Tag: WWE

WWE Backlash 2026 Results

WWE Backlash 2026 delivered a packed night featuring championship clashes, surprise comedy chaos, and a brutal main event that left Roman Reigns barely standing by the end of the show.

Here are the full results and highlights from WWE Backlash 2026.

Bron Breakker def. Seth Rollins

Backlash opened with an explosive showdown between Bron Breakker and Seth Rollins, and the two wasted no time turning the match into a war.

Rollins came flying out of the gate with multiple dives to the outside, but Breakker eventually turned the momentum around after catching Seth with a massive belly-to-belly suplex over the ropes to the floor.

The former World Heavyweight Champion battled back repeatedly with superkicks, Buckle Bombs, and a Pedigree, while Breakker answered with brutal power offense and multiple spears throughout the match.

Late in the contest, Paul Heyman attempted to distract Rollins from ringside while Austin Theory and Logan Paul appeared at ringside. Rollins fought them off with a steel chair before returning to the ring, only to get nearly split in half by another spear.

After surviving a Pedigree and Blackout combination, Breakker finally finished Rollins off with a devastating spear for the victory.

Winner: Bron Breakker via pinfall

Trick Williams def. Sami Zayn to retain the WWE Men’s United States Championship

Sami Zayn challenged Trick Williams for the WWE Men’s United States Championship in a highly physical contest that also featured plenty of interference from Lil Yachty at ringside.

The match featured strong back-and-forth action, including Zayn delivering a Blue Thunder Driver for a near fall and Trick responding with a Book End and several close calls of his own.

Lil Yachty repeatedly inserted himself into the match using a candy cane kendo stick, creating several distractions that nearly cost both men the match.

Zayn appeared close to victory after taking Yachty out at ringside and setting up for the Helluva Kick, but Williams avoided the move at the last second and connected with Trickshot to retain his championship.

After the match, Yachty celebrated in the ring alongside Williams.

Winner: Trick Williams via pinfall to retain the WWE Men’s United States Championship

Danhausen & Minihausen def. The Miz & Kit Wilson

One of the night’s more bizarre moments came when Danhausen revealed his mystery partner: Minihausen.

The comedic tag team match quickly turned chaotic, featuring cloning machine antics, multiple Minihausens appearing during the closing moments, and plenty of trademark Danhausen absurdity.

Minihausen impressed early with high-flying offense before The Miz and Kit Wilson isolated him for much of the match.

The finish came after the cloning machine seemingly produced several additional Minihausens, creating enough confusion for Danhausen to connect with a pump kick on The Miz for the victory.

Winners: Danhausen & Minihausen via pinfall

IYO SKY def. Asuka

IYO SKY and Asuka delivered one of the strongest in-ring matches of the night in a hard-hitting, emotional battle.

The two traded submission attempts, strikes, counters, and several near falls throughout the contest. Asuka targeted SKY’s arm repeatedly while IYO answered with her trademark speed and aerial offense.

One of the biggest moments came when Asuka attempted to use mist on top of the announce desk, only for IYO to block it using Wade Barrett’s notebook before countering into a huge dive.

After escaping the Asuka Lock late in the match, SKY finally connected with her signature moonsault to secure the victory.

Following the match, the emotional moment continued as Asuka embraced IYO, raised her hand, and showed respect to her longtime rival and student.

Winner: IYO SKY via pinfall

John Cena announces the “John Cena Classic”

John Cena appeared at Backlash to make a major announcement regarding the future of WWE.

Cena revealed the creation of the “John Cena Classic,” a new WWE event designed to showcase current WWE stars alongside rising NXT talent. During the promo, Cena specifically praised names such as Sol Ruca, Je’Von Evans, and Oba Femi.

Cena also announced a new championship tied to the event, with fans reportedly being given voting power in determining the champion, even allowing a wrestler to potentially lose a match but still win the title through fan voting.

The WWE legend stated he hopes the event becomes a long-running tradition moving forward.

Roman Reigns def. Jacob Fatu to retain the WWE Men’s World Championship

The main event saw Roman Reigns defend the WWE Men’s World Championship against Jacob Fatu in a violent and physical clash.

Fatu immediately proved he belonged in the spotlight, matching Reigns shot-for-shot while repeatedly surviving major offense, including Superman Punches and spears.

Roman attempted to target Fatu’s arm throughout the match, but the “Samoan Werewolf” continued fighting back with powerbombs, sentons, moonsaults, and the dangerous Tongan Death Grip submission.

The action escalated when Fatu powerbombed Reigns through the announce desk before later kicking out of another spear.

After a chaotic closing stretch involving an exposed turnbuckle and referee involvement, Reigns finally managed to put Fatu away with one final spear to retain the championship.

