By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)
WWE Backlash
May 9, 2026, in Tampa, Florida, at the Benchmark International Arena
Streamed live on ESPN Unlimited, Netflix internationally, first hour on ESPN2
Sonya Bryson-Kirksey stood in the ring and performed the national anthem at the end of the countdown show… Michael Cole checked in on commentary and narrated backstage/arrival shots of most of the wrestlers on the show. Cole was joined on commentary by Wade Barrett. Alicia Taylor was the ring announcer… A Backlash video package aired at the top of the hour… Cole said the show was sold out and listed the attendance as 15,215…
Powell’s POV: Roughly an hour before showtime, WrestleTix listed the venue as being set up for 14,972 with 14,633 tickets distributed. The listed capacity is 21,500. The last time WWE ran the venue was on December 27, 2025, for a holiday tour live event with 7,442 tickets distributed…
Seth Rollins made his entrance for the opening match. Cole and Barrett checked in from their ringside desk. Bron Breakker made his entrance, which included a cool light show. Breakker and Paul Heyman headed to the ring together…
1. Seth Rollins vs. Bron Breakker (w/Paul Heyman). The wrestlers went nose-to-nose. The referee separated the wrestlers and then called for the opening bell. Breakker charged for a spear, but Rollins leapfrogged him. Rollins kicked Breakker, who fell to the floor. Rollins performed a suicide dive and then roughed up Breakker before tossing him back inside the ring.
Rollins clotheslined Breakker, who ended up back on the floor. Rollins hit another suicide dive. The fans chanted Rollins’ theme song. Breakker caught Rollins with a knee and tossed him over the barricade. Rollins came right back by leaping off the barricade onto Breakker, who returned to the ring. Rollins went up top and dove at Breakker, who caught him and suplexed him over the top rope to the floor.
Rollins and Breakker fought on the floor. Breakker tackled Rollins and fired several punches at his head before rolling him back inside the ring. Breakker returned to the ring and suplexed Rollins before covering him for just a one count. Breakker suplexed Rollins and put him in a chinlock. Rollins used a jawjacker to break free. A “Let’s go, Rollins” chant broke out once Breakker regained offensive control. Breakker talked smack after reapplying a chinlock. Rollins broke the hold with a suplex.
Breakker recovered, ran the ropes, and put Rollins down with a clothesline that resulted in a two count. Breakker performed a pair of release German Suplexes before covering Rollins for a two count. Rollins was lying on the mat when he slapped Breakker, who encouraged him to do it again. Rollins obliged. Breakker took Rollins to the ropes and performed a clunky hurcanrana. Breakker covered Rollins for a near fall. Barrett said Breakker didn’t perform the move the way he wanted and cited that as a possible reason for Rollins kicking out.
Breakker tossed Rollins to the floor. Breakker exited via the other side of the ring and then charged Rollins, who caught him with a superkick. Breakker returned to the ring, and Rollins barely beat the referee’s count. Rollins ducked a clothesline and then performed one of his own. Rollins caught Breakker with a knee to the head and covered him for a near fall. Heyman showed concern by covering his mouth.
Rollins held Breakker’s arms and kicked him in the face several times. Rollins set up for a Stomp. Rollins blew a kiss at Heyman and then went for the move, but Breakker stuffed it. Breakker pressed Rollins over his head and gave him a gutbuster. Breakker ran into a kick. Rollins went for what appeared to be a crucifix, but he failed to pull it off and came up holding the back of his head or neck. Breakker performed a standing moonsault for a near fall.
Breakker mounted Rollins in the corner and threw punches at him, but Rollins powered him up and performed a Buckle Bomb. Breakker blasted Rollins with a clothesline. Moments later, Rollins superplexed Breakker and set up for a Falcon Arrow, but Breakker powered him up and slammed him to the mat before covering him for a nice near fall. A camera showed off the size of the rowdy crowd.
