The John Report: WWE Backlash 2026 Review

This is WWE Backlash, featuring Roman Reigns facing Jacob Fatu, Seth Rollins battling Bron Breakker, and a whole lot more.

The WWE Backlash PLE is back for the 21st time. When it first started in 1999, it followed WrestleMania 15 and was a post-WrestleMania PLE for 11 years in a row. After a hiatus, Backlash was back in 2016 and since 2021, it has followed WrestleMania again. In past years, Backlash has featured some big WrestleMania rematches. This year is different, though. There aren’t any WrestleMania matches and I feel like the card is lacking with just five matches, but that’s how WWE likes to do these shows in this era.

There was a two-hour Backlash Countdown Show on WWE’s YouTube channel, but I don’t review those shows. I’m watching on Netflix in Canada. Let’s get to the main show.

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WWE Backlash
From Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Florida
Saturday, May 9, 2026

They showed some superstars earlier in the day and that led right into a video about the show. I like the 6 p.m. ET start time for this Backlash PLE. I literally just finished dinner and am sitting down to write now. I didn’t see any of the pre-show.

Seth Rollins was up first for the opening match. This first hour is also airing on ESPN2 for cable viewers and the full show is on ESPN Unlimited in the US. I’m on Netflix in Canada as I mentioned above.

The commentary team of Michael Cole and Wade Barrett welcomed us to the show. Alicia Taylor was the ring announcer.

The Vision’s Bron Breakker was up next, joined by WWE Hall of Fame’s Paul Heyman. Welcome back, Bron, to in-ring action after a hernia injury sidelined him for a few months.

Seth Rollins vs. Bron Breakker (w/Paul Heyman)

The action spilled to the floor quickly as Rollins clotheslined Bron out of the ring and hit a suicide dive. Bron sent Rollins over the barricade at ringside, and then Rollins jumped on Bron to fight back. Back in the ring, Rollins jumped off the top, Bron caught him and Bron gave Rollins an overhead suplex out of the ring. Bron sent Rollins into the ring apron, and Bron got a takedown, followed by punches. Back in the ring, Bron hit a suplex. Bron slipped behind Rollins and hit a German Suplex across the ring. Bron connected with another German Suplex. Bron grabbed a chinlock, Rollins broke free and hit a jawbreaker. Bron spun Rollins around and hit a backbreaker for two. Bron trash-talked Rollins by calling him a piece of trash. Rollins hit a belly-to-back suplex. Rollins hit some punches, but Bron ran the ropes and hit a running lariat to knock Rollins down. Bron connected with two more German Suplexes, and another German Suplex got a two count. Rollins was on the top turnbuckle, Bron went after him there and Bron hit a Frankensteiner like uncle Scott Steiner for a two count. It wasn’t a perfect Frankensteiner, but it was effective enough.

Bron sent Rollins out of the ring. Bron left the ring and ran at Rollins with a leap, but Rollins hit him with a superkick. It was pretty obvious that Bron wasn’t going to hit him with that Spear attempt, but it led to a good superkick by Rollins on the floor. Rollins worked over Bron with short-arm clotheslines and punches. Rollins charged with a clothesline for two. Rollins hit a running kick (because Bron avoided a Stomp attempt) for a two count. Rollins held Bron’s arms and stomped on his face a few times. Rollins went for The Stomp, Bron spun around and caught the foot. Bron hit a military press into the knees to the gut. Rollins hit a knee. Rollins tried a move, there was a slip and Bron hit a standing moonsault for two. Bron worked over Rollins with punches, and Rollins hit a Buckle Bomb into the turnbuckle. Bron bounced back with a clothesline and both guys were down. The fans were chanting, “This is awesome,” for the competitive match.