However, the story didn’t end there.

Following the match, Fatu snapped and brutally attacked Reigns, referees, and WWE officials. Raw General Manager Adam Pearce, Jason Jordan, Jamie Noble, and even Shane Helms attempted to stop him, but Fatu continued assaulting everyone in sight.

The show ended with Jacob Fatu standing tall over a destroyed Roman Reigns while holding the championship belt high.

Winner: Roman Reigns via pinfall to retain the WWE Men’s World Championship

WWE Backlash 2026 Results Recap

  • Bron Breakker def. Seth Rollins
  • Trick Williams def. Sami Zayn to retain the WWE Men’s United States Championship
  • Danhausen & Minihausen def. The Miz & Kit Wilson
  • IYO SKY def. Asuka
  • Roman Reigns def. Jacob Fatu to retain the WWE Men’s World Championship

WWE Backlash 5/9/2026 (Card)

WWE Backlash – Saturday May 5, 2026 – 6 ET/3 PT on the ESPN App with an ESPN Unlimited Plan in the United States and Netflix internationally – Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, FL.

The first hour to air on ESPN 2.

John Cena to make an announcement.

CARD

  • World Heavyweight Championship: Roman Reigns (c) vs. Jacob Fatu
  • Seth Rollins vs. Bron Breakker
  • United States Championship: Trick Williams (c) vs. Sami Zayn
  • The Miz & Kit Wilson vs. Danhausen & TBD
  • IYO SKY vs. Asuka

WWE SmackDown Preview 5/8/2026

WWE SmackDown live tonight at 8/7c on the USA Network in the United States and Netflix internationally from the Vystar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida.

  • Jacob Fatu to open the show
  • WWE Women’s United States Championship: Tiffany Stratton (c) vs. Kiana James
  • Fatal Influence vs. Alexa Bliss, Charlotte Flair & Rhea Ripley
  • Damian Priest vs. Talla Tonga
  • Trick Williams host the funeral for Gingerbread Man
  • Gunther to address his attack on Cody Rhodes

WWE Moves AJ Lee, Paige, And Bella Twins To Free Agent Section

WWE has quietly updated its official online roster page, and several high-profile names are now listed as free agents.

Fans spotted on May 8 that AJ Lee, Paige, Nikki Bella, and Brie Bella had all been moved into WWE’s free agent category. Prior to the change, AJ Lee and The Bella Twins were listed under the RAW roster section.

The update means the four stars are no longer officially assigned to a specific brand, potentially opening the door for appearances across both RAW and SmackDown moving forward.

Paige recently made her in-ring WWE return at WrestleMania 42 after stepping in for an injured Nikki Bella during the Fatal Four-Way Women’s Tag Team Championship match. Paige teamed with Brie Bella in the bout, and the duo ultimately captured the titles from The Irresistible Forces.

AJ Lee also made a major comeback to WWE last year after returning in September. Since then, she had been involved in the women’s title picture before dropping the Women’s Intercontinental Championship to Becky Lynch at WrestleMania 42.

At the moment, AJ Lee has not been featured in an active storyline, though reports indicate she is expected to resurface on WWE television ahead of a major upcoming premium live event.

While WWE has not publicly commented on the roster adjustments, placement in the free agent section typically allows talent to appear on multiple brands without being locked into one specific show.

Former NJPW Star Hiromu Takahashi Reportedly WWE-Bound, Could Use Nox Raijin Name

WWE’s recent push to recruit international talent may not be slowing down anytime soon, as another former New Japan Pro-Wrestling standout is reportedly expected to join the company.

According to a report from BodySlam, former IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Hiromu Takahashi is believed to be WWE-bound. Sources connected to the WWE Performance Center reportedly indicated that Takahashi could arrive in the company in the near future.

The report also noted that WWE may have a new ring name lined up for the longtime NJPW star: Nox Raijin.

Interestingly, that same name had previously been rumored for another recent WWE signing from Japan — former NJPW faction leader EVIL. However, WWE has since confirmed that EVIL will instead compete under the name Naraku, with the former Bullet Club member scheduled to appear on next week’s episode of NXT.

According to the report, WWE had originally planned to use the Nox Raijin name for EVIL before changing direction earlier this week and settling on Naraku instead.

Takahashi officially parted ways with NJPW earlier this year, ending a run that lasted more than 15 years with the promotion. During his time in New Japan, he became one of the company’s most recognizable junior heavyweight stars, capturing the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship five times and building a reputation for his energetic personality and high-risk in-ring style.

Following news of his departure, both WWE and AEW were mentioned as possible landing spots for Takahashi. AEW fans are already familiar with him thanks to several appearances over the years, including a match against Kyle Fletcher for the TNT Championship at the Forbidden Door pay-per-view.

