jinder mahal — Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Isenberg Reacts: WWE Backlash “Mahal-Mania, Mahal-In, Mahal-Day Long”

May 22, 2017

Sami Zayn defeated Baron Corbin

(Photo by Lukas Schulze/Bongarts/Getty Images)

Well, WrestleRumble was not my friend on this prediction, as I expected a big victory for Baron Corbin. A really good match with a lot of positives, but the outcome is questionable at best.

Baron Corbin should have beaten Dean Ambrose at WrestleMania. I am a firm believer that this was a huge mistake for WWE and did nothing to help us believe that Baron Corbin should be viewed as a legit threat in the main event scene. Tonight was more about Sami picking up a “feel good win” more than anything else. As much as I enjoy his offense in the ring, there is more positive outcomes for Corbin to win than there is for Zayn. Why?

It is pretty simple. The faces on Smackdown Live are as follows: 1. AJ Styles 2. Shinsuke Nakamura 3. Randy Orton 4. Sami Zayn. For the heels, all you really have are a brand new Jinder Mahal and Kevin Owens. Baron Corbin could benefit more by getting a big push over Sami Zayn. As we have seen in the past, guys who lose before Money in the Bank are more likely to win that match. Maybe Baron is flying under the radar until getting that briefcase. Or, WWE thinks they really need more face depth than heel depth, which is RARELY the case.

At the end of this match, a talented Sami Zayn and Baron Corbin worked a really strong 14 minutes of action. It might be meaningless come Tuesday.

WZZ 6.5

The Welcoming Committee Wins

Charlotte, Becky Lynch and Naomi picked up a loss when Becky Lynch tapped out. The Welcoming Committee picked up a much needed win at WWE Backlash in what will be a forgettable match. It is hard to argue that those three needed this random win more. Charlotte is the best, while Naomi is the champion and Becky Lynch is a constant fan favorite. When booking this match, it had to be known that the heels on Smackdown Live are much more in need of being perceived as important than the faces.

Natalya bothers the hell out of me and I think Tamina’s best days are behind her. That leaves us with Carmella. I would love to see her get an opportunity at the Women’s Championship, but she would need a faster progression in the ring. She is getting so much heat, many thanks to James Ellsworth. Hopefully, WWE gives her the next shot, while Charlotte patiently waits for her chance to strike and be on her own again. There is absolutely no need for Charlotte to be booked as a face like this. Let her thrive how she did on WWE RAW.

WZ 5.5

Josh controls most of the creative writing and ideas for the show on a weekly basis, as well as an on-air talent.

Aside from working with WrestleZone, Isenberg began his career in Broadcast Journalism interning at ESPN and worked with CBS Radio for three years. He has also had the opportunity to interview some of the best athletes and performers alive, including Andrew McCutchen, Ben Roethlisberger, Chris Jericho, Billy Gunn, Karl Anderson, Matt Hardy, Steven Strasburg and others.

Currently, Josh Isenberg works for Major League Baseball in their Advanced Media Productions. He grew up in Pittsburgh and went to Point Park University, which is where Chair Shot Reality is filmed each week.

His life outside of his obsession with wrestling include being a savant for Seinfeld, NFL, NBA, MLB and many television shows. He also has an undying love for musicals, which includes many shows he was a part of in high school. Some of his favorite wrestling moments can be linked to such superstars as Edge, The Rock, Bret Hart, Shawn Michaels and The Great Khali.