WWE Backlash in Tampa, Florida, USA, Streaming Live on ESPN Unlimited, May 9th, 2026 — The Premium Live Event Preview:
- robbyplaha
- May 9
- 7 min read
Start Time: 6 P.M. ET / 5 P.M. CT / 3 P.M. PT, First Hour of WWE Backlash is on ESPN2. (WWE Backlash Pre-Show starts at 5 P.M. ET / 4 P.M. CT / 3 P.M. PT on ESPN & WWE Digital Platforms) For the International Viewers, it'll be Streaming Live on Netflix.
Location: Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Florida, USA.
The WWE Backlash Main Event: Roman Reigns (c) vs. Jacob Fatu in a WWE World Heavyweight Title Match.
The WWE Backlash Event Preview & What You Need To Know:
Roman Reigns is fighting with family again as he faces his cousin Jacob Fatu, who defends his newly won WWE World Heavyweight Title against him. Roman Reigns became a 7x World Champion at WrestleMania as he defeated CM Punk in the Main Event of Night Two. The RAW After Mania, we saw Jacob Fatu confront Roman Reigns & The Usos as he declared he wanted the WWE World Heavyweight Title. Roman Reigns told The Usos to talk some sense into him on that week's SmackDown, but it went nowhere. Then Roman Reigns awaited Jacob Fatu to hear the answer if he changed his mind about chasing the WWE World Heavyweight Title, as Jacob Fatu already knew what he wanted when he asked. Jacob Fatu also pointed out how, before WWE, he never heard anything from Roman Reigns & The Usos; it was Solo Sikoa who gave him this chance and opportunity, not The Bloodline. Then Roman Reigns cut into Jacob Fatu, saying some below-the-belt statements, which made Jacob Fatu snap as he put Roman Reigns in a Tongan Death Hold, which Haku used, and Roman Reigns, while out of breath, said it's on at Backlash now tonight in the Main Event, Jacob Fatu gets his chance to take on his older cousin Roman Reigns for the WWE World Heavyweight Title. Can Jacob Fatu end Roman Reigns' reign after one title defense, or will Roman Reigns have to teach another lesson to his younger cousin? We'll find out tonight.
Bron Breakker did the unthinkable back in October of 2025, as in the closing moments of Monday Night RAW in Australia, he speared Seth Rollins as he turned on the man who brought him into The Vision to take him under as a leader to mentor Bron Breakker. In this attack, Seth Rollins had to vacate the WWE World Heavyweight Title and be on the shelf for 4-6 Months. During the Royal Rumble Bron Breakker entered at #2 as everyone expected him to be one of the few favorites to win the Men's Royal Rumble but someone in a Mask came from the crowd attacking Bron Breakker then proceeded to hit a Curb Stomp as he ran off, Bron Breakker lasted tweleve seconds in the Royal Rumble as he was eliminated by Oba Femi thanks to Seth Rollins who at the time was hiding his identiyy. The next day Bron Breakker opened up RAW furious but in that process he injured his hernia, in had to be on the shelf for 1-2 months, because of this his WrestleMania was taken away, byut he still made an appearance during Seth Rollins Match with Gunther Bron Breakker hit a vicious spear to help Gunther secure the win but afterwards he contiuned his attack with Paul Heyman looking from the top of the entrance ramp as Bron Breakker going 22 MPH hit another spear. The next night on RAW, with the help of The Street Profits, Seth Rollins fought back, but Bron Breakker once again got Seth Rollins down and out. To open up Monday Night RAW, Seth Rollins dug into Bron Breakker in a face-to-face promo exchange, which left Bron Breakker speechless. This will be the 2nd Time ever these two have locked inside a ring, as Seth Rollins, when World Champion in 2023, defeated Bron Breakker when he was in NXT. Now, with Bron Breakker being new and improved with Paul Heyman, this can be the biggest win of his career if he can take down Seth Rollins tonight at Backlash.
Asuka, for months, has been making IYO SKY’s life a living hell, dating back to when she finally attacked IYO SKY and dismantled her. They had a few run-ins at WWE Crown Jewel when RHIYO took on The Kabuki Warriors, but Asuka is like a latch she is stuck on IYO SKY and has made every chance she gets to take down the 2x Women's World Champion. IYO SKY has been wanting to end this feud with Asuka for months, as it has been going on long enough now. Tonight at Backlash, it happens at the end of a several-month-long rivalry that has been pushed to its limits, and now we see who the better woman is tonight. IYO, SKY has lost title and match opportunities because of Asuka. Now, she has to put down the one thing that has been holding her back. Tonight, in one of the highly anticipated matches at Backlash, we see if IYO SKY can end the woman who has been a thorn in her side for months now, in Asuka.
