WWE Backlash heads to the Enterprise Center in St. Louis, Missouri, headlined by new WWE Champion John Cena defending against former champion and longtime rival Randy Orton.
This will be Cena’s first title defense since winning the title from Cody Rhodes at last month’s WrestleMania 41 and his first singles match against Orton since February 2017.
After winning it at WrestleMania 41, Jacob Fatu defends the United States title for the first time as he faces former champion LA Knight, Drew McIntyre and Damian Priest in a four-way.
New WWE Intercontinental Champion Dominik Mysterio defends for the second time since WrestleMania 41 as he faces Penta in a rematch from April.
WWE Women’s Intercontinental Champion Lyra Valkyria defends against former partner Becky Lynch after Lynch turned on her on the Raw after WrestleMania.
Following his attack against Pat McAfee at the Raw after WrestleMania, former WWE World Heavyweight Champion Gunther takes on the announcer in his first bout since the 2024 Royal Rumble match.
The pre-show begins at 5 PM Eastern with the main card kicking off at 7 PM Eastern on Peacock (U.S.) and Netflix (everywhere else).
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Countdown to Backlash
– Michael Cole, Big E, and Wade Barrett welcomed us to the Countdown show as various wrestlers were shown arriving to the arena ahead of tonight’s show.
– An interview Barrett conducted with Randy Orton earlier in the week was teased.
– After a video package on Lyra Valkyria defending her Women’s Intercontinental Championship, Jackie Redmond was shown backstage talking about remarks that both Lynch and Valkyria gave to her ahead of their match. We then went to Byron Saxton interviewing Valkyria herself.
– NXT’s Vic Joseph joined the panel to talk about Valkyria’s career progression. The discussion turned to Penta versus Dominik Mysterio shortly after.
– The panel recapped the events that led up to Gunther facing Pat McAfee tonight. Michael Cole reiterated that he was entitled to share his opinions without having to face any reprisal. He said that McAfee would not go down without a fight, even in defeat, as he wished McAfee the best of luck in his match tonight.
– LA Knight was interviewed backstage about his chances of winning the U.S. Championship Fatal Four-Way match later tonight. Following that, a special look at the history of WWE in video games was shown.
– Peter Rosenberg and Jackie Redmond replaced Cole and Barrett on the panel as the talk turned to the card for tonight’s show. We then went to Barrett’s sitdown interview with Randy Orton.
– Orton said that the John Cena of 2025 is “selfish” when asked to describe him in one word. He then talked about the first time he met Cena in Ohio Valley Wrestling two decades ago, before he discussed how the many battles with Cena were the most fun he had in his career. Now, in Orton’s mind, he believed that Cena was being selfish because he wasn’t thinking of others with his recent change in attitude. Orton promised that if given the chance, he’d punt Cena tonight before going on a retirement run of his own that would last 5-10 years, and he’d have fun going on that run.
– The panel talked about the U.S. Championship Fatal Four Way match, which was confirmed as the opening match for the evening before the focused switched to Penta vs. Dominik Mysterio for the Intercontinental Title.
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Backlash 2025
– Following the U.S. Anthem being sung, we were shown footage of various wrestlers arriving at the arena before our commentary team of Michael Cole and Wade Barrett welcomed us to the show proper ahead of our opener.
Fatal-Four Way for the United States Championship: Jacob Fatu vs. Drew McIntyre vs. LA Knight vs. Damian Priest
The bell rang with Knight and Fatu, as well as McIntyre and Priest brawling it out in their own separate skirmishes. The U.S. Champion was sent into the turnbuckle as Knight had control early.
McIntyre was taken down by a Samoan Drop from Fatu, before he got crushed with a running corner hip charge from the U.S Champion. As Fatu went up top, McIntyre raked at the eyes and looked to hit a superplex before Knight intercepted the Scotsman and hit him with repeated stomps. Knight then headed up top to attempt to slam Fatu, but got pushed aside. McIntyre showed impressive core strength and got himself back up to throw Fatu onto Knight, but the U.S. Champion recovered and unleashed a flurry on Priest and Knight. We then got Fatu getting blasted with a BFT from Knight, who then got thrown down with South of Heaven by Priest, followed by McIntyre’s Claymore on his hated rival. Priest fell onto Fatu, but McIntyre pulled him away as the count was made.
Knight’s BFT got countered, as McIntyre nailed him with a Future Shock DDT. This led to a Claymore on Knight, and it appeared we’d have a new U.S. Champion. That was until Priest pulled the referee at the last second before he could make the three count. The two bitter rivals brawled and sent each other crashing over into the timekeepers’ area.
Fatu and Knight were left in the ring as the U.S. Champion had his challenger dead to rights for a jumping moonsault, but Knight dodged at the last minute. A set of dual elbows from Knight nearly had the match won, but Fatu kicked out at two.
In the crowd, Priest and McIntyre fought as their fight escalated to a high platform. Priest dropped McIntyre with a South of Heaven chokeslam through a pair of tables in the ensuing melee. Back at ringside, Knight continued to dominate by throwing Fatu into the ringpost once more, as he then planted him onto the announce table. Knight headed up to the top rope and looked to have Fatu done and dusted with a diving elbow, until Solo Sikoa pulled Fatu out of harm’s way. As Knight stared down Sikoa, a mystery person attacked him before the assailant stepped over the barricade.
The assailant was revealed to be Jeff Cobb, who waylaid Knight before the challenger got thrown into the ring. As Fatu recovered, he stared down Cobb and Sikoa briefly before he entered the ring to continue the attack on Knight. One hip charge and moonsault later, and Fatu made the winning pin to retain his U.S. Championship.