They left the ring again as Bron sent Rollins into the commentary table. Bron jumped off the apron with a clothesline that sent both guys flying over the commentary table. Good spot every time Bron does it. They went back into the ring, Bron went up top and Rollins met him with a superplex. Bron came back with the sitout Falcon Arrow for a two count. That was a cool spot with Bron doing the move that Rollins loves to do after the superplex. They were on the turnbuckle again and Bron hit another Frankensteiner. Bron hit another Frankensteiner off the turnbuckle, but Rollins did a flip and landed on his feet. Rollins hit two superkicks and a Pedigree. Rollins hit The Stomp, but was too tired to cover as Paul Heyman went on the apron to distract the referee. Rollins smiled, so he grabbed a chair from under the ring. Austin Theory and Logan Paul were at ringside, so Rollins hit them with chair shots to knock them down. Rollins hit The Stomp on Theory. Paul ran to the back. Rollins went back into the ring and Bron hit a Spear for the one…two…no because Rollins got his left shoulder up. The fans were singing Seth’s song. Bron ran the ropes quickly and Rollins countered a Spear attempt into a Pedigree. Rollins went to the middle turnbuckle and went for an Avalanche Stomp, but Bron was ready with a Spear. Bron ran the ropes quickly and hit a third Spear for the pinfall win. It went 21:44.

Winner by pinfall: Bron Breakker

Analysis: ****1/4 This was an awesome match at the four-star level out of five. I had high expectations for it, and they delivered. This felt like Bron’s best singles match on the main roster so far, which is a testament to him improving as a wrestler and also the greatness of Rollins, who really is one of the best in-ring performers in WWE history. I liked that nearfall after Bron hit a Spear and Rollins kicked out for a dramatic nearfall. It looked like the presence of Paul and Theory would help Bron win, but Bron didn’t win right after that, so you can’t say the help is why Bron won. It took three Spears from Bron to put Rollins away, which puts Rollins over as a WWE legend who is tough to beat. I really liked this match, and it was a great choice for an opener. I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s another Breakker-Rollins match again soon.

Bron Breakker celebrated the win with Paul Heyman as Cole correctly called it the biggest win of Bron’s career.

Analysis: I know Money in the Bank is later in the year (September 6th) compared to past years, but I think Bron winning MITB makes sense when it happens.

The Trick Williams-Sami Zayn match was next. There was a video package about it. The Gingerbread Man feud has been so lame. I feel bad for the wrestlers, who I like a lot, having to try to make this silly story work. After the video package, on Netflix, we got the moving graphics for two minutes because there were commercials.

A video about Club WWE aired, narrated by John Cena.

Sami Zayn made his entrance first, with Cole saying Zayn is a bitter, angry veteran. Zayn is more of a heel now, even though he claims he still has his loyal fans.

The US Champion Trick Williams and Lil Yachty were interviewed by Cathy Kelley. Trick said that Zayn was lying because he said he was feeling great. Trick said that the games are over.

Trick Williams made his entrance, which has become one of the coolest entrances in WWE since the fans chant “Whoop That Trick” during his song. Rapper Lil Yachty joined Trick, and Yachty had a candy cane kendo stick.

United States Championship: Trick Williams (w/Lil Yachty) vs. Sami Zayn

This is a WrestleMania rematch from when Trick took the US Title from Zayn. They exchanged chops early on. Trick stomped on Zayn, leading to “Whoop That Trick” chants. Zayn left the ring, so Trick clotheslined Zayn in the back. Zayn sent Trick into the steel steps. They went back in the ring as Zayn punched Trick a few times. The fans booed and Zayn reacted as if he didn’t know why they were booing. Zayn hit a running clothesline for a two count. Trick was on his back as he hit a rising kick and a neckbreaker. Trick worked over Zayn with punches and a jumping side kick. Trick hit a body slam. Zayn countered a Trick move with an armdrag, but Trick came back with a jumping kick. Trick hit a Book End for a two count. Trick set up Zayn on the turnbuckle, which led to Zayn doing the sunset flip Powerbomb that he does in many of his matches for a two count. The fans booed Zayn loudly. Zayn charged into a boot by Trick. Zayn came back with a Blue Thunder Bomb for two as usual. Zayn did a springboard leapfrog over Trick, and then Zayn grabbed his left knee. Trick picked up Zayn, and Zayn got an inside cradle for two. Zayn knocked down Trick with a forearm. Yachty was on the apron, so Zayn hit Trick with a kendo stick for a two count.