Breakker set Rollins on the top turnbuckle and set up for a superplex, but Rollins raked his back. Breakker ran up the ropes and performed another huracanrana, which looked much better than the first. Breakker placed Rollins on the turnbuckle in the opposite corner and went for another huracanrana, but Rollins landed on his feet. Rollins fired up and threw two superkicks at Breakker. Rollins went for a third superkick, but Breakker stuffed it. Rollins kicked Breakker and performed a rough Pedigree. Rollins followed up with a Stomp. Heyman climbed on the apron and then stood on the bottom rope while motioning for Rollins to come after him. Rollins went to the floor and pulled a chair out from underneath the ring.
Logan Paul and Austin Theory came out. Rollins worked them both over with the chair. Rollins performed a Stomp on Theory. Rollins chased Logan up the entrnace aisle, and Logan headed backstage. Rollins returned to the ring and was immediately speared by Breakker, which led to a good near fall. Breakker and Heyman both acted surprised. The fans chanted Rollins’ entrance theme again. Breakker lowered the straps on his gear, then ran the ropes and went for a spear, but Rollins countered with a Pedigree. Rollins went to the middle rope and went for a Stomp, but Breakker speared him in midair. Breakker ran the ropes and speared Rollins before covering him for the three count…
Bron Breakker beat Seth Rollins in 21:45.
Cole and Barrett narrated match highlights. Cole said the U.S. Title match was up next, and then set up a video game commercial… [C]
Powell’s POV: A strong opening match that should ease concerns over the possibility that the large number of brief WrestleMania matches would become the new norm. There were some clunky moments, but far more good than bad. The live crowd is hot, and they were firmly behind babyface Rollins.
Sami Zayn made his entrance. Cole pointed out that Zayn had “Ride or Die” on his kneepads in recognition of his longtime fans.
Backstage, Cathy Kelley interviewed Trick Williams and Lil Yachty. Kelley said Zayn told her that he’s feeling great and asked for Trick’s response. Trick told Zayn to quit lying. Trick said he’s been running this since Zayn met him. Trick said he’s the puppetmaster, and now the games are over. Trick made his entrance with Yachty, who bought the kendo stick he used while dressed up as the Gingerbread Man on Smackdown…
2. Trick Williams (w/Lil Yachty) vs. Sami Zayn for the U.S. Championship. Zayn took a cheap shot at Trick before the bell, which resulted in Trick shoving him to the mat. Once the bell rang, Zayn backed Trick into a corner and then chopped him. Zayn ducked a clothesline, but continued to run the ropes, and then Trick followed up with another clothesline that connected.
Zayn ducked to the floor. Trick followed and was eventually run into the ring steps. Zayn chased Yachty while Trick returned to the ring. Once Zayn followed, he worked over Trick with punches, which were met with boos from the live crowd. Zayn shook his head. Cole said Zayn couldn’t understand why so many fans had turned on him. Zayn put Trick down with a clothesline and covered him for a two count. A “Sami sucks” chant broke out. Zayn stood up and looked at the fans before slapping Trick, who was on the mat. Zayn jawed at Yacthy. Trick caught Zayn with a kick and a neckbreaker.
A short time later, Zayn avoided a Trick Kick, but Trick stuffed his Blue Thunder Bomb attempt. Trick performed a Bookend for a near fall, and Cole said uranage slam was an homage to Booker T. Zayn used a sunset flip to get a two count. Moments later, he avoided a kick and put Trick down with a Blue Thunder Bomb for a near fall. Yachty climbed on the apron to argue with the referee at one point. Zayn grabbed the kendo stick and hit Trick. Zayn cleared the weapon from the ring and covered Trick, which resulted in a two count.
Zayn set up in a corner of the ring for his finisher while the referee checked on Trick. Yachty hit Zayn with the kendo stick. Trick dropped Zayn with a spin kick and covered him for a good near fall. Zayn and Trick ended up on the floor. Zayn dropped Yachty with a punch and then worked him over with the kendo stick. Trick clotheslined Zayn, who fell onto the bottom half of the ring steps. Brick set for another Bookend, but Zayn fought back and DDT’d him on the bottom half of the ring steps.
