WWE Backlash is set this year for May 9th inside the Benchmark International Arena. WrestleMania left several major stories unresolved, and Backlash now has the chance to push those rivalries into full closure. With title matches, faction fallout, and John Cena’s advertised announcement on the card, here are my five predictions for the show.
1. Iyo Sky Finds A Way To Beat Asuka
Once great friends, they are now bitter enemies. It all started with Iyo befriending Rhea Ripley. Asuka took that to be a slap in the face. They have fought each other ever since. With Kairi Sane gone, Asuka no longer has The Kabuki Warriors behind her and is left dealing with Iyo and Rhea on her own. That isolation is why I’m picking Iyo Sky to find a way to win.
Will Iyo get the best of Asuka now that The Kabuki Warriors are no more?
2. Seth Rollins Defeats Bron Breakker At Backlash
Bron Breakker has been out for a few months due to injury. He recently returned to confront Seth Rollins, his former Vision ally and the man Bron helped push out of the faction. Breakker reveals that he never needed Seth to help him advance on the main roster. He just needed Paul Heyman. I can see Seth Rollins getting his revenge on Bron Breakker by beating him in this match.
A member and a former member of The Vision throw down at Tampa
3. Next Chapter In The Bloodline Saga At Backlash
A match is scheduled for Backlash against Jacob Fatu and Roman Reigns. They had a contract signing on this week’s Raw. Jacob Fatu has built momentum since joining WWE, and the contract signing gave him another strong moment when he laid Roman out with his finisher.
Can Fatu dethrone the OTC at Backlash?
On the other side of the spectrum, you have The Tribal Chief in Roman Reigns, who is at this point a veteran within the company. Fatu has enough momentum to make the result feel uncertain, especially after laying Roman out on Raw. Still, I’m picking Roman Reigns to retain the World Championship because the story still frames him as the veteran champion Fatu has to overcome.
4. Sami Zayn One-On-One With Trick Williams At Backlash
We will see another matchup where Sami has to humble a rookie with a big ego, namely Trick Williams. As a veteran on the roster, Sami Zayn has done this before and feels that the time has come to do it again when it comes to Trick. Trick Williams looks like a tougher challenge than some of Sami’s past rivals, but I’m still picking Sami Zayn to win and take the United States Championship.
Veteran vs Rising Star
5. John Cena Returns To Make Announcement
After he was selected to be this year’s host at WrestleMania, John Cena is expected to make a return to the WWE at Backlash. He is advertised to make an announcement at the event. I expect Cena’s announcement to be a fan-focused segment about when he will appear next for WWE, with Club WWE worked into the message.
What will the history-making announcement by John Cena be at Backlash?
Those are my five predictions for WWE Backlash: Tampa 2026. Roman Reigns vs. Jacob Fatu feels like the toughest call, but Cena’s announcement could end up being the night’s biggest talking point. Let us know what you think will happen at the event.
