WrestleMania may be in the rearview mirror, but WWE is heavily teasing two matches soon that could potentially headline that event in a different year. First up is WWE Champion Cody Rhodes vs. CM Punk. They met up in the ring last week for a friendly chat about looking like losers and how Punk can challenge for the belt any time he wants. It would be foolish to rush into this match for Backlash, and Cody’s eye injury probably means he won’t be able to wrestle on that show anyway. However, this could very well be the main event of SummerSlam in August. Thanks for going home, Pat McAfee! The major match that’s much more likely to go down at Backlash is World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns vs. Jacob Fatu. The Samoan Werewolf issued the challenge last week after Roman reunited The Bloodline with Jimmy and Jey Uso. The Usos tried to convince Jacob to join them and go after Rhodes’ belt instead, but Fatu would not budge from his stubborn position in targeting the OTC.

The full-time champ will appear on Raw tonight to give his official answer to Jacob’s challenge. It should be an easy “yes,” as I’m sure Roman sees this as an opportunity to beat Fatu to eventually fall in line, acknowledge him, and make The Bloodline just as unstoppable as they were from 2021 through 2024. Bayley & Lyra Valkyria vs. Roxanne Perez & Raquel Rodriguez is scheduled for tonight. The babyfaces already had their shot at the WWE women’s tag team championship and failed at WrestleMania 42, so it might be time for the Judgment Day to rise up the ranks to eventually earn a title match against Paige and Brie Bella. Intercontinental Champion Penta vs. Rusev is also happening tonight, after both stars got involved in the post-match angle for Ethan Page’s win over Je’Von Evans last week.