WWE Backlash 2026: Preview, start time & where to watch
(Courtesy : WWE)
The fallout from WrestleMania arrives in Tampa!
The 2026 edition of Backlash, also promoted as Backlash: Tampa, is set to take place on Saturday, May 9, 2026, at the Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Florida, and will feature wrestlers from both the Raw and SmackDown brand divisions. The event is themed around the fallout from WrestleMania 42 and promises to be one of the most stacked PLEs of the year.
To lower the risk of clashing with UFC 328, Backlash will have a special start time of 6:00 PM Eastern Time, making it the third consecutive Backlash to take place on the same night as a UFC PPV since the formation of TKO Group Holdings.
In addition to airing on traditional pay-per-view worldwide, the event will be available to livestream on ESPN’s direct-to-consumer streaming service in the United States, Netflix in most international markets, SuperSport in Sub-Saharan Africa, and Abema in Japan. This marks the first Backlash to livestream on ESPN in the United States.
With five matches confirmed, including the blockbuster World Heavyweight Championship clash between Roman Reigns and Jacob Fatu, let us take a detailed look at the full preview for WWE Backlash 2026.
WWE Backlash 2026 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 & Mystery Partner vs The Miz & Kit Wilson
World Heavyweight Championship: Roman Reigns (c) vs Jacob Fatu
Jacob Fatu challenged his cousin Roman Reigns for the World Heavyweight Championship after stepping up on Raw following his win over Drew McIntyre at WrestleMania 42. Fatu asserted his dominance when Reigns accepted the challenge, locking in the Tongan Death Grip, a move so sacred to their clan that even The Usos thought he crossed a line.
Reigns had also accepted Fatu’s challenge, but the champion may want to reconsider after being physically dominated by his younger cousin in recent weeks. Fatu has never challenged for a world title in WWE, but he has looked every bit like a main eventer in his recent encounters with Reigns. This is a deeply personal collision, not just a championship match, but a battle for power, loyalty, and the future of the Bloodline.
United States Championship: Trick Williams (c) vs Sami Zayn
tTrick Williams will defend the United States Championship against Sami Zayn in a rematch from WrestleMania 42. The bout was set up on SmackDown after Zayn ambushed Williams’ Gingerbread Man mascot during the show, prompting Williams to grant the rematch.
Since WrestleMania, Sami has fully embraced his heel turn, taking out Lil Yachty and continuing to escalate his character in memorable fashion. Williams is expected to be a fighting champion going into the summer, but Zayn’s new edge makes him a dangerous challenger heading into Tampa.
Seth Rollins vs Bron Breakker
Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed had turned on Seth Rollins on the October 13 episode of Raw, attacking him and expelling him from The Vision. The attack forced Rollins to vacate the World Heavyweight Championship.
At Night 1 of WrestleMania 42, Rollins lost his match against Gunther after Breakker returned and struck him with a spear. Two nights later on Raw, The Vision formally introduced Breakker, who trash-talked Rollins before a brawl broke out.
The Unpredictable Badass has made it his mission to finish what he started against The Visionary and prove without a shadow of a doubt that he belongs at the top of WWE. Backlash is where these two finally settle it one-on-one.
IYO SKY vs Asuka
After SummerSlam in August 2025, Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky maintained a friendly relationship, much to the dismay of Sky’s former Damage CTRL stablemates, and specifically Asuka, who confronted Sky multiple times. On the September 22 episode of Raw, Asuka and a conflicted Kairi Sane betrayed Sky.
On Raw, Women’s Intercontinental Champion Becky Lynch issued an open challenge that IYO SKY answered. The two delivered one of the best women’s matches of the year, but Asuka interfered behind the referee’s back, costing Sky the match. Asuka then challenged Sky to a showdown at Backlash.
Once dear friends and Damage CTRL stablemates, their collision at Backlash carries the weight of over a decade of shared history, including their time together in a faction called Triple Tails in Japan, where Asuka served as Sky’s mentor.
Danhausen & Mystery Partner vs The Miz & Kit Wilson
The match was set up after Danhausen trapped The Miz and Kit Wilson in powder on SmackDown, only for Miz to retaliate with a Skull Crushing Finale before GM Nick Aldis made the match official.
Danhausen will compete in his first-ever WWE Premium Live Event match at Backlash in Tampa, and the biggest question surrounding this bout is who will emerge as his mystery tag team partner. Fans are eagerly waiting for the reveal, which could be one of the most entertaining moments of the night.
WWE Backlash 2026 Start Time & Telecast Details
| Country/Region | Time | Telecast |
|---|---|---|
| United States, Alaska, Hawaii & Puerto Rico | 06 PM ET / 05 PM CT / 03 PM PT (Saturday) | ESPN Unlimited / ESPN2 (first hour) |
| Canada | 06 PM ET (Saturday) | Netflix |
| United Kingdom & Ireland | 11 PM BST (Saturday) | Netflix |
| India | 03:30 AM IST (Sunday) | Netflix & Sony Sports Network |
| Bangladesh | 04:00 AM BST (Sunday) | Netflix |
| Saudi Arabia | 01:00 AM AST (Sunday) | Netflix |
| Australia | 08:00 AM AEST / 09:00 AM AEDT (Sunday) | Netflix |
| France | 12:00 AM CEST (Sunday) | Netflix |
| Brazil | 07:00 PM BRT (Saturday) | Netflix |
| Mexico | 04:00 PM CST (Saturday) | Netflix |
| Singapore | 06:00 AM SGT (Sunday) | Netflix |
| China | 06:00 AM CST (Sunday) | iQIYI |
| Nigeria | 11:00 PM WAT (Saturday) | SuperSport & Showmax |
| South Africa | 12:00 AM SAST (Sunday) | SuperSport & Showmax |
| Germany | 12:00 AM CET (Sunday) | ProSieben Maxx |
| Japan | 07:00 AM JST (Sunday) | Abema |
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.
For more updates, follow Khel Now Wrestling on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Telegram & Whatsapp.
Blesson Daniel is a sub-editor who spends his days organizing words and managing social media, crafting bursts of creativity designed to make people smile. He occasionally dives into writing as well — whether it’s crafting articles, brainstorming ideas, or finding the perfect caption. Believing that every piece of writing offers an opportunity to tell a story, Blesson brings creativity and thoughtfulness to every project he takes on. When he’s not glued to his laptop, Blesson is likely planning his next travel adventure or losing himself in music. A passionate explorer of new places, sounds, and ideas, he believes in balancing work, play, and a good playlist in the background. Whether he’s editing, writing, or daydreaming about his next trip, Blesson is always chasing that sweet spot where creativity and curiosity collide to create something memorable.