Jacob Fatu lost to Roman Reigns at WWE Backlash but a statement was made

There was a lot on the line at WWE’s Backlash premium live event. Jacob Fatu was looking to make a statement against Roman Reigns, Trick Williams was hoping to prove he wasn’t a fluke and The Miz and Kit Wilson were trying to escape a “curse.”

For the most part, Backlash went as planned. Reigns defeated Fatu to retain the World Heavyweight Championship, but was beaten badly after the match ended. Williams defended the United States Championship against Sami Zayn while the challenger was distracted by Lil Yachty during the match.

The WWE Universe was abuzz over the identity of Danhausen’s mystery partner. Wilson and The Miz saw Mini-hausen emerge from a “cloning machine” to provide backup for the “Very Nice, Very Evil” superstar. Danhausen received plenty of help from a few Mini-hausens throughout the match. In the end, it was Danhausen who pinned The Miz.

Meanwhile, Bron Breakker scored one of the biggest victories of his career by defeating Seth Rollins. Breakker nailed Rollins with a torpedo spear at the end of a hard-fought match.

Then there was the Iyo Sky-Asuka match

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A new chapter

Iyo Sky and Asuka arguably put on the match of the evening during Backlash. The tensions that had been building between the two competitors reached their peak. Asuka had painted Sky with her poison mist during a confrontation before the match.

But it was Sky who would gain the upper hand over Asuka. Two bullet train attacks from Sky and Over the Moonsault are what helped Sky get the victory. Asuka tried to blind Sky with poison fog, but Sky pulled out Wade Barrett’s notebook to block Blue.

Sky hit the Over the Moonsault perfectly and got the three count. But what happened next may have marked a new path for Asuka.

Asuka was seen in tears as she and Sky embraced in the middle of the ring. Before the match, Asuka posted a cryptic photo of herself looking out the window. Then, Sky posted a message about his match for Asuka on X.

“Our story reaches its final chapter with today’s match,” she wrote. “As soon as the match ended, my heart was filled with all kinds of emotions.

“Meeting ASUKA-san, spending the same time together, being able to learn so many things up close — These are irreplaceable treasures for me. Thank you very much ASUKA-San. We love you ASUKA-San.”

It didn’t seem like the end for Asuka, but it definitely felt like a “see you later” moment.

WWE STAR DANHAUSEN REFLECTS ON FIRST MONTHS WITH COMPANY AND GIVES UPDATE ON DANHAUSENETS

“Fairway to Hell” scores a hole-in-one

It was only a one-hour event, but All Elite Wrestling’s (AEW) “Fairway to Hell” special received high praise on Saturday night. The matches took place at the SoFi Center in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, an indoor golf facility that hosts Golf League events.

The greenery and sandboxes remained in place while the ring was set up in the middle of it all.

Darby Allin defended the AEW World Championship against Pac, Mark Davis became the new AEW National Champion with a victory over Jack Perry, The Divine Dominion of Megan Bayne and Lena Kross made easy work of Rachel Ley and Ruthie Slay and “Speedball” Mike Bailey defeated Kiran Grey.

Aside from the wrestling, the stunning visuals of Allin throwing Pac into a bunker and Pac throwing Allin off the second deck delighted fans.

It was definitely a risk using the venue for professional wrestling, but it paid off in AEW’s favor. It will certainly be necessary to make one or two more recordings of the installation in the future.

All eyes are on Leon Slater

Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) has a major star in Leon Slater and if fate has it, he will set a record if he defeats Cedric Alexander for the title later this week.

Slater and Alexander will face off Thursday night on “Impact.” If Slater wins, he will be the longest reigning Division X champion, surpassing Austin Aries.

Aries held the TNA X Division Championship for 298 days after winning it at No Surrender 2011. He then vacated the championship in exchange for a shot at the TNA World Heavyweight Championship. Slater won the title in July 2025 at Slammiversary.

Aries reacted to Slater approaching his all-time high in late April.

“Big fan of @LEONSLATER_ and I have no doubt he will surpass my record, but he will also have never been in the ring with me. Number of days is great, but quantity ≠ quality,” he wrote on X.

