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WWE Backlash is the first premium live event to be held after WrestleMania 42.
The show will take place at the Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Florida on Saturday night at 6 p.m. ET. The show will feature five matches with two titles on the line – the World Heavyweight Championship and the United States Championship.
John Cena is also set to announce “history-making news” at the event.
Read below for a brief preview of each match and predictions.
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Iyo Sky vs. Asuka
Iyo Sky competes in the Women’s Royal Rumble at the WWE Royal Rumble event in Indianapolis, Ind. on February 1, 2025. (Joe Camporeale/Imagn Images)
The rivalry between Iyo Sky and Asuka has been heated leading up to WrestleMania 42. Asuka had been trying to get into Sky’s head over the past few weeks, culminating in Asuka interfering in Sky’s Women’s Intercontinental Championship match against Becky Lynch.
Sky lost the match thanks to Asuka. The two had a heated promo on “Monday Night Raw” where Asuka blindsided Sky with blue mist.
This match could be a show-stealer. Sky and Asuka have a huge history together dating back to their time in Japan. They were also part of Damage CTRL in WWE – one of the most fearsome female factions in WWE before they broke up.
Prediction: Iyo Sky pull out the win in a great game.
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Trick Williams (c) vs. Sami Zayn for the United States Championship
Sami Zayn wrestles Trick Williams during SmackDown at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Fla., on May 8, 2026. (Kevin Sabitus/WWE)
Trick Williams won the United States Championship against Sami Zayn at WrestleMania 42 in one of the wildest upsets on the show. However, their rivalry continued as Zayn got back at Williams by dressing up as the Gingerbread Man and attacking the champion.
Zayn gets his rematch with Williams at Backlash as he’s still upset about being made fun of. His emotions boiled over at the funeral for the Gingerbread Man on “Friday Night SmackDown.”
Zayn tried to emphasize at the funeral that he had too much respect for the company to allow Williams to have a funeral for the character. It was a note that Zayn struck throughout the last show before Backlash, as he was confused as to why it happened in the first place.
Williams has received fan support since his run to the US title. Zayn swore to “disrespect” Williams during their match at Backlash and assaulted him. Zayn didn’t expect the equalizer—Lil Yachty—to rise out of the coffin and hit him with a candy bar. Williams then hit Zayn with a Trick Shot.
Prediction: Sami Zayn reclaims the title over Trick Williams and gets revenge on Lil Yachty.
Wildcard Prediction: Kevin Owens returns to help Sami Zayn regain the title.
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Seth Rollins vs. Bron Breaker
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)
This will be the most exciting match of Backlash.
Seth Rollins and Bron Breaker have been at each other’s throats since Breakker cost Rollins a victory over Gunther at WrestleMania 42. Breakker had been recovering from an injury before crushing Rollins with multiple spears in Las Vegas.
Rollins has been trying to get back at Breakker since the attack. The two have smacked each other around in the weeks since, trading barbs over their places in the company.
While Breakker has The Vision behind him in the match, Rollins hasn’t been able to find anyone he can trust. Street Profits, Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins, have had their eyes on Logan Paul and Austin Theory, while Rollins has maintained his focus on Breaker. But Rollins and the Street Profits have made it clear that they didn’t really like or trust each other.
Don’t forget the other missing member of The Vision – Bronson Reed. There has been no official timetable for his return from injury. But you never know who lurks in the shadows in Tampa.
Prediction: Seth Rollins picks up the win, but The Vision gets the last laugh.
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Danhausen and mystery partner vs. The Miz and Kit Wilson
The Miz talks to Danhausen during SmackDown at the BOK Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma on May 1, 2026. (Meg Oliphant/WWE)
The Miz and Kit Wilson have been trying to get out of the Danhausen “curse” for weeks. Danhausen has tormented both WWE stars since arriving in the company, including at WrestleMania 42.
For the past two weeks, The Miz and Wilson beat down Danhausen, leading to the tag team match at Backlash. Danhausen has singles wins over Wilson and The Miz.
The most interesting part of the story is who will come to Danhausen’s aid. He has created a “clone” in his lab to get someone in his corner. Everyone from Jelly Roll, John Cena, CM Punk, Stephen A. Smith and even Shane McMahon have been rumored to be the person backing Danhausen.
The only hint that came out is Michael Cole saying that the person who will be in Danhausen’s corner loves money.
Prediction: Danhausen wins in silly and fun fashion. As for his tag team partner, it could really be Punk as the two have a history together. But it’s really up in the air.
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John Cena’s big announcement
John Cena will host WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada on April 19, 2026. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
John Cena has been teasing all week that he will make an announcement that will shake up the WWE.
In all likelihood, the announcement could be the official opening of Club WWE. Cena has been in the ads for the subscription service, touting all the features that will come to anyone who signs up for it.
What if it was something else? There are a few things that Cena could announce that would send the WWE Universe buzzing, including a two-night Royal Rumble, the location of WrestleMania 44, or the addition of a new premium live event featuring All-Stars from WWE and NXT.
It might not be any of that, but it’s fun to think about.
Cena will be at his second event as host since ending his in-ring career. He finished it in December, losing to Gunther. He won his history-making 17th WWE title at WrestleMania 41.
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Roman Reigns (c) vs. Jacob Fatu for the World Heavyweight Championship
World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns makes his debut on Monday Night RAW at the CHI Health Center in Omaha, Neb., on May 4, 2026. (Rich Wade/WWE)
Roman Reigns’ first promo on “Monday Night Raw” as World Heavyweight Champion was interrupted by Jacob Fatu immediately after WrestleMania 42.
Fatu said he wanted the title and everything that came with it because he has a family to feed and money to bring to the table.
Reigns and Fatu come from the same bloodline of Samoan pro wrestlers. Reigns is a second generation wrestler from the Anoa’i family tree, while Fatu is from the third generation. Reigns is the son of Sika Anoa’i and Fatu is the son of The Tonga Kid and the nephew of Haku.
Haku was known to use the Tongan death grip, which is a legendary wrestling move that sees the attacker grab their opponent’s throat. Fatu used it on Reigns for the past two weeks and will likely break it out again during his match against Reigns at Backlash.
Reigns tried to avoid that during their clash on Monday. Reigns previously warned Fatu not to use the move on his own blood. But Fatu’s desperation to win the championship has been the driving force.
It will be a great match when these two meet on Saturday.
Prediction: Roman Reigns will retain the World Heavyweight Championship.
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That’s how you see
WWE Backlash can be seen on ESPN Unlimited, with the first hour being broadcast on ESPN 2.
