Backlash 2026: Tampa is the first time Roman Reigns has appeared on the PLE since 2022 and the first time a PLE has been in Tampa since Hell in a Cell 2021. What has the team predicted after the craziness of Wrestlemania?
Singles Match
Iyo Sky vs Asuka
Allen: This really should have been a Mania match. It has really lost a lot of heat, especially with Kairi Sane gone. I really don’t know how they will end this. Will they even get to go full Joshi? A part of me hopes they at least steal the show. If I have to pick a winner, I’ll pick Iyo Sky.
Greg: Like Allen said, this should have been at Mania to have the proper payoff. With one of the main people in this feud sent packing, this will lose the true emotional punch of Kairi finally having enough of Asuka’s abuse and helping Iyo win.
Instead, my prediction is we will not get a classic joshi slug fest. I don’t even get these ladies to get even close to 10 minutes to tell their story. (Gotta push them ads yo,) This will be a feud that ends with a whimper, a predictable but underwhelming Iyo Sky victory.
BigFreaky: It’s weird how we “might” have had this at Mania, but we didn’t. We had to make room for more commercials. Since everyone is going with Iyo, I think I’m gonna go with Asuka… with a returning Kairi interference!
Justin: With Kairi gone and them not even wanting to put this match at Mania, It doesn’t feel like WWE cares that much. If anything, they’ll go with the younger one, Iyo Sky, in this particular case.
Singles Match
Seth Rollins vs Bron Breakker
Allen: Probably the match I’m most interested in seeing. They have been beating each other up since Wrestlemania and taking others with them, like the Street Profits and Joe Hendry. I can see a bunch of craziness and interference to give Bron Breakker the win, especially coming off his injury.
Greg: Bron wins. More ads after.
BigFreaky: Bron can’t lose after all this? Another match that was supposed to be at Mania but was changed due to several issues. Bron, but I think it will be sneaky.
Justin: Seth hasn’t necessarily been standing tall leading up to Backlash. But on the other hand, Bron Breakker needs to look strong upon his return. I think Rollins can take a loss more than Bron. Bron Breakker wins, eventually elevating him toward the main event.
Single’s Match for the United States Championship
Trick Williams (c) vs Sami Zayn
Allen: Continuing the feud, hopefully, they get to put on a longer match than the one they had at Wrestlemania. The double turn of course happened, and now they just have to solidify it. I don’t see Sami winning the title back this soon. Keep that rocket on Trick Williams.
Greg: Sami is not getting this belt back right away. At least that is what logic would tell you. This is the fed where AI is apparently writing the storylines, so I’m hoping the chatbot picks Trick Williams.
BigFreaky: Trick gonna whoop that trick, Sami. No way Sami is getting the belt back.
Justin: I’ll keep saying it, I’m a Sami Zayn fan. But in this case, it’s quite simple. There’s no way Trick Williams is losing his belt.
Tag Team Match
Danhausen and Mystery Partner vs The Miz and Kit Wilson
Allen: It’s going to be Cena-hausen, isn’t it? I’ve been enjoying the Miz and Danhausen vignettes, a testament to the Miz doing everything asked of him. Danhausen is one of the most over people on the roster now. Gotta keep him strong; the winners are Danhausen and Mystery Partner.
Greg: Whenever Miz is involved in a match like this, it’s guaranteed he’s staring up at the lights. As for who Danhausen’s partner is? No idea. I would not be surprised if it’s Jelly Hausen or another singer, athlete, or whoever paid TKO a bunch of money to sit at commentary and say nothing. Danhausen and partner win.
BigFreaky: WeitsmanHausen gonna get the W.
Justin: It better not be a random celebrity. I think they could do a fakeout with Cena, who will be there for his announcement. But I’ll go with CM Punk/Mystery Partner and Danhausen for the win.
Singles Match for the World Heavyweight Championship
Roman Reigns (c) vs Jacob Fatu
Allen: Well, we have The Bloodline 2.0 and Roman with his old theme, it’s like we went back three years. As much as I like Jacob Fatu, it looks like the crowd has turned on him. I can see Roman making Jacob look strong only to have the Usos mess everything up. Winner is Roman Reigns.
Greg: I would love for Jacob Fatu to win. LOVE. But Allen has already laid out what will happen: Shenanigans and a win for the Tribal Chief. Roman for the win.
BigFreaky: Let me just go with the wildcard again here since everyone is taking the easy street with Roman. Jacob is gonna get an upset victory. How else can “The Summer of Roman” not happen when he isn’t advertised…
Justin: Roman Reigns wins at Backlash. Jacob Fatu will be forced to join the new rendition of The Bloodline. And Fatu will win it down the line.
Wrestlemania 42 Results
Night 1
Allen: 5-7
Greg: 6-7
BigFreaky: 3-7
Justin: 5-7
Night 2
Allen: 6-6
Greg: 4-6
BigFreaky: 6-6
Justin: 6-6
On Night 1, thanks to Paige, none of us got the women’s tag match right. However on Night 2 we got three perfect predictions. It was hard to go against the grain, as it felt pretty obvious who the winners would be in the end.
Predictions Count
Allen: 14-21
Greg: 14-21
BigFreaky: 12-21
Justin: 16-21
Wrestlemania has brought us closer to our predictions. Justin still leads the pack with 16, serving as the lead booker on the Selective Hearing team. I hope WWE can give us more than four matches at the upcoming PLEs so we can have some variety and mix things up in our choices.
