The WWE Backlash Premium Live Event takes place live from the Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Florida. WWE has put together a stacked lineup featuring championship matches, heated rivalries, and major grudge bouts as the fallout from WrestleMania 42 continues.
Roman Reigns will defend the WWE World Heavyweight Championship against Jacob Fatu in what is expected to be a brutal showdown. Fatu has made it clear he’s determined to dethrone the Tribal Chief and has already resorted to using the dangerous Tongan Death Grip during the buildup to the match.
The WWE United States Championship will also be on the line as Trick Williams defends against Sami Zayn. After losing the title at WrestleMania 42, Zayn is focused on reclaiming championship gold, while Williams looks to continue building momentum as champion.
Seth Rollins and Bron Breakker will finally collide after Breakker’s shocking return at WrestleMania 42 cost Rollins a major opportunity against GUNTHER. With plenty of bad blood between them, this singles match could easily become one of the night’s most physical encounters.
Elsewhere on the card, IYO SKY takes on Asuka after months of tension between the two stars. Danhausen will also team with a mystery partner to face The Miz and Kit Wilson in tag team action.
The show kicks off at 6:00 PM ET on the ESPN app and is available for international fans on streaming platforms like Netflix. Ringside News will provide live, match-by-match updates and highlights throughout the night. Stay tuned to this page, refresh for the latest results as the action unfolds, and join the conversation in the comments below!
Matches & Key Moments Scheduled for WWE Backlash on May 9, 2026
- WWE World Heavyweight Championship: Roman Reigns (c) vs. Jacob Fatu
- United States Championship: Trick Williams (c) vs. Sami Zayn
- Seth Rollins vs. Bron Breakker
- IYO SKY vs. Asuka
- Danhausen & Mystery Partner vs. The Miz & Kit Wilson
WWE Backlash Results (5/9/26): Live Match Updates and Highlights
The pre-show panel features Michael Cole, Big E, Corey Graves, and Peter Rosenberg.
Cathy Kelley, Byron Saxton, and Jackie Redmond are serving as roving reporters. Kelley talked about Jacob Fatu introducing the Tongan Death Grip. Saxton pointed out that Fatu is desperate to win his first championship opportunity and his first-ever PLE match. Redmond said Seth Rollins is looking to prove that even at 39 and coming off an injury, he’s still at the top of his game. Big E said Bron Breakker is also coming back from injury and is looking to prove himself.
They then aired a pre-recorded interview with Seth Rollins. He admitted returning to the ring was a challenge and said he can’t recover the way he used to. Rollins said he was happy to get through the match, but felt like he had regressed.
Rollins was also asked about forming The Vision last year. He admitted there may have been some insecurity involved, adding that there were a lot of different ideas about what WWE should be and where the company was headed. Rollins said he wanted to establish himself as the leader of the company while also helping bring the next generation up with him. He revealed he went to Shawn Michaels for advice and was told Bron Breakker was the best prospect. Rollins said he believed that if he could mentor Bron for a year or two, he could help turn him into a major money draw for WWE.
After suffering his injury and being betrayed by Bron, Rollins admitted he felt guilt and sadness, saying he believed he had let the company down. While he understood why Bron did what he did, Rollins said he still couldn’t get past the intense anger over everything that was taken away from him.
They also went through Jacob Fatu’s career timeline, including footage and highlights from his independent wrestling days. Even though the panel said Fatu hadn’t arrived to the arena yet, WWE immediately aired a backstage video of Fatu walking through the building while promising he was going to win the title. Big E said Fatu wants the kind of money and career Roman Reigns has built for himself in WWE. Corey Graves pushed back on the idea that Fatu is desperate, saying he’s making calculated moves. Graves added that Fatu understands a win tonight could completely change both his career and his family’s future.
WWE aired footage from last night’s Gingerbread Man funeral segment.
Later, Cathy Kelley interviewed Sami Zayn backstage. Despite being attacked the night before, Zayn was smiling during the interview. He said Trick Williams has created an environment where people believe they can disrespect him. The panel shifted focus to the United States Championship match later in the night.
Jey Uso and Jimmy Uso joined the pre-show panel during the discussion. Corey Graves then talked about Tampa’s deep history in professional wrestling before tossing things to a video package focused on FCW and its legacy.
Jey Uso and Jimmy Uso joined the pre-show panel and discussed the FCW era along with Tom Prichard’s training system.