Zayn tossed Trick back inside the ring. Zayn was going to follow, but then he spotted Yachty talking with fans. Zayn got a running start and blasted Yachty with a Helluva Kick to the back of the head. Zayn returned to the ring and went for a Helluva Kick, but Trick avoided it and then ran the ropes and dropped him with a Trick Shot. Trick covered Zayn for the win.
Trick Williams defeated Sami Zayn in 12:52 to retain the U.S. Championship.
After the match, Yachty took out money and made it rain. Cole told Barrett to sit down, then said he knew that it was more money than Barrett makes in a year. Cole thanked ESPN2 viewers for joining them, and said the remainder of the show would be available on the ESPN app via the Unlimited plan. Cole and Barrett ran through the remainder of the card. [C]
Powell’s POV: An entertaining match. Zayn really carried it with his heel antics and the drama with Lil Yachty. It didn’t sound like there were any “ride or die” Zayn fans, as Trick was over big with the live crowd. I’m curious to see what comes next for both wrestlers.
Cole touted the Tampa Bay Sports Commission and thanked Sofi Tukker and J Balvin for the “Cook” theme song…
Kit Wilson made his entrance while holding a mirror. He stood on the stage and pointed to the back, and then The Miz made his entrance. A video aired, and then the crate that Danhausen used to clone himself was shown on the stage. Danhausen drove his mini car onto the stage and then opened the “Cloning Machine” crate. A mini Danhausen emerged from the crate and then joined Danhausen in the car for the drive to ringside. The production crew remembered to remove the ring steps, so Danhausen was able to drive the car around the ring before parking it in the entrance aisle…
3. Danhausen and Minihausen vs. The Miz and Kit Wilson. Minihausen started the match and tried to curse Wilson, who dropped him with a big boot. Minihausen came back with a springboard elbow. “I think he’s a Luchahausen,” Cole said. Danhausen launched his partner onto Miz and Wilson on the floor. Miz recovered and ran Danhausen into the ring post.
Wilson put Minihausen down. Miz returned to the apron and tagged in. Miz, who wore a t-shirt, pressed Minihausen over his head and then dropped him onto his shoulder and powerslammed him. Miz ripped off his t-shirt and hammed it up while acting like a powerhouse. Wilson tagged in and swivelled his hips while holding up Minihausen and then suplexed him. Wilson performed a lazy cover on Minihausen, who kicked out at two. Danhausen returned to the apron.
Wilson put Minihausen in a tree of woe. Wilson went for a diving headbutt, but Minihausen sat up, causing Wilson to crash into the corner. Minihausen hit a top rope moonsault. Danhausen took a hot tag while Miz also tagged in. Danhausen hit both opponents with clotheslines in opposite corners, then acted like he was exhausted. Danhausen fired up before clotheslining Miz, and then put Wilson down with a German Suplex.
Danhausen did the curse spot while fans chanted along. Wilson sacrificed himself by pushing Miz out of the way and taking Danhausen’s move himself. The heels were cleared from the ring, and then Minihausen hit them with a suicide dive. Minihausen chased Wilson to the stage, but Wilson caught him with a kick while lying down. Wilson tossed Minihausen back inside the Cloning Machine and closed the door. The light inside the machine went off, and then the door fell open.
Several Minihausens emerged from the machine and attacked Wilson. The Minihausens chased Wilson back to the ring, where the original Minihausen performed an airplane spin and dumped him on the mat. Minihausen cursed Wilson, who held up his mirror. Miz hit Minihausen from behind and put him down with a Skull Crushing Finale. Miz had Minihausen beat, but Danhausen broke up the pin. Cole explained that the mirror caused Minihausen to curse himself.
