The WWE Backlash Premium Live Event takes place live from the Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Florida. WWE has put together a stacked lineup featuring championship matches, heated rivalries, and major grudge bouts as the fallout from WrestleMania 42 continues.
Roman Reigns will defend the WWE World Heavyweight Championship against Jacob Fatu in what is expected to be a brutal showdown. Fatu has made it clear he’s determined to dethrone the Tribal Chief and has already resorted to using the dangerous Tongan Death Grip during the buildup to the match.
The WWE United States Championship will also be on the line as Trick Williams defends against Sami Zayn. After losing the title at WrestleMania 42, Zayn is focused on reclaiming championship gold, while Williams looks to continue building momentum as champion.
Seth Rollins and Bron Breakker will finally collide after Breakker’s shocking return at WrestleMania 42 cost Rollins a major opportunity against GUNTHER. With plenty of bad blood between them, this singles match could easily become one of the night’s most physical encounters.
Elsewhere on the card, IYO SKY takes on Asuka after months of tension between the two stars. Danhausen will also team with a mystery partner to face The Miz and Kit Wilson in tag team action.
The show kicks off at 6:00 PM ET on the ESPN app and is available for international fans on streaming platforms like Netflix. Ringside News will provide live, match-by-match updates and highlights throughout the night. Stay tuned to this page, refresh for the latest results as the action unfolds, and join the conversation in the comments below!
Matches & Key Moments Scheduled for WWE Backlash on May 9, 2026
- WWE World Heavyweight Championship: Roman Reigns (c) vs. Jacob Fatu
- United States Championship: Trick Williams (c) vs. Sami Zayn
- Seth Rollins vs. Bron Breakker
- IYO SKY vs. Asuka
- Danhausen & Mystery Partner vs. The Miz & Kit Wilson
WWE Backlash Results (5/9/26): Live Match Updates and Highlights
The pre-show panel features Michael Cole, Big E, Corey Graves, and Peter Rosenberg.
Cathy Kelley, Byron Saxton, and Jackie Redmond are serving as roving reporters. Kelley talked about Jacob Fatu introducing the Tongan Death Grip. Saxton pointed out that Fatu is desperate to win his first championship opportunity and his first-ever PLE match. Redmond said Seth Rollins is looking to prove that even at 39 and coming off an injury, he’s still at the top of his game. Big E said Bron Breakker is also coming back from injury and is looking to prove himself.
They then aired a pre-recorded interview with Seth Rollins. He admitted returning to the ring was a challenge and said he can’t recover the way he used to. Rollins said he was happy to get through the match, but felt like he had regressed.
Rollins was also asked about forming The Vision last year. He admitted there may have been some insecurity involved, adding that there were a lot of different ideas about what WWE should be and where the company was headed. Rollins said he wanted to establish himself as the leader of the company while also helping bring the next generation up with him. He revealed he went to Shawn Michaels for advice and was told Bron Breakker was the best prospect. Rollins said he believed that if he could mentor Bron for a year or two, he could help turn him into a major money draw for WWE.
After suffering his injury and being betrayed by Bron, Rollins admitted he felt guilt and sadness, saying he believed he had let the company down. While he understood why Bron did what he did, Rollins said he still couldn’t get past the intense anger over everything that was taken away from him.
They also went through Jacob Fatu’s career timeline, including footage and highlights from his independent wrestling days. Even though the panel said Fatu hadn’t arrived to the arena yet, WWE immediately aired a backstage video of Fatu walking through the building while promising he was going to win the title. Big E said Fatu wants the kind of money and career Roman Reigns has built for himself in WWE. Corey Graves pushed back on the idea that Fatu is desperate, saying he’s making calculated moves. Graves added that Fatu understands a win tonight could completely change both his career and his family’s future.
WWE aired footage from last night’s Gingerbread Man funeral segment.
Later, Cathy Kelley interviewed Sami Zayn backstage. Despite being attacked the night before, Zayn was smiling during the interview. He said Trick Williams has created an environment where people believe they can disrespect him. The panel shifted focus to the United States Championship match later in the night.
Jey Uso and Jimmy Uso joined the pre-show panel during the discussion. Corey Graves then talked about Tampa’s deep history in professional wrestling before tossing things to a video package focused on FCW and its legacy.
Jey Uso and Jimmy Uso joined the pre-show panel and discussed the FCW era along with Tom Prichard’s training system.
Corey Graves explained the difference between FCW and modern-day NXT, saying FCW often felt disorganized, with talent randomly disappearing to the main roster without much explanation. He added that NXT now has far stronger synergy and structure between developmental and WWE’s main roster.
Jey and Jimmy also revealed they are on standby for Roman Reigns vs. Jacob Fatu later tonight.
WWE aired a video package hyping up the IYO SKY vs. Asuka match before the panel broke down the bout and what was at stake.
Later, The Miz and Kit Wilson were interviewed backstage. Miz showed up wearing a t-shirt that read, “I’m Not Cursed.”
Byron Saxton interviewed Danhausen backstage and tried to get him to reveal his mystery partner for the match. Danhausen refused to give away the name and warned Saxton that if he asked again, he would be cursed.
Hour 2 kicked off with the ESPN simulcast, showing Triple H arriving to the arena… again.
WWE went back to Michael Cole’s interview with Seth Rollins. Rollins said beating Bron Breakker tonight would help restore his confidence. He admitted that when he starts resting on his past accomplishments, that becomes the worst version of himself. Rollins also said a loss tonight would completely crush him mentally.
WWE then aired a video feature on Charlotte Flair’s relationship with Scarlet, a young girl who was diagnosed with a brain mass at just five years old.