Zayn remained on offense with stomps to Trick’s upper body while Trick was on the mat. The referee was checking on Trick, so Yachty hit Zayn in the back with a kendo stick. Trick was back up with a cyclone kick for a two count. Zayn grabbed Trick by the tights and pulled him out of the ring. Zayn punched Yacthy on the floor and hit Yachty with the kendo stick a few times. Trick punched Zayn on the floor. Zayn countered Trick on the steel steps and Zayn hit a DDT on the steel steps. Zayn went on the apron, looked at Yachty on the floor, and Zayn gave Yachty a Helluva Kick to the back of the head. Zayn went into the ring, he charged, Trick avoided the Helluva Kick, Trick ran the ropes, and Trick hit a Trick Shot knee for the pinfall win at 12:46.

Winner by pinfall: Trick Williams

Analysis: ***1/2 A very good title match with Trick getting the win as expected because I didn’t think he’d lose the US Title less than a month after winning it. Zayn did a terrific job of embracing the heel run, even though he acts like he doesn’t know why he is getting booed. The Gingerbread Man getting all the attention in this feud was a real downer, but they made up for it by having an entertaining US Title match. I’d like to see Trick get a better finisher than the Trick Shot knee because it’s a decent move, but it doesn’t look that impressive.

Trick Williams and Lil Yachty celebrated the win with Yachty throwing money in the crowd. Zayn was sad on the floor. That was it for the ESPN2 portion of the show.

There was a four-minute video break on Netflix, featuring a short Hulk Hogan documentary clip, followed by “We’ll Be Right Back” graphics.

It’s time for the only tag team match of the show as Kit Wilson made his entrance first, joined by The Miz, who is a WWE legend that rarely wins any matches.

A video package aired about Danhausen’s feud with The Miz and Kit Wilson. It was a unique video that was very nice and very evil.

Danhausen made his entrance as the lights went out. Danhausen arrived in his unique car. Danhausen had a Cloning Machine crate, and it led to one of the little people dressed like Danhausen. Barrett wondered where the rest of it was while talking about the little person. Danhausen drove around the ring in his car.

Danhausen & Minihausen vs. The Miz & Kit Wilson

Kit kicked Mini in the head. Mini bounced off the middle rope and hit a springboard shoulder tackle. The Mini sent Wilson face first into the mat. Miz went into the ring to take a headscissors. Mini kicked Miz on the apron and Mini hit a hurricanrana to send Kit out of the ring. Mini jumped off on Danhausen’s shoulders while on the apron and dove onto Miz and Wilson. Miz attacked Danhausen on the floor by tossing him into the ring post. Wilson hit Mini from behind and Miz hit Mini with a forearm to the back. Miz gave Mini a press slam. Wilson tagged in for a suplex on Mini. Wilson set up Mini on the turnbuckle. Wilson charged, Mini avoided it and Mini hit a moonsault off the top. Danhausen got the tag and hit an atomic drop on Miz. Danhausen hit a clothesline, along with an overhead suplex. Dan hit multiple running clotheslines and then acted like he was tired, until he fired up. Danhausen hit Wilson with a German Suplex. Danhausen flipped over Miz and hit a DDT. Danhausen kicked Kit and Miz rolled up Danhausen for two. Miz hit a boot to the face. Mini tagged in and kicked Miz down. Mini jumped off the top and gave Wilson a hurricanrana out of the ring. Mini hit a suicide dive on both opponents on the floor. Wilson ran away and kicked Mini. Wilson put Mini in the Cloning Machine, so then the Cloning Machine restarted.

