Predicting The Card For WWE Backlash 2026 After WrestleMania 42

Published: 2 hours ago by SP3 | Last Updated: 2 hours ago by SP3

Born in Harlem, New York and now living in the Bronx, Sid Pullar III aka SP3 is a lifelong wrestling fan who has been covering the industry for over nine years as a podcaster and writer. His passion for the industry has been documented with over 3,000 videos on YouTube and 8,000 written pieces across multiple outlets, such as WrestleTalk, Sports Illustrated and more.

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Predicting The Card For WWE Backlash 2026 After WrestleMania 42

Now that WrestleMania 42 is now in the books, WWE will aim towards ITS next major premium live event with Backlash 2026 on Saturday, May 9.

From Tampa, Florida, the company will look to assemble a formidable card that will follow up on the momentum from Mania and kick off the new year on the right foot.

From title matches to new grudges that stem from the events that took place at ‘The Show of Shows,’ there could be plenty that will transpire at the upcoming Backlash 2026 show.

Here are our potential predictions for the card for WWE Backlash 2026 after WrestleMania 42.

Undisputed WWE Championship Last Man Standing Match: Cody Rhodes (c) vs. Randy Orton

Randy Orton and Cody Rhodes at WWE WrestleMania 42

Although Cody Rhodes retained the Undisputed WWE Championship at WrestleMania 42, Randy Orton was the last man standing

At WrestleMania 42 Night One, Cody Rhodes defeated Randy Orton to retain the Undisputed WWE Championship.

Following the loss, Orton grabbed the WWE Title and blasted a bloody Rhodes with the gold, laying him out.

To add insult to injury, ‘The Viper’ then delivered the Punt Kick for the first time since 2020 on ‘The American Nightmare.’

This should set the stage for their rivalry to continue at WWE Backlash 2026 where Orton and Rhodes could do battle in a Last Man Standing Match for the gold in Tampa.

IYO SKY vs. Asuka

IYO SKY vs Asuka was reportedly planned for WrestleMania 42

On the road to WrestleMania 42, it looked like IYO SKY and Asuka were set to collide in a singles match on the card.

However, the two ladies were left off of the two-night premium live event with SKY only showing up to help Rhea Ripley fight off Jade Cargill’s lackeys in Michin and B-Fab.

While her friend Ripley is now the WWE Women’s Champion, SKY can now focus on settling the score with ‘The Empress of Tomorrow’ once and for all.

IYO facing Asuka could be a memorable grudge match that has what it takes to be a showstealer on the WWE Backlash 2026 card.

WWE Intercontinental Championship: Penta (c) vs. Je’Von Evans

Penta retained the Intercontinental Championship at WrestleMania 42

At the WWE WrestleMania 42 Night Two premium live event, Penta defeated Je’Von Evans, Rusev, JD McDonagh, Dragon Lee and Rey Mysterio in a ladder match to retain the Intercontinental Championship.

This bout was filled with highlights throughout with Evans most notably standing out for his amazing athleticism.

In the end, ‘The Young OG’ delivered a massive OG Cutter to Rusev off a ladder, but then took the Mexican Destroyer from Penta before he retrieved the title.

After coming so close, Evans should be in line to challenge Penta for the IC Title in Tampa at WWE Backlash 2026.

WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship: Becky Lynch (c) vs. Sol Ruca

Sol Ruca defeated Bayley at WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event: John Cena’s Final Match

After submitting on three occasions against her rival, Becky Lynch finally defeated AJ Lee to win the WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship at WrestleMania 42 Night One.

Now that she has lost the gold, Lee looks set to take some time off from WWE before eventually making her return again down the line.

Lynch has made the Women’s IC Title her own and has become known for trying to put a bigger spotlight on younger talent, such as Lyra Valkyria and Maxxine Dupri.

With many fans expecting her main roster callup, Sol Ruca could debut on the WWE Raw after WrestleMania 42 and become the top contender to go after Becky’s gold for a big time title bout at WWE Backlash 2026.

WWE United States Championship: Trick Williams (c) vs. Sami Zayn vs. Carmelo Hayes

WWE stars Carmelo Hayes, Trick Williams, Sami Zayn and Lil Yachty

Many fans believed Carmelo Hayes should have been added to Trick Williams vs Sami Zayn at WrestleMania 42

One of the big winners of WrestleMania 42 weekend had to be Trick Williams, who captured his first singles title in the United States Championship from Sami Zayn on Night Two.

Coming into Mania, the US Title picture was centered on Williams, Zayn and former champion Carmelo Hayes.

After being on the outside looking in on ‘The Showcase of the Immortals,’ Hayes should want to find himself back in the mix to regain his gold.

This could lead to a three-way match with Trick defending the US Title against Sami and Melo at WWE Backlash 2026 in what could be a thrilling contest that might see anyone walk out as champion.

WWE Women’s Championship: Rhea Ripley (c) vs. Jade Cargill

Rhea Ripley vs Jade Cargill at WrestleMania 42 was their first one on one match

At WWE WrestleMania 42 Night Two, Rhea Ripley defeated Jade Cargill to retain the WWE Women’s Championship.

Cargill tried to use the backup of Michin and B-Fab, but that was thwarted by the involvement of IYO SKY who had her friend’s back here.

After the impressive showing by both women, WWE should run this encounter back sooner rather than later.

Rhea defending the WWE Women’s Title against Jade should make for a solid rematch at WWE Backlash 2026 to put a bow on their rivalry that has spanned the past few months.

Seth Rollins vs. Bron Breakker

Bron Breakker returned at WrestleMania with a spear to Roman Reigns to cost him his match against GUNTHER

Seth Rollins had his in-ring return against GUNTHER at the WWE WrestleMania 42 Night One premium live event.

However, this return did not go well after Bron Breakker made his own comeback to demolish Seth with a spear that led to GUNTHER picking up the win.

Back in October 2025, it was Breakker who led the way for The Vision to turn on Rollins. Seth would get a measure of revenge by donning a mask and making his former group’s lives a living hell at the start of 2026.

Now, Rollins looks set to collide with Breakker in a grudge match on the WWE Backlash 2026 premium live event from Tampa, Florida.

World Heavyweight Championship: Roman Reigns (c) vs. GUNTHER

Roman Reigns and GUNTHER were the final two in the 2026 Royal Rumble

Roman Reigns is back at the mountaintop of WWE after defeating CM Punk to win the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 42 Night Two.

Meanwhile, GUNTHER beat Seth Rollins in one of the best matches of the weekend to put himself right back into contention for the top prize on Monday Night Raw.

In what would be a first time meeting, ‘The Ring General’ could be positioned as the top contender to challenge ‘The OTC’ at WWE Backlash 2026.

Reigns defending the World Heavyweight Championship should be the main event of Backlash and might not have a bigger match for him right now quite like GUNTHER – with the exception of Reigns vs Oba Femi potentially taking place in the summer.