標籤: partner

Danhausen’s mystery partner at WWE Backlash in Tampa this Saturday could be about to generate the wrong kind of reaction from fans.

Brian Alvarez of the Wrestling Observer wrote on If the rumor turns out to be true, it’s a reveal that won’t go down well with audiences who are tired of celebrity presence in the company.

That framing tells its own story. The betting odds at Backlash place Punk as the favorite to become Danhausen’s partner at -200, with Joe Hendry at +200, Mr. Iguana at +300, and Jelly Roll at +400. A crowd expecting a punk hit, but getting jelly rolls instead, could have a bad reaction at Amalie Arena on Saturday night.

Before Cody Rhodes retained the Undisputed WWE Championship against Randy Orton at WrestleMania 42, there were plans for Jelly Roll to team with Rhodes at Backlash in a tag match against Orton and Pat McAfee.

That program fell apart when McAfee opted out of the program following negative fan reaction to his inclusion at WrestleMania, and Orton has not appeared on WWE programming since this event, amid reports that he was struggling with physical problems on the show.

With the original tags matching the table, it appears that Jelly Roll’s involvement has been redirected to the Danhausen program. Whether that creative pivot satisfies viewers who have been waiting to learn who Danhausen’s partner is, but the contrast between CM Punk’s revelations and Jelly Roll’s revelations may backfire.

On Saturday night, WWE returned with its latest premium live event, Backlash. The card in Tampa, FL features just five matches and will also include a special announcement from WWE icon John Cena. There’s always a chance for surprises when it comes to WWE PLE, and the last two editions of Backlash included the emergence of new members to the Solo Sequoia version of Bloodline.

With that in mind, we present five potential surprises to look out for on Saturday at Backlash.

Kairi Sane will make a surprise return at WWE Backlash

To the dismay of many WWE fans, women’s division stalwart Kairi Sane was one of nearly 30 roster releases over the past few weeks. This left many disappointed as she was unable to complete her ongoing storyline with longtime friend Asuka.

However, in recent times there have been rumors that Sane may make a special appearance at Backlash to finish what he started. Given how much TV time was devoted to the storyline over the past year, look for Sane to make a one-off return to help Iyo Sky defeat Asuka.

Braun Breaker defeated Seth Rollins at Backlash

Had it not been for an unfortunate injury, Seth Rollins would have faced Braun Breaker at WrestleMania 42. However, instead, we got this huge grudge match at Backlash. The couch booker in all of us would suggest that Rollins gets the W on Saturday as The Breaker played a role in his loss to Gunther at ‘Mania and has consistently gained the upper hand on his former mentor since then.

However, Rollins is a made man, and WWE is working hard to develop future WrestleMania main eventers. While fans would love a Rollins victory, don’t be surprised if Breaker’s run of success against the former leader of The Vision continues this weekend.

Roman Reigns vs. Jacob Fatu ends in disqualification

The main event of Backlash will see Roman Reigns defend the World Heavyweight Title for the first time against his cousin, “The Samoan Werewolf” Jacob Fatu. If there’s any guarantee on Saturday, it’s that Reigns isn’t losing his title. However, getting a decisive and clean win over Fatu may not benefit the company long term as he is someone they are trying to build into a main event talent.

That’s why we predict Backlash will end with a disqualification to ensure that Reigns hold on to the title and that they keep Fatu strong to set up another match in their next PLE.

John Cena will announce the return of WWE Draft

WWE legend John Cena has been bullish about his appearance at Backlash and on Thursday claimed his announcement would “shake the foundation of WWE.” There is speculation that this club will be related to the launch of WWE. However, it may ultimately lead to boos from the crowd in Tampa.

To avoid an unpleasant moment with the beloved legend, we predict the company will go in the other direction and announce the return of WWE Draft. They didn’t do that in 2024, and both Raw and SmackDown are in desperate need of a change in the status quo.