Danhausen performed a Thesz Press on Miz and followed up with several punches. Danhausen cleared both heels from the ring. Danhausen went to the floor and high-fived one of the two Minihausens standing on the broadcast table. Miz kicked Danhausen. Miz pulled a fire extinguisher out from underneath the ring, but he was cursed, so it didn’t work initially. Miz sprayed himself with the fire extinguisher (or at least that was the idea), and then he sprayed Wilson. Miz got back in the ring. Danhausen cursed him. Minihausen dove off the top rope onto Wilson on the floor. Danhausen put Miz down with a pump kick and pinned him.
Danhausen and Minihausen beat The Miz and Kit Wilson in 11:50.
Danhausen and the Minihausens went to the stage and danced. Pyro shot off, and the lights went out, so Danhausen could “disappear.” When the lights came on, Danhausen was still trying to direct traffic before he and the Minihausens ran to the back…
Powell’s POV: It sounded like the Minihausen gag was met with some boos. There was a lot of speculation that CM Punk or Jelly Roll would team with Danhausen. I’m not sure if those fans had someone in mind or just didn’t care for the Minihausen gag. I’m not sure which lucha mini was under the mask, but he did a good job. I didn’t get my hopes up for anything in particular. The match was mostly harmless, but it went a bit longer than necessary. If nothing else, the live crowds love yelling, “You are cursed.”
Cole set up a special announcement video package. A two-night AAA Triplemania event was announced for Friday, September 11, at a location to be announced, and on Sunday, September 13, in Mexico City… [C]
Cole hyped SummerSlam combo tickets for August 1-2 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, at U.S. Bank Stadium…
Iyo Sky made her entrance and slapped hands with fans on her way to the ring. Asuka’s entrance followed…
4. Iyo Sky vs. Asuka. Barrett said Sky looked stressed over everything that’s happened, while Asuka looked relaxed. A “we went Kairi” chant broke out as the match started. The chant stopped before picking up again and was louder the second time around. Asuka took offensive control and threw kicks at a kneeling Sky. Iyo came back and performed a standing double stomp on Asuka, but she fell over to sell the effects of Asuka’s early offense.
Sky fired up and performed a missile dropkick. Sky pointed at herself while the crowd cheered. Sky performed the Bullet Train Attack and covered Asuka for a near fall. Asuka stuffed a move and then threw a series of strikes at Sky before covering her for a near fall of her own.
A short time later, Asuka caught Sky in an armbar. Sky rolled out of the hold and kicked Asuka, who came right back with a knee strike. Sky threw a kick at Asuka, and then both wrestlers stayed down for a moment. Asuka eventually caught Sky in a submission hold, but Sky rolled out and hooked in a submission of her own, which Asuka broke by getting a foot on the bottom rope.
Sky went to the middle rope and tried to pull up Asuka from the apron, but Asuka slammed Sky’s head into the ring post casing. Asuka went to the middle drop. Sky hit Asuka with an uppercut. Sky joined Asuka on the ropes and pulled her off with a huracanrana, but Asuka rolled through and got a good near fall.
Both wrestlers ended up fighting on the broadcast table. Asuka sprayed mist at Sky, who held up one of the broadcast team’s tables to block it. Sky put Asuka down on the floor and then performed an Asai Moonsault that merely grazed Asuka. Sky pointed at herself, and the fans cheered. Back inside the ring, SKy went for Over The Moonsault, only to have Asuka avoid it and hook her in the Asuka Lock. Sky faded, and the referee checked her arm, but then she rolled on top of Asuka, who had to break the hold to avoid being pinned.
A “this is awesome” chant broke out while the wrestlers got to their knees and traded strikes. Asuka blocked a kick and then put SKy down with a German Suplex. Sky came right back with a German Suplex of her own. Sky hit Asuka with a Bullet Train Attack and then hit Over The Moonsault for the win.
Iyo Sky beat Asuka in 18:30.
