WWE Backlash 2026 is here. The first Premium Live Event since WrestleMania 42 takes place tonight in Tampa, Florida, with five matches on the card and a John Cena announcement expected at some point during the show.
What is WWE Backlash?
Backlash is an annual WWE Premium Live Event traditionally held in the weeks following WrestleMania. It is the event where unfinished business gets settled, new rivalries take shape, and the fallout from the Grandest Stage of Them All comes to a head. This year's edition stays true to that formula, with several matches rooted in what happened at WrestleMania 42 last month.
When and Where
WWE Backlash 2026 takes place on Saturday, May 9, at the Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Florida. The pre-show begins at 4 p.m. ET. The main card starts at 6 p.m. ET.
How to Watch
In the United States, the event streams live on the ESPN App with an ESPN Unlimited Plan. International viewers can watch on Netflix. A pre-show countdown begins at 4 p.m. ET on WWE.com, ESPN, YouTube and TikTok. A post-show featuring key Superstars airs immediately after the event on the ESPN App and YouTube.
Full Match Card
- World Heavyweight Championship: Roman Reigns (c) vs. Jacob Fatu
- United States Championship: Trick Williams (c) vs. Sami Zayn
- Seth Rollins vs. Bron Breakker
- IYO SKY vs. Asuka
- Danhausen and mystery partner vs. The Miz and Kit Wilson
Roman Reigns vs. Jacob Fatu, World Heavyweight Championship
This is the main event and the match everyone is talking about. Roman Reigns won the World Heavyweight Championship from CM Punk at WrestleMania 42, his first title in more than two years. The following night on Raw, before he could even finish celebrating, his cousin Jacob Fatu showed up and demanded a title shot.
Fatu is not just any challenger. He is the man Solo Sikoa brought to WWE specifically to destroy Reigns during their lengthy family feud. He does not think Reigns has ever done anything for his family. He wants the title.
He has used the Tongan Death Grip on Reigns multiple times in recent weeks, and by most accounts he has had the physical advantage heading into tonight.
Reigns, for his part, gave Fatu every chance to back down. He did not. This is a family war dressed up as a championship match. The Usos are lurking. Solo Sikoa and the rest of the Bloodline are watching. It is impossible to predict who interferes and when.
Most analysts expect Reigns to retain. He has been champion for less than a month. WWE rarely strips new champions that quickly. But Fatu has been booked so strongly that an upset cannot be completely ruled out.
Seth Rollins vs. Bron Breakker
This one is personal. Rollins formed The Vision. Breakker was one of his most trusted allies inside it. Then in October last year, Breakker and Bronson Reed turned on Rollins and kicked him out of his own faction.
Rollins was injured. Breakker was injured. Both men returned. And Breakker made his comeback at WrestleMania 42 in the worst possible way, running down the ramp and spearing Rollins after his match against Gunther, costing him a win and leaving him flat on the biggest stage in the sport.
Rollins has been building alliances with The Street Profits ahead of tonight. Breakker still has The Vision behind him. This will not just be two men fighting. It will be war by committee.
Trick Williams vs. Sami Zayn, United States Championship
This is the only match that is a direct rematch from WrestleMania 42, where Williams took the United States Championship from Zayn. Zayn has been working his way back ever since. He even kicked Lil Yachty, Williams' celebrity friend, in the face along the way. He tore apart Williams' beloved Gingerbread Man mascot.
Williams granted the rematch, partly out of principle and partly because he wants to finish things properly. Zayn is one of the most beloved performers on the roster. This match could steal the show.
IYO SKY vs. Asuka
These two go back further than most fans realise. They were teammates in a Japanese faction called Triple Tails long before either signed with WWE. Asuka served as SKY's mentor for over a decade.
Then last September, Asuka turned on SKY and betrayed her. The feud has been simmering since. Two weeks ago on Raw, Asuka cost SKY a Women's Intercontinental Title match against Becky Lynch and attacked her after the bell. SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis responded by booking tonight's match.
Asuka is a four-time Women's Champion, Royal Rumble winner, and Money in the Bank winner. SKY has won two Women's Championships and her own Money in the Bank briefcase. This is a legitimate clash between two of the best in-ring performers on the WWE roster.
Danhausen and Mystery Partner vs. The Miz and Kit Wilson
The wildcard of the night. Danhausen put a curse on The Miz after a backstage altercation. Miz has been seeking revenge ever since, bringing in his new protege Kit Wilson to do his dirty work. The two attacked Danhausen and left him beaten.
Aldis stepped in and gave Danhausen a tag team match at Backlash, on the condition that he finds a partner. As of Friday night, that partner has not been announced. Names being discussed include CM Punk, Ilja Dragunov, Oba Femi and Royce Keys. The mystery is part of the appeal.
Danhausen has never competed in a WWE Premium Live Event before. Tonight is his first.