WWE Backlash 2026 Match Card and Predictions
This Saturday in Tampa, World Wrestling Entertainment will put on its first PLE since WrestleMania 42 with Backlash. It’s a five-match card highlighted by Roman Reigns’ first defense of the World Heavyweight Championship against Jacob Fatu. We’re also getting a WrestleMania rematch between Trick Williams and Sami Zayn, and a pair of long-anticipated singles matches that probably should have been on WrestleMania.
With the particulars out of the way, let’s get straight into my predictions:
Seth Rollins vs. Bron Breakker
This was the obvious direction for WrestleMania 42 before Breakker got injured, which slid Gunther into that spot. Given that Breakker was well enough to do a run-in and cost Rollins the win, however, it’s unclear why they held off on the match. Regardless, this is the toughest matchup to predict on the Backlash card. Breakker is just returning, and Rollins lost at Mania and has been in a bit of limbo since his own injury derailed the Vision story arc. I think WWE is looking at a match between Reigns and Rollins for the title at SummerSlam, so I’ll go with the Monday Night Messiah here. Winner: Seth Rollins
Trick Williams (C) vs. Sami Zayn: United States Championship Match
For the only proper WrestleMania rematch, I expect this to get more time to breathe while further establishing Zayn as a heel and Williams as a face. It’s hard to imagine they’d take the belt off Williams so quickly. He retains. Winner: Trick Williams
Asuka vs. IYO SKY
WWE has been building to this matchup for a long time now. So long, in fact, that the storyline lost its central focus when Kairi Sane was released. WWE has tried to spin a new narrative that retcons Sane, but I wonder how this match will be received by the live audience. Between the ropes, it should be very good as both women are top-tier workers. Still, minus the payoff of Sane finally standing up to Asuka, this is fighting an uphill battle. Winner: IYO SKY
The Miz and Kit Wilson vs. Danhausen and A Mystery Partner
Nothing against the participants, but seeing a comedy tag match when the company just parted ways with New Day and Motor City Machine Guns is questionable optics. The only drama here is who will team with Danhausen. John Cena, who was involved with Danhausen at WrestleMania, will be on hand, but I don’t think he wants to wrestle again. There’s a storyline fit for Jelly Roll to show up for some chuckles, but I’m skeptical WWE would do a celebrity appearance without promoting it. So, I’m going with Danhausen’s real-life friend, CM Punk. Winners: Punkhausen
Roman Reigns (C) vs. Jacob Fatu: World Heavyweight Championship Match
Unless rumors of backstage unrest are true—Reigns was pulled from being advertised for Raw events in June—Reigns is going to retain. The question is: How do we get there? Does he come to respect Fatu in victory? Do the Usos help Roman? Does Solo Sikoa show up to cost Fatu? Does Fatu take out Roman after the match? Does Fatu acknowledge Reigns as his tribal chief? There are a lot of directions WWE can go with the fallout. Winner: Roman Reigns