‘Backlash’ 2017 Match Card: New ‘SmackDown Live’ Stars Added To Sunday’s Matches


When Sunday’s WWE Backlash 2017 pay-per-view arrives, it will feature two of the newer stars of the SmackDown Live roster in action. The current match card already features a star-studded lineup with multiple championships on the line including the United States title and WWE World Championship both up for grabs. In addition, the women’s division is prominently featured in a match. The WWE Backlash Kickoff Show also received its special match, with the announcement made on Monday evening just before SmackDown.

According to PW Mania in their report earlier today, a video released from WWE featuring Renee Young announced the latest WWE Backlash match. It will be the “Perfect 10” Tye Dillinger taking on SmackDown‘s biggest drama king, Aiden English. The two will compete in a singles match on the Kickoff Show, which is featured live online through various WWE social media, the WWE website, and WWE network.

Dillinger himself retweeted the announcement several hours ago, adding a message to his retweet which said, “Chicago….I’ll see you soon.” English also posted a message on Instagram regarding the match which said, “This Sunday the #AllstateArena spotlight will finally be on The #DramaKing…and it will be at the expense of @wwedillinger. The #MaestroOfMayhem comes home…”

WWE Backlash 2017 match card new kickoff show match
Tye Dillinger and Aiden English will lock up for Sunday’s WWE Backlash 2017 Kickoff Show. [Image by WWE]

Both of these superstars have been a part of a pay-per-view before. Aiden English was formerly part of the tag team known as The Vaudevillians and partnered with Simon Gotch. The duo was involved in a No. 1 contender’s tag team match against Enzo Amore and Big Cass. That match is unfortunately known as the one in which Enzo suffered a concussion due to the way he bounced against the ropes and his head hit the mat. It was eventually stopped with no winner declared.

The Vaudevillains would go on to feud with New Day a bit, but never really gained much momentum since their arrival to the main roster. Simon Gotch has recently been released while English is now on a singles run using a new “drama king” gimmick. He was recently seen crying after a match on SmackDown Live leading to a funny exchange involving Chris Jericho and English backstage where Jericho officially put him on “The List.”

As for Tye Dillinger, the former NXT superstar arrived at the SmackDown Live roster just after WrestleMania 33. However, he made his debut at the main roster pay-per-view back in January. Dillinger ended up as none other than the No. 10 entrant in this year’s Royal Rumble match. Dillinger lasted in the match for over five minutes and looked impressive in the ring but had zero eliminations. He ended up being the eighth superstar tossed out of the ring with big man Braun Strowman recording the elimination. However, the crowd was hot when Dillinger came out at No. 10 and got into the “Ten” chants as Dillinger is used to hearing from his NXT days.

Tye Dillinger defeated Aiden English on SmackDown Live
Tye Dillinger has previously defeated Aiden English on WWE’s SmackDown Live. [Image by WWE]

Now Tye Dillinger and Aiden English get a chance to shine at the WWE Backlash Kickoff Show this Sunday. Of the two, it seems Dillinger would be the one who is going to get more of a push, although WWE could be developing English as a new mid card heel. These two competitors have been competing in matches on SmackDown Live and also at live WWE house show events, with Dillinger mostly emerging victorious in the bouts.

Also during the latest edition of WWE SmackDown Live, it was revealed that Sami Zayn will go one-on-one against “The Lone Wolf” Baron Corbin in a Backlash match. During a previous backstage segment on the show, Corbin had attacked Zayn along with a referee, which ultimately led to Shane McMahon suspending and fining him. On the latest episode of SmackDown Live, Corbin fought against Randy Orton in the main event. Corbin ultimately lost the non-title bout when Orton struck him out of nowhere with the RKO. On Sunday, Zayn gets a chance at revenge against the man who attacked him backstage.

The WWE Backlash 2017 Kickoff Show is scheduled for Sunday evening at 7 p.m. Eastern Time. It will be shown free of charge via live streaming online sources for WWE fans to watch. These include the WWE Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and WWE website. The pre-show will last for an hour and lead up to the main pay-per-view at 8 p.m. Eastern Time which features Sami Zayn vs. Baron Corbin, AJ Styles vs. Kevin Owens for the United States title, Jinder Mahal vs. Randy Orton for the WWE World Championship, and more.

[Featured Image by WWE]

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