Overview
- Backlash airs Saturday from Tampa’s Benchmark International Arena, with the Countdown show at 4 p.m. ET, the main card at 6 p.m. ET, the first hour on ESPN2, and full U.S. streaming on ESPN Unlimited with international streaming on Netflix.
- Roman Reigns makes his first World Heavyweight Championship defense against cousin Jacob Fatu, a feud heated up by Fatu’s table slam on Raw and the storyline use of the Tongan Death Grip, a crushing throat hold popularized by Haku.
- Trick Williams defends the United States Championship in a WrestleMania rematch with Sami Zayn, while Seth Rollins meets Bron Breakker in a grudge match and IYO SKY faces former mentor Asuka.
- Danhausen teams with a yet-to-be-revealed partner against The Miz and Kit Wilson, and John Cena is set to appear after teasing “history-making news” for fans and talent.
- As the first premium event after WrestleMania 42 and among the earliest under WWE’s new distribution plan, the five-match card is positioned to set summer storylines and spotlight who the company plans to elevate next.