Mason Rook is coming to NXT

Mason Rook has only been with WWE NXT for two weeks and he has already made it clear that he is aiming for the NXT Championship.

NXT Champion Tony D’Angelo faced Tavion Heights in a non-title match on Tuesday night. Kam Hendrix interfered in the match, but NXT North American Champion Myles Borne entered and chased him away.

D’Angelo hit Heights with Dead to Rights and won the match. As D’Angelo paid tribute to Heights, Rook attacked him from behind. Rook took D’Angelo over his shoulders and led him to Heights, who was sitting in the corner.

Rook was the one who stood tall.

“My name is Mason Rook and I made it to NXT,” he told the camera.

Rook, formerly known as Will Kroos, made his name in Progress Wrestling where he was the Progress Atlas Champion. He also spent time on the independent circuit in Britain as well as Pro Wrestling Noah in Japan.

“Like I said, Mason Rook made it to NXT,” he said as he walked to the back. “And if you didn’t know it, now you do.”

John Cena also showed his support for Rook.

AEW Double or Nothing card reunites

Darby Allin and Maxwell Jacob Friedman (MJF) need to tie up loose ends, but it looks like they’re headed toward a hair vs. title match at Double or Nothing for the AEW World Championship. Allin still has to defend his title on “Dynamite,” but MJF will have to show up and sign the match contract if he wants to continue challenging for the title.

At first glance, the card is pretty stacked. Double or Nothing will take place on May 24 at Louis Armstrong Stadium in Queens, New York.

• Kazuchika Okada (c) vs. Konosuke Takeshita for the AEW International Championship.
• Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler (c) vs. Adam Copeland and Christian Cage in an I Quit match for the AEW World Tag Team Championship.
• Chris Jericho, Bobby Lashley, Shelton Benjamin, Jack Perry, Kenny Omega, Matt Jackson and Nick Jackson vs. Ricochet, Bishop Kaun, Toa Liona, Mark Davis and three members of the Don Callis family in a stadium shoving match.
• Thekla (c) vs. Hikaru Shida vs. Kris Statlander vs. Jamie Hayter for the AEW Women’s World Championship.

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Triplemania 34 gets two nights

As the shocking news of John Cena was announced at Backlash, another major revelation was made that would affect the world of professional wrestling.

Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide (AAA) will host its first event, TripleMania, over two nights in September. The first evening will take place on September 11 at a location that has not yet been announced. The second evening will take place on September 13 at the Mexico City Arena.

This is the first time that Triplemania has taken place over two nights. This will be the 34th Triplemania in the company’s history.

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Other notes from a week of professional wrestling

• John Cena announced the formation of the John Cena Classic at Backlash.
• Trick Williams retained the United States Championship in a victory over Sami Zayn at Backlash
• Tiffany Stratton retained the United States Women’s Championship with a victory over Kiana James on “Friday Night SmackDown.”
• Darby Allin defended the AEW World Championship against Kevin Knight and Pac during the week.

• Kazuchika Okada defeated Bryan Keith to retain the AEW International Championship.
• Mark Davis won the AEW National Championship by defeating Jack Perry at “Fairway to Hell”.
• AEW has announced the return of the Owen Hart tournament.
• Bear Bronson and Brian Myers retained the TNA World Tag Team Championship against KC Navarro and Nic Nemeth.
• Lei Ying Lee won the TNA Knockouts Championship in a victory over Arianna Grace.

• Wendy Choo retained the Evolve Women’s Championship as her match with Laynie Luck ended in a no contest.
• La Catalina played their first match in AAA, defeating Jessy Jackson. After the match, Flammer, La Hiedra and Lady Maravilla came out to attack her. Lola Vice and Bayley made the save.

• The South Korean boy band known as BTS attended a Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL) show this weekend. The guys were sitting at ringside. Místico and Titan defeated Angel de Oro and Barbaro Cavernario in a two out of three falls match in the main event.
• Brick Savage has signed with Major League Wrestling, according to Fightful.