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LIVE, ONGOING WWE COUNTDOWN TO BACKLASH 2026 COVERAGE

Welcome to PWInsider.com's live, ongoing WWE Countdown to Backlash 2026 coverage from Tampa, Florida.

The pre-show panel is Michael Cole, Big E, Corey Graves and Peter Rosenberg.

They have roving reporters in Cathy Kelley, Byron Saxton and Jackie Redmond.

Kelley talked about the introduction of the Tongan Death Drip by Jacob Fatu.    Saxton noted that Fatu is desperate to win his first ever title chance and first ever PPV.

Redmond said Seth Rolins is out to prove at 39 and coming off an injury, he's still at the top of his game.

Big E said that Bron Breakker is coming back from an injury himself to prove himself.

They went to a pre-recorded interview with Seth Rollins.  He said returning to the ring was a trial and he can't recover the way he used to.  He was happy to get through the match and feel he had regressed.  Cole was asked about forming The Vision last year.  He said there may have been a little of insecurity.  There were a lot of visions for what the company could or should be.  He wanted to stake his claim as the leader of the company but also wanted to take the next generation with him.  He went to Shawn Michaels and he said Bron Breakker was the best.  Rollins felt it he could take Brok for a year or two he could prepare him to be a big money draw for the company.  When he got hurt and Bron turned on him, he felt guilt and sadness and felt he had let the company down.  He understood what Bron was doing but he couldn't shake away the visceral anger of what was taken from him.

They traced Jacob Fatu's career timeline, even his days in the independent.

Even though they said Fatu hadn't arrived, they aired a video of him walking through backstage saying he was going to win the title.

The panel discussed Jacob Fatu.  Big E says he wants the money and career Roman Reigns has.  Corey Graves said he's not desperate, he's a man who's making calculated moves.  He knows that to change his career and family, he has to achieve a win tonight.

They aired video about last night's Gingerbread Man funeral.

Despite being attacked last night, Sami Zayn was smiling while being interviewed by Cathy Kelley.  He said Trick has created an environment where people think he can be disrespected.

The panel discussed the United States title bout.

Corey Graves talked about the history of professional wrestling in Tampa and pitched to a video package on FCW.

Jey and Jimmy Uso joined the panel.  They talked FCW and Tom Prichard's training.  Graves explained the differences between FCW and NXT, noting it felt like people would disappear without rhyme or reason to go to WWE NXT but NXT has a stronger synergy.  Jey and Jimmy said they are on standby for Roman vs. Jacob tonight.

They aired a video package on IYO SKY vs. Asuka.  The panel discussed the match.

The Miz and Kit Wilson were interviewed.  Miz was wearing a t-shirt that said he's not cursed.  

Byron Saxton interviewed Danhausen.  He tried to find out who the partner was but was told if he asked again, he would be cursed.

We kick off Hour 2, which is also airing ESPN, showing Triple H arriving.  Shouldn't he have been here a lot earlier to, you know, run the show?

They showed clips of everyone around the building.  I do crack up at Danhausen's takeoff of the Munster Mobile.

They went back to Michael Cole interviewing Seth Rollins.  Beating Bron Breakker tonight would give him back his confidence.  If he rests on hs laurels, that's the worst version of himself.  A loss would kick the crap out of him.

They aired a video feature on Charlotte Flair's relationship with Scarlett, a young girl who had a mass on her brain at 5 years old and has been battling for the last two-plus years against the terminal diagnosis.

 

 

 

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