After the match, Sky bowed to Asuka, who looked emotional. Asuka hugged Sky and kissed her cheeks. Sky raised Asuka’s arm and pointed at her, and then they hugged again. Asuka blew a kiss at Sky and then to the crowd before rolling out of the ring. Sky went to the apron and bowed to the fans. Cole said both women should be proud of what they accomplished…
Powell’s POV: It ended with a hug? Ugh. I kept waiting for Asuka to attack Sky, but it never happened. The match was entertaining, but Sky going over and then having a feel-good post-match moment with Asuka was not what I was hoping for. While it could lead to Asuka blindsiding Sky on Raw or something, it seemed like this was a one-and-done, which is a real shame if that’s the case. All those months of storyline build for just one match?
Four Tampa Bay Lightning players were shown in the crowd. Dan Spivey and Steve Keirn were also shown in separate locations in the crowd. Cole noted that Keirn trained Barrett… Cole hyped a Zuffa Boxing event…
Alicia Taylor introduced John Cena as “the greatest of all time.” Cena came out dressed in a suit and did his usual joking around with the cameraman before saying it was time to go to work. Cena spoke about what his next WWE role would be after losing his final match. The fans chanted for one more match. Cena said he expected that. He said he was happy with his final match.
Cena recalled Sol Ruca, Je’Von Evans, and Oba Femi wrestling on his retirement show. Cena put over Oba and said he kicked Oba’s ass at WrestleMania. Cena said it was so good that they should do it again. Cena said they are.
Cena announced the John Cena Classic. He said it will feature WWE and NXT wrestlers on a brand new event with a new championship. Cena said it’s not just any championship. He said he’s putting his name on it. Cena said the “WWE Universe” are the biggest superstars in WWE. Cena said the voice of the fans would be heard louder than ever before. Cena said the fans would vote to crown the champion of the John Cena Classic.
Cena said every wrestler would qualify for the voting. He said a wrestler could lose, but their hustle and heart could still lead to them being crowned the John Cena Classic Champion. Cena promised to give the fans everything he has. He said he doesn’t want this to be a one-year event; he wants it to go on for years to come.
Cena thanked Oba for busting his ass at his retirement show to make this idea a reality. He thanked WWE for allowing him to do this. He said he hopes it works. Cena also thanked the city of Tampa Bay. Cena told the fans he would see them at the John Cena Classic, and then said it was time for the main event…
A weird mascot stood behind Cole and Barrett and gave them cans of root beer. They drank the root beer and one of them belched… [C]
Powell’s POV: While I’ll give the show and the concept a chance, the idea of the John Cena Classic Championship strikes me as being worse than the Crown Jewel Championships.
An ad aired for WWE Clash in Italy. The PLE will be held on Sunday, May 31, starting at 1CT/2ET… The pre-show team of Jackie Redmond, Big E, and Corey Graves checked in from a podium off the main floor… A video package set up the main event…
Jacob Fatu made his entrance while Cole spoke about his use of the Tongan Death Grip. Cole said it’s a devastating move. He said the person executing the hold grabs his opponent’s Adam’s Apple and cuts off the oxygen.
Roman Reigns’ entrance theme started, and the fans responded with cheers and a lot of index fingers in the air. Reigns wore the ulafala around his neck and carried the championship belt in his hand. Cole said Reigns cut his teeth down the road at Florida Championship Wrestling. Cole mentioned Fatu working on the independent scene for many years and listed the West Coast Pro, House of Glory, and Game Changer (GCW) promotions…
Powell’s POV: MLW didn’t get any love, but I’m sure that company officials are happy with the big settlement they received after filing a lawsuit against WWE.
5. Roman Reigns vs. Jacob Fatu for the World Heavyweight Championship. Alicia Taylor delivered in-ring introductions for the championship match. Fatu sent Reigns to the floor during the opening minutes. Fatu went for a suicide dive. Reigns stuffed it, but Fatu applied the Tongan Death Grip. Fatu backed Reigns into the ring post and released the hold. Reigns returned to the ring while Fatu looked at his taped fingers.
