8 Early Predictions For WWE Backlash 2016

SmackDown’s new Women’s and Tag Team Titles might look like they were designed by a child who has just discovered MS Paint’s “fill” feature, but they’re much needed. The divisions and their participants were floating through the New Era devoid of purpose, but they finally have something to work towards, and this should see some much-needed structure instilled throughout SmackDown Live.

Alexa Bliss, Becky Lynch, Carmella, Naomi, Natalya, and Nikki Bella. These are the competitors who’ll make-up Backlash’s six-pack challenge with the gold on the line, and with technical wrestling virtuoso Eva Marie on the shelf, Bella has emerged as the frontrunner.

Nikki’s SummerSlam return drew a massive pop from the Brooklyn crowd, and she continued building good faith with a face turn on this week’s SmackDown. She has a great deal of compassion after overcoming a career-threatening neck injury, and after Carmella turned heel on her, Nikki’s first post-return storyline is well underway.

Carmella attacked Nikki not only during a mid-show Renee Young interview, but also during her appearance on Talking Smack. Whatever the Princess of Staten Island’s motivations are, there’s payback in her future, and what better revenge for Nikki than by pinning Carmella for the gold? Nikki Bella is an under-rated worker, the most over woman in the division at the moment, and an ideal candidate for the first Women’s Champion, particularly given Becky Lynch’s current malaise.