WWE BackLash 2026 (Tampa) - Match Card And Result

1. AEW Contract Conclusion (December 31, 2025): Jericho’s multi-year extension with AEW officially expired at midnight on December 31, 2025. While there were rumors of his contract being "frozen" due to his 2025 hiatus, multiple reports from WrestleVotes indicated that executives within both companies expected him to become a free agent heading into the new year.
2. Netflix "Raw" Anniversary Omission (January 5, 2026): Fans heavily speculated that Jericho would debut on the January 5th premiere of Monday Night Raw on Netflix in Brooklyn. His absence from this milestone show shifted the narrative; insiders suggested WWE was intentionally holding his return for a "bigger stage" later in the spring to maximize the WrestleMania impact.
3. The "Cornerstone" Trademark Filing (March 2026): In early March, reports surfaced that Jericho had filed a new trademark for the term "Cornerstone" for entertainment purposes. In wrestling, new trademarks often signal a character reinvention or a fresh gimmick, which many interpreted as a "Y2J-style" countdown or rebranding for a WWE comeback.
4. Fozzy Tour Schedule Gap (Late March – April 2026): After a heavy 25th-anniversary tour through the UK in February, Jericho’s band, Fozzy, notably has no scheduled concerts for the weeks surrounding WrestleMania 42. This "blackout" period in his music schedule is a classic historical indicator that he has cleared his calendar for a significant wrestling program.
5. Internal "Retirement Tour" Pitch (Current Week): As of late March 2026, Wrestling Observer has reported that WWE creative is leaning toward a high-profile "Retirement Tour" for Jericho. This plan reportedly includes a marquee match at WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas, culminating in a future Hall of Fame induction, fulfilling Jericho's recent public comments about wanting to close his career on his own terms.