WWE's Backlash 2026 successfully set the tone for the new year with strong matches, including a highlight bout between Iyo Sky and Asuka. The event featured five solid matches, culminating in a title match between Roman Reigns and Jacob Fatu.
Key points
WWE Backlash 2026 took place on May 9.
Iyo Sky vs. Asuka was the top match.
The event featured five solid matches.
Roman Reigns faced Jacob Fatu in the title match.
Backlash aimed to improve on WrestleMania 42's reviews.
WWE's first premium live event of its new year took place Saturday, May 9 with Backlash 2026, and it was necessary to put on a successful show after the up-and-down reviews of WrestleMania 42. Consider the job done, as the night had some great matches put on, from Bron Breakker and Seth Rollins starting the event to it ending with the title match between Roman Reigns and Jacob Fatu.
The five matches were solid. Which ones were the best?
Here are the USA TODAY Sports match rankings and grades for Backlash 2026:
1. Iyo Sky vs. Asuka
There was no way these two would let their match be anything less than spectacular. Two of the best at their game seemingly had the freedom to do whatever they wanted. They let their emotions into it and you could tell how much this meant to them. They each got to display their art in beautiful fashion. Of course, everyone wishes Kairi Sane was part of this, but when you consider this match by itself, it was another classic by Sky and Asuka, and if this is the end of their time together in WWE, they went out with a bang.
Grade: A
Asuka in action against IYO SKY during WWE Raw at Sames Auto Arena on April 27, 2026 in Laredo, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/WWE Via Getty Images)
Asuka in action against IYO SKY during WWE Raw at Sames Auto Arena on April 27, 2026 in Laredo, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/WWE Via Getty Images)
2. Seth Rollins vs. Bron Breakker
Q&A
What were the top matches at WWE Backlash 2026?
The top match at WWE Backlash 2026 was Iyo Sky vs. Asuka, along with a title match between Roman Reigns and Jacob Fatu.
How did WWE Backlash 2026 compare to WrestleMania 42?
WWE Backlash 2026 was seen as a successful follow-up to WrestleMania 42, which received mixed reviews, with Backlash delivering solid performances across five matches.
When did WWE Backlash 2026 take place?
WWE Backlash 2026 took place on Saturday, May 9.
Who were the winners at WWE Backlash 2026?
The article does not specify all winners, but it highlights Iyo Sky vs. Asuka as a key match and mentions a title match featuring Roman Reigns.
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What a way to set the bar right out of the gate. Rollins and Breakker both put everything on the table and the pace was high from beginning to end. There was one minor botch that kept it from being a perfectly run match, but credit to both for thinking on the fly to make it less awkward. Minimal interference didn't taint the result, and the ending sequence was executed to a tee, a beautiful bow on an excellent match.
Grade: A
3. World Heavyweight Championship match: Roman Reigns (c) vs. Jacob Fatu
Reigns has been on a heater recently, and he continued to deliver while Fatu again displayed his insane level of talent to match his intensity. The energy was great from start to end, and credit Reigns for making sure to prop up Fatu to keep his allure up. The only ding would be it featured some of the same moves being consistently used, but they didn't get boring.
Grade: A-
WrestleMania showcases a mix of high‑profile matchups and crowd‑driven moments across its biggest stages.
See scenes from WrestleMania as competition unfolds and post‑match celebrations follow.
Above, LA Knight celebrates alongside The Usos following their pinfall victory over The Vision and IShowSpeed on Night One of WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on April 18, 2026.
LA Knight lands a punch against Logan Paul on night one of WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium on April 18, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Austin Theory, IShowSpeed and Logan Paul enter the arena during the first night of WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium on April 18, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
LA Knight enters the ring on the first night of WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium on April 18, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The Usos enters the ring during the first night of WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium on April 18, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
John Cena enters the ring at the start of the first night to host WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium on April 18, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Building wraps for WrestleMania 42 are shown on the exterior of Allegiant Stadium on April 17, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nevada. The WWE's flagship event will be held at the venue on April 18th and 19th.
1 / 7
WrestleMania 42 delivers the biggest WWE moments, wins and emotion
WrestleMania showcases a mix of high‑profile matchups and crowd‑driven moments across its biggest stages.
See scenes from WrestleMania as competition unfolds and post‑match celebrations follow.
Above, LA Knight celebrates alongside The Usos following their pinfall victory over The Vision and IShowSpeed on Night One of WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on April 18, 2026.
1 / 7
WrestleMania 42 delivers the biggest WWE moments, wins and emotion
WrestleMania showcases a mix of high‑profile matchups and crowd‑driven moments across its biggest stages.
See scenes from WrestleMania as competition unfolds and post‑match celebrations follow.
Above, LA Knight celebrates alongside The Usos following their pinfall victory over The Vision and IShowSpeed on Night One of WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on April 18, 2026.
2 / 7
WrestleMania 42 delivers the biggest WWE moments, wins and emotion
LA Knight lands a punch against Logan Paul on night one of WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium on April 18, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
3 / 7
WrestleMania 42 delivers the biggest WWE moments, wins and emotion
Austin Theory, IShowSpeed and Logan Paul enter the arena during the first night of WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium on April 18, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
4 / 7
WrestleMania 42 delivers the biggest WWE moments, wins and emotion
LA Knight enters the ring on the first night of WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium on April 18, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
5 / 7
WrestleMania 42 delivers the biggest WWE moments, wins and emotion
The Usos enters the ring during the first night of WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium on April 18, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
6 / 7
WrestleMania 42 delivers the biggest WWE moments, wins and emotion
John Cena enters the ring at the start of the first night to host WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium on April 18, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
7 / 7
WrestleMania 42 delivers the biggest WWE moments, wins and emotion
Building wraps for WrestleMania 42 are shown on the exterior of Allegiant Stadium on April 17, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nevada. The WWE's flagship event will be held at the venue on April 18th and 19th.
4. United States Championship match: Trick Williams (c) vs. Sami Zayn
Rematches always need to elevate the feud, not dampen it. This one did have a rather funky start and took some time to really get going. Williams and Zayn played heavily on the crowd reactions, and both stars got pretty desperate in wanting to win, whether it was the challenger getting dirty, or Lil' Yachty not letting his friend lose the title. This one was better than the first match at WrestleMania, but not by a large amount.
Grade: B
5. Danhausen and Minihausen vs. The Miz and Kit Wilson
This one was a friendly reminder that not all wrestling needs to be that serious. It was pure comedy all the way, and it paid off to dive fully into the shenanigans. For as ridiculous as it was, there was some good wrestling here, with Minihausen stealing the show and Danhausen reminding people he's not all just comedy work. This was far from an amazing wrestling match, but at least you can say you were entertained.
Grade: C+
Backlash 2026 overall grade
Backlash did a great job of keeping the interest going as we roll into summer. Most of the matches were great, and it's noticeable how WWE will give more time to them when there aren't as many on the card, which is a frustrating aspect fans are dealing with. It shows how much it helps when you let matches develop instead of feeling rushed. While it was a successful night, it's tough to say if these are matches that you'll remember by the end of the year. Don't let that take away from what was a great start to the next year of wresting.
