The WrestleMania dust has settled, and now it’s time for what’s traditionally the first stop post-Mania: Backlash! A mix of rematches, matchups that for whatever reason didn’t make it to the WrestleMania card, and new rivalries, Backlash looks to cover a lot of ground this year. Get caught up with everything you need to know to enjoy WWE Backlash:
WWE Backlash 2026 date and start time
WWE Backlash 2026 will air live on Saturday, May 9th at 6pm ET from the Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Florida.
How to watch WWE Backlash 2026
WWE Backlash 2026 will stream on the ESPN App with Unlimited Plan in the United States, and Netflix internationally. Get some more details from ESPN’s official documentation.
WWE Backlash 2026 card
Danhausen and a mystery partner vs. The Miz and Kit Wilson
WWE’s official preview:
The eccentric Danhausen must find a tag team partner to take on The Miz and Kit Wilson at WWE Backlash.
After weeks of wanting to be mentored by The Miz, Danhausen was finally embraced by The A-Lister, but it was all a ruse as it led to a major beatdown that included Wilson.
SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis made the match official, but he demanded Danhausen find a partner for the tag team match.
Don’t miss WWE Backlash, streaming live Saturday, May 9, at 6 ET/3 PT on the ESPN App with an ESPN Unlimited Plan in the United States and on Netflix internationally.
Trick Williams (c) vs. Sami Zayn for the WWE United States Championship
WWE’s official preview:
At WWE Backlash, United States Champion Trick Williams will battle Sami Zayn in a highly personal showdown.
Williams and his friend Lil Yachty first introduced a live-action Gingerbread Man on the SmackDown before WrestleMania, a situation designed to mock Sami that ended with Zayn hitting the tasty character with a thundering Helluva Kick.
Two days later, Trick captured the United States Title from Zayn on The Grandest Stage of Them All.
Five days later on SmackDown, Williams threw himself a Championship Celebration. When Gingerbread Man showed up for the festivities, however, it was really Zayn in disguise. The irate former titleholder laid waste to both Trick and Lil Yachty with a brutal Candy Cane attack.
The following week, Zayn snapped. Fed up over the silliness he felt was making a joke out of him, Zayn attacked Gingerbread Man. Trick rushed the crumbly mess backstage for help, but it was too late. The Gingerbread Man was pronounced “cooked” soon after.
A despondent Williams responded by agreeing to battle Zayn in a title rematch at WWE Backlash before announcing a funeral for Gingerbread Man.
Seth Rollins vs. Bron Breakker
WWE’s official preview:
Seth Rollins and Bron Breakker will be out to destroy each other when they clash at WWE Backlash.
Once united with Rollins in The Vision, Breakker led a coup that kicked The Visionary out of his own faction in October.
After both Superstars suffered injuries, Bron suddenly reemerged at WrestleMania 42 to Spear Rollins and cause him to lose to Gunther on The Grandest Stage of Them All. Breakker followed the attack by charging down the entire WrestleMania ramp and blasting Rollins with a monstrous post-match Spear.
On the Raw after WrestleMania, Breakker again delivered a vicious beatdown to his one-time mentor. This led to a war of words the following week with Rollins suggesting that Breakker prove he’s ready to take over in a one-on-one showdown.
Roman Reigns (c) vs. Jacob Fatu for the World Heavyweight Championship
WWE’s official preview:
At WWE Backlash, World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns will battle his dangerous cousin Jacob Fatu.
For the first time in more than two years, Reigns claimed a championship when he defeated CM Punk for the World Heavyweight Title in the main event of WrestleMania.
The following night, The OTC reemerged on Raw with The Usos to celebrate a new era by expressing an interest in once again doing business with The Usos.
As they raised their ones to the sky united, however, Fatu suddenly interrupted and shocked the WWE Universe when he challenged The OTC to a title showdown at Backlash.
Fatu doesn’t think The OTC has ever done anything for him and his family because Solo Sikoa was the one who brought Fatu to WWE to help destroy Reigns. For this reason, Fatu is determined to take the World Heavyweight Title.
Reigns knows he needs to put down this dangerous family threat and make The Samoan Werewolf acknowledge him.