Outside of NJPW and AEW, Takahashi has also competed in promotions such as CMLL and Pro Wrestling NOAH in recent years, further expanding his international profile.

If the report proves accurate, Takahashi would become another major Japanese addition to WWE’s growing global talent roster and could bring even more depth to the company’s evolving NXT landscape.

Dark Side Of The Ring Returning For Season 7 With First-Ever Multi-Part TNA Story

VICE TV’s acclaimed wrestling documentary series Dark Side of the Ring is officially coming back this summer, and Season 7 is shaping up to be one of the show’s biggest undertakings yet.

According to details released through Variety, the new season premieres on July 7 and will feature the series’ first-ever three-part documentary focused on TNA Wrestling. The episodes will center around TNA co-founder Jeff Jarrett and explore the company’s early years, including the successes, setbacks, and controversies that defined the promotion during its rise.

Series creators and executive producers Evan Husney and Jason Eisner described the upcoming season as the most ambitious in the show’s history. They specifically pointed to the TNA project as a major highlight, noting that Jarrett’s personal story of perseverance and redemption serves as the perfect backdrop for examining the promotion’s complicated legacy.

Since debuting in 2019, Dark Side of the Ring has become one of the most talked-about wrestling docuseries ever produced, diving deep into some of the industry’s most controversial and tragic stories through interviews with those directly involved.

Season 7 won’t stop with TNA. The new lineup will also include episodes focused on several notable names and moments from wrestling history, including:

  • The brutal and infamous Samoa Joe vs. Necro Butcher match
  • Former wrestling valet Missy Hyatt
  • One-legged WWE star Zach Gowen
  • WWE legend Big Boss Man
  • “Mr. Wonderful” Paul Orndorff
  • Rick Wilson, a former exotic dancer who portrayed “The Renegade”, a generic version of Ultimate Warrior.

Wilson’s story is expected to revisit his time portraying a character heavily inspired by The Ultimate Warrior during his WCW run.

VICE will kick off the season with two back-to-back episodes on premiere night before settling into its regular Tuesday night schedule at 9 PM ET for the remainder of the season.

With a mix of legendary names, controversial moments, and a deep dive into TNA’s turbulent beginnings, Season 7 looks set to continue the series’ reputation for uncovering wrestling’s most fascinating behind-the-scenes stories.

Former IWGP Champion EVIL Rebranded as Naraku, WWE NXT Debut Set

WWE is officially moving forward with its latest international signing, as the man formerly known as EVIL is set to compete on “WWE NXT” under a completely new identity.

After making a surprise appearance on last week’s episode to confront NXT Champion Tony D’Angelo, the former IWGP Heavyweight Champion has now been given a new name—Naraku. The rebrand was confirmed during this week’s show through a vignette hyping his in-ring debut for next Tuesday.

The promo didn’t waste time establishing direction either. Naraku directly addressed D’Angelo, making it clear that he’s coming after the NXT Championship. The segment closed with a simple but effective message: his debut is imminent.

Before arriving in WWE, Naraku built a dominant résumé in New Japan Pro-Wrestling, where he held multiple titles, including the IWGP Heavyweight Championship. His run in Japan came to an end earlier this year after dropping the NEVER Openweight Championship to Aaron Wolf at Wrestle Kingdom. He competed one final time the following night at New Year’s Dash!! before NJPW confirmed he would not be renewing his contract.

That departure sparked immediate speculation about his next move, with WWE quickly emerging as the likely destination. Still, his debut appearance last week came with a twist—he wasn’t identified by name, leaving fans guessing about how the company would present him.

Now, we have that answer.

The name “Naraku” carries a layered meaning. In Japanese, it translates to “abyss,” fitting his dark persona. It’s also a name familiar to anime fans from the “Inuyasha” series, though it remains to be seen if WWE leans into that connection. There’s also some curiosity about whether the name could be a subtle nod to wrestling veteran Joseph Park’s “Abyss” character, though that hasn’t been confirmed.

Interestingly, earlier reports suggested WWE might go with the name Nox Raijin, but those plans appear to have changed or the reports was false.

With a new identity and a title target already in sight, all eyes will be on next week’s NXT to see how Naraku’s first official outing unfolds—and whether he can immediately shake up the championship picture.

WWE NXT Preview 5/5/2026

WWE NXT tonight on The CW and Netflix (internationally).

  • Jasper Troy vs. Jackson Drake
  • Kali Armstrong vs. Jaida Parker
  • Mr. Iguana & Lola Vice vs. Izzi Dame & Niko Vance
  • Zaria will make an appearance

Backstage Details Emerge On WWE Releases, Pay Cuts, Contract Changes, And Talent Frustration

More details are continuing to surface regarding WWE’s recent wave of roster cuts and reported contract restructuring, with new information painting a picture of growing frustration among talent and agents alike.