There were five more Minihausens attacking Wilson. Mini was back in the ring and did an airplane spin to Wilson. Miz went into the ring and hit a Skull Crushing Finale on Minihausen, but it only got two because Danhausen broke up the pin. Danhausen tagged in with a Thesz Press and punches. Danhausen clotheslined Miz and Wilson out of the ring. Miz had a fire extinguisher and tried to spray it, but it wouldn’t work, so Miz sprayed himself and Wilson. Danhausen watched as Minihausen took out Wilson with a dive on the floor. Danhausen hit a pump kick on Miz for the pinfall win at 11:32.

Winners by pinfall: Danhausen & Minihausen

Analysis: **3/4 This was actually a lot more creative than I expected, and it also went longer than I expected. The WWE roster has over 200 people on it, and there are so many of them who never get to be in a PLE match, yet we’re watching Minihausen out there. I understand wanting to use Danhausen because he’s popular, but they should have come up with something better. I didn’t expect Minihausen in this match, although I will give the guy some credit because he had some good spots, too.

Danhausen celebrated the win with his Minihausen supporters. Danhausen did another comedy disappearance where he did it wrong, so it was funny.

A video aired promoting AAA TripleMania 34 on Friday, September 11, and Sunday, September 13th. That’s big to have TripleMania as a two-night event.

There were more commercials for 4 minutes, and for us on Netflix, it was the graphic saying, “We’ll be right back.”

It was time for the only women’s match on the show as IYO SKY made her entrance first, with the fans cheering her. Asuka was up next as the veteran heel who was Sky’s mentor in wrestling, and Asuka feels abandoned by Sky, so that set up this match.

IYO SKY vs. Asuka

Asuka and Sky exchanged side headlocks as the fans chanted, “We Want Kairi,” chants for Kairi Sane, who was recently released by WWE. Sky did some backflips to counter Asuka and Sky hit a dropkick. Asuka hit Sky with forearms. Sky gave Asuka a drop toe hold into the middle turnbuckle. Sky hit a knee strike against the turnbuckle for a two count. Sky went for a springboard move out to the floor, but Asuka tripped up Sky. Asuka sent Sky into the ring post. Asuka worked over Sky with repeated kicks to the face. Asuka pulled on Sky’s legs by the ropes to continue working on the legs/back of Sky. Asuka drove her knee into Sky’s throat. Sky ran the ropes, and Asuka kicked Sky to knock her down. Asuka pulled Sky down by her hair. Asuka worked over Sky with kicks to the chest. Sky used her legs to trip up Asuka, and Sky stomped on Asuka. Sky hit a couple of punches to the jaw, along with an arm pull against the top rope. Sky went up top and hit a missile dropkick. Sky charged with a Bullet Train knee attack for a two count. Asuka worked over Sky with kicks and a running knee for a two count.

It was Sky regaining control with a standing side kick for two. Sky hit a German Suplex into a bridging pin for two. Sky rolled out of a submission attempt and hit a kick to the head. Asuka hit a rising knee on Sky, who came back with a spinning kick to the head. Both women were down on the mat as the fans cheered. Asuka went for the Asuka Lock, Sky fought out of it and Sky hit a Stunner-like counter. Asuka applied a cross armbreaker on Sky, but Sky fought out of that and Sky applied her own version of an Asuka Lock, until Asuka got her foot on the bottom rope to break the hold. They battled by the turnbuckle as Sky hit a hurricanrana off the middle turnbuckle and Asuka countered that into a pin attempt for two. That was sweet! Asuka went for a hip attack because Sky avoided it and Sky sent Asuka out of the ring. Sky went for a suicide dive and Asuka hit her with a forearm to stop that. Asuka teased a move on the commentary table, Asuka went for the blue mist and Sky grabbed Wade’s notebook to block the blue mist. Sky tripped up Asuka on the commentary table. Sky jumped off the table and hit a cross body block on the floor. Sky hit a springboard moonsault onto Asuka on the floor. Back in the ring, Sky went up top and jumped off with Over The Moonsault, but Asuka caught Sky with an armbar. Sky turned it into a pin attempt. Asuka applied an Asuka Lock, Sky was flailing her arms, and then Sky turned it into a pin attempt for two. The fans chanted, “This is awesome” for the ladies. Asuka hit a German Suplex and Sky hit a German Suplex of her own. Sky hit the Bullet Train knees again. Sky went up top and hit Over The Moonsault for the pinfall win at 18:06.

