This Is How Backlash 2026 Must Be Booked to Stop WWE’s Downfall

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WWE arguably has a lot to prove at Backlash after delivering several failed storylines like Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton and Jade Cargill vs. Rhea Ripley on the Road to WrestleMania 42. Moreover, fans are furious after the promotion released 20-plus wrestlers after The Show of Shows.

In recent weeks, the company has also received criticism for the “Gingerbread Man” angle featuring Sami Zayn and Trick Williams. The feud between Seth Rollins and Bron Breakker has also lost significant steam due to lackluster promo battles and segments on RAW.

Triple H & Co. have a tall task ahead of them if they plan to bounce back and win fans’ trust. Backlash 2026 could significantly impact the promotion’s trajectory heading into the summer. In this article, we will discuss how the premium live event must be booked to prevent WWE’s downfall.

#5. Jelly Roll Shouldn’t Be Revealed As Danhausen’s Mystery Tag Team Partner

Danhausen has been feuding with The Miz and Kit Wilson on SmackDown for months. He cursed the heels after they refused to fulfill his demands. Mr. Very Nice, Very Evil also holds wins over the duo in singles matches.

At WrestleMania 42, the former AEW star humiliated Wilson and The A-Lister after they interrupted John Cena. Miz and the Pretty Deadly member have seemingly used every trick in their book in their attempts to exact revenge on Danhausen. However, they have failed to take down the fan-favorite wrestler.

Danhausen will team up with a mystery partner to take on The Miz and Kit Wilson at Backlash 2026. In recent weeks, he has teased joining forces with legends like The Undertaker, Stone Cold Steve Austin, Papa Shango, and Cena, among others.

On this week’s RAW, Michael Cole claimed that Danhausen’s mystery partner would be someone who loved money. Mr. Very Nice, Very Evil has even offered “400 human dollars” to his yet-to-be-revealed teammate. Hence, fans are actively speculating about the star’s identity.

Many expect Shane McMahon to return to WWE as Danhausen’s partner because of his rich-guy gimmick and history with The Miz. CM Punk’s name has also been brought up in the discussion due to his real-life friendship with Danhausen.

However, a recent report by the Wrestling Observer Newsletter suggested that rapper Jelly Roll would be Mr. Very Nice, Very Evil’s tag team partner. While Roll has a massive fan following, he must not be booked to team up with the face-painted star.

Jelly Roll was recently involved in the Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton rivalry. Viewers were not pleased with the decision, especially because Pat McAfee was also involved. If Rolls shows up to team up with Danhausen at Backlash 2026, fans would be utterly disappointed. WWE has received significant criticism from its fan base because of excessive celebrity involvement in the product.

Since the failure of the Orton-Rhodes saga is fresh in fans’ minds, Triple H must not book Jelly Roll as Danhausen’s teammate. Roll should return later in the summer after the negative sentiment toward celebrity involvement in WWE potentially fades. The Game & Co. must be creative and genuinely surprise fans with the reveal at Backlash 2026.

#4. Kairi Sane Must Return to Help IYO SKY Win at Backlash 2026

Kairi Sane was among the biggest names released by WWE following WrestleMania 42. Her exit shocked fans because she had been involved in a major storyline with IYO SKY and Asuka for months.

SKY began feuding with Asuka over her disrespectful behavior toward The Pirate Princess. The duo was supposed to square off at WrestleMania 42, but the match was reportedly scrapped from the show’s card. The former Damage CTRL teammates’ showdown was supposed to lead to The Kabuki Warriors’ split.

Following WrestleMania 42, Sane and Asuka faced off against SKY and Rhea Ripley in a losing effort. Mere days later, the former WWE Superstar was let go by the company.

The creative team has continued the storyline in Sane’s absence. However, fans have been demanding that the company bring back the former Women’s Tag Team Champion.

A recent report indicated that many within the promotion expected Sane to return to at least wrap up her program with The Empress of Tomorrow and The Genius of the SKY. WWE must ensure they bring in the recently released wrestler for a major angle at Backlash 2026.

