Csonka’s WWE Backlash Review 9.11.16

Csonka’s WWE Backlash Review 9.11.16

OFFICIAL RESULTS
– Baron Corbin defeated Apollo Crews @ 9:55 via pin [**¾]
– Smackdown Women’s Title Match: Becky Lynch defeated Natalya, Alexa Bliss, Nikki Bella, Carmella and Naomi @ 14:21 via submission to become the NEW CHAMPION [***¼]
– Second Chance Match For Spot in Tag Team Title Tournament Finals: The Usos defeated The Hype Bros @ 10:11 via pin [**¾]
– WWE Intercontinental Title Match: Champion The Miz defeated Dolph Ziggler @ 18:22 via pin [****]
– No Holds Barred Match: Kane defeated Bray Wyatt @ 10:56 via pin [**¾]
– Finals of the SmackDown Tag Team Title Tournament: Rhyno and Heath Slater defeated the Usos @ 10:00 via pin to become the NEW tag team champions [***]
– WWE Title Match: AJ Styles defeated Champion Dean Ambrose @ 24:57 via pin to become the NEW champion [****¼]

– Apologies for the delay, I had to cover the Evolve PPV and then joined this in progress. Thanks for reading.

Baron Corbin vs. Apollo Crews: After the early Network break, these two worked a surprisingly good match. Surprising because Crews has been just a guy and Corbin has been almost absent due to Kalisto’s injury. But they got some time and it really felt as if these two wanted to deliver. It’s not a great match, but what we got was a good back and forth match with both guys working hard and after both guys had chances to win, Corbin simply picks up the clean win. I still have no clue what they plan to do with Crews, who feels completely directionless, but I’ll take the good match all day long, especially on the pre-show.

– We got a 9/11 memorial to begin.

– Bryan and Shane arrived to kick off the show. This was a time filler to hype the show and what we’re about to see while thanking everyone for making the show possible.

Six Pack Challenge SmackDown Women’s Title Match: Natalya vs. Alexa Bliss vs. Nikki Bella vs. Carmella vs. Naomi vs. Becky Lynch: The multi person match has its positive and negatives, the negative is that they can be messy, but if done right you can also open up some feud possibilities along with the new champion being crowned. Carmella got the pin here on Nikki allowing their feud to continue under the main title feud and also giving her some needed credibility. On top of that, which was a good booking call, they got a lot of time to work and did a good job of avoiding down time. While I feel that they had to many pin break ups, which gave it a sense of too much repetition, I appreciated the efforts here. The ladies are the secondary citizens, fighting for a new title and not getting the attention that Charlotte, Sasha and Bayley get on Raw. It was not a great match, but provided a great energy to kick off the show and was flat out fun. It came down to Carmella and Becky, and while Carmella got the strong run, Becky Lynch finally won the big won to win the title. I don’t always like to use the term “deserved,” but Lynch has worked so hard, but has been constantly overlooked and I think that not only did she deserve the win, but that it was the right call because she can lead this new division. I also felt that Alexa Bliss did very well, her best outing overall on the main roster. Naomi also had a really good outing. This was a good showing from the ladies, the layout worked and they succeeded here with everyone coming out of the match looking strong. I am beyond thrilled for Becky.

– Miz did a segment with some little kid form Nickelodeon.

– We then see Bray Wyatt attacking Randy Orton backstage.

Second Chance Match For Spot in Tag Team Title Tournament Finals: The Usos vs. The Hype Bros: The Usos have dropped the face paint and are sporting the all black look I hoped for when they were teaming with Roman earlier this year. I like it. What was even more important than the look is that they made a strong effort to change their in ring attitude and alter their work to reflect the new heel persona. They worked a good heat on Ryder, just grinding him down and being dicks. Mojo got the hot tag, which is the one thing that he does really well and it worked. The Usos eventually got rid of him as he crashed into the barricade, and after a chop block, they did the Karate Kid take out the knee spot that they worked on Gable. The tequila sunrise forced Ryder to tap. Pretty good overall, with the right team winning. No complaints overall.

– We got a promo from Slater and Rhyno, with Slater complaining about his stomach because of his wife’s imitation crab dip. Poop jokes, thanks Vince.

– We then got a promo for the Miz/Bryan/Ziggler angle, which was well done. We also saw Miz and Bryan meeting backstage, where Miz promised that he would show Bryan that he can do what Bryan can’t anymore.

