WWE Backlash: Just four months after retiring from the ring, John Cena hosted WrestleMania 42. On both evenings, Cena made several appearances in the ring with Danhausen, The Miz, and Kit Wilson on Night 2, and Bianca Belair on Night 1. Cena will also make an appearance at Backlash on May 9 in Tampa, Florida, less than a month after WrestleMania. Last week, he posted on social media that he would make a historic announcement at the event.
WWE Backlash: John Cena to make major announcement
Only a couple of days until #WWEBacklash!!! pic.twitter.com/FN7GhbcrSU
— John Cena (@JohnCena) May 7, 2026
John Cena took to Twitter just days before WWE Backlash and teased a major announcement that will shock the foundation of WWE. The former wrestler had announced his retirement the previous year but appeared to host the 42nd edition of WWE WrestleMania. While there are no confirmations as to what announcement the former champion will make, there are multiple speculations doing the rounds. It is being speculated that his announcement could be related to the announcement of Club WWE.
What is Club WWE?
Club WWE is a dedicated insider app with the aim of bringing fans closer to the WWE superstars. Club WWE, the ultimate insider membership program created to bring fans closer to WWE than ever before with special access, prizes, and experiences, was introduced by WWE earlier in April. Club WWE would function as a special location for WWE fans, providing a plethora of advantages in terms of ticketing, merchandise, community, and content—all in one location.
John Cena to return on WWE Backlash
John Cena, earlier this week, announced that he would return to WWE Backlash. The 17-time World Champion set the WWE Universe ablaze with his announcement, with fans speculating why the former WWE wrestler would return only a month after hosting WWE WrestleMania 42.
According to Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer Radio, Cena recently signed a massive new multi-appearance contract with WWE. “The situation there is that he is on Backlash,” Meltzer explained. “I’m not sure what the role will be because he said he’s never going to wrestle again. They signed him to a contract, which called for a number of appearances, so this is one of those appearances.” The agreement was made to keep Cena in the fold as a global ambassador and “special attraction” for the WWE, but Meltzer said it’s “weird” to see Cena back so soon after his high-profile hosting stint at WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas.