Winner by pinfall: Iyo Sky

Analysis: **** That was awesome. It was a great technical wrestling match between two women who know eachother well. It feels weird that there wasn’t a title on the line, but other than that, I enjoyed it for the match that it was. Sky and Asuka know eachother so well, so there were a lot of great counter moves throughout the match. That blue mist counter by Sky on the commentary table was an especially creative counter. They were given a lot of time, like I had hoped, and it became an exceptional match that I think was at the four-star level. Sky getting the win was the expected result, so that didn’t surprise me at all.

Iyo Sky celebrated the win while Wade Barrett said it was an insane performance from both women. I agree. After the match, Asuka was emotional, and she hugged Sky. Asuka kissed Sky on the cheek twice. Sky saluted the crowd.

Analysis: I think that might be a babyface turn for Asuka, which is certainly fine with me. They could have Sky and Asuka be allies again. It has worked before, and it can work again. I know there will be speculation about Asuka retiring, but I hope not. I hope she keeps wrestling.

They showed celebrities at ringside, including members of the Tampa Bay Lightning of the NHL, wrestling legend Steve Keirn (aka Skinner), and wrestling legend Dan Spivey.

John Cena Announcement

The legendary 17-time WWE World Champion John Cena was introduced as the greatest of all time. It was suit-wearing John Cena for this appearance, which is how he looked at WrestleMania 42 last month as well. Cena has lived in the Tampa area for decades, so he was close to his house for this appearance.

Cena said this was so cool. Cena said that he can lean into moments that you just allowed him to be part of because he knows there isn’t somebody coming out to kick his teeth in. There were “Cena” chants. Cena said he loved to hear the gratitude and energy in a sold out crowd. Cena talked about how he has been thinking about the next phase of his WWE career. The fans chanted “one more match” and he admitted he expected this. Cena said it made him feel good. Cena said he thinks a lot about that last match and that last evening. The fans booed. Cena said there were some people upset, but he was truly happy. Cena said he couldn’t be happier because they made that night something bigger. Cena talked about how his opponent had to earn his way into the match and Cena wanted NXT superstars to be involved. Cena said that on that night, we saw Sol Ruca, Je’Von Evans, and yo…we saw Oba Femi. That led to “Oba” chants. That dude is so over. Cena said he hopes Oba is listening. Cena said Femi debuts in December, and four months later, he is kicking Brock Lesnar’s ass at WrestleMania. The fans cheered.

Cena said we gotta do this again, so we are. Cena said he is honored to announce the John Cena Classic. Cena said it’s an entire evening of the best of today competing against the best of tomorrow. Cena said that the best superstars of today will face NXT stars with hopes of becoming a champion. Cena said that it’s a brand-new event and a new championship in WWE. Cena said that he is personally putting his name on this event. Cena said he’s going to strive for a certain level of excellence and do everything to make it special. Cena said that the biggest superstar in WWE is the WWE Universe. Cena said on top of a new event and a new championship, for the first time in history, your voice will be louder than ever before. Cena said that the fans will vote to crown the champion of the John Cena Classic. Cena said that every participant qualifies, which also means that a superstar can lose a match, but their heart and hustle can earn your respect. Cena said that this event embodies everything he stands for. Cena said that he’ll give you everything he has because he wants to do it for one year, two years, five years, ten years, and 30 years. Cena wanted to thank superstars like Oba Femi for making this event a reality.

