Lineup for WWE Backlash 2026 ft. Roman Reigns vs Jacob Fatu, Seth Rollins & Iyo Sky in action & more
(Courtesy : WWE)
WWE Backlash 2026 is just hours away.
WWE’s first post-WrestleMania premium live event of the year descends on the Sunshine State as WWE Backlash 2026, also promoted as Backlash: Tampa, takes place on Saturday, May 9, 2026, at the Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Florida.
It marks the 21st edition of the Backlash event and WWE’s first major event held in Tampa since Hell in a Cell in 2021 during the ThunderDome era.
Themed around the fallout from WrestleMania 42, the night promises championship gold on the line, long-simmering grudges finally reaching their boiling point, and history-making moments from a card built on WrestleMania’s ripple effects. A total of five matches have been confirmed for the evening, including two championship bouts and a pivotal tag team contest.
With Tampa’s Benchmark International Arena set to erupt, all eyes are on the WWE World Heavyweight Championship as Roman Reigns faces the boldest challenge of his title reign, his own cousin, Jacob Fatu. The Backlash is here.
What’s in store for Backlash Tampa?
WWE Backlash 2026 is headlined by one of the most anticipated family rivalries in recent WWE history. Following his WrestleMania 42 triumph over CM Punk on Night 2 to capture the WWE World Heavyweight Championship, Roman Reigns returned to Raw alongside The Usos, only to be interrupted by Jacob Fatu, who made clear he wanted everything Reigns had, including the title.
Reigns initially dismissed Fatu as undeserving, citing nepotism concerns, but after Fatu launched a physical assault, Reigns had no choice but to accept the challenge.
Fresh off his brutal Unsanctioned Match victory over Drew McIntyre at WrestleMania 42, Fatu enters Tampa with monstrous momentum and a point to prove against the head of the table.
Elsewhere, Seth Rollins is on the warpath after Bron Breakker cost him his match against Gunther on Night 1 of WrestleMania 42 with a spear.
Breakker, having previously betrayed and expelled Rollins from The Vision stable back in October 2025, a move that forced Rollins to vacate the World Heavyweight Championship due to injury, now stands in his path once more. This is personal, and Tampa will see the collision of two former allies turned bitter enemies.
On the women’s side, IYO SKY and Asuka bring one of the most emotionally layered rivalries at WWE Backlash 2026. The two Japanese veterans and former members of the Triple Tails faction, who have been at odds since Asuka turned on Sky in September 2025, finally lock up on the grandest post-Mania stage, after Asuka cost Sky a Women’s Intercontinental title match on Raw.
The United States Championship picture also heats up as Trick Williams, who won the title from Sami Zayn on Night 2 of WrestleMania 42 with Lil Yachty at ringside, must now defend against a fired-up Zayn, who is furious and perhaps turning a corner into darker territory.
Rounding out the card is a quirky tag team clash as the beloved Danhausen, making his first-ever WWE PLE appearance, teams with a mystery partner to take on The Miz and Kit Wilson.
- Main Event: Roman Reigns (c) vs Jacob Fatu — WWE World Heavyweight Championship
- Trick Williams (c) vs Sami Zayn — WWE United States Championship
- Seth Rollins vs Bron Breakker
- IYO SKY vs Asuka
- Danhausen & Mystery Partner vs The Miz & Kit Wilson
Returns & special appearances expected on tonight’s show
WWE ambassador and retired in-ring competitor John Cena is confirmed to appear at Backlash 2026 in Tampa. Cena, who officially retired from in-ring competition in December 2025 and served as host of WrestleMania 42, is expected to make a major announcement at the event, one WWE has teased as “history-making news.”
While the specifics remain undisclosed, the presence of the 17-time world champion is guaranteed to add a significant moment to the evening. Another major return or appearance will be in the form of Danhausen’s mystery partner. While there are massive speculations regarding who it might be, there is no confirmed report.
Odds favor CM Punk as Danhausen’s mystery partner, while Bryan Alvarez of the Observer has hinted at Jelly Roll being the mystery partner.
WWE Backlash 2026 Start Time
- United States, Alaska, Hawaii & Puerto Rico: 06:00 PM ET / 05:00 PM CT / 03:00 PM PT (Saturday)
- Canada: 06:00 PM ET (Saturday)
- United Kingdom & Ireland: 11:00 PM BST (Saturday)
- India: 03:30 AM IST (Sunday)
- Bangladesh: 04:00 AM BST (Sunday)
- Saudi Arabia: 01:00 AM AST (Sunday)
- Australia: 08:00 AM AEST / 09:00 AM AEDT (Sunday)
- France: 12:00 AM CET (Sunday)
- Brazil: 07:00 PM BRT (Saturday)
- Mexico: 04:00 PM CST (Saturday)
- Singapore: 06:00 AM SGT (Sunday)
- China: 06:00 AM CST (Sunday)
- Nigeria: 11:00 PM WAT (Saturday)
- South Africa: 12:00 AM SAST (Sunday)
- Germany: 12:00 AM CET (Sunday)
When and where will WWE Backlash 2026 take place?
WWE Backlash 2026 will take place on Saturday, May 9, 2026, at the Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Florida. This marks WWE’s first major event to be held in Tampa since Hell in a Cell in 2021 during the ThunderDome era.
Where can fans watch WWE Backlash 2026?
Fans in the United States can watch on ESPN’s direct-to-consumer streaming service, while international fans can tune into Netflix in most markets. SuperSport will carry the event in Sub-Saharan Africa, and Abema will air it in Japan.
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