Tag: wwe backlash 2026

WWE Backlash 2026 Global Start Times: US, UK, Australia and more

Posted on by Jake Skudder

WWE Backlash 2026 takes place from Tampa’s Benchmark International Arena on Saturday, May 9 and WWE has shifted the bell time, likely to try and not crossover with the UFC 328 Main Card.

WWE Backlash 2026 key details

  • Date: Saturday, May 9, 2026.
  • Venue: Benchmark International Arena, Tampa, Florida.
  • Main card U.S. start time: 6 p.m. ET / 3 p.m. PT
  • U.S. streaming: ESPN / ESPN Unlimited.
  • International streaming: Netflix in the UK, Australia and dozens of other territories.

Global start times: US, UK, Australia and more

Assuming the confirmed 6 p.m. Eastern bell time sticks, here’s how WWE Backlash 2026 lines up around the world for the main card:

WWE Backlash 2026 main card start times

Region / CityLocal DateLocal TimeNotes
U.S. East (New York)Sat, May 96:00 p.m.ESPN / ESPN Unlimited main card. 
U.S. Central (Chicago)Sat, May 95:00 p.m.One hour earlier than the standard PPV slot. 
U.S. Mountain (Denver)Sat, May 94:00 p.m.Afternoon start, ideal for family viewing. 
U.S. Pacific (Los Angeles)Sat, May 93:00 p.m.Lines up with big‑fight weekend strategy vs. UFC. 
UK (London)Sun, May 1011:00 p.m.Live on Netflix in the UK. 
Western Europe (Paris/Berlin)Mon, May 1112:00 a.m.True midnight start, still manageable for hardcore fans. 
India (New Delhi)Mon, May 113:30 a.m.Classic “early‑morning grind” time for Indian fans.
Australia (Sydney)Mon, May 118:00 a.m.Monday breakfast show, streaming via Netflix. 
Australia (Perth)Mon, May 116:00 a.m.Perfect commute‑time viewing slot. 
New Zealand (Auckland)Mon, May 1110:00 a.m.Late‑morning PLE for Kiwi fans. 

Arena advertises John Cena for WWE Backlash

Posted on by Bryan Rose

John Cena may be heading to Backlash.

Benchmark International Area, which will host WWE’s PLE next Saturday, is advertising Cena for the show on May 9 in Tampa.

“JOHN CENA RETURNS TO TAMPA AT BACKLASH!,” their website states.

WWE has not confirmed Cena’s involvement. Shortly after WrestleMania 42, however, Cena hinted he may have “something epic” for next Saturday’s event.

“Man if only it were 2023 again!! I might have different business at @WWE #Backlash Alas, the years pass. I am still gonna try to do something epic in Tampa for 5/9. I promised Club WWE something special… stay tuned,” he wrote, mentioning WWE’s new fan club experience.

Backlash is set to feature Jacob Fatu challenging Roman Reigns for the World Heavyweight Championship. The two will meet face-to-face on Monday, just days prior to the PLE.

Here is the current lineup for Backlash:

WWE Backlash (May 9)

  • World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns defends against Jacob Fatu
  • United States Champion Trick Williams defends against Sami Zayn
  • IYO SKY vs. Asuka
  • Seth Rollins vs. Bron Breakker
  • The Miz & Kit Wilson vs. Danhausen and a tag team partner TBD

Two new matches announced for WWE Backlash

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Two new matches are set for next weekend in Tampa.

On SmackDown, Sami Zayn brought the Gingerbread Man outfit to the ring and eventually became irate over being disrespected. He took out his frustrations on the Gingerbread Man outfit, ripping it apart. Trick Williams came to the ring for the “save” but somehow determined the Gingerbread Man was “injured” as if he were an actual physical being. Later backstage, Trick Williams appeared at WWE’s medical area and said Zayn had crossed a line, setting up their match for next Saturday.

Later, the announcers confirmed that the Gingerbread Man had “died” and a funeral would be held next week on SmackDown. 

Also on Friday, The Miz and Kit Wilson were once again fooled by Danhausen, falling for a trap they had set up for him and covering themselves in powder as a result. As Danhausen was throwing out merchandise, the two arrived and started to argue with one another, with The Miz saying he wanted to become Danhausen’s mentor. But it was all a trap as Miz laid out Danhausen with the skull crushing finale, leaving him laying.

Backstage, Nick Aldis told Danhausen he could face the two at Backlash, but would need a tag team partner.

WWE Backlash (May 9)

  • World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns defends against Jacob Fatu
  • United States Champion Trick Williams defends against Sami Zayn
  • IYO SKY vs. Asuka
  • Seth Rollins vs. Bron Breakker
  • The Miz & Kit Wilson vs. Danhausen and a tag team partner TBD

First three matches announced for WWE Backlash

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Three matches are now set for Backlash.

