"A Samoan drop on the referee... Fatu then reapplied the Tongan Death Grip on Reigns. Reports indicate Reigns was foaming at the mouth before officials intervened."
Reigns Retains, Fatu Unleashes Havoc at Backlash
Tampa, Florida – At the WWE Backlash premium live event on May 9, 2026, Roman Reigns defeated Jacob Fatu to retain the World Heavyweight Championship. The victory came via pinfall following a spear, capitalizing on an exposed turnbuckle pad into which Fatu was sent.
Match Highlights
Fatu Surges, Reigns Endures
During the contest, Fatu dominated key sequences. He kicked out at one count after both a Superman Punch and a spear from Reigns. Fatu also executed a powerbomb on Reigns through the announce desk. He applied the Tongan Death Grip submission hold on two separate occasions, while Reigns focused his offense on targeting Fatu’s hand throughout the match.
Post-Match: A Brutal Assault
Fatu Turns on Officials and Reigns
Immediately after the match, Fatu attacked Reigns. He then performed a Samoan drop on the referee, followed by assaults on WWE officials who entered the ring. Fatu reapplied the Tongan Death Grip on a prone Reigns, with reports indicating Reigns was foaming at the mouth before officials intervened.
Unrelenting Attack
Fatu briefly left the ring area but returned to continue the assault. The show concluded with Fatu holding the championship and reapplying the hold on Reigns, leaving the champion incapacitated as the broadcast ended.
Background & Next Steps
Road to Backlash
Fatu became a surprise contender after winning a match at WrestleMania 42 and challenging Reigns on Raw. Reigns was briefly removed from scheduled Raw appearances but returned for the Backlash event. Prior to the match, Fatu stated his motivation was to provide for his family.
The Feud Continues
WWE is scheduled to continue the Reigns-Fatu storyline. The next major event is Clash in Italy, currently scheduled for May 31.