According to Fightful, WWE was recently instructed to cut “millions” of dollars from its payroll and overall expenses as part of broader cost-reduction efforts under TKO Group Holdings. The situation reportedly led to a combination of releases, renegotiated contracts, and requests for wrestlers to accept major salary reductions.

The reports have generated considerable backlash throughout the wrestling industry, especially given TKO’s strong financial performance and executive compensation packages. While roster cuts are not uncommon in WWE, many within wrestling reportedly took issue with claims that some talent were asked to accept dramatic pay reductions — in certain cases allegedly totaling seven figures per year.

One of the larger concerns emerging from the situation is how it could affect future WWE contract negotiations. Sources within both the talent and agent communities reportedly believe many wrestlers may now hesitate before signing lengthy deals, particularly if there are doubts about whether the original financial terms will ultimately be honored.

Fightful also noted that in recent years WWE had approached some wrestlers about signing new contracts during overseas tours, sometimes earlier than expected. While some individuals viewed that strategy as an attempt to finalize deals before agents had an opportunity to fully evaluate the terms, the report stressed that such claims remain speculative.

On the day of the most recent roster cuts, multiple talents were reportedly informed they had just 48 hours to either accept reduced contracts or part ways with the company.

Among the most notable names connected to the situation were Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods of The New Day. According to the report, both men opted to leave WWE rather than agree to the proposed cuts, despite reportedly sacrificing millions of dollars that would have been earned over the remaining years of their deals.

The situation has drawn comparisons to comments previously made by Killer Kross, who stated in the past that he was given only one day to make a decision regarding a WWE contract offer.

There was also discussion internally about a rumored digital-focused contract for Xavier Woods, though no confirmation has surfaced regarding the reported arrangement or whether it would have restricted his ability to work with other promotions such as AEW.

Meanwhile, Fightful reported that several people within AEW are already pushing for The New Day to eventually join the company.

Another source of frustration reportedly stems from the fact that several WWE talents — including Santos Escobar and members of The New Day — had signed new contracts within the last year, in some cases without testing free agency or exploring outside offers. With WWE now revisiting or restructuring those agreements, some agents reportedly believe the company may have unintentionally weakened its own negotiating leverage in the future.

There is also concern that the strategy could benefit AEW, as frustrated wrestlers may become more willing to leave WWE while accepting lower competing offers elsewhere.

At this point, there is no confirmed list of talents who agreed to revised contracts, though reports indicate the requested pay reductions varied significantly depending on the performer.

Finally, the handling of The New Day’s departure reportedly became another internal talking point. Some individuals were said to be disappointed that WWE did not publicly acknowledge the group’s accomplishments following their exit. However, one company source claimed praise had been communicated privately and that a joint statement recognizing their contributions had originally been planned before ultimately falling through.

Report: Multiple WWE Talents Allegedly Asked To Take 50% Pay Cuts

A new report suggests WWE’s ongoing cost-cutting efforts may now be affecting active roster contracts, with at least one heavily featured talent reportedly agreeing to a major salary reduction.

According to PWInsider, a “majorly pushed” WWE star was allegedly approached last week about taking a 50% pay cut and ultimately accepted the revised deal. The identity of the performer has not been revealed, and the report stressed that the claim has not yet been fully confirmed.

Even so, the timing has raised eyebrows backstage and among fans.

The reported contract discussion reportedly took place just one day before news emerged regarding Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods departing WWE after being asked to restructure their own contracts. While details surrounding those situations remain limited, the reports have added to growing speculation that WWE and parent company TKO are aggressively looking to reduce payroll expenses.

Earlier reports indicated that TKO had instructed WWE executives to lower main roster spending, a move many believe contributed to the wave of post–WrestleMania 42 roster cuts that resulted in 25 releases on April 24.

Bryan Alvarez previously noted that the recent NXT departures were largely based on developmental evaluations, while the main roster releases appeared to be more financially motivated.

PWInsider described the situation by stating:

“A pretty majorly pushed talent who was asked to take a 50% pay cut, and allegedly did. I’m not naming the talent because I have no way, yet, to confirm this was the case, but the timing of that claim and what happened the very next day was very, very interesting, to say the least.”

The report also cautioned readers to treat the information carefully until additional confirmation surfaces.

Meanwhile, Fightful has added that multiple WWE talents have reportedly been approached regarding pay reductions, suggesting the situation may be broader than a single isolated case.

If accurate, the reports would mark a significant shift in WWE’s handling of talent contracts under the TKO banner, particularly coming so soon after WrestleMania season — traditionally one of the company’s strongest financial periods of the year.