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Roman Reigns walked out of WrestleMania 42 with the World Heavyweight Championship earlier this month, but it wasn’t long before a new challenger emerged with his eyes on gold.
Jacob Fatu made it clear on the following “Monday Night Raw” last week that he was about to win his first world title. Reigns told him he needed to think about it and that Fatu needed to prove himself worthy of a shot at the championship. Fatu followed up by not only beating Solo Sikoa on “Friday Night SmackDown” but eliminating the entire MFT faction along with him.
When Reigns entered Raw this week, he was in a segment discussing with Jey and Jimmy Uso what to do about the “Samoan Werewolf”. Jimmy Uso said Fatus’ pursuit of greatness and what comes with it shouldn’t “come at the expense” of Reigns. Jey Uso warned that Fatu was “dangerous”.
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Roman Reigns makes an in-ring appearance on Monday Night RAW at Sames Auto Arena in Laredo, Texas on April 27, 2026. (Cooper Neill/WWE)
The power struggle came to a head later in the night when Reigns and Fatu met in the ring.
Reigns said he put the World Heavyweight Championship “in the main event” and that he made the title “relevant”. Then Fatu came out to address Reigns, who said he hoped Fatu “made the right choice” to unite the Bloodline and “not split it up.”
“You said you gave me a week, I didn’t need a week. I didn’t need a day. Hell, I didn’t even need an hour to think about it. I know exactly what I wanted when I came out here on Monday,” Fatu said. “I didn’t stutter, I didn’t hesitate when I told you I didn’t want that title, but I need that title.”
Fatu said that Reigns must have been “stuck” in his own main event mania and that Reigns didn’t “grind” like him to get where he is.
“But it’s not how you start, it’s how you finish,” he continued. “And that got me standing here right now in front of your a–. Before WWE, you didn’t call me, Jimmy didn’t call me, Jey didn’t call me, but you know who called me? Solo called me. Solo gave me a chance. Solo is the one who put me on since I got here.”
Reigns suggested that Sikoa had nothing to do with Fatu’s arrival in WWE, saying “Solo couldn’t get a cup of coffee delivered here if he wanted to.”
“Who do you think runs this place?” Reigns asked rhetorically. “The OTC runs this place. And yes, I’ve been a little distracted. Things get a little hectic around here. But I’ve never forgotten you, and I’m the one who signed your a–. But you over here are a little confused, and that sounds like a fool to me.
“You don’t deserve it. You haven’t earned it. I’m allowing you to compete against me, that’s nepotism. I can’t do that.”
Jacob Fatu wrestles Roman Reigns during Monday Night RAW at Sames Auto Arena in Laredo, Texas on April 27, 2026. (Cooper Neill/WWE)
Reigns didn’t finish his thought before Fatu attacked him with a Tongan death grip to the face.
“I will take everything, everything from you,” Fatu vowed.
Reigns then accepted Fatu’s challenge.
Later, WWE Chief Content Officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque announced the World Heavyweight Championship match for Backlash – the next premium live event on the WWE calendar.
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Monday Night Rollins
Seth Rollins opened the show by addressing Bron Breaker, who cost him a victory over Gunther at WrestleMania. Rollins responded with attacks on Breakker and his Vision stablemates last week.
Rollins and Breakker argued over who was responsible for Breakker’s success. Rollins wondered how that benefited Breakker in the end. Breaker replied that he didn’t need Rollins to climb to the top of the mountain, he wanted Paul Heyman.
“You needed us,” Breakker said emphatically.
Rollins said he saw the potential in Breakker and Heyman asked him to take Breakker under his wing when Breakker went from NXT to the Raw roster.
“Look at you Breaker, you got it all. And I’ve been here 14 years, I’ve seen athletes from every discipline come in here,” Rollins said. “They’re big, they’re strong, they’re fast, but you’re unique. You’re the biggest, strongest, fastest, most versatile performer I’ve ever seen in the 14 years I’ve been in this company. You’ve got everything, everything to be the next big star in this business. Everything but the most important thing (points to his head).
“I know better than anyone what it means to be a 28-year-old young cat full of ps and vinegar, coming into this business thinking that the business owes you something, not wanting to wait on anyone. I know better than anyone what it means to bet on yourself, to take chances, to make decisions, hard decisions that people won’t be happy with. I know I try that’s the difference between you and me. I succeed and you know why Let me just paint a few pictures for you.Every time I bet on myself it ended up in a main event or a world championship.
Bron Breaker faces Seth Rollins in the ring on Monday Night RAW at Sames Auto Arena in Laredo, Texas on April 27, 2026. (Cooper Neill/WWE)
Rollins made it clear that Breakker “wasn’t ready” for the big time yet.
“I’m not ready? That’s the narrative you want to go with?” Breakker said “I hate to break it to you, superstar, but before all of this was a thing, I was well on my way to being a main eventer with or without you. I didn’t need you or your help or anything. And you’re going to blame me for losing the World Heavyweight Championship? That’s fine. The truth is: your body can’t handle it, and your mind can’t handle it, and your mind is fragile. anymore.”
Breaker then singled out Rollins for being the best at “being No. 2.” Rollins responded that Breakker “wasn’t even No. 2 in your own family.”
Rollins said he would give Breakker the opportunity for a match at Backlash. Levesque made it official later that night.
Other notes
Levesque also booked Iyo Sky vs. Asuka for Backlash. Asuka interrupted Sky’s Women’s Intercontinental Championship match against Becky Lynch, keeping their month-long feud hot. The two Japanese wrestling icons will now fight at the next big event.
Raquel Rodriguez and Roxanne Perez attacked Stephanie Vaquer in the back. Michael Cole said later in the broadcast that Vaquer was being treated for a “sprained AC joint” and could be out “a little bit.”
Paul and Theory interrupted Joe Hendry’s concert during the show and attacked him, seemingly starting a feud with Raw’s newest caller.
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Match results
Raquel Rodriguez competes against Bayley on Monday Night RAW at Sames Auto Arena in Laredo, Texas on April 27, 2026. (Cooper Neill/WWE)
Penta def. Rusev
Becky Lynch def. Iyo Sky to retain the Women’s Intercontinental Championship.
Rey Mysterio def. El Grande Americano
Roxanne Perez and Raquel Rodriguez def. Bayley and Lyra Valkyrie
