Styles wins, new champs crowned at Backlash
AJ Styles beats Dean Ambrose to win the WWE World Championship at Backlash. Photo from WWE.com
SmackDown is about to get phenomenal.
AJ Styles made true of his word that he’s the new face that runs the place, beating Dean Ambrose to win the WWE World Championship at Backlash Monday (Manila time) at Richmond, Virginia.
Capitalizing on the defending champion inadvertently backing off referee Mike Chioda, Styles low-blowed Ambrose before setting him up for the Styles Clash for the three count.
Styles has now won major titles in every promotion he has been in, copping championships in New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW), Pro Wrestling Guerilla, and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) before.
Aside from Styles, new champions were also crowned for the blue brand.
Becky Lynch became the inaugural SmackDown Women’s Champion, submitting Carmella with Dis-Arm-Her.
She also outlasted Nikki Bella, Natalya, Naomi, and Alexa Bliss in the six-pack elimination match.
Heath Slater and Rhyno also claimed the SmackDown Tag Team Championships after the Manbeast hit a Gore on Jimmy Uso and Slater covered for the pin.
Slater also earned a contract in the process after he made true of his agreement with SmackDown general manager Daniel Bryan to win the tournament.
The Usos earlier advanced to the championship match after beating The Hype Bros in a second chance challenge.
The twins targeted Zack Ryder’s left leg before Jimmy made him tap to a single leg Boston crab.
The Miz was the lone titlist to retain his championship, successfully defending his Intercontinental title against Dolph Ziggler with a Skull Crushing Finale after Maryse sprayed mist on the challenger’s face.
Bray Wyatt won his match against Randy Orton via forfeit, but lost to Kane in a no holds barred match.
The Eater of Worlds earlier attacked the Viper backstage injuring his opponent’s right leg, but that didn’t stop Orton from interjecting himself to the match, nailing Wyatt with a RKO before Kane hit him with a Chokeslam.
In the pre-show, Baron Corbin pinned Apollo Crews after hitting the End of Days.
