A staple company show since 1999, Backlash typically is the WWE’s first Premium Live Event (PLE) following their biggest event of the year, WrestleMania.<\/p>\n
TAMPA, Fla. \u2014 The wrestling world is getting ready to lay the smackdown in Tampa as WWE Backlash is taking place this Saturday at Benchmark International Arena.<\/p>\n
A staple company show since 1999, Backlash typically is the WWE’s first Premium Live Event (PLE) following their biggest event of the year, WrestleMania.<\/p>\n
WrestleMania 42 took place on April 18 and 19 in Las Vegas, headlined by Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton and CM Punk vs. Roman Reigns.<\/p>\n
Tampa Bay has been a prominent region for major wrestling events, with the area most recently hosting the 2024 Royal Rumble<\/a> at Tropicana Field and WrestleMania 37<\/a> in 2021 at Raymond James Stadium.<\/p>\n If you plan on heading to downtown Tampa to attend, here’s everything you need to know ahead of the action.<\/p>\n
The event starts with a preshow at 5:30 p.m., with the start of the main match card at 6 p.m.<\/p>\n Doors open for fans at Benchmark International Arena 60-90 minutes before the show starts.<\/p>\n If you can’t make it to the event, the show airs on ESPN+ with the app’s unlimited plan.<\/p>\n
Here is the announced match card as of Thursday morning:<\/p>\n World Heavyweight Championship match: Roman Reigns (c) vs. Jacob FatuUnited States Championship match: Trick Williams (c) vs. Sami ZaynTag team match: Danhausen and an unnamed partner vs. The Miz and Kit WilsonSingles match: Iyo Sky vs. AsukaSingles match: Seth Rollins vs. Bron Breakker <\/p>\n In addition to the matches, recently retired wrestling legend and Pasco County resident John Cena is set to make an appearance on the show as well.<\/p>\n The 17-time WWE world champion retired in December<\/a> following his last match at Saturday Night’s Main Event.<\/p>\n 10 Tampa Bay News spoke to United States Champion Trick Williams, who says professional wrestling has brought him new life to his career after originally planning for a career in football.<\/p>\n “I found a home, I found what was best for me,” he said. “Football was great, it was exactly what I needed at the time. How to stay in shape, different things like that. It makes me a little different from people. It helps me stand out a little bit.”<\/p>\n
Benchmark International Arena has offered a list of local parking lots and garages available for drivers attending the event.<\/p>\n Prices range from $20-50 depending on where you decide to park.<\/p>\n A full list and map of parking spots can be found on the arena’s website<\/a>.<\/p>\n
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