NEWYou can now listen to PK Press Club articles!
WWE Backlash is the first premium live event held after WrestleMania 42.
The show will take place at the Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Florida on Saturday evening at 6 p.m. ET. The show will feature five matches with two titles up for grabs: the World Heavyweight Championship and the United States Championship.
John Cena is also expected to announce “historic news” at the event.
Read below for a brief overview of each match and predictions.
ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON’T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW!
Iyo Sky vs. Asuka
Iyo Sky competes in the Women’s Royal Rumble during the WWE Royal Rumble event in Indianapolis, Indiana on February 1, 2025. (Joe Camporeale/Imagn Images)
The rivalry between Iyo Sky and Asuka was hot heading into WrestleMania 42. Asuka had been trying to get into Sky’s head over the past few weeks and it culminated 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” in which Asuka blinded Sky with a 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 women’s factions in WWE before their split.
Prediction: Iyo Sky wins in a fantastic match.
—
Trick Williams (c) vs. Sami Zayn for the United States Championship
Sami Zayn faces Trick Williams on SmackDown at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida on May 8, 2026. (Kevin Sabitus/WWE)
Trick Williams won the United States Championship from Sami Zayn at WrestleMania 42 in one of the wildest upsets of the show. But their rivalry continued when Zayn returned against Williams by dressing up as a gingerbread man and attacking the champion.
Zayn will have his rematch with Williams at Backlash as he is still upset about being ridiculed. His emotions boiled over during the gingerbread man’s funeral on “Friday Night SmackDown.”
Zayn tried to argue at the funeral that he had too much respect for the company to allow Williams to hold a funeral for the character. This is a note that Zayn brought up throughout the final show before Backlash, because he didn’t know why this was happening in the first place.
Williams has received support from fans since winning the US title. Zayn swore to “disrespect” Williams during their match at Backlash and attacked him. Zayn didn’t expect the equalizer – Lil Yachty – to come out of the coffin and hit him with a candy cane. Williams then hit Zayn with a Trick Shot.
Prediction: Sami Zayn regains the title against Trick Williams and gets revenge on Lil Yachty.
Wildcard Prediction: Kevin Owens returns to help Sami Zayn win back the title.
—
Seth Rollins vs. Bron Breakker
Bron Breakker 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 intriguing match of Backlash.
Seth Rollins and Bron Breakker have clashed since Breakker cost Rollins a victory over Gunther at WrestleMania 42. Breakker was on the mend with an injury before crushing Rollins with several spears in Las Vegas.
Rollins has been trying to get revenge on Breakker since the attack. The two men punched each other in the weeks that followed and exchanged remarks about their place within the company.
While Breakker has The Vision behind him in the match, Rollins has failed to find anyone he can trust. The Street Profits, Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins, have their eyes on Logan Paul and Austin Theory, while Rollins has maintained his focus on Breakker. But Rollins and the Street Profits 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 is no official timetable for his return from injury. But you never know who might be lurking in the shadows in Tampa.
Prediction: Seth Rollins gets the win, but The Vision gets the last laugh.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON PK Press Club
—
Danhausen and his mystery partner against The Miz and Kit Wilson
Miz speaks with 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 for weeks to escape the “curse” of Danhausen. Danhausen has tormented both WWE stars since joining the company, most notably at WrestleMania 42.
Over the past two weeks, The Miz and Wilson have defeated Danhausen, leading to the tag team match at Backlash. Danhausen picked up a singles victory over Wilson and The Miz.
The most interesting part of the story is who will come to Danhausen’s aid. He is preparing a “clone” in his laboratory to have someone in his corner. Everyone from Jelly Roll to John Cena to CM Punk to Stephen A. Smith to even Shane McMahon is rumored to be the person to support Danhausen.
The only clue that has come out is that Michael Cole says the person who will be in Danhausen’s corner likes money.
Prediction: Danhausen wins in a wacky and fun way. 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.
—
John Cena’s major announcement
John Cena hosts WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada on April 19, 2026. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
John Cena has been saying all week that he would make an announcement that would shake up WWE.
In all likelihood, this announcement could be the official opening of Club WWE. Cena has been featured in advertisements for the subscription service, touting all the features anyone who signs up will benefit from.
What if it was something else? There are a few things Cena could announce that would rock the WWE Universe, including a two-night Royal Rumble, the location of WrestleMania 44, or the addition of a new premium live event featuring WWE and NXT All-Stars.
It may not be any of that, but it’s fun to think about.
Cena will be participating in his second event as host since ending his in-ring career. He finished it in December, losing to Gunther. He won his historic 17th WWE title at WrestleMania 41.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PK Press Club APP
—
Roman Reigns (c) vs. Jacob Fatu for the World Heavyweight Championship
World heavyweight champion Roman Reigns makes his entrance on Monday Night RAW at 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 wants the title and everything that comes with it because he has a family to feed and money to put on the table.
Reigns and Fatu come from the same lineage of Samoan professional wrestlers. Reigns is a second generation wrestler from the Anoa’i family tree, while Fatu is 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 for using the Tongan Death Grip, a legendary wrestling move that sees the attacker grab their opponent’s throat. Fatu has used it on Reigns over the past two weeks and is likely to use it again in his match against Reigns at Backlash.
Reigns tried to avoid him during their skirmish on Monday. Reigns previously warned Fatu against using this move on his own blood. But Fatu’s desperation to win the championship was the driving force behind his motivation.
It will be a big fight feeling when these two meet on Saturday.
Prediction: Roman Reigns retains the World Heavyweight Championship.
—
How to watch
WWE Backlash can be seen on ESPN Unlimited, with the first hour airing on ESPN 2.
