3 Backlash 2026 matches canceled by WWE

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Moreover, Seth Rollins vs. Bron Breakker, IYO Sky vs. Asuka, has also been announced. Besides this, John Cena has confirmed his presence for the upcoming PLE and promises to deliver a massive announcement.

Though this lineup seems promising for the Backlash Premium Live event, there are three matches WWE canceled as part of its original plans. In this article, we will look at three Backlash 2026 matches canceled by the Stamford-based promotion.

#3. Roman Reigns vs CM Punk for the World Heavyweight Championship

The OG Bloodline leader defeated CM Punk at WrestleMania 42 on Sunday and became the new World Heavyweight Champion. However, these weren’t the original plans by the Triple H creative regime.

According to the update from Wrestling Observer Newsletter, one of the pitches was for the Second City Saint to retain the title at the Showcase of Immortals. Later, Punk drops the title to Roman at Backlash 2026 in a rematch.

So, the endgame was the OTC to win the Championship, but not at Mania. If this thing happened, then not Roman vs. Jacob but Reigns vs, Punk was originally planned to happen.

Meanwhile, WWE changed the plans and crowned the Only Tribal Chief as the new Champion at the Grandest Stage of Them All.

“It was possible and apparently talked about that Punk could beat Reigns and then lose the title at Backlash, so they’d be ‘even’ when it was over but Reigns would end up as champion, as a way to protect Punk’s position. But the decision in the end was for Reigns to win here.”

Though a rematch between Roman and Punk could indeed have attracted big numbers for Backlash 2026, the OTC crowning as new Champion at Mania seems more perfect.

#2. Liv Morgan vs. Stephanie Vaquer for the WWE Women’s World title

Liv Morgan is the current Women’s World Champion on Monday Night RAW. The Judgment Day member defeated Stephanie Vaquer at WrestleMania 42. On RAW after Mania 42, WWE confirmed that Liv and Vaquer are far from over.

Soon, the Judgment Day members attacked Stephanie in a recent episode of the red brand and put her on hiatus from WWE. The Stamford-based promotion announced the former champion’s injury.

This angle was done as La Primera was suffering from a real-life injury. Reports revealed that a Women’s World Championship match between Morgan and Vaquer was in discussion before Stephanie’s injury.

So, it seems that the Vaquer injury canceled the original plans for WWE Backlash 2026 and pulled this WrestleMania rematch. As of writing, there is no update on Stephanie Vaquer’s in-ring comeback. She is expected to be out for at least a six-week absence and hopes that she will return in time for SummerSlam this year.

#1. Randy Orton and Pat McAfee vs Randy Orton & Jelly Roll in a tag team match

On the road to WrestleMania 42, Pat McAfee was incorporated into the Randy Orton vs. Cody Rhodes Undisputed WWE title storyline. This led to Jelly Roll inclusion who works as a babyface star with the American Nightmare.

The inclusion of celebrities in the Viper vs. the Prodigal Son feud got major heat from fans, as everyone was unhappy with this decision. However, reports disclosed that WWE earlier planned a tag team match between Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton for Backlash 2026.

Here, Rhodes teams up with Jelly Roll against the alliance of the Viper and Pat McAfee. Considering the negative reaction online, WWE dropped this angle and prefers to scrap the entire storyline.

As of now, McAfee is gone from the Sports Entertainment juggernaut as he promised to disappear if the Viper suffered a loss at Mania. Moreover, the Legend Ki**er is absent from television and seemingly out for a few days.

Currently, Cody Rhodes is engaged in a feud with Gunther on SmackDown. The Ring General attacked the American Nightmare on the blue brand, confirming that he is ready to take the title from him. Though it’s not official, Cody and Gunther might likely lock horns for the Undisputed WWE Championship at the Tampa Premium Live event.

So, these are the three matches that were planned for the upcoming PLE but scrapped for significant reasons. It remains to be seen what plans Triple H has in store for us. Let’s hope for some good matches and a few surprises on the show.