Corey Graves explained the difference between FCW and modern-day NXT, saying FCW often felt disorganized, with talent randomly disappearing to the main roster without much explanation. He added that NXT now has far stronger synergy and structure between developmental and WWE’s main roster.
Jey and Jimmy also revealed they are on standby for Roman Reigns vs. Jacob Fatu later tonight.
WWE aired a video package hyping up the IYO SKY vs. Asuka match before the panel broke down the bout and what was at stake.
Later, The Miz and Kit Wilson were interviewed backstage. Miz showed up wearing a t-shirt that read, “I’m Not Cursed.”
Byron Saxton interviewed Danhausen backstage and tried to get him to reveal his mystery partner for the match. Danhausen refused to give away the name and warned Saxton that if he asked again, he would be cursed.
Hour 2 kicked off with the ESPN simulcast, showing Triple H arriving to the arena… again.
WWE went back to Michael Cole’s interview with Seth Rollins. Rollins said beating Bron Breakker tonight would help restore his confidence. He admitted that when he starts resting on his past accomplishments, that becomes the worst version of himself. Rollins also said a loss tonight would completely crush him mentally.
WWE then aired a video feature on Charlotte Flair’s relationship with Scarlet, a young girl who was diagnosed with a brain mass at just five years old.
The panel then looked back at several of the biggest matches and defining moments from Roman Reigns’ career ahead of his main event appearance tonight.
Joe Tessitore then interviewed Trick Williams ahead of his United States Championship match later in the night.
WWE aired a final video package previewing Roman Reigns vs. Jacob Fatu ahead of the main event.
Retired military servicewoman Sonya Bryson-Kirksey then performed the national anthem. WWE noted that she has previously sung for the Tampa Bay Lightning as well.
Michael Cole and Wade Barrett are on commentary for tonight’s show.
Seth Rollins vs. Bron Breakker
Seth Rollins opened the match aggressively, landing a kick that sent Bron Breakker to the floor. Rollins followed it up with a suicide dive to the outside. Rollins kept the pressure on with punches before throwing Bron back into the ring. He then clotheslined Breakker over the top rope and immediately connected with another suicide dive. Bron Breakker fired back with a knee strike before launching Seth Rollins over the ringside barrier and into the crowd area.
Rollins answered with a clothesline that sent Bron back toward ringside before both men returned to the ring. Seth went to the top rope, but Bron caught him coming off the turnbuckles and delivered a huge overhead belly-to-belly suplex that sent Rollins crashing to the floor.
Bron stayed on the attack outside the ring, kicking Seth and driving knees into him before slamming him into the apron. Rollins tried to fight back with a chop, but Bron answered with a double-leg takedown and a series of punches. Back inside the ring, Bron hammered Rollins with shoulder strikes in the corner, followed by punches to the midsection. He then hit a suplex for a near fall. Seth created some separation with punches, but Bron quickly shut him down with a German suplex.
Bron Breakker slowed the pace down with a reverse chin lock, continuing to wear Seth Rollins down. Rollins battled out with a jawbreaker and followed it up with several chops, trying to build momentum. Bron quickly cut him off with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker for a near fall. Bron then grabbed Seth by the hair and continued targeting his neck.
Bron Breakker kept control with a rear chin lock before transitioning into a reverse chin lock. Seth Rollins finally created an opening with a belly-to-back suplex, leaving both men down on the mat. Rollins started firing back with punches, but Bron answered with a hard clothesline for a near fall. Bron stayed in control with a series of German suplexes, hitting three straight before covering Seth for another near fall.
Rollins slapped Bron across the face, which only fired Bron up. Bron responded with a punch, shoved Seth into the corner, and drove a shoulder into him. Bron then placed Seth on the turnbuckles and went for a Frankensteiner, but Rollins shoved him away. Bron quickly recovered, climbed back up, and nailed the Frankensteiner anyway for another near fall.
Bron Breakker continued targeting Seth Rollins with knees to the midsection before sending him out to the floor. Bron charged outside looking for a flying shoulder tackle, but Rollins stopped him with a superkick. Both men barely made it back into the ring before the count.
Rollins started building momentum with a forearm in the corner followed by a series of short-arm clotheslines, though Bron refused to go down. Seth kept firing away with forearms and punches until he finally forced Bron to his knees. Rollins then connected with a running clothesline for a near fall. He followed up with the Stomp, but it didn’t fully connect, allowing Bron to survive the pin attempt. Seth Rollins followed up with boots to Bron Breakker’s head and looked for another Stomp, but Bron avoided it and grabbed Seth’s leg.
