WWE presents its newest PPV providing on Saturday night time in St. Louis. The promotion is again with WWE Backlash — the standard PPV to observe WrestleMania — and options 4 championship matches in a busy night time of motion. Atop the marquee, John Cena places his newly secured WWE title on the road in opposition to hometown hero Randy Orton as the 2 rekindle their longstanding rivalry one final time earlier than Cena’s retirement.
Cena and Orton have wrestled one another 21 instances, with Cena main the rivalry 13-7-1. Their Backlash conflict may be the final time they meet earlier than Cena’s promised retirement on the 12 months’s finish. Backlash marks Cena’s first title protection since defeating Cody Rhodes for the undisputed WWE title at WrestleMania 41.
The cardboard will even function three extra title matches. Most notably, a deadly four-way for the USA championship is about when Jacob Fatu, who earned the title at WrestleMania 41, faces off in opposition to Drew McIntyre, L.A. Knight and Damian Priest. Fatu beat Knight for the title and McIntyre and Priest have continued their blood feud past WrestleMania as nicely.
One other title match sees new intercontinental champion Dominik Mysterio look to defend his title in opposition to Penta. The 2 stars haven’t come head to head within the construct as much as this match, however Penta has had continued points with Mysterio’s allies in Judgement Day. Mysterio will seemingly have Finn Balor, who he pinned in a deadly four-way at WrestleMania to win the title, in his nook, however tensions throughout the group proceed to bubble up.
One of many weirder bookings of the night time sees former world heavyweight champion Gunther tackle announcer and sports activities character Pat McAfee. The previous NFL punter has not wrestled a singles match since WrestleMania 39 regardless of making a few comedic appearances in a pair of Royal Rumbles. McAfee will try and defend his and play-by-play man Michael Cole’s honor after Gunther viciously attacked each males on Uncooked after WrestleMania for his or her opinions main up and after Gunther’s match with Jey Uso the place he dropped the world title.
John Cena vs. Randy Orton: Trying again on the 5 finest matches of their storied rivalry earlier than WWE Backlash
Brent Brookhouse
Look beneath on the confirmed matches for Backlash and look on the crystal ball to see what could come. The occasion streams reside on Peacock on Saturday with the principle card beginning at 7 p.m. ET. Be sure you try our workers predictions for each match as nicely.
2025 WWE Backlash matches
Undisputed WWE Championship — John Cena (c) vs. Randy Orton: These legendary rivals go at it for seemingly the final time. Orton struck Cena with an RKO on the Uncooked after WrestleMania, getting the ball rolling on this showdown. Cena and Orton final went one-on-one eight years in the past on SmackDown. Orton is decided to offer Cena’s new perspective an adjustment; in the meantime, Cena is dedicated to bringing the Orton household legacy to an in depth.
Ladies’s Intercontinental Championship — Lyra Valkyria (c) vs. Becky Lynch: A really feel good story went south the night time after WrestleMania. Valkyria pulled Lynch off the bench after 11 months, bringing “The Man” again from hiatus as her thriller tag crew accomplice. The Irish superstars gained the WWE girls’s tag crew championships however misplaced them again to Judgment Day the subsequent night time. Lynch attacked Valkyria in a rage, ending their short-lived crew and starting a feud that escalates at Backlash.
Gunther vs. Pat McAfee: Former world heavyweight champion Gunther has a stunning new course. After dropping to Jey Uso at WrestleMania, Gunther attacked WWE commentator Michael Cole. Gunther slapped a chokehold on Cole as punishment for Cole’s alleged bias in opposition to him. McAfee cracked Gunther with a forearm to avoid wasting Cole, main Gunther to choke out McAfee. The following week, McAfee accepted a chance to wrestle Gunther at Backlash.
United States Championship — Jacob Fatu (c) vs. Drew McIntyre vs. LA Knight vs. Damian Priest: McIntyre defeated LA Knight in No. 1 contender’s match on SmackDown, albeit by disqualification. Damian Priest then attacked McIntyre, extending their WrestleMania rivalry. It is unclear what WWE plans for McIntyre and Fatu’s fast future, however a U.S. title match is on the desk. The next week, The Bloodline ruined a match between Knight and Priest. SmackDown common supervisor Nick Aldis’ answer was to ebook a deadly 4 approach.
Intercontinental Championship — Dominik Mysterio (c) vs. Penta: Penta has had loads of points with Judgment Day already. He has additionally added in issues with Chad Gable, who was unable to efficiently intrude and cease Penta from defeating JD McDonagh on Uncooked. Mysterio is navigating difficult points inside Judgment Day, particularly his relationship with Finn Balor, however nonetheless might need sufficient folks in his nook to retain the title he gained at WrestleMania.
