.[15]The following week onTalking Smack,Rowan said that he disliked the fact that Harper had left The Wyatt Family. He said that although he defeated Harper the previous week, he felt that Harper deserved more punishment and requested a match against him at Backlash, to which Commissioner Shane McMahon granted.[20]
On the April 4 episode ofSmackDown,NXT'sTye Dillingermade his main roster debut and defeatedCurt Hawkins,who was transferred to the Raw brand the following week.[9]On the April 11 episode, formerVaudevillainAiden Englishbegan a solo career, but was defeated by Dillinger,[18]who also defeated him the next week.[14]On May 16, a match between the two was scheduled for the Backlash Kickoff pre-show.[21]
Event[edit]
| Role: | Name: |
|---|---|
| English commentators | Tom Phillips |
| John "Bradshaw" Layfield | |
| Byron Saxton | |
| Spanish commentators | Carlos Cabrera |
| Marcelo Rodríguez | |
| German commentators | Tim Haber |
| Calvin Knie | |
| Ring announcer | Greg Hamilton |
| Referees | Danilo Anfibio |
| Jason Ayers | |
| Mike Chioda | |
| Dan Engler | |
| Ryan Tran | |
| Backstage interviewers | Dasha Fuentes |
| Kayla Braxton | |
| Pre-show panel | Renee Young |
| Peter Rosenberg | |
| Booker T | |
| Talking Smackpanel | Renee Young |
| Peter Rosenberg |
Pre-Show[edit]
During the Backlash Kickoff pre-show, Tye Dillinger faced Aiden English. Dillinger performed the "Tye Breaker" on English to win the match.[22]
Preliminary matches[edit]
The actual pay-per-view opened with Shinsuke Nakamura facing Dolph Ziggler. Ziggler performed a "Zig Zag" on Nakamura for a near-fall. Ziggler performed a superkick to the back of Nakamura's neck for a near-fall. In the end, Nakamura performed an Inverted Exploder Suplex and a "Kinshasa" on Ziggler to win the match.[23]
Next, The Usos (Jey Uso and Jimmy Uso) defended the SmackDown Tag Team Championship against Breezango (Fandango and Tyler Breeze). During the match, Breeze disguised himself as a janitor and an elderly woman, which allowed him to get some offense on The Usos. The match ended when Jey performed a Superkick on Fandango to retain the titles.[23]
Afterwards, Sami Zayn faced Baron Corbin. In the end, Zayn performed a "Helluva Kick" on Corbin to win the match.[23]
Later, SmackDown Women's Champion Naomi, Charlotte Flair, and Becky Lynch faced The Welcoming Committee (Natalya, Tamina, and Carmella). In the climax, Natalya forced Lynch to submit to the "Sharpshooter" to win the match.[23]
Next, Kevin Owens defended the United States Championship against AJ Styles. In the end, Styles performed a Phenomenal Forearm off the barricade on Owens. As Styles attempted a Styles Clash atop the announce table, Owens countered, trapping Styles' leg in the announce table. Styles was eventually counted out, thus Owens retained the title.[23]
In the penultimate match, Luke Harper faced Erick Rowan. The match ended when Harper performed a "Discus Clothesline" on Rowan to win the match.[23]
Main event[edit]
In the main event, Randy Orton defended the WWE Championship against Jinder Mahal. Orton performed an "RKO" on Mahal but The Singh Brothers (Samir and Sunil Singh), pulled Mahal out of the ring. Orton performed Belly-to-Back Suplexes onto the announce tables and an Elevated DDT on the Singh Brothers. Mahal then performed the "Khallas" on Orton to win his first WWE Championship, becoming the first wrestler of Indian descent to win the title.[23]
Aftermath[edit]
On the post-BacklashSmackDown,Commissioner Shane McMahon announced that Randy Orton invoked his championship rematch against Jinder Mahal forMoney in the Bank.Later in the show, Mahal celebrated with his new championship inPunjabistyle.[24]
Shane McMahon also announced the five participants for theMoney in the Bank ladder matchat Money in the Bank with the contract being for a WWE Championship match: AJ Styles, Baron Corbin, Sami Zayn, Dolph Ziggler, and Shinsuke Nakamura. United States Champion Kevin Owens complained that he should also be in the match since he defeated Styles at Backlash. Shane then decided to add Owens to the Money in the Bank match. A rematch between Corbin and Zayn was then scheduled that Zayn won, as well as a tag team match where Styles and Nakamura defeated Owens and Ziggler.[24]
In the tag team division, Tyler Breeze defeated Jey Uso and Fandango defeated Jimmy Uso. The two teams then immediately had a SmackDown Tag Team Championship rematch that The Usos won.[24]The following week, after declaring that no team could defeat them, The Usos were interrupted byThe New Day(Big E,Kofi Kingston,andXavier Woods)–their first appearance onSmackDownsince moving to the brand during the Superstar Shake-up–and The Usos were scheduled to defend their titles against The New Day at Money in the Bank.[25]
Charlotte Flair and Becky Lynch teamed up and defeated Natalya and Carmella. Later backstage, Natalya asked Shane McMahon for a SmackDown Women's Championship match, followed by Carmella, Becky, Tamina, and Charlotte, who each felt that they should have a title opportunity. Shane then scheduled an elimination fatal five-way between them for the nextSmackDownwhere the winner would face Naomi for the title at Money in the Bank.[24]However, the match did not happen as all five women attacked each other. Shane then scheduled the five to compete in the first-ever Women's Money in the Bank ladder match with the contract being for a SmackDown Women's Championship match.[25]
The 2017 Backlash would be the final SmackDown-exclusive Backlash, as followingWrestleMania 34the following year, brand-exclusive PPVs were discontinued.[26]
Results[edit]
| No. | Results | Stipulations | Times[22][23] | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1P | Tye DillingerdefeatedAiden Englishbypinfall | Singles match[27] | 8:20 | ||||
| 2 | Shinsuke NakamuradefeatedDolph Zigglerbypinfall | Singles match[28] | 15:50 | ||||
| 3 | The Usos(Jey UsoandJimmy Uso) (c) defeated Breezango (FandangoandTyler Breeze) bypinfall | Tag team matchfor theWWE SmackDown Tag Team Championship[29] | 9:15 | ||||
| 4 | Sami ZayndefeatedBaron Corbinbypinfall | Singles match[30] | 14:35 | ||||
| 5 | The Welcoming Committee (Carmella,NatalyaandTamina) (withJames Ellsworth) defeatedBecky Lynch,Charlotte FlairandNaomibysubmission | Six-woman tag team match[31] | 10:05 | ||||
| 6 | Kevin Owens(c) defeatedAJ Stylesbycountout | Singles matchfor theWWE United States Championship[32] | 21:10 | ||||
| 7 | Luke HarperdefeatedErick Rowanbypinfall | Singles match[33] | 9:00 | ||||
| 8 | Jinder Mahal(withThe Singh Brothers) defeatedRandy Orton(c) bypinfall | Singles matchfor theWWE Championship[34] | 15:45 | ||||
| |||||||
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