Bron then powered Rollins up over his head and drove him down with a double knee gutbuster. He later charged for a spear, but Seth countered with a kick. Bron answered by surprising everyone with a moonsault for a near fall. He went up to the turnbuckles again and punched away at Seth, but Rollins fought back, grabbed Bron, and connected with a Buckle Bomb. Bron immediately fired back with a clothesline, leaving both men down in the ring.
Seth Rollins rolled out to the floor and was seen holding his wrist after the previous exchange. Bron Breakker stayed on the attack, sending Rollins into the announce table before climbing onto the apron. Bron then launched himself with a flying clothesline, crashing into Seth as both men went over the announce table.
Bron Breakker went to the top rope, but Seth Rollins exploded upward looking for a superplex. Bron countered in mid-air with a Falcon Arrow for a near fall. Bron kept the pressure on with shoulder attacks in the corner before placing Seth back on the turnbuckles. He attempted a superplex, but Rollins blocked it and shoved Bron away. Breakker recovered instantly and hit another Frankensteiner.
Bron stayed aggressive, punching Seth and setting him up on the turnbuckles once again. He connected with yet another Frankensteiner, but this time Seth somehow landed on his feet. Bron looked completely stunned. Rollins capitalized with two superkicks. He went for a third, but Bron blocked it. Seth responded with a Pedigree followed by the Stomp.
Just as the referee started counting, Paul Heyman jumped onto the apron to distract the official. Rollins snapped and grabbed a chair from under the ring. Austin Theory and Logan Paul then tried to get involved, but Seth took both men out with the chair before chasing them to the back. When Rollins finally returned to the ring, Bron caught him with a spear the moment he stepped through the ropes. Even then, Breakker could only get a near fall. Bron Breakker pulled the straps down and signaled for the WARP Spear, but Seth Rollins countered with a Pedigree.
Rollins then went up top looking for the Stomp, but Bron exploded out of nowhere with a spear. Breakker followed it up with the WARP Spear and finally scored the three count.
Winner: Bron Breakker
Corey Graves and Big E discussed the opening match and questioned whether anyone would step up to help Seth Rollins after all the interference that helped Bron Breakker win.
Backstage, Cathy Kelley asked Trick Williams about Sami Zayn’s comments from earlier in the night. Trick told Sami to stop lying and said he’s the puppet master who is running everything right now.
United States Championship: Trick Williams (c) vs. Sami Zayn
Trick Williams and Sami Zayn locked up to start the match, with Trick backing Sami into the corner. Sami broke clean but landed a chop on the way out. Sami followed with a side headlock, but Trick answered with a flying clothesline. Trick kept control with chops, a backhand slap, and kicks in the corner.
Sami was sent to the floor after an Irish whip, and Trick followed him outside. While Sami exchanged words with Yachty at ringside, Trick attacked him from behind. Sami fought back by sending Trick into the ring steps. He then grabbed the steel steps himself before tossing them aside and going after Yachty while Trick got back into the ring.
Sami Zayn took control with a series of punches before locking in a crossface on Trick Williams. Sami followed with a chop and a clothesline before picking up a near fall. He stayed on the attack and scored another near fall moments later. After slapping Trick on the mat, Sami turned his attention toward Yachty at ringside, which gave Trick an opening to hit a neckbreaker. Trick Williams fired away with punches and an uppercut before connecting with a jumping side kick and a slam.
As Trick tried to pull Sami Zayn up off the mat, Sami countered with an arm drag. Trick answered with a thrust kick and then looked for his jumping knee strike, but Sami blocked it. Trick recovered quickly and planted Sami with a uranage for a near fall. Trick then placed Sami on the turnbuckles, but Sami fought him off with elbows and punches. Sami followed with forearms before hitting a sunset flip powerbomb for a near fall.
Sami Zayn set up for the Helluva Kick, but Trick Williams stopped him with a thrust kick. Trick then missed a jumping side kick, allowing Sami to hit a Blue Thunder Bomb for a near fall. Sami followed with a punch and tried to leap over Trick, but his knee gave out during the move. The referee checked on Sami’s knee as Trick waited before going back on the attack. Sami caught him off guard with an inside cradle for a near fall. Yachty then distracted the referee, and Sami used the opening to hit Trick with the candy cane. Even with the weapon shot, Sami could only get a near fall.
Sami Zayn unloaded with kicks on Trick Williams in the corner before the referee pulled him back toward the center of the ring. Sami then charged in for the Helluva Kick, but Yachty hit him with the candy cane behind the referee’s back. Trick immediately capitalized with the jumping knee strike, but Sami still managed to kick out.
