WWE has confirmed that Bron Breakker vs. Seth Rollins and United States Champion Trick Williams vs. Sami Zayn will air live during the first hour of Backlash on ESPN2 this Saturday. The decision continues WWE’s recent approach of simulcasting opening hours of premium events on ESPN2, following the WrestleMania Saturday arrangement.

The build to both matches picked up on Raw and SmackDown: Rollins and Breakker traded attacks on Monday, including a spear by Breakker after a Montez Ford distraction, while Williams granted Zayn a rematch after Zayn destroyed the Gingerbread Man prop — an angle that will continue with a funeral segment on Friday. The full Backlash card also features Roman Reigns vs. Jacob Fatu for the World Heavyweight title, IYO SKY vs. Asuka, The Miz & Kit Wilson vs. Danhausen and a partner (TBD), and John Cena promising “history-making news.” Originally reported by Wrestling Observer: https://www.f4wonline.com/news/wwe/wwe-reveals-which-backlash-matches-will-air-live-on-espn-2/.

The Wrestling Observer is reporting that WWE has been conducting releases and asking some non-top-tier performers to accept pay cuts, including one reported instance of a 50 percent reduction, while top names have largely been spared. Nick Khan reportedly addressed staff about company direction, Paul Levesque, WrestleMania, social media, Saudi events and AI; meanwhile, former WWE stars Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods have issued their first public statements since their releases.

Elsewhere, El Hijo del Vikingo is awaiting MRI results after landing hard on his shoulder in a recent AAA match and is still scheduled to challenge El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. for the Latin American title on May 30 in Monterrey. On the live-TV front, Raw’s Omaha go-home show for Backlash will feature a Roman Reigns–Jacob Fatu contract signing and other key segments, with Backlash set to begin at 6 p.m. ET to limit overlap with UFC; AEW’s upcoming three-hour Dynamite and recent NJPW Donaku title changes were also noted, and Kota Ibushi provided a candid update on his femur recovery.

Originally reported by Wrestling Observer: https://www.f4wonline.com/news/daily-updates/daily-update-more-on-wwe-talent-paycut-story-hijo-del-vikingo-injury-update/.