WWE Backlash 2017: 10 Huge Predictions You Need To Know

7. Squashing Sami

Shinsuke Nakamura Backlash
WWE

Considering Backlash will host three separate title matches in which the contenders are competing for championships they've never won before, SmackDown Live!'s 'Land of Opportunity' label still effortlessly peels away when reviewing the continued misuse and abuse of Sami Zayn.

It wasn't enough that he was given the honours of doing the honours in both the United States and WWE Title multi-man matches that set up this show's clashes, but a reversion to his backstage irritant persona in the run-up a six-man tag team match alongside Randy Orton and AJ Styles demoted him to bottom of the pile yet again.

However, it's unfair to detract too much from the diligent and ever-impressive improvement of his opponent Baron Corbin, who will be the latest beneficiary of Zayn's slow burial.

Smashing the 'Underdog from the Underground' all over the Talking Smack set two weeks ago, then doing the same following a Zayn interview on this week's edition of the main show, Corbin has been smartly presented as an intolerant bully with little interest in Sami's supposed pedigree.

He's been made to suffer where it counts recently too, taking defeats against Randy Orton and AJ Styles that he probably could have done without, but Sunday will mark his own redemption. Sami's latest descent has been so rapid that the match may resemble one of the original 'Lone Wolf' NXT squashes. Count along at home as Zayn falls further into the abyss.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael is a writer, editor, podcaster and presenter for WhatCulture Wrestling, and has been with the organisation over 7 years. He primarily produces written, audio and video content on WWE and AEW, but also provides knowledge and insights on all aspects of the wrestling industry thanks to a passion for it dating back over 30 years. As one third of "The Dadley Boyz", Michael has contributed to the huge rise in popularity of the WhatCulture Wrestling Podcast, earning it top spot in the UK's wrestling podcast charts with well over 50,000,000 total downloads. He has been featured as a wrestling analyst for the Tampa Bay Times and Sports Guys Talking Wrestling, and has covered milestone events in New York, Dallas, Las Vegas, London and Cardiff. Michael's background in media stretches beyond wrestling coverage, with a degree in Journalism from the University Of Sunderland (2:1) and a series of published articles in sports, music and culture magazines The Crack, A Love Supreme and Pilot. When not offering his voice up for daily wrestling podcasts, he can be found losing it singing far too loud watching his favourite bands play live. Follow him on X/Twitter - @MichaelHamflett