Sami Zayn sent Trick Williams to the floor before going after Yachty at ringside. Sami punched Yachty and blasted him with the candy cane. Trick recovered and clotheslined Sami into the ring steps. Trick then tried to hit a uranage onto the steps, but Sami countered with a DDT on the steel steps instead. Sami rolled Trick back into the ring and nailed Yachty with a Helluva Kick on the outside. Sami then charged for another Helluva Kick on Trick, but Trick avoided it and connected with the jumping knee strike for the win.
Winner: Trick Williams retains the championship
Lil Yachty celebrated with Trick Williams after the match, throwing stacks of dollar bills into the air while Trick posed with the WWE United States Championship.
Meanwhile, Sami Zayn sat frustrated at ringside after coming up short once again.
The broadcast then signed off from ESPN2, with the rest of the show continuing exclusively on the ESPN App. ESPN App Ad Break.
Danhausen & Minihuasen vs. The Miz & Kit Wilson
Kit Wilson kicked Minihausen and posed, but Minihausen fired back with a chop and kicks before hitting a springboard forearm and a head scissors takedown. The Miz tagged in, but Minihausen stayed in control with a satellite head scissors. Kit tried to hold him in place, but Minihausen kicked him away and hit a rope-assisted kick on Miz. He then attempted a rana on Kit, but Kit blocked it. Minihausen recovered quickly and sent Kit to the floor with a rana.
Minihausen went up top and hit a crossbody onto both Miz and Kit on the outside. Danhausen then rolled Kit back into the ring. Momentum shifted when Miz sent Danhausen into the ropes, allowing Kit to land a kick while Miz punched Minihausen. Kit drove Minihausen into the turnbuckles before tagging Miz back in.
Miz lifted Minihausen over his head and connected with a powerslam. Miz and Kit followed with a delayed double vertical suplex before Miz stepped aside and let Kit continue the attack alone. Kit picked up back-to-back near falls before slowing things down with a reverse chin lock.
Kit Wilson put Minihausen on the turnbuckles in the Tree of Woe and drove shoulders into him. Kit charged for an elbow in the corner, but Minihausen avoided it and answered with a moonsault. The Miz tagged in, but Danhausen also got the tag and cleaned house with a reverse atomic drop and a clothesline. Danhausen followed with a Northern Lights suplex and then unloaded with clotheslines in the corner before getting a second burst and doing it again.
Danhausen hit a tornado DDT on Miz and then booted Kit Wilson when Kit shoved Miz out of the way. Miz caught Danhausen with a roll-up for a near fall before following with a boot. Minihausen then jumped back into the action, hitting Miz in the corner before connecting with a rana on Kit that sent him over the top rope to the floor. Minihausen followed with a suicide dive. Minihausen chased Kit to the back, but Kit cut him off with a kick and shoved him into the “machine” before slamming the door shut.
When the door reopened, multiple Minihausens came pouring out after apparently mutating inside the machine. They chased Kit back to the ring, and one of them hit an airplane spin. Kit grabbed the mirror, but Miz connected with the Skull Crushing Finale for a near fall. Danhausen pulled Minihausen back to the corner for a tag, but Miz punched Danhausen to stop it. Danhausen fired back with a Thesz Press and punches before clotheslining Miz over the top rope to the floor. He then did the same thing to Kit Wilson.
The Miz sent Danhausen into the announce table before grabbing a fire extinguisher. Miz accidentally sprayed both himself and Kit Wilson with it during the chaos. Minihausen then hit a crossbody onto Kit on the floor while the action broke down around ringside. Back in the ring, Danhausen connected with a bicycle kick to score the three count.
Winners: Danhausen and Minihausen
Iyo Sky vs. Asuka
The match started with loud “We Want Kairi” chants from the crowd. IYO SKY and Asuka started things off with a feeling-out process, trading takedowns and clean breaks early in the match. After one break, Asuka shoved IYO, and the intensity quickly picked up.
The two exchanged forearms and side headlocks before IYO hit a shoulder tackle, though neither woman went down easily. Asuka answered with more forearms, but IYO responded with a handspring into a leg sweep followed by a dropkick.
IYO kept the pressure on with kicks in the corner, but Asuka fired back with a forearm. The exchange continued with both women trading strikes until Asuka sent IYO to the mat, only for IYO to spring right back up with a handspring. IYO then hit a drop toe hold that sent Asuka into the turnbuckles before connecting with a hesitation double knee strike for a near fall.