‘Cola Man Punk’ will be Danhausen’s mystery partner

One of the most anticipated elements of Backlash this year was the reveal of who Danhausen’s mystery opponent would be in the tag match against The Miz and Kit Wilson. There has been much speculation as to who he might be, including the sinister return of Jelly Roll. However, we expect WWE to deliver a fan-pleasing moment that will partner “Cola Man Punk”, aka CM Punk.

Danhausen and Punk are real-life friends, and the latter played a big role in bringing the former to WWE. Punk is not in a storyline at the moment, and this would be a fun way to put him in action in a great moment and create an unlikely team-up on television.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

Sunny Mehta already has the option to pick up the phone and negotiate a potential New Jersey Devils trade and improve his top six.

After failing to make the playoffs for the 10th consecutive season, the Detroit Red Wings are now the longest-serving team to miss the postseason after the Buffalo Sabers punched their ticket this spring.

Expressing his disappointment with Steve Yzerman declaring a disappointing season, he described the Red Wings as “needing better players” and said that no one in the organization is untouched.

“We will certainly look at any ways we can improve our team to take the next step,” Yzerman said. “Definitely ready to do that. We’re absolutely ready to do that.”

While it’s unclear what direction Detroit’s GM will choose to go this summer, the Red Wings certainly have some players that would benefit New Jersey in a potential Devils trade.

In his introductory press conference, Mehta explained that he wanted to “make smart, objective and educated decisions… again and again, again and again.”

He later clarified that although he has a background in analytics as a former professional poker player, stock trader, and NHL executive, he finds value in blending analytics with his hockey knowledge.

“The reason I ever cared about analytics, statistical probability, is because it helped me win. It helped me win in poker. It helped me win on the trading floor, and it helped me win in hockey. And that’s why I care about it.

“And blending, of course, is important in the same way as in poker it’s not just the numbers. You have to get a feel for your opponent. You have to understand the subjectivity of bluffing. And, you have to understand psychology. And the same is true in trading, right? You have to have a feel for the markets. You have to understand how news affects things, how subjectivity and human emotions affect things.”

So, who can the Devils target in Detroit to improve their roster?

alex debrincat

Who is better than Alex DeBrincat for goals?

DeBrincat is the Red Wings’ leading goal scorer over the past two seasons, with 41 and 39 goals respectively. 2025-26 was the third time in the 28-year-old’s nine-year career that he reached or surpassed the 40-goal mark. He has also scored more than 30 goals in five seasons in his career.

DeBrincat scores in a lot of different ways. He can finish off the rush, shoot from a different zone on offense, he scored 15 power play goals last season, and added eight assists on the man advantage.

DeBrincat is coming off a career-best 85-point season, which will certainly increase his trade value.

However, the Devils have assets to deal with.

DeBrincat – a regular running-back with Patrick Kane – would ultimately be a strong fit next to Devils stars Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt to complete that line.

He has one year remaining on his contract in 2026-27 with $7.875 million before a new contract becomes due next summer.

The Devils need to score more goals and that’s what DeBrincat does best.

lucas raymond

If the Devils want a younger option, Mehta could target Lucas Raymond.

One of the criticisms of Raymond in 2025–26 was that he needed to shoot more. Nevertheless, he scored 25 goals on 173 shots – a shooting percentage of 14.5%.

In four of Raymond’s five seasons in the NHL, he has scored 20 or more goals. In 2023–24, Raymond scored a career-high 31 goals, and the following season scored a career-high 80 points.

Raymond is a skilled all-around forward who should be spending a little more time in the prime years of his career at the age of 24.

On the downside, Raymond was trusted as the driver of his line, rather than being a complimentary piece next to Hughes or Bratt.

The Devils have assets to deal with, their first-round selection Simon Nemec and perhaps one of their young rising forward players, Lenny Haminaho.

Raymond is heading into a third, very favorable eight-year contract with a cap hit of $8.075 million.

Hey, David Blitzer gave Mehta his blessing to spend the cap. He can also swing for the fences.

James is the fully certified New Jersey Devils beat reporter for New Jersey Hockey Now on SportsNote and … More about James Nicholls