Backlash 2026

Hey - It’s been awhile

It’s been what, like two weeks since the last WWE or AEW PLE? Backlash is back with a five match card and a John Cena announcement. Hopefully this PLE gives us matches that are longer than ten minutes a piece. Quick ‘high thought’ but I am also watching UFC on Saturday and it got me thinking - I wonder if TKO has shortened WWE PLEs in order to make sure it’s over before the main card of the UFC is over. But as of just a few months ago, UFC is now on Paramount with an hour earlier start time. I am curious to see if this earlier start time for TKOs other property plays a factor in WWE PLEs. Definitely over-thought that but hey, we’re all friends here.

Either way, I haven’t nailed that intro yet so let’s just dive right in!

Danhausen and mystery partner vs The Miz and Kit Wilson 

I want to stop and give some flowers to Danhausen and Kit Wilson for their incredible character work lately. In a roster full of "tough guys," these two are carrying the torch for the entertainment side of the business. The Miz, with his polished "A-Lister" persona, is the perfect person for the chaos Danhausen brings to the table - it is that classic dynamic of the Hollywood star being absolutely baffled by the weirdness in front of him.

But the big question here is the mystery partner. If we are leaning into the fun, let’s go all the way: bring out Santino Marella. The last time we saw Santino on this stage, he was technically Santina in the Women’s Royal Rumble. It is time we get the real Milan Miracle back for one final victory lap.

This year has felt like the unofficial "year of the retirement" for several WWE legends, and Santino deserves a proper send-off that fits his legacy. He does not need a 20-minute technical clinic - he needs a fun, nostalgic match where he can hit the Cobra and remind everyone why he was one of the most over characters of his era. Teaming him with Danhausen is a match made in comedy-wrestling heaven, and it gives the fans a moment that is purely about the joy of the industry.

Trick Williams vs Sami Zayn

(For the WWE United States Championship)

For the longest time, this feud has had all the makings of a double turn. The love for Sami Zayn has died down tremendously over the years, perhaps starting when he defeated Gunther at Mania. It’s been a slow burn but the boo’s get louder and louder over the months, most notably now in his current feud with Trick Williams. In contrast, Williams has been on the main roster for a very short time as a mid card heel - but the crowd reactions would make you think he is a top level babyface. This is the perfect storm - but I am going to pitch it a little differently.

Before the match starts, we get another Cody and Sami backstage segment. This time, Cody just verbally lays into Sami - unfairly so. This hurts Sami. He realises maybe he and Cody are not alike. Maybe Cody is weak for holding on to being a “good guy” and it is actually in strength to embrace the darkside. Sami Zayn is in the ring as furious as can be as Trick is making his entrance.

Once Trick is in the ring taking off his jacket - BAM! Helluva Kick. Irish-whip into the other turnbuckle and BAM! Another Helluva Kick. Sami pins Trick - but Trick kicks out at two. Even so, the damage has been down. After a back and forth with Sami being mostly dominant, he hits Trick with a Blue Thunder Bomb into the Koji Clutch for the submission victory. Zayn used this move in NXT with a reverse STO set up, so think of the Blue Thunder Bomb set up as a “super charge finish” for this move.  

So how is this double turn any different? Well… it’s not a double turn. Trick Williams needs to stay a heel. The swagger, the lingo, the aura - it all just works as a heel character. So what if the fans love and cheer for him? There is a theory that a “cool heel” is a bad heel, and for the most part I agree, but Trick Williams is the exception.

I say let him lose the belt here so Sami can get his heel story going, and Trick goes on to make moments alongside Lil Yatchy by bullying on the rest of the locker room. Just keep him a light hearted, fun, cocky-heel and when the time is needed for him to be world champion, the transition will be seamless. 

Seth Rollins vs Bron Breakker

I am not the biggest fan of this version of The Vision. What was supposed to be a hand picked stable for the Visionary, is now just a band of punks. This might fit for Logan Paul and Austin Theory but it doesn’t fit for Bron Breakker at all. With that being said, I am going to use this match to break up The Vision.

Logan and Austin try to interfere, but are interrupted by The Street Profits. Through the chaos, Seth manages to counter a Spear with a Stomp to get the victory. After Seth has left the ring and the realization of what just happened has set it, Bron has a complete mental breakdown. After destroying the ringside area, Bron delivers a spear to both Logan and Austin. He barks at Heyman, “No more of this bullshit - I am the focus, I am the future, I am going to be World Champion.” Heyman is filled with fear, but he fully agrees and champions this idea. 

The Vision is over and Bron Breakker leaves as a solo Paul Heyman guy. What happens to Bronson Reed when he returns? I say throw him right into a title program with Roman Reigns. I wouldn’t even mention The Vision on his return honestly. Let’s just build this monster up. What happens to Logan And Austin? I think Grayson Waller is in desperate need of something to do - I think this trio is a perfect fit for each other. They could literally be put anywhere on the card and it would work. 

Roman Reigns vs Jacob Fatu

(For the World Heavyweight Championship)

Roman Reigns and The Bloodline are fully back in action on top of the card. Let’s do a quick history recap - the last time Roman was champion, he held the championship for 1,316 days. His very first title defense of this historic reign was against none other than Jey Uso. Jey continued to try and win the championship, coming up short each time - until he was so broken down, that he joined forces with Roman.

This story with Jacob Fatu is playing out in extremely similar fashion - except let’s just pull the trigger. In Roman Reigns' very first defense with this new world title, he just loses it to the Samoan Werewolf. The CM Punk vs Roman Reigns story was that Punk was too old to keep up with Reigns. What if Reigns is too old to keep up with Fatu? How does Reigns react when everything he said about Punk now applies to him? How does Jey react, watching Fatu do what Jey never could? How does the man who brought Fatu into WWE, Solo Sikoa react?

All of these questions are far more interesting than the questions raised from a Roman Reigns win. Here’s a little backstage factor on why I think this might actually happen too: Roman has the fourth longest championship reign ever. With his win over Punk, his total world title reigns comes to seven. The Rock has a record of ten. The next WrestleMania is in Saudi. I think Roman has a few short title reigns this year to set up The Rock attempting to stop Roman from reaching his record; the one thing he might still have over Roman.

John Cena’s special announcement

Bonus!!!!!!!!!! And the pitch is: please for the love of god let this announcement be anything EXCEPT some sort of advertisement. A Mania announcement - fine, whatever. A Club WWE annoucement? That’s worth turning the TV off.

Do you still love me?

I don’t know why I typed that - I thought it would be funny but then I second guessed myself immediately but then I was like - No. It stays.

Anyways - I just hope everyone has fun!