WWE Backlash 2026 Preview: Match Card, How to Watch

WWE Backlash 2026 takes place Saturday, May 9 at the Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Florida, the first Premium Live Event following WrestleMania 42. The post-WrestleMania fallout show streams on the ESPN app in the United States and Netflix internationally.

This is also the first Backlash to stream on ESPN in the United States, marking a new chapter for WWE’s Premium Live Event distribution after the Peacock contract expired at the end of Clash in Paris last August.

Match	Stipulation
Roman Reigns (c) vs. Jacob Fatu	World Heavyweight Championship
Seth Rollins vs. Bron Breakker	Singles Match
Asuka vs. IYO SKY	Singles Match

Match Previews

Reigns reclaimed the World Heavyweight Championship from CM Punk at WrestleMania 42 Night 2. Fatu was the first challenger to step up, and he spent two weeks proving he belongs in the main event.

• The challenge: Fatu confronted Reigns on the Raw After WrestleMania and demanded a Backlash title shot.
• The statement: Pinned Solo Sikoa in the SmackDown main event April 24, then dismantled the rest of MFT solo.
• The personal layer: On April 27 Raw, Fatu cut a raw promo about 12 years of struggle and being ignored by Roman, Jey, and Jimmy. Solo was the only family member who reached out.
• What’s at stake: The Usos have warned Fatu that winning means taking the title, the ula fala, and family leadership.
• The wrinkle: Fatu has never challenged for a world title in WWE. He’s also never looked more ready than he does right now.

This was supposed to happen at WrestleMania. Six months of Vision fallout finally pays off in Tampa.

• The breakup: Breakker and Bronson Reed turned on Rollins last October, kicking him out of his own stable.
• The injuries: A Crown Jewel shoulder injury forced Rollins to relinquish the World Heavyweight Title and shelved him for four months. Breakker tore a hernia in early February.
• The WrestleMania spear: Breakker returned at WM 42 Night 1 and speared Rollins to set up Gunther’s win.
• The challenge: Rollins blamed Breakker for both his Mania loss and Reigns winning the title. Breakker, with Paul Heyman in his corner, accepted on April 27 Raw.
• What’s at stake: Rollins’ first PLE singles match since WrestleMania, and Breakker’s first chance to prove he carries a featured spot without stable backup.

Asuka vs. IYO SKY

Another match WWE originally targeted for WrestleMania 42 finally has a date, with one major piece of the storyline missing.

• The betrayal: Asuka and Kairi Sane turned on SKY last September, fracturing the post-Damage CTRL alliance.
• The receipts: SKY and Rhea Ripley beat The Kabuki Warriors at Crown Jewel and Survivor Series WarGames, then took the Women’s Tag Titles on the Raw on Netflix Anniversary Show in January.
• The flashpoint: Asuka interfered in SKY’s Women’s Intercontinental Title match against Becky Lynch on April 27 Raw, costing SKY the win, then attacked her with the Asuka Lock.
• The missing piece: Kairi Sane was released by WWE on April 24. Laredo crowds chanted “We Want Kairi” during the post-match attack.
• What’s at stake: Personal pride for both, with SKY needing a win after the IC Title loss and Asuka looking to reassert herself as the women’s division’s top heel.

How to Watch

• Date/Time: Saturday, May 9, 2026 at 6 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. CT / 3 p.m. PT
• Venue: Benchmark International Arena, Tampa, Florida
• Streaming: ESPN Unlimited (United States), Netflix (international markets)

Don’t Miss SEScoops Coverage

Stay tuned to SEScoops.com for live results, match recaps, and post-event fallout from Tampa.

Roman Reigns accepts Jacob Fatu’s Backlash challenge: Raw highlights, April 27, 2026