Story perspectives

John Cena to Reveal WWE Backlash Plans, WrestleMania 45 Saudi

5/8/2026

Summary

Cena Announces Development

John Cena will announce a development at WWE Backlash on May 9 in Tampa.
The reveal will air on ESPN in the U.S. and on Netflix worldwide.
Reports tie the reveal to Club WWE, which offers early ticket access and merchandise, and say a WrestleMania 44 location announcement is unlikely.
WrestleMania 45 will be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the first WrestleMania outside North America since Toronto in 1990 and WrestleMania X8 in 2002.

Summary

Cena Returns Backlash

Club WWE will give members exclusive news before any public release, shown in the Backlash tease.
The subscription provides dozens of monthly podcasts, such as WrestleVotes radio, Sour Graps, Sapp’s Q&A and Retro Reviews.
WrestleVotes on Fightful Select reports WWE insiders expect the Backlash announcement to be directly tied to the Club WWE launch.
John Cena’s Backlash appearance marks his first on-camera role since hosting both nights of WrestleMania 42.

Summary

Cena Secures Backlash

WWE confirmed star John Cena’s Backlash deal was reached before his tease because his Tampa residence simplified booking.
journalist Dave Meltzer reported Cena is under contract for multiple WWE appearances after hosting WrestleMania 42, including Backlash.
The official Backlash card for May 9 has been released, listing the full match lineup.
Sports Illustrated’s “The Takedown” will provide live coverage of Backlash, which will stream on the ESPN app and on Netflix internationally.

History

Historical Context

On March 17 2002 the WWF staged WrestleMania X8 at Toronto’s SkyDome, drawing 68,237 fans and marking the first major pay-per-view outside the United States. The event closed the Attitude Era, preceded the brand extension a week later, and remained the last overseas WrestleMania until a 2027 Saudi Arabian show, underscoring WWE’s long-term global expansion.

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Cena Announces Development

John Cena will announce a development at WWE Backlash on May 9 in Tampa.
The reveal will air on ESPN in the U.S. and on Netflix worldwide.
Reports tie the reveal to Club WWE, which offers early ticket access and merchandise, and say a WrestleMania 44 location announcement is unlikely.
WrestleMania 45 will be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the first WrestleMania outside North America since Toronto in 1990 and WrestleMania X8 in 2002.

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