The main event segment of Monday’s Raw saw Roman Reigns come out and ask Jacob Fatu for his decision, hoping for Fatu to unite the family instead of trying to divide it. Fatu said he didn’t need a week, a day, an hour: he needed the title. Fatu said that he grinded for everything he did and never heard from Reigns or The Usos and it was Solo who contacted him and brought him to WWE. 

As Reigns started with his reply, Fatu grew irate and attacked the tribal chief, applying the Tongan death grip. Once he was done Fatu started to leave, but Reigns recovered enough to tell his relative that he’ll see him at Backlash on May 9 in Tampa.

In addition, IYO SKY will face Asuka. SKY challenged Becky Lynch for the Women’s Intercontinental title, but Asuka’s interference cost her the match. Later in a promo, Asuka said she wasn’t done with SKY, saying all she did was try and teach her former student but now nothing would stop her from destroying SKY. But she would teach her pupil one final lesson at Backlash: she is not and never will be ready for Asuka.

The opening segment of the show saw Seth Rollins come out and blame Bron Breakker for his loss at WrestleMania against Gunther. Breakker came out and the two exchanged words, with Rollins telling Breakker he “wasn’t ready.” Breakker said he was on his way to becoming a main eventer without Rollins and told the former World Champion that he was the very best at being number two.

Rollins issued the challenge for Backlash and left, but not before hurling one final insult, telling “Steiner” that he wasn’t even number two in his family.

WWE Backlash (May 9):

  • World Champion Roman Reigns defends against Jacob Fatu
  • Seth Rollins vs. Bron Breakker
  • IYO SKY vs. Asuka

WWE reveals date and location for Backlash 2026

Posted on by Joseph Currier

WWE Backlash 2026 will have a different location than expected.

Last month, it was reported that WWE was planning to hold Backlash in San Juan, Puerto Rico. That won’t be the case, though, with Paul “Triple H” Levesque announcing today that Tampa, Florida will host the PLE. It’s set for Benchmark International Arena on Saturday, May 9.

Backlash will be the first WWE PLE to take place after WrestleMania 42, which is being held in Las Vegas this April. The road to WrestleMania officially kicks off with today’s Royal Rumble event.

“We are moments away from the Royal Rumble here in Saudi Arabia. An epic night, the road to WrestleMania begins. But when WrestleMania finishes, there’s a big event called Backlash,” Levesque said. “Here tonight I’m going to let you know that on Saturday, May 9 [at] Benchmark International Arena, Tampa, Florida — Backlash returns. It’s going to be big. So Tampa, Florida, I’ve just got one question: are you ready?”

Benchmark International Arena is the home of NHL team the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Last year’s edition of Backlash took place in St. Louis, Missouri and was headlined by John Cena vs. Randy Orton. The two years prior to that, the PLE was held in Lyon, France and San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Here’s a look at the updated WWE PLE calendar over the next several months:

  • Saturday, January 31: Royal Rumble in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
  • Saturday, February 28: Elimination Chamber at United Center in Chicago, Illinois
  • Saturday, April 18 and Sunday, April 19: WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada.
  • Saturday, May 9: Backlash at Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Florida
  • Saturday, August 1 and Sunday, August 2: SummerSlam at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota
  • Sunday, September 6: Money in the Bank at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana

Report: WWE Backlash 2026 location revealed

Posted on by Joseph Currier

The WWE PLE schedule for 2026 could include a return to Puerto Rico.

Post Wrestling reports that WWE Backlash 2026 is set to be held in San Juan, Puerto Rico in May. There has been no official announcement from WWE, but Post Wrestling notes that the company’s internal calendar currently has the PLE listed for Saturday, May 9, 2026.

“The promotion is set to stage Backlash in San Juan, Puerto Rico, according to multiple sources who informed John Pollock and Brandon Thurston,” the report said. “While we have not confirmed the exact date, a source with access to an internal calendar indicates Backlash is listed for Saturday, May 9.”

This would be WWE’s first time back to Puerto Rico since 2023, when San Juan also hosted that year’s edition of Backlash. That PLE was largely centered around music superstar and Puerto Rico native Bad Bunny competing. He defeated Damian Priest in a San Juan Street Fight at the event.

Bad Bunny — who is set to headline the Super Bowl halftime show in February — remains in contact with WWE and has said he would like to wrestle again. A huge wrestling fan, he was recently spotted in the crowd at a CMLL show wearing a mask.

The Backlash PLE is scheduled to take place just a few weeks after WrestleMania 42, with Las Vegas hosting Mania on Saturday, April 18 and Sunday, April 19.

Before Backlash 2023, the most recent WWE PLE to be held in Puerto Rico was New Year’s Revolution 2005.