Updated WWE Backlash Lineup Following Smackdown

The next WWE pay-per-view event is called Backlash presented by the Smackdown Live brand. It takes place at the Allstate Arena in Chicago on May 21. Here’s the list of announced matches following this week’s Smackdown.

WWE Championship: Randy Orton vs. Jinder Mahal

United States Championship: Kevin Owens vs. AJ Styles

Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Dolph Ziggler

Smackdown Tag Team Championships: The Usos (Jimmy & Jey) vs. Breezango (Tyler Breeze & Fandango)

Charlotte Flair, Becky Lynch & Naomi vs. Natalya, Carmella & Tamina

A match that isn’t official yet, but it is very likely is Baron Corbin vs. Sami Zayn since they have had issues over the last few weeks.

That would be six matches. They will likely need another one or two more. That could involve other tag teams or perhaps another Erick Rowan vs. Luke Harper match since they faced off on the show this week.

TJR Thoughts: It’s a decent lineup with Owens/Styles and Nakamura/Ziggler as the two matches I’m most looking forward to. I’m going to write more about Backlash in depth this week when I do my questions and answers column about the show. One of the things I’m interested in is the booking of Orton/Mahal and if WWE will pull the trigger on putting the WWE Title on Mahal. Right now I’m thinking they won’t, but they could do it.

Also, what’s going to go on last? I think it should be Owens vs. Styles regardless of who goes over. That’s the better match than the WWE Title and Styles gets better reactions than Orton. They could also put Nakamura on last since he’s probably getting the win, so it would end the show on a happy note.