WWE Backlash 2026 Matches Canceled

WWE

With WWE Backlash 2026 fast approaching, the upcoming event has changed shape over the course of the weeks leading up.

Stacked closely to the two-night extravaganza of WrestleMania 42, there have been some anticipated matches canceled ahead of the Tampa, Florida event this Saturday.

Here are six WWE Backlash 2026 matches that ended up scrapped in the end.

6. Liv Morgan vs. Stephanie Vaquer

One rematch from WrestleMania 42 that was derailed from happening at Backlash 2026 was that between WWE Women’s World Champion Liv Morgan and Stephanie Vaquer.

With Vaquer picking up a loss at WrestleMania 42 to Morgan, it seemed likely that she could end up going to war with Liv again for the title in Tampa.

After Stephanie Vaquer suffered a legitimate second-degree shoulder (AC joint) sprain, her absence was covered by a backstage attack by Roxanne Perez and Raquel Rodriguez.

Reportedly out of action for several weeks, it seems that a rematch between these two will have to wait a bit longer.

5. Brie Bella & Paige vs. Irresistible Forces (Nia Jax & Lash Legend)

After toppling several teams to have a major WrestleMania moment, the duo of Brie Bella and Paige would have seemed likely to face challengers at the upcoming WWE Backlash PLE.

However while the showdown isn’t set for the Backlash 2026 card, it instead took place on SmackDown ahead of the event.

On Friday, May 1, the duo of Bella & Paige retained the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship against the former champs.

4. CM Punk vs. Roman Reigns

After his loss to Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 42, CM Punk could have certainly come back around to get a rematch with Reigns.

With some reports speculating that Punk was pitched to retain at WrestleMania 42 only to end up dropping the title to Reigns at Backlash, that ended up not coming to fruition in the end.

Despite no Punk on the Backlash 2026 card, there is still a major match on the card for the WWE World Champion Roman Reigns, facing off against fan favorite Jacob Fatu.

With a new iteration of the Bloodline saga seemingly kicking off on WWE Raw, there could be some very interesting moments ahead this summer for Roman Reigns – including a long awaited showdown with Seth Rollins.

After footage of Roman Reigns being infuriated by Rollins’ recent interruption of him on the Netflix show, there seems to be tension building for later this summer despite Reigns’ plans to be largely absent from TV in the month of June.

3. IYO SKY vs. Asuka vs. Kairi Sane

After months of a storyline building between IYO SKY and Asuka & Kairi Sane, there would come surprising news as a part of the recent WWE releases.

Kairi Sane was among the names of talent that have parted ways with WWE after WrestleMania 42.

But for fans of Sane, is seems that all hope may not be lost with bubbling rumors coming to light that her time with the company may not be entirely over.

With a recent report that internally, some in WWE are expecting to see Sane make an appearance at WWE Backlash 2026 to resolve the storyline, we’ll have to stay tuned to find out.

2. Giulia vs. Tiffany Stratton

One bout that occurred not at WrestleMania 42 but on a recent edition of WWE SmackDown was Tiffany Stratton besting Giulia for the WWE United States Women’s Championship.

After reclaiming the United States Championship from Chelsea Green in January 2026, Giulia held the title previously as well, marking two reigns lasting over 100 days each.

With one of the five bouts currently set for the show set to feature the women’s division with IYO SKY taking on Asuka, perhaps another match is yet to be announced.

Kicking up a new rivalry between Stratton and Giulia could be the perfect way to continue to feature both on TV through the summer.

1. Randy Orton & Pat McAfee vs. Cody Rhodes & Jelly Roll

While Cody Rhodes escaped WrestleMania 42 with his Undisputed WWE Championship in the end, it certainly wasn’t unscathed. With Randy Orton viciously attacking Rhodes after the match, it seemed that the feud between the pair was far from over.

Plans before WrestleMania 42 called for Orton and Pat McAfee to team up against Rhodes and Jelly Roll, before McAfee made the decision to remove himself from the storyline and WWE TV.

With Rhodes seemingly pivoted into a feud with GUNTHER that could certainly end up being the main event for the June Clash of Champions PLE in Saudi Arabia, he may have to settle his score with Orton at SummerSlam instead.

After GUNTHER picked up a loss to Rhodes in November 2025 in a match for the inaugural WWE Crown Jewel Championship, it could be that this time GUNTHER comes out on top.

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