Sami Zayn lost his WWE United States Title to Trick Williams at WrestleMania, but this left Sami Zayn losing his mind as he has been doing throughout 2026, as he has been losing friends and the audience. He was once a beloved star, now a man whom everyone can't stand, and now boo. There's Trick Williams, the anointed one. Who has been taking WWE by storm since arriving on the Main Roster, being in all our PLEs, and now holding gold, but tonight in a WrestleMania Rematch, we'll have Trick Williams defend his WWE United States Title as he looks to get his revenge on Sami Zayn after what he did to his Gingerbeard Man and Lil Yachty.
Danhausen debuted at WWE Elimination Chamber, as he has been trying to make friends and be mentored by The Miz. But Danhausen doesn't realize that The Miz doesn't want anything to do with him. At WrestleMania, The Miz & Kit Wilson were made a fool of, and on the May 1st episode of SmackDown, they unleashed a planned attack on Danhausen, which prompted Danhausen to get a Tag Team Match against The Miz & Kit Wilson, but Danhausen had to finish. Tag Team Partner, will he figure out who he wants by his side tonight? We'll find out.
The Official Slated Matches Announced for WWE Backlash:
Roman Reigns (c) vs. Jacob Fatu in a WWE World Heavyweight Title Match.
Bron Breakker (with Paul Heyman) vs. Seth Rollins in a Singles Match.
Asuka vs. IYO SKY in a Singles Match.
Trick Williams (with Lil Yachty) (c) vs. Sami Zayn in a WWE United States Title Match.
Danhausen & Partner TBA vs. Kit Wilson & The Miz in a Tag Team Match.
My Official Match Predictions for WWE Backlash:
As WWE Backlash approaches, the card is shaping up to deliver a compelling mix of championship stakes and high-profile clashes. Here are my official predictions for the event:
WWE World Heavyweight Championship Match: Roman Reigns (c) vs. Jacob Fatu — Roman Reigns is obviously winning this, but I hope this is a clean match with no drama involving the Usos & The MFTs. Just let these guys have a fun match, as I really want to see Jacob Fatu have a great performance against Roman Reigns in the Main Event of this show.
Singles Match: Bron Breakker (with Paul Heyman) vs. Seth Rollins — This feud has to be a trilogy with Bron Breakker winning 2-1 to fully cement him as a star. In this match, I expect Bron Breakker to win. It makes the most sense. He's considered one of the pillars of the future with Carmelo Hayes, Je'Von Evans, Oba Femi & Trick Williams. This feud needs to be the one that Bron Breakker wins, and I want this match to be clean with Bron Breakker having a statement win.
Singles Match: IYO SKY vs. Asuka — This makes the most logical sense of IYO SKY winning. She has been berated and attacked by Asuka for so long, as Asuka has been making IYO SKY’s life a living hell, and wants to end that tonight. I do expect IYO SKY to win, and hopefully reenter the WWE Women's World Title scene as it has been a long time away from that scene, but I have IYO SKY winning tonight, then ending the long feud with Asuka.
WWE United States Championship Match: Trick Williams (c) vs. Sami Zayn — I expect Trick Williams to retain his WWE United States Title, he's coming off of winning this title at WrestleMania against Sami Zayn, and I don't expect Trick Williams to lose in this rematch, I do hope this feud ends after this event, as there;'s so much people Trick Williams can feud with after he feuds with Sami Zayn.
Tag Team Match:
Danhausen & Partner TBD vs. Kit Wilson & The Miz — I predict Danhausen and his Mystery Partner, who I believe will be CM Punk, as he's best friends with Danhausen, and is rumored to make a move to SmackDown. This is a big spot for Kit Wilson, who has had a great year and been widely entertaining. But I do expect CM Punk & Danhausen to get the win, with CM Punk, who is advertised in the commercials for Backlash, to help his friend Danhaisen to take down The Miz & Kit Wilson in this Tag Team Match.
The Official Match Order for WWE Backlash:
Bron Breakker (with Paul Heyman) vs. Seth Rollins in a Singles Match.
Trick Williams (with Lil Yachty) (c) vs. Sami Zayn in a WWE United States Title Match.
Danhausen & Partner TBA vs. Kit Wilson & The Miz in a Tag Team Match.
Asuka vs. IYO SKY in a Singles Match.
Roman Reigns (c) vs. Jacob Fatu in a WWE World Heavyweight Title Match.
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