WWE Backlash 2026 is set to feature five matches, potentially concluding several ongoing storylines. Predictions suggest a significant title change could occur, particularly regarding Roman Reigns' championship status.
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Who will set the stage for the next chapter in WWE?
There is no better way to gain momentum as the new year in wrestling begins than at Backlash, the first premium live event after WrestleMania. Five matches are scheduled to take place, all with blood that has been boiling for quite some time. Most of the storylines could be coming to an end at this event, so it's imperative to get the final word and use it as a launching pad to more success in the coming months.
Could a monumental shift happen and a top dog come out of the night? Here are the predictions for Backlash 2026:
WrestleMania showcases a mix of highâprofile matchups and crowdâdriven moments across its biggest stages.
See scenes from WrestleMania as competition unfolds and postâmatch 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.
Five matches are scheduled for WWE Backlash 2026, each tied to ongoing storylines.
Predictions indicate that there is a possibility Roman Reigns may drop his title during the event.
Backlash serves as a crucial event to conclude storylines and set the stage for future developments in WWE.
WWE Backlash is the first premium live event after WrestleMania, marking a key moment for momentum in the wrestling year.
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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 showcases a mix of highâprofile matchups and crowdâdriven moments across its biggest stages.
See scenes from WrestleMania as competition unfolds and postâmatch 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 showcases a mix of highâprofile matchups and crowdâdriven moments across its biggest stages.
See scenes from WrestleMania as competition unfolds and postâmatch 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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
This match is probably happening too early, which means there will be some more battles to happen. A bout that really pits the veteran vs. the future star in one that has plenty of stakes for how the main event scene can unfold. Breakker has shown he is just too savvy for Rollins to keep up with, unleashing attacks with every encounter since WrestleMania. It will help that Breakker has The Vision on his side, and this might be the time Bronson Reed comes back to get The Vision back at full strength. Rollins will have no choice but to seek help afterward to put the stable away. Winner: Bron Breakker.
There are so many problems with this match, from it not taking place at WrestleMania to the obvious loss of Kairi Sane that really takes away the luster. Still, these are two incredible athletes that will put on a quality match. Could WWE realize the mistake it made and bring Sane back? Maybe, but don't count on it. After being a thorn in her side for so long, Sky is able to finally vanquish Asuka and move onto chasing titles. Winner: Iyo Sky.
Literally anyone could be Danhausen's mysterious partnerhausen. An actual legit star like CM Punk or some out-of-the-box pick like Stephen A Smith? Who knows. But what we do know is Danhausen is one of the hottest stars in WWE, and you can't put out a flame like that in their first premium live event match. It doesn't matter who joins him, Danhausen and other star join forces to put on some major hijinx to win. Winner: Danhausen and mystery partner.
Danhausen is introduced during WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium on April 19, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
This is really the only plausible WrestleMania rematch, but even then it mostly felt like this story was done. Clearly, this is being done to really get the heel turn of Zayn. One of the smartest things to do is listen to how the crowd reacts and buy into it, and WWE has done that with Zayn. At the same time, you have to continue building up Williams as a potential main event player. Williams retains to finally put an end to this feud. Winner: Trick Williams.
There has been so much talk about the future of Reigns and how much it plays into this match. There's no way a top-tier star like Reigns can just drop the title less than a month after winning it? It would be a major shock factor, but the payoff doesn't look that great. Fatu puts up a great showing to show he can stand toe-to-toe with his cousin, but Reigns will be able to end up on top. The Usos could have something to do with it, but a Reigns victory then advances what's going on and whether Fatu falls in line as we get The Bloodline 2.0. Winner: Roman Reigns.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: WWE Backlash 2026 predictions: Roman Reigns really losing? Full picks