Major match reportedly revealed for WWE Backlash 2026
(Courtesy : WWE)
The 2026 edition will emanate from Tampa.
In the aftermath of WrestleMania 42, WWE will deliver the 2026 edition of the Backlash PLE. The 2026 edition is scheduled for Saturday, May 9, 2026, at the Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Florida.
The event usually features matches in the wake of WrestleMania, that shakes up divisions, with new Champions and even new contenders emerging. The show also features possible rematches from the ‘Grandest Stage.’
The 2025 edition of the show featured four WWE title matches, along with a singles match between Gunther and Pat McAfee. Speaking of McAfee, a new report has revealed his involvement once again at the PLE in Tampa, Florida.
Cody Rhodes & Jelly Roll will team up against Randy Orton & Pat McAfee
According to Dave Meltzer in the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter, the current plan coming out of WrestleMania is for Randy Orton and Pat McAfee to face Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes and country music star Jelly Roll in a tag team match at Backlash.
“McAfee will team with Orton against Rhodes & Jelly Roll coming out of WrestleMania and be a key match at the Backlash PPV on 5/9, at least as of plans that were confirmed to us by multiple people and were still in play at press time.”
The groundwork for the match was laid when Jelly Roll confronted Orton for attacking Rhodes, but ended up eating an RKO. The angle continued on the recent SmackDown in San Jose, where Jelly Roll confronted McAfee and was later attacked by Orton.
Jelly Roll and Cody tried to fight back, but suffered a vicious beatdown by Orton and McAfee, who then left the show last night with the Undisputed title, which they took off of Cody after the beatdown.
Jelly Roll has competed in two matches in WWE, with his first being alongside Orton during the 2025 edition of SummerSlam against Drew McIntyre and Logan Paul. Meanwhile, his first win and singles match came during the 27 March 2026 edition of SmackDown, where he defeated Kit Wilson.
On the other hand, McAfee has competed in a total of eight matches in WWE, with his most recent outing being against Gunther at the 2025 edition of Backlash, as mentioned earlier.
Cody Rhodes will defend the Undisputed title in the main event of Night 1 of WrestleMania 42 on April 18 in Las Vegas. The Teg Team clash at Backlash is expected to build directly off the main event next Saturday.
When and where will Backlash 2026 take place?
The PLE is scheduled for Saturday, May 9, 2026, at the Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Florida.
Which match is being planned for the show, per reports?
A tag team match where Cody Rhodes will team up with Jelly Roll to take on Randy Orton and Pat McAfee is reportedly in the works for the show in Tampa.
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Abhijit Singh is a budding sports journalist with over three years of experience in the field, and a photographer capturing stories through his lens since 2018. With a background in philosophy and political science, he brings a thoughtful, analytical edge to his reporting where every word is guided by curiosity and intent. Whether he's capturing the emotion of a moment or unpacking the deeper narratives within the game, Abhijit’s work is rooted in insight and passion. When he’s not covering sports, he’s often exploring new ideas through reading, traveling or just procrastinating.