Add as a preferred source on Google Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter revealed his star ratings for the WWE Backlash matches, which took place last Saturday, May 9, at the Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Florida.
The biggest highlight was the main event between Roman Reigns and Jacob Fatu for the World Heavyweight Championship. The match received 4.75 stars, the highest rating of the entire show.
Reigns defeated Fatu and retained the world title after escaping a Tongan Death Grip, using an exposed turnbuckle, and putting the challenger away with a Spear. After the match, however, Fatu attacked Reigns, the referee, and several WWE officials, closing the show while holding the title belt.
Two other matches were also highly praised. IYO SKY vs. Asuka and Seth Rollins vs. Bron Breakker each received 4.25 stars. In the women’s match, SKY defeated Asuka with the Over the Moonsault, and the two embraced in the ring afterward.
Dave Meltzer's Backlash star-ratings:
— Wrestle Features (@WrestleFeatures) May 15, 2026
– Roman Reigns vs. Jacob Fatu – 4.75
– Danhausen & Mini-Hausen vs. Miz & Kit Wilson – 2
– IYO SKY vs. Asuka – 4.25
– Trick Williams vs. Sami Zayn – 2.75
– Seth Rollins vs. Bron Breakker – 4.25 pic.twitter.com/byvmVYUbYa
Breakker defeated Rollins in the event opener, picking up one of the biggest wins of his WWE main roster career.
At the lower end of the list, Trick Williams vs. Sami Zayn received 2.75 stars, while Danhausen and Minihausen vs. The Miz and Kit Wilson got just 2 stars.
In other words, despite featuring only five matches, Meltzer saw Backlash as a show with three high-level bouts and a main event that came very close to five stars.