Asuka rolled to the floor to regroup. Back on the apron, Asuka landed a forearm and tried to send IYO into the turnbuckles, but IYO blocked it and answered with a back elbow. IYO went for an Asai Moonsault to the outside, but Asuka cut her off by tripping her on the ropes before blasting her with a forearm.
Asuka took control by sending IYO SKY into the ringside barrier and the apron before breaking the referee’s count and heading back outside. Asuka followed with Kawada kicks and then trapped IYO in a Boston Crab using the ropes for extra pressure. She continued the attack by choking IYO against the ropes.
Asuka pie-faced IYO, but IYO fought back with forearms. Asuka shut her down with a round kick for a near fall before continuing to unload with punches and kicks. IYO finally created an opening by countering into a victory roll and transitioning into a double stomp.
IYO SKY fired back with a back fist and a shotei strike. Asuka sent her toward the corner with an Irish whip, but IYO landed on the apron, dropped Asuka’s arm across the top rope, and went up top.
IYO connected with a missile dropkick and followed it with the running double knee strike in the corner for a near fall. Asuka blocked a butterfly backbreaker attempt and answered with a series of kicks before landing a flying kick for a near fall of her own. Asuka missed a round kick moments later, allowing IYO to score a quick roll-up for two.
IYO followed with a back heel kick for another near fall before trying to keep control with a waist lock. Asuka reached the ropes, but IYO stayed aggressive and hit a German suplex with a bridge for a close two-count.
Asuka then trapped IYO in a Fujiwara armbar. IYO escaped with a kick, leaving both women down. Asuka quickly transitioned into the Asuka Lock after a takedown, but IYO escaped with elbows. IYO answered with a facebuster, only for Asuka to grab her in a cross armbreaker. IYO countered by rolling through into an Asuka Lock of her own while adding body scissors. Asuka struggled but eventually reached the ropes to force the break.
IYO went to the top rope looking for a superplex, but Asuka fought her off and climbed up herself. IYO stopped her with a shotei and followed with forearms on the turnbuckles before hitting a Frankensteiner. Asuka rolled through the move into a sunset flip for another near fall. Asuka went for the running hip attack, but IYO SKY avoided it, causing Asuka to get tangled in the ropes. IYO then dropkicked her to the floor.
IYO looked for a suicide dive, but Asuka stopped her with a punch. Asuka placed IYO on top of the announce table and tried to suplex her onto it, but IYO blocked the attempt. Asuka followed with a kick and tried to use the mist, but IYO grabbed a folder and used it to block the spray. IYO then avoided another kick, dropped down to the floor, and drove Asuka’s knee into the announce table. She followed it up with a crossbody off the table onto Asuka at ringside.
IYO SKY followed up with an Asai Moonsault before rolling Asuka back into the ring. IYO went up top looking for the moonsault, but Asuka got her knees up and immediately transitioned into a cross armbreaker. IYO escaped, but Asuka locked in a triangle submission. IYO managed to counter it into a near fall before Asuka trapped her in the Asuka Lock. IYO nearly passed out but rolled through for another close near fall.
The two then started trading slaps and punches in the middle of the ring. Asuka blocked a round kick and hit a German suplex, but IYO answered with one of her own. IYO then connected with the running double knee strike before heading to the top rope one more time. This time, she hit the moonsault and scored the three count.
Winner: IYO SKY
After the match, IYO and Asuka shared a hug in a show of respect.
John Cena came to the ring and said the moment felt “so cool.” He joked that he could finally enjoy moments like this because nobody was about to run down the aisle and kick his teeth in.
Cena thanked the fans for their energy and gratitude before talking about what the next phase of his WWE career could look like. The crowd started chanting “one more match,” and Cena admitted he had been thinking a lot about his final match. He acknowledged that some people were upset by how things ended, but said he was genuinely happy because the night became about something bigger than himself.
Cena explained that he wanted WWE Superstars to help give opportunities to NXT talent in front of major crowds so they could prove themselves. He specifically mentioned Sol Ruca, Je’Von Evans, and Oba Femi as examples of that future. Cena pointed out that Oba Femi debuted in December and then quickly found himself heading toward WrestleMania to “kick Brock Lesnar’s ass.” Cena then revealed that WWE would be doing it again by launching the “John Cena Classic.” He described it as a special event featuring the best WWE Superstars competing against the best NXT talent to showcase the future of the company.