When Fatu tried to return to the ring, Reigns clotheslined him over thet op rope. Both wrestlers returned to the floor, where Reigns targeted Fatu’s right hand. There were loud “Let’s Go Jacob” and “OTC” chants as the wrestlers returned to the ring. Reigns blasted Fatu with clotheslines in the corner until Fatu grabbed his arm and then put him down with a big clothesline. Fatu followed up moments later by going for a corner splash that Reigns avoided.
Reigns dropped Fatu with a big boot and then blasted him with a Superman Punch. Reigns covered Fatu, who kicked out immediately and stood up. Reigns sat on the mat and showed a look of disbelief. Fatu no-sold a kick and then dropped Reigns with a big boot. Fatu clotheslined Reigns in a corner of the ring while Cole said Fatu reminds him of the late Umaga. Fatu headbutted Reigns ten times. Fatu performed an Umaga-style hip attack.
Fatu ran the ropes for a move, but Reigns cut him off with a Superman Punch that led to a two count. Fatu rolled to the floor. Reigns followed and hit Fatu with a Drive By kick. Fatu reapplied the Tongan Death Grip. Fatu released the hold and then powerbombed Reigns through the broadcast table. Fatu got Reigns back inside the ring and charged toward him, but Reigns cut him off with a spear that led to a good near fall.
Moments later, Reigns stood in the corner and delivered his war cry. Reigns charged Fatu, who popped him up and hit a Samoan Drop on the way down. Fatu hit a double jump moonsault. Cole gave away that it was a near fall by saying there might be a new champion, but it was a good near fall otherwise.
Both wrestlers traded punches while on their knees and as they got back to their feet. They switched to throwing uppercuts. Fatu knocked Reigns down and then hit him with a pair of hip attacks in the corner. Fatu signaled for the Tongan Death Grip and then licked his fingers before applying the hold. Reigns started to fade, but then he came back to life and escaped the hold. Fatu popped up Reigns, who hit him with a Superman Punch on the way down. Reigns speared Fatu moments later and covered him for a close near fall.
Reigns asked the official if it was really just a two count. Fatu applied the Tongan Death Grip. Reigns reached out and grabbed the referee for a moment, and then he grabbed the turnbuckle pad, which he pulled off while still in the hold. Reigns ran Fatu’s head into the exposed turnbuckle, speared him, and pinned him.
Roman Reigns beat Jacob Fatu in 18:15 to retain the World Heavyweight Championship.
Fatu was censored while complaining about the way he lost. Fatu grabbed the referee, then released him and put Reigns in the Tongan Death Grip. The referee got Fatu to release the hold. Fatu shoved the referee into a corner of the ring and reapplied the hold. The referee intervened again. Fatu put the referee down with a pop-up Samoan Drop.
Adam Pearce led a group of producers and referees to the ring. Fatu took out one of the producers and then tossed Pearce to the floor. Fatu reapplied the Tongan Death Grip on Reigns. Pearce returned and joined the others in trying to pull Fatu off Reigns. Fatu released the hold. Fatu looked into a camera and said, “I told him.” Fatu left the ring while Pearce and the others checked on Reigns.
Fatu returned and reapplied the Tongan Death Grip. Pearce grabbed Fatu’s braids while others tried to pull him off Reigns. Fatu released the hold. Fatu picked up the title belt and stood over Reigns while holding up the title belt. The executive producer credits were shown to close the show…
Powell’s POV: A good main event with a finish that obviously created the need for a rematch. While the finish was disappointing in the moment, I’m happy they didn’t make this a one-and-done, and the match didn’t end due to outside interference from the Usos, Solo Sikoa, Royce Keys, or anyone else. The post-match angle effectively established Fatu as unhinged and dangerous.
Overall, it was a good show. While I appreciate that it didn’t overstay its welcome at roughly two hours and 50 minutes, fans who pay for the ESPN Unlimited app may not be so pleased that there were two matches during the first hour on ESPN2, and just three matches and the Cena announcement on the main card. Jake Barnett and I will have a lot to say about the show when we get together shortly in our same-night audio review for Dot Net Members (including our Patreon patrons). Let us know what you thought of the show by voting for the best match and grading the overall show.
