Seven things we learnt at WWE Backlash as Jinder Mahal was crowned WWE Champion in a huge shock

THE superstars of SmackDown LIVE were out in fill force last night for WWE’s latest pay-per-view event, Backlash.

And with the WWE Championship, US and Tag Team titles on the line, the stakes were high.

Here are seven important things we learnt from the show.

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Strong Style has arrived

The main roster debut of Shinsuke Nakamura opened the show, in his much hyped match against Dolph Ziggler.

It was a slow starter but as expected Ziggler was the perfect opponent for Nakamura.

Ziggler made us believe several times that WWE would actually have Nakamura lose his first match, scoring near falls with a DDT, Zig-Zag and kick to the back of the head.

But Nakamua got the win with his trademark Kinshasa knee strike – a solid debut for the “King of Strong Style”.

Tyler Breeze is the master of disguise

Continuing from the hilarious Fashion Files skits, Tyler Breeze went undercover in his match with Fandango against tag champs The Usos.

First he dressed as a janitor – complete with mop – then had a costume change mid-match to dress up as an old lady.

The crowd loved the comedy (old lady Breeze flashing Jimmy and Jey was particularly amusing) before it actioned heated up for an exciting exchange of big spots.

The Usos got the win – but the popular Breezango will surely have another crack at the belts.

Sami Zayn is no longer the underdog

Sami looked set for yet another losing effort – facing the much larger and more powerful Baron Corbin.

It wasn’t looking good for Zayn as Corbin tossed him around the ring and battered him with hard clotheslines and his End of Days slam.

But Zayn refused to give up and eventually caught Corbin with Helluva Kick for a surprise victory.

He was also spared a post-match beat down, which we expected to happen to continue the feud.

Are the fortunes of WWE’s longsuffering underdog about to turn around?

The six-woman tag match was uneventful

Naomi, Charlotte Flair and Becky Lynch battled Natalya, Tamina, and Carmella – a clumsy matchup that never stepped up to second gear.

(Perhaps because Carmella, Tamina, and – we’re sorry to say – women’s champ Naomi just aren’t at the same level as the other women.)

The big question was whether sort-of villain Charlotte would turn on her team-mates.

But JBL’s constant references to Becky always being turned on seemed to telegraph that Becky herself would turn.

It never came close to being that dramatic unfortunately. Instead, Becky tapped to Natalya’s sharpshooter. But don’t rule out a Becky heel turn just yet.

KO v AJ is just getting started

Kevin Owens successfully defended his US Championship against AJ Styles with a count-out win.

It wasn’t the dynamite showdown fans were expecting – but it’s just the first chapter for these two superstars.

The story was AJ’s injured knee, which stopped “The Phenomenal One” from executing his usual high flying offence – but allowed KO to dish out his innovative arsenal of powerbomb-like moves.

The match ended when AJ’s foot went through the announce desk as he attempted a Styles Clash and got tied in cables – trapping him on the outside for the count of ten.

Owens then hit Styles with a cheap shot a kick to the head. Expect much more from this rivalry in the next few months.

Luke Harper got his win back

Erick Rowan scored a surprise victory against his former Wyatt Family brother Harper two weeks ago – setting up this rematch.

It was unspectacular, with plodding action that played out before a largely uninterested crowd.

Harper scored the victory – but will it help him climb the ladder and make it as a singles star?

Or is he doomed to live in the shadow of the Wyatt gimmick as Rowan clearly is?

Jinder Mahal is the new WWE Champion

Yes, really. Jinder Mahal actually pinned Randy Orton to lift the biggest prize in professional wrestling.