Triple H & Co. could win back fans if Sane makes an R-Truth-like comeback in Tampa. The Pirate Princess should show up in the final stages of Asuka vs. SKY. She should tease helping her former tag team partner before aligning with The Genius of the Sky. Sane’s return and potential interference in Asuka vs. SKY would be a major surprise for viewers.

#3. WWE Should Pull the Trigger on a Double Turn Involving Sami Zayn and Trick Williams

Sami Zayn has been teasing a heel turn since WWE was on the Road to WrestleMania 42. Meanwhile, Trick Williams’ popularity has been scaling new heights with each passing week. However, the creative team has yet to book a character change for both stars.

Zayn received adverse reactions from fans when he defeated Carmelo Hayes for the United States Championship before ‘Mania 42. He tried to regain the audience’s support in the following weeks, but failed. On the other hand, Williams’ title win in Las Vegas garnered an overwhelmingly positive response.

At Backlash 2026, Zayn is set to battle Williams in a title rematch. WWE has the perfect opportunity to book a double turn involving the duo in Tampa. The United States Champion has organically become a fan favorite, and he would benefit from a babyface turn.

If the creative team wants to shine the spotlight on Zayn again, he must be booked to turn heel. A new villainous gimmick could allow The Master Strategist to re-enter the main event scene and possibly challenge for the Undisputed WWE Championship later this year.

#2. Bron Breakker Cannot Afford to Lose to Seth Rollins at Backlash 2026

Bron Breakker started his ascent as the leader of The Vision on RAW after betraying Seth Rollins. He picked up a huge win for his side at Survivor Series: WarGames 2025.

However, things started going downhill for him after his loss to CM Punk in a World Heavyweight Championship match. Breakker then suffered a humiliating defeat in the 2026 Royal Rumble despite being a favorite to win. To make matters worse, he was sidelined due to hernia surgery on the Road to WrestleMania 42.

After his massive return at The Show of Shows, Breakker is set to face Rollins at Backlash 2026. WWE must book the former NXT Champion to reign supreme in Tampa because another major loss could hamper his credibility.

Breakker has been touted as the future of WWE. He is the leader of the top villainous faction on RAW. Therefore, he needs a big win under his belt before he can set his sights on the world title again.

Rollins is coming off a great year as RAW’s top champion. He doesn’t need a win over Breakker to remain relevant. The creative team must book The Dog of WWE to pin The Visionary at Backlash 2026.

#1. Roman Reigns Must Devise a Master Plan to Defeat Jacob Fatu Instead of Handing Him a Clean Loss

Roman Reigns defeated CM Punk at WrestleMania 42 to win the World Heavyweight Championship. It marked the first time Reigns held a world title in WWE since WrestleMania XL in 2024.

The OTC had to go through a lot of hardships to regain his spot at the top of the mountain. Now that he’s at the pinnacle of WWE again, he’s unlikely to lose the title anytime soon. However, he will face someone who cannot afford to lose clean at Backlash 2026.

Jacob Fatu is fresh off a career-defining win over Drew McIntyre at WrestleMania 42. He is widely expected to become world champion soon and establish himself as WWE’s next megastar. He will challenge for Reigns’ gold in Tampa.

WWE must ensure that Fatu doesn’t suffer a clean loss to Reigns at Backlash 2026. Following The Bloodline’s reunion, the creative team has been subtly teasing the group’s heel turn. It’s public knowledge that the faction’s members are at their best when they are heels.

At Backlash 2026, Reigns should devise a master plan to defeat the seemingly unstoppable Fatu. He should recruit a new member to his faction and use his help to beat The Samoan Werewolf.

Zilla Fatu, who is a member of the Anoa’i-Fatu family, will be in Tampa on the day of Backlash 2026. He should make a surprise appearance at the premium live event to help the OTC reign supreme. The Main One’s potential debut and interference in the title match could genuinely surprise fans. Moreover, it could allow WWE to continue the Bloodline civil war without hurting Fatu’s momentum.