Cena thanked WWE for being gracious enough for being crazy enough to take a chance on this idea. Cena thanked everybody watching at home, and he wanted to thank Tampa Bay. Cena said this city means a lot to him for a lot of reasons. Cena said you can add this to the list. Cena thanked the fans for their support, their enthusiasm, and their energy. Cena said he will see you at the John Cena Classic…and now it’s time for your main event.

Analysis: That sounds cool. It is better than a Club WWE announcement. We will obviously learn more information about the John Cena Classic in the weeks and months to come. It sounds like something different in terms of what kind of show it is, but I think having fans vote on winners is a great idea because it can be somebody who loses a match, like Cena said. It focuses on the wrestlers’ performance rather than just who gets booked to win the match. Cena did a great job with the announcement, and it sounds like he’s going to be heavily involved in the John Cena Classic, which is a good thing for sure.

The announcers at ringside had some Mug root beer. I’m sure WWE got a nice payday from Mug for that.

The main event was next, but there were 3 minutes of commercials as the “We’ll Be Right Back” graphics were back.

A commercial aired for WWE Clash In Italy in Turin on Sunday, May 31st. It’s a 2 p.m. ET start time for the first WWE PLE in Italy. It should be an amazing crowd, and I love an afternoon start time.

They showed the post-show panel of Jackie Redmond, Corey Graves, and Big E. There were audio issues, and we couldn’t hear what Jackie was saying. They finally got her audio to work at the end.

There was a video package to set up the Roman Reigns-Jacob Fatu match.

Jacob Fatu made his entrance first as the challenger. The announcers talked about the Tongan Death Grip story, with Cole saying Fatu used it on Roman Reigns, and Reigns being mad because you’re not supposed to use it on family members. Barrett didn’t agree with the idea that Fatu wasn’t allowed to Reigns. Fatu was confident and ready to go.

Roman Reigns made his entrance as the WWE World Heavyweight Champion and got a huge ovation along with “1s” in the sky because the fans were acknowledging him. Reigns entrance took a lot longer than Fatu’s entrance, of course. Cole put over the story that Fatu started this family civil war by challenging his cousin, Reigns. Cole even mentioned some of the indy promotions Fatu wrestled in during his career, which is rare. Alicia Taylor did the in-ring championship introductions.

WWE World Heavyweight Championship: Roman Reigns vs. Jacob Fatu

The bell rang to start the main event at 8:24 p.m. ET with fans singing “Roman, Roman Reigns” to start the match.

Reigns knocked down Fatu with a shoulder tackle and Fatu got right back up. Fatu hit a shoulder tackle of his own. Reigns did a leapfrog and clothesline, but Fatu didn’t go down. Fatu clotheslined Reigns, and Fatu sent Reigns over the top to the floor with a clothesline. Fatu dove onto Reigns and did a Tongan Death Grip on the floor. Fatu had some black tape on his fingers. Reigns pulled on Fatu’s right arm against the ropes, and Reigns was attacking the right hand. Reigns sent Fatu’s right hand into the ring post. The fans were singing, “Let’s Go Jacob/OTC” for both guys. Reigns pulled on Fatu’s arm against the top rope. Reigns worked over Fatu with punches. Reigns clotheslined Fatu until Fatu grabbed the arm, and Fatu clotheslined Reigns to knock him down. Fatu sent Reigns shoulder-first into the ring post. Fatu charged, Reigns moved and Fatu hit the ring post with his hand. Reigns hit clotheslines and a leaping clothesline. Reigns hit a running boot to the head. Reigns charged with a Superman Punch for just a one count, and Fatu was back to his feet. Reigns was stunned as the fans came alive. Fatu worked over Reigns with punches, and Fatu hit a clothesline, along with a running senton splash. Fatu hit a running clothesline against the turnbuckle. Fatu hit 10 gentle headbutts and the running hip attack against the turnbuckle. Reigns was back up with a Superman Punch for a two count. They left the ring as Reigns sent Fatu into the steel steps. Fatu was back up with a Tongan Death Grip. Fatu picked up Reigns and gave him a Powerbomb through the commentary table. It wasn’t a clean break, but the table was broken. Fatu sent Reigns back into the ring.

