Singles match
A sibling rivalry comes to pay-per-view (PPV) Sunday night in Chicago.
The Road to Backlash
Since returning after WrestleMania 33, Erick Rowan’s made it clear he is still very much a Bray Wyatt guy. Whether it was Luke Harper or Randy Orton, the 6’ 8” 330 pounder has made it his mission to take out those who’ve betrayed the Family - even with the Eater of Worlds now assigned to a different show from the remnants of his clan.
At first, that didn’t work out terribly well for Rowan. He and Bray were defeated by Orton & Harper in a tag match, then neither Luke or Erick emerged from SmackDown’s Six Pack Challenge to determine the next challenger for The Viper’s World title.
His luck changed on May 9, when with the help of a sheep mask distraction and new finishing manuever, he put Harper down for the count:
It’s not the first time Wyatt’s family has set out on their own and come into conflict with one another. But there’s definitely a different edge to Rowan this time - and we’re not just talking about creepy clown tricks. Erick says he wants to punish Luke for leaving him as so many others have in his life.
And while that spinning slam may need some work, his eerie intimidation tactics are working just fine. Ask Renee Young...
What's at stake?
In story? Family pride, I suppose. Harper has been trying to succeed on his own for the first time since his brief Intercontinental title run back in 2014, while coming to terms with the fact Wyatt chose Orton over him during their long program. Rowan’s taken that rejection personally, and wants to make Bray’s original son pay.
Business-wise, it’s the usual. Either this is a the first PPV bout of a longer program, or the winner will be in line for something more. If that’s the currently babyface Harper, it could be a U.S. title shot. If it’s the guy they once tried to get us to call Big Red, maybe he can work with Mojo Rawley or another guy on the rise.
For Backlash, let’s stick to kayfabe... and tune in to find out who gets the upper hand in this family feud.