WWE News and Updates 2016: Underrated Superstars Prep for Big Break at Backlash; PPV Match Prediction, TV Schedule
Mr. Free Agent, The Lass Kicker and The Eater of Worlds have a golden opportunity.
The WWE brand split had been an interesting storyline thus far, and it reaches its first peak at Backlash 2016. It is the first SmackDown pay-per-view since its return to live television, and its first as a brand since No Way Out in 2007.
A SmackDown superstars-only show is hard to pull off at this point. The roster only has 33 superstars and six of them are tied to tag teams. However, this tight number gives underrated talent an opportunity to make a name for themselves on a big stage.
With Dean Ambrose and AJ Styles heading to the main event, these superstars would have to step up to keep the match card ablaze.
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Breezango
The vain, egotistic duo of Tyler Breeze and Fandango are hard to take seriously. The highlight of Breeze's character, for one, is his high regard for fashion. Fandango adds more novelty to the tandem with his penchant for dancing.
The two, however, have proven their skills on the mat in NXT, and had pulled off great performances since their pairing on SmackDown Live. Despite being eliminated from the tag team tournament, they had an impressive last match against the American Alpha.
The tournament final is already in the current match card, but Breezango can still land a match with any of the six tag teams. Depending on who else gets eliminated, this may include American Alpha.
Baron Corbin
The huge thug that is Baron Corbin seemed to have gained enough respect in the company for SmackDown to draft him No. 19. However, he mostly found himself wrestling in PPV kickoff shows, feuding with another underappreciated star in Dolph Ziggler.
The good news is the David vs. Goliath feud between Corbin and Kalisto is producing good matches thus far, and may well head into Backlash. The big guy had proved himself in the main event last Tuesday against WWE Champion Dean Ambrose, and but he might have to do more with Kalisto to solidify his place in the brand.
Heath Slater
Slater is to WWE fans as Brian Scalabrine is to NBA fans—both do not have the stature to make it big, but are cheered on in lieu of the poster boys. Slater, like Scalabrine, stayed mostly in the bench. His biggest stories prior to the Brand Split were his tenure with the Nexus and suffering loss after loss against returning legends.
The superstar then capitalized on becoming a free agent after the WWE Draft, and has since produced convincing promos while switching between Raw and Smackdown. With him and Rhyno probably facing American Alpha at Backlash, Slater might finally secure his place in the SmackDown roster.
Becky Lynch
SmackDown now has its own Women's Championship, and a six-pack challenge will take place at Backlash for the new title. Of the six competitors, Lynch has the strongest shot at victory.
The rising superstar had been walking behind the shadows of Charlotte and Sasha Banks for the longest time, even though she had shown tremendous potential. If WWE lets her win the belt over the likes of Nikki Bella and Natalya, this might be her big break.
Bray Wyatt
Wyatt has had a lot of frustrating losses despite his clever performance as the terrible patriarch of the Wyatt Family. The list includes The Undertaker and John Cena, two of the biggest names in the company that could have easily pushed him to main event contention.
The Eater of Worlds, however, has been presented with another shot at glory. He had been inserted in a feud with Randy Orton after SummerSlam, and if it goes his way, Wyatt may finally start his road to greatness. Orton, after all, is one of the most decorated superstars in professional wrestling, and his "voices" gimmick matches well with Wyatt's reign of terror.
Fans will get to see these two superstars collide and more at Backlash 2016, September 11 at Richmond, Virginia. Kickoff show starts at 7 p.m. EST/4 p.m. PST, while the main show starts at 8 p.m. EST/4 p.m. PST, only on WWE Network.