Fatu charged at Reigns, but Reigns hit a Spear for a two count. It was only 10 minutes into the match for the first Spear of the match. Reigns charged right into a popup Samoan Drop. Fatu went up top with a Mighty Moonsault for a two count. That is Fatu’s finisher that Reigns just kicked out of. Fatu hit some headbutts to the chest. Fatu did a slow climb to the top and jumped off with a Swanton Bomb, but Reigns got the knees up to block. Reigns and Fatu exchanged punches while on the mat. It turned into uppercut strikes by both guys. Fatu hit a running hip attack two times in a row. Fatu applied the Tongan Death Grip and Reigns was fading, but Reigns kept on fighting. Reigns did a blatant eye gouge and sent Fatu into the turnbuckle, so the referee, Shawn Bennett, was bumped. Reigns hit two Superman Punches, Fatu with a kick, Reigns hit another Superman Punch, and Reigns hit a Spear for a two count. Excellent nearfall there. Fatu was back up with a Tongan Death Grip and Reigns pulled the turnbuckle pad off. Reigns sent Fatu hard into the exposed steel. Reigns hit a Spear for the pinfall win at 18:15.

Winner by pinfall: Roman Reigns

Analysis: ***3/4 It wasn’t an epic World Title match like what Reigns had with CM Punk at WrestleMania 42, but it was still a very good match. It felt like Fatu was booked like a monster who was tough to beat, and Reigns only managed to do it after exposing the steel under the turnbuckle. Reigns winning was the obvious result and the right finish. They had good chemistry together. I just don’t think it reached that next level, but I believe they can get there with another match.

After the match, Fatu attacked Reigns with a Tongan Death Grip in the middle of the ring. Fatu gave referee Shawn Bennett a popup Samoan Drop. Fatu applied the Tongan Death Grip on Reigns again. There were WWE Officials who went out to the ring, so Fatu superkicked Shane Helms and tossed Raw GM Adam Pearce out of the ring. Fatu applied the Tongan Death Grip on Reigns again. Fatu said, “I told him,” into the ringside camera.

Jacob Fatu left the ring while showing his fingers that he used to choke out Reigns with the Tongan Death Grip. Fatu went back into the ring with the Tongan Death Grip on Reigns again. Pearce and the other WWE Officials tried to stop Fatu, who finally let go. Fatu posed with the WWE World Title over Reigns. That was the end of the show.

Analysis: That post match attack makes it seem like Fatu will be challenging Reigns for the WWE World Title again. It also makes Fatu look like a heel, but I’m not sure if they will embrace that.

WWE Backlash had a runtime of 2:45.

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Five Stars of the Show

1. Bron Breakker
2. Iyo Sky
3. Roman Reigns
4. Seth Rollins
5. Asuka, Jacob Fatu

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Final Thoughts on WWE Backlash

I’m going 7.75 out of 10 for this show.

I enjoyed Backlash. It was a predictable show in a lot of ways (I went 5 for 5 in my picks), but it’s also a show where the matches delivered. I went to the four star level for the Breakker-Rollins and Sky-Asuka matches while Reigns-Fatu was excellent as well.

The Trick Williams-Sami Zayn was also very entertaining, but not at the level of the best matches on this show. I didn’t necessarily love the Danhausen tag team match with Minihausen, but it was enjoyable for what it was.

Did I expect Backlash to be a great show going in? No. It exceeded expectations for sure. Great work by everybody involved.

My WWE PLE Rankings for 2026 so far:

WrestleMania 42 – 7.88 (April 18 & 19)

Backlash – 7.75 (May 9)

Royal Rumble – 7.75 (January 31)

Elimination Chamber – 7.5 (February 28)

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As a reminder, I have a listing of every WWE PPV that I reviewed in order by year. Thank you for supporting us at TJRWrestling. We appreciate you.

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