WWE Backlash 2026: 9 Nightmares That Could Come True

Certain things need to happen at Backlash on Saturday night in Tampa, Florida. For example, it's vital that Jacob Fatu looks competitive against Roman Reigns, that Bron Breakker takes his next step, that Danhausen is allowed to do his off-the-wall brand of humour without TKO meddling and more.

WWE is in a bit of a strange place at the moment. WrestleMania 42's second night pulled the nose up after a poorly received opening card, but a string of releases and all of the fallout surrounding those (budget cuts, 2 day pay cut ultimatums etc) has left a sour taste in the mouths of many.

Honestly, it doesn't feel like that's the end. If anything, it seems like those pay cut reports are just the tip of the iceberg. Triple H must be sighing a heavy sigh knowing he'll be asked about all of this at some point, and it's hardly like the product has been on fire creatively either.

Enter the nightmares.

This isn't a positivity-drenched look at the company's next PLE. No, it's a worst of the worst tour through some of the crappiest things that could happen come Backlash. We've got 9 entries spread out across all 5 matches and a heavily-hyped announcement from he-who's-repeatedly-wheeled-out to shift some tickets (apparently) John Cena.

Mascots becoming The Undertaker, a major push stalling badly, more unwanted celebrity influence on WWE's biggest shows, part-time champions going back on their word after 'Mania, stars coming out of retirement for no good reason at all - it's all here.

Being real, if any of this goes down, then it might be WWE and TKO feeling the Backlash...from fans!

"I wish you could all be here". That's something iconic announcer Jim Ross used to say regularly during The Undertaker's entrance. He'd bark inspired commentary lines about 'Taker's various rebirths, refer to him as 'The Phenom', 'Deadman' and 'Grim Reaper' of WWE. It all worked, and the character had credibility.

Unfortunately for SmackDown in 2026, the same cannot be said for the Gingerbread Man. That won't stop creative from running with a funeral segment for the mascot gimmick on Friday's 'go home' blue brand TV before Backlash. In theory, this will be WWE's way of saying goodbye to the short-lived character.

Or not.

What if Gingerbread “rises from the dead” in time for Saturday's PLE to cost Sami Zayn his shot at reclaiming the United States Title from Trick Williams? Obviously, that’d be far too comedic, but there are already concerns that Sami and Trick are looking for laughs rather than getting serious with their feud post-WrestleMania.

There'd be no need for GM (hmmm, is that Nick Aldis under the headpiece?! Only joking!) to interfere over the weekend. Saying that, there's honestly no call for the funeral skit in the first place. Last week's SmackDown got a little too deep in the weeds with that silliness - Aldis, Joe Tessitore and others acted like Zayn had literally murdered the mascot live on air.

Please avoid this sort of lame-brained "comedy" during the match, lads. If Gingerbread Man rises from the ashes to put a spanner in the works for Sami, then it means we're all in for even more nonsense afterwards. No thanks.