8 New Directions For WWE After Backlash 2026
5. Bronson Reed’s Return
It didn’t happen at Backlash as predicted, but it’s coming.
Bronson Reed will be a heat-seeking welcome re-addition to the roster on Raw when he returns, and can always work matches vs. Seth, Roman Reigns etc into the bargain. That’ll come in super handy to the creative team - they might even view a healed up Bronson as a real blessing from the wrestling deities who's coming at exactly the right time.
Healing up from a distal bicep tear that took him out shortly before Elimination Chamber cannot have been easy for Reed, but he's clearly a determined soul. It wouldn't take much for WWE to build him back up as a force to be reckoned with so he can battle Rollins over the summer or challenge Roman for the World Heavyweight Title.
Look at how stellar a job the writers did with Jacob Fatu between WrestleMania 42-Backlash. He went from somebody struggling to find his footing again post-injury to a viable threat to Reigns. On TV, his Tongan Death Grip was promoted as one of the most dangerous moves in the industry, and fans are buying it.
It really doesn't take that much to get people onboard. They just need to see that WWE believes in a talented worker, and their booking must be consistent. Follow that blueprint with Bronson (again), and he'll be off to the races. The roster does lack some big time, menacing heels at the moment, but he'll ease those concerns once he's back in the mix.
Another Tsunami Splash awaits a certain architect. The only surprise is that it didn't happen in Tampa.