WWE Intercontinental Title Match: Champion The Miz vs. Dolph Ziggler: They totally mocked the Punk UFC debut as Miz rushed in, ate a double leg, ground and pound and Ziggler got a rear naked choke. Ziggler took things to the ground early, once again playing off of his amateur background. Miz showed good aggression as he cut off Ziggler and pummeled him with rights. Miz balanced this well with begging off as Ziggler fired up, only to pull him to the ropes and start to choke him out. Miz worked a good and aggressive heat here, using what was working well for him earlier in the year on Smackdown when he was having strong TV matches with a wide variety of people. The thing is how he balances it, brutal and vicious when he has the easy advantage, but also knowing when to back off at the right time to get the right kind of heat and to allow the fans to really embrace his opponent. Ziggler got his hope spots, but Miz was able to stop him or Ziggler would get too overzealous and hurt himself like when he posted himself. Working things like the surfboard and corner dropkicks to mock Bryan was also a nice touch to ensure that the fans loathe him; when you think about it, there is nothing redeemable about Miz. He is the champion no one wants, he gets to be in movies, he has a hot wife and he ran down and mocks Bryan at every turn. Ziggler was excellent here as the never say die face, which led to some great back and forth down the stretch and very strong near falls. It was then after failing to put Ziggler away that Miz tried to run and take a countout, that’s the balance I was talking about. Ziggler was rolling and appeared to have things in hand, but Maryse busted out the old hair spray and misted Ziggler, leading to the Miz retaining. There will be the usual naysayers that want to dismiss the Miz’s contributions here, and while Ziggler put in an awesome performance, Miz was also tremendous here. His mannerisms, the way he attacked Ziggler, the mocking/staling of Bryan’s moves and then the cheap ass win all worked. This was an excellent match with both guys delivering the goods, and providing a much better match than I expected. Not sure what they do with Ziggler going forward, the potential heel turn due to frustration after multiple failures is always an option, but due to the shenanigans filled finish, a rematch is likely.

– Bray Wyatt is out. Randy Orton can’t compete due to not being medically cleared. Wyatt had the ref do the count so that he could win via forfeit. And now Wyatt will compete in a no holds barred match against… Kane. Ok then, that shows how shallow the Smackdown roster is.

No Holds Barred Match: Bray Wyatt vs. Kane: I am guessing that this is no holds barred because management is “upset” with Wyatt for taking out Orton like he did, but it would be nice if they told that story on commentary. They brawled on the floor for a bit, and when they returned to the ring Wyatt took control for a short bit, but then they went back to the floor and Wyatt hit Kane in the leg with a chair shot. Wyatt took the heat, working over Kane with chair shots. Slowly. Kane eventually fought back with a DDT on the chair, made his comeback showing no selling of the leg what so ever. Wyatt fought off the chokeslam and sent Kane to the floor; Wyatt hit a lariat and announce tables were cleared off. Wyatt laid Kane on one, climbed the other and put Kane through it with a running senton. Wyatt did his wacky pose as they got back in the ring, went for sister Abigail and Kane escaped and chokeslammed Wyatt, but Wyatt thankfully kicked out. Kane set up the chair and looked to tombstone Wyatt onto it, but Wyatt hit the urangae onto the chair for a near fall. Randy Orton then limped out and distracted Wyatt, Kane sat up and Orton ran in to hit the RKO on Wyatt and limped away. Kane hit a chokeslam on Wyatt and won. This was complete dogshit booking, if Orton can’t go, you NEED to give Wyatt a win to get some form of momentum. I have said it so many times, but WWE has no clue what to do with the guy. It’s 2016, we keep hearing that they have plans for the guy, but he just lost to Kane. I don’t care if he lost because of Orton, Wyatt lost to Orton in 2016 and it’s a bad call. The match was better than I thought it would be and would have been a nice get for Wyatt, the new predator beating the big monster via violent means should have been a much needed victory.

– AJ Styles walks back some indie geeks backstage and says that they know his story. He then says that they are destined to failure, butt they can at least say that they met Styles in person the night he won the WWE Title.