Cena also unveiled a brand-new championship tied to the concept. He said he was putting his own name behind it and promised it would represent a high level of excellence. He added that the biggest superstar in WWE is the WWE Universe itself. For the first time, fans would directly vote on the winner, meaning someone may not technically win the match but could still earn the audience’s respect and vote through hustle and heart.
Cena said the idea represents everything he stands for and promised he would continue giving everything he has for as long as possible. Before ending the segment, Cena thanked Oba Femi for helping make the idea happen, thanked WWE for taking a chance on it, and thanked the fans watching at home along with the Tampa crowd. Cena closed by saying Tampa will always mean a lot to him.
WWE World Heavyweight Championship: Roman Reigns (c) vs. Jacob Fatu
Roman Reigns and Jacob Fatu stood across from each other in their respective corners before finally locking up. Roman grabbed a side headlock and followed it with a shoulder tackle, but Fatu immediately popped back up to his feet. Jacob Fatu answered back with a side headlock and a shoulder tackle of his own.
Roman Reigns tried to take him down with a clothesline, but Fatu stayed on his feet. Fatu then blasted Roman with another shoulder tackle before clotheslining him over the top rope to the floor. Fatu followed with a suicide dive and immediately looked for the Tongan Death Grip before shoving Roman into the ring post.
Roman grabbed Fatu by the hair and pulled him to the floor before targeting Fatu’s hand by slamming it into the ring post. Roman followed with a punch as both men returned to the ring. Back inside, Roman applied an arm wringer and sent Fatu into the turnbuckles. Fatu responded with punches and headbutts, while Roman fired back with an uppercut and punches of his own. Roman Reigns climbed to the turnbuckles and rained down punches on Jacob Fatu, but Fatu shoved him off.
Roman recovered with clotheslines in the corner, only for Fatu to answer with a short-arm clothesline and a series of headbutts. Fatu then sent Roman shoulder-first into the ring post. Fatu missed a splash in the corner, giving Roman an opening to fire back with multiple clotheslines and a flying clothesline. Roman followed with a running boot before connecting with the Superman Punch for a near fall.
Roman looked stunned when Fatu immediately got back up. Fatu answered with punches, but Roman stopped him with a kick. Fatu came back with clotheslines and a splash in the corner before driving headbutts into Roman. He followed with a running hip attack in the corner and went for another one, but Roman recovered in time and blasted him with another Superman Punch for a close near fall.
Jacob Fatu rolled out to the floor, and Roman Reigns followed him outside. Roman connected with a Drive-By and then started clearing off the announce table. Fatu suddenly grabbed Roman with the Tongan Death Grip. Roman tried to fight out of it, but Fatu powered him up and drove him through the announce table with a powerbomb. Fatu rolled Roman back into the ring and charged toward the corner, but Roman exploded out with a spear for a near fall. Roman Reigns looked around the arena and lined up for another spear. Before he could hit it, Jacob Fatu caught him with a pop-up Samoan Drop. Fatu then followed it up with a double jump moonsault for a very close near fall.
Jacob Fatu stayed aggressive with multiple diving headbutts before unloading with punches on Roman Reigns. Fatu climbed back to the top rope and went for a swanton bomb, but Roman got his knees up to counter it. The two men then stood face-to-face in the middle of the ring and started trading punches before continuing the exchange while bouncing off the ropes. Fatu regained control with two running hip attacks in the corner before signaling for the Tongan Death Grip. He locked it in, and Roman started fading as the referee checked his arm.
Roman’s arm dropped twice, but on the third check, it stayed up. Roman then backed Fatu into the corner, accidentally knocking the referee down in the process. Roman connected with a Superman Punch, but Fatu answered with a superkick. Roman immediately fired back with a pop-up Superman Punch and followed it with a spear for a near fall. Jacob Fatu locked in the Tongan Death Grip again, but Roman Reigns escaped by driving Fatu into the turnbuckles. Roman then exploded with a spear and finally scored the three count.
Winner: Roman Reigns retains the championship
After the match, Jacob Fatu snapped. He argued with the referee before grabbing Roman and applying the Tongan Death Grip again. Fatu locked it in a second time and then hit the referee with a pop-up Samoan Drop. Fatu applied the Tongan Death Grip once more as officials rushed to the ring, but he destroyed everyone who tried to stop him.
Jacob Fatu finally left the ring, but then turned around and came back to attack Roman Reigns again with another Tongan Death Grip. Fatu stood tall over Roman while holding up the championship belt as the show came to an end. The broadcast then faded to credits.
