Backlash 2026 Preview
Geez it feels like we’ve had almost no time for the fallout since Wrestlemania. It’s weird to see things moving forward so fast and this show feels kind of weak, with most of the matches feeling like they’re just kind of there. That can make for a surprising result but this show could go south in a hurry if it doesn’t exceed expectations. I’ve been surprised before though so let’s get to it.
Miz/Kit Wilson vs. Danhausen/???
We’ll get the worrisome one out of the way from the start, as I’m almost scared of who Danhausen’s partner might be. There are so many people on the roster with nothing to do who could use the spot or who could be a perfect choice for Danhausen, but at the same time, there are some people who would be absolutely horrible choices. I’m scared at the idea of how bad it could go.
Either way, I don’t see any reason for Miz and Wilson to win, because the second Danhausen loses, his career is going to have trouble. I’ll absolutely take Danhausen and his partner to win, but the interesting thing here is who that partner will be. While CM Punk would be perfect for the surprise to pop the crowd, I’ve seen another name out there (which I won’t spoil) which would make me roll my eyes hard. I’ll hope that it’s Punk but I won’t be surprised if it isn’t. Either way, Danhausen’s team wins, because of course.
Iyo Sky vs. Asuka
This is a good example of a story where WWE shot itself in the foot. This story was ALL about Kairi Sane and for reasons of TKO is kind of bad at this stuff, Sane was released before the payoff. Without her, there is far less of a reason for these two to be fighting. Yes there is a story, but before they were fighting over Sane and now Sky is basically playing both her role and Sane’s role, which just makes it more jarring that Sane isn’t there.
I’ll go with Sky winning here to put Asuka in her place and move on. It would be nice for Sane to pop up again for a one off and wrap up her spot in the story before moving on but that might be wishful thinking. Sky shutting Asuka down and possibly getting rid of her for a bit is the way to go, as Asuka could use something of a reset. Either way, it won’t matter without Sane, so spend some of that ridiculous income TKO earned and bring her in for one more night.
US Title: Trick Williams(c) vs. Sami Zayn
Here we have a Wrestlemania rematch and the big story is the double turn from a few weeks ago is basically complete. Williams is feeling like a hot prospect and Zayn is pretty much a heel again. Zayn is already kind of spiraling and that is only going to make him dig into his new side of things that much more. At the same time you have Williams, who looks like he could be ready to become something big in a hurry.
Therefore, I’ll go with Williams overcoming the veteran again to establish himself even more. Outside of some cheating to set up a rubber match between the two of them, I can’t imagine Zayn getting the title back. He can move on to something else after this while Williams does anything other than the US Open Challenge. Williams should win here and I think he will, but it’s not a lock.
Seth Rollins vs. Bron Breakker
Now we’re getting up to something bigger as we have one of the really personal feuds in WWE today. These two do not like each other and have been fighting for months, including a variety of injuries which have prevented them from having their big showdown. This was going to take place at Wrestlemania but Breakker wasn’t back from his injury in time to make it happen. In other words, this one is a big deal.
I’m going to go with Breakker winning here, as he needs a big win after his return from injury. He lost the biggest singles match of his career to CM Punk back in January and then went on the shelf for a few months. This is where he can regain that momentum and he’s in trouble if Rollins beats him. I’ll take Breakker to win here, and in this case he really needs to go over.
Raw World Title: Roman Reigns(c) vs. Jacob Fatu
This one has me interested because WWE has made Fatu feel like that much of a monster. The Tongan Death Grip looks like the kind of thing that could give Reigns a lot of trouble and while I’m not sold on him winning the title (yet), Reigns is going to have his hands full. In other words, they have done a good job of making this feel bigger than it is, with the personal side of things making it more interesting.
That being said, I can’t imagine Reigns losing the title just a few weeks after winning it in a Wrestlemania main event. Fatu is going to have his day at some point, but I don’t think it happens just yet, not with the Usos running around. There is always the chance that we get a shocking upset, but it makes more sense for Reigns to win here and get ready for a bigger challenger, but Fatu is a rather big challenge in the first place. This should be a heck of a fight, but the champion retains.
Overall Thoughts
This show doesn’t look great on paper, but it still has a chance. If the two big matches deliver and Danhausen’s partner isn’t a letdown, this could wind up being a rather nice night of wrestling. WWE could use that after some of the less than positive stories in recent weeks, but putting that kind of negative atmosphere around the wrestlers can be devastating. I’m not sold on the show, but it could wind up being good enough if things go right.
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