Finals of the SmackDown Tag Team Title Tournament: The Usos vs. Rhyno and Heath Slater: Slater and Rhyno controlled early, and the crowd loved these guys. The Usos finally sent Slater to the floor, posted him and then laid him out with a superkick to take the heat. We got a solid heat for the Usos, keeping Slater grounded and trying to isolate him in their corner. Nothing flashy, which is fine because they are working to establish their new heel persona. And while not flashy, it came across as more brutal as they just wanted to punish Slater. They eventually collided as Slater and an Uso went for cross bodies, and Rhyno finally got the hot tag. He cleaned house and hit a belly to belly. The gore was sidestepped and Slater tagged back in and ht neck breakers on both Usos. Slater fired up and hit the DDT for a near fall as he was pulled to the floor. Slater fought back, but ate a superkick, Rhyno then hit the Uso in the ring with a Gore and Slater covered; it’s doublewide time because Slater and Rhyno won the titles. Slater’s angle has been fun and they needed away to get him his contract, so I am fine with them getting the win. The newly heel Usos will likely beat then soon to set the feud with American Alpha off properly. The match was good and basic tag team wrestling, everyone played their roles well and the crowd was into it, no complaints as they have actually made solid use of Rhyno so far as well. Also the Slater angle has been fun and the guy has been killing it in his role.

– Slater got the post match interview and was very excited because he also gets his contract. He reiterated that he and Beulah are getting their double wide.

WWE Title Match: Champion Dean Ambrose vs. AJ Styles: Styles was outwrestling Ambrose early and was begin very cocky about it. Ambrose would fire back and send Styles to the floor, but Styles then slid in and tripped Ambrose into the ropes as he went for a suicide dive. Ambrose was favoring his neck after that, leading to Styles attacking the throat and neck area during the heat. Ambrose got some hope spots, but Styles was quick to cut him off, hitting the dropkick for a near fall. Styles was really focused here with his work, but also again showing that he was very confident and yelling that he could do this all day. Ambrose would again fire up, laying boots to Styles in the corner and picking up the pace, but he would post himself as Styles sidestepped him in the corner. Styles missed the corner forearm, and then they battled up top. Ambrose hit the belly to back superplex, with Styles flipping over and landing onto his stomach. Not sure if that was the plan or if he was to land on his feet there. Ambrose would pick up the pace, hitting a series of clothesline and then catching Styles off the high cross and hitting a back breaker for the near fall. Styles rolled to the floor and Ambrose hit his wacky elbow drop off the top to a standing Styles. Back in they went back and forth, with Ambrose hitting the wheelbarrow facebuster for a near fall. They again went back and forth, leading to Styles suplexing Ambrose into the corner. They did another series of counters, leading to Styles taking out Ambrose’s leg in the corner. Styles laid in kicks to the leg, looking to set up the calf crusher and also hoping that Ambrose will actually sell the work. Styles then locked in the calk crusher. Ambrose battled for the ropes and got there. Styles locked it in again, but Ambrose grabbed him and repeatedly slammed his head into the mat to escape. Styles went for the clash; Ambrose escaped with the ropes and ate an enziguri. The battle went to the apron, Styles teased the clash but Ambrose catapulted Styles into the post. Ambrose took control back in the ring, doing his usual run around than then pretend to sell when all of the running is done. Styles fired back and hit the ushigoroshi for the near fall. Styles followed with the torture rack into the powerbomb for another near fall. Styles went for his springboard 450, it connected, but Ambrose survived on a great near fall. Ambrose slowly fired up, throwing knee strikes and RUNNING AGAIN. At least fucking try dude. The suicide dive sent Styles across the announce table, Ambrose then tossed him over the barricade and this has escalated quickly. Ambrose then ran across the tables and off the barricade onto Styles. Styles is bumping like a champ here. PELE by Styles back in the ring, but he got leveled by the jawbreaker lariat. We then got a REF BUMP. Low blow by Styles, Styles clash connects and Styles wins the title. The finish works on a few levels, Styles was so cocky but Ambrose overcame everything he was doing, so he cheats to win because he’s a heel and took the opportunity given to him. Also, the cheap finish perfectly sets for the rematch since Ambrose was screwed. Outside of the selling issue with Ambrose, which is always there unfortunately, he was really good here after some recent off performances. Styles was Styles here, delivering in big time matches because that’s what he does. Styles is on another level right now, and has been for a long time, so I am thrilled that he won the title. This was an excellent main event, and the natural follow up to Styles defeating Cena at Summerslam.

– End scene.

– Thanks for reading.

“Byyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyye Felicia!”