WWE Backlash 2016: 10 Shocks That Could Happen
This Sunday could see a huge change in direction for the blue brand...
No WWE pay-per-view is complete without at least one surprise, that's the very nature of these big monthly events. Now, the company may want to assess their approach, especially because it looks like there could be as many as two such shows each month between Monday Night Raw and SmackDown Live.
Such a formula is hard to break however, because shocks have been part of wrestling pay-per-views since the very idea began. For Backlash, the creative team surely have some more eye-opening moments up their sleeves, and those should come in the form of title changes, surprising victories and perhaps even an earlier-than-planned debut.
Four title matches are scheduled for Backlash, an event not produced by WWE since 2009. The WWE World Heavyweight Title, WWE Intercontinental and new SmackDown Women's and Tag-Team belts are all up for grabs this time around. It's inconceivable to imagine at least one of those title bouts won't include a shock.
Still maintaining a sense of logic, but entrenched firmly in fantasy, let's look at what surprises Backlash 2016 could have waiting...
10. The Hype Bros Beat The Usos To Advance To Tournament Final
Whilst The Usos did outright turn heel on SmackDown Live's latest episode, they're still not a definite to advance beyond The Hype Bros at Backlash. It's funny to think that Zack Ryder and Mojo Rawley were actually beaten by Heath Slater and Rhyno on television, because they now have a shot at making a rematch possible on pay-per-view.
Due to the injury situation involving American Alpha, it'll be The Usos vs. The Hype Bros to see who advances to the final stage of the SmackDown Tag-Team Title tournament. Most are expecting Jimmy and Jey to get the nod, but stranger things have happened than a Ryder and Rawley victory.
Such a result would have to be considered a minor shock however, because it seems WWE had already written The Hype Bros out of the title running by having Slater and Rhyno defeat them on SmackDown. Plans change all the time in the company, so it's not completely irrational to believe that The Usos could only have one match come Backlash and won't even make the final hurdle.