10 Things We Learned From The Backlash Go-Home WWE SmackDown (May 16)
The blue brand gets on the front foot for Backlash.
A far cry from the company's limp approach to Payback, SmackDown Live!'s build to Backlash has been enthralling as the blue brand effortlessly adjusted to life following the potentially disruptive 'Superstar Shake-up'.
Last week's trip across the pond saw a tight construction of the final card for the post-WrestleMania supershow, with Baron Corbin and Sami Zayn inserted into conflicts between preset opponents Kevin Owens, Jinder Mahal, AJ Styles and Randy Orton and further teases in the Women's and Tag Division.
Away from title tussles, the entire marketing around the event has focused on the in-ring debut of Shinsuke Nakamura. Posters and adverts are adorned with the 'King of Strong Style's enigmatic glance, and even the 'Backlash' logo is formed in the mould of a vicious Kinshasa kick.
The presentation has at least made up for some questionable use of the former NXT Champion on television, where middling verbal conflicts with Dolph Ziggler have generally led to lazy fisticuffs before their inevitable separation.
Regardless, the 'Land of Opportunity' nickname shoved down viewer throats has continued to become a self-fulfilling prophecy, and all feuds experienced a final convergence before Sunday's blockbuster event.
10. Loose Ends
The 'New Face of America' Kevin Owens opened the show with a final parting shot at his former best friend Chris Jericho. Simultaneously closing the book on a year of storyline whilst leaving a new arc open for 'Y2J's next return, Owens masterfully stole the 'Highlight Reel' wholesale to give audiences a final reminder of the damage he inflicted on the former US Champion in their final fight a fortnight ago.
In attempting to announce number one contender Jinder Mahal as his guest on the show though, the United States Champion was interrupted by his Backlash contender AJ Styles.
'The Phenomenal One's switch to confident babyface has been executed as gracefully as any of his in-ring transitions. Shifting his cadence and intonation towards the swelling embrace of the crowd instead of attacking them with his egotism has been a subtle and realistic process far outstripping the usual insta-turns the company carelessly trots out when moving a superstar's allegiances.
Forced into some hokey jingoism by virtue of his match with Jinder Mahal, Styles wasn't given the best material to work with, but his fabulous chemistry with Kevin Owens overcompensated for the limp exchange. Fan reaction for the pair's verbal and physical jousts have been electric, positioning the secondary title contest as the true main event of Sunday's supercard.