Post-match, Fatu continued to stare down Sikoa and Cobb and appeared to leave on his own without the two.
Jacob Fatu def. LA Knight, Drew McIntyre, and Damian Priest to retain the United States Championship (Fatu pinned Knight)
Solid opening bout with lots of big meat being slapped around and Jeff Cobb’s surprise debut spicing things up. The interactions between champion Fatu and Cobb make it clear that there’ll certainly be a feud inevitably coming between these two down the line.
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Women’s Intercontinental Championship Match: Lyra Valkyria (c) vs. Becky Lynch
Lynch and Valkyria opened with a shoving contest, followed by the challenger keeping Valkyria grounded early on. Valkyria eventually recovered as we got a stalemate between these two.
Valkyria trapped Lynch in a swinging pendulum submission hold, as she then caught her in a surfboard stretch submission to maintain control against the veteran. Lynch got dropped with a dropkick from Valkyria, but she recovered to avoid a top rope attack from the Women’s IC Champion. Lynch continued to punish Valkyria to keep her grounded.
Valkyria stormed back with an impressive superplex, but Lynch kicked out in the nick of time. Lynch responded with a neckbreaker, but Valkyria kicked out. Valkyria got the better of Lynch and connected with a top rope legdrop. One, two, no! In the middle of the ring, a skirmish between champion and challenger turned into a duel of armbars that ended with Lynch seemingly having the Dis-Arm-Her locked in.
Lynch caught Valkyria with the Manhandle Slam, but the plucky Women’s I.C. champion managed to kick out at to, much to Lynch’s shock. Frustrated, Lynch headed to the timekeepers area to take a steel chair, but that was a distraction as she exposed the turnbuckle behind referee Jessika Carr’s back.
Lynch sent Valkyria into the middle turnbuckle as she hit another Manhandle Slam, but Valkyria kicked out yet again. Lynch tried to send Valkyria into the ringpost, but the referee saw it. In the ensuing scuffle, Lynch connected with Night Wing, but Lynch kicked out thanks to the referee taking too long.
After a pinfall exchange, Valkyria scored a flash rollup pin to retain. However, the Women’s I.C. Champion had no time to celebrate as Lynch snapped and locked Valkyria in the Dis-Arm-Her. The usual gaggle of former wrestlers, referees, and Adam Pearce made their way to the ring to stop Lynch’s rampage.
Lyra Valkyria def. Becky Lynch via pinfall to retain the Women’s Intercontinental Championship
A heck of a title bout that did not miss a step. Would not be against Lynch and Valkyria running back for the third time.
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Intercontinental Championship Match: “Dirty” Dominik Mysterio versus Penta
Lots of fast-paced offence to start us off with neither Dominik or Penta getting any sort of clear advantage, at least until Penta landed a Backstabber on his opponent for a two-count. Dominik secured the advantage as he sent Penta for a ride on the ropes, which then led to an impressive suicide dive turned into a DDT at ringside. Dominik sent Penta into the ring and landed a slingshot splash for another near-fall.
Dominik continued to have the command on Penta at this stage in the match. Penta fought out of a chinlock as he connected with a slingblade on the Intercontinental Champion. With Dominik on the outside, Penta headed up top and stepped on the top of the turnbuckle post itself as he connected with a splash on his champion opponent at ringside. In the ring, Dominik caught Penta and looked to connect with the Three Amigos, but Penta fought out of it. A 619 attempt from Dominik was dodged by Penta, who then delivered a crucifix bomb pin for the near-fall.
Dominik channeled his girlfriend Liv Morgan as he hit Penta with ObLIVion, but that was not enough to get the victory. The battle spilled onto the apron with Penta landing the Mexican Destroyer piledriver right on the apron! Carlito made his way down the ring at this point as Finn Balor and JD McDonagh entered. Some miscommunication between Balor and McDonagh led to the referee catching the Judgment Day duo in the act, prompting to a kickout. Penta responded in kind with a dive over the referee to take out Carlito and McDonagh. On the apron, Balor provided a distraction as El Grande Americano (who may or may not be Chad Gable) headbutted Penta, which gave Dominik the opening to connect with the Frog Splash to retain his coveted Intercontinental Championship.
Dominik Mysterio def. Penta via pinfall to retain the Intercontinental Championship
Decent match, but having yet another match conclude with interference after the opener had a similar finish seems rather disappointing and feels more at home on a weekly WWE show rather than a PPV. That said, it’s nice to see Dominik progress as an in-ring talent, and he got some nice moves in during this match, like the suicide dive/DDT combo.
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Gunther vs. Pat McAfee
Gunther started things off by pushing McAfee into the corner before the two sized each other up once more. Gunther nonchalantly threw McAfee from a headlock position as he then utilized his technical prowess to trap McAfee with an arm wrench. McAfee escaped and barely avoided a Gunther chop attempt with a dodge. McAfee answered with a headlock of his own as he got sent to the apron. McAfee responded to Gunther mocking him with an attempt at a strike (after slipping off the top rope), but got met with a clothesline from the Austrian.
McAfee tried to hit Gunther with some chops of his own, but got floored by a hard chop by Gunther. With McAfee prone in the corner, Gunther continued to punish him with his patented chops, which began to turn McAfee’s chest red. Gunther absorbed a punt kick to the back from McAfee and once again looked to have the upper hand.
McAfee hyped himself up as he tried once again to hit Gunther with chops, but he got dropped with a fierce boot to the face. Gunther taunted Cole and invited him to get into the ring to witness the brutality firsthand. McAfee recovered, but couldn’t maintain a second win as Gunther connected with a German suplex. Gunther tried to apply his sleeper hold, but McAfee attempted an escape. Another German suplex from Gunther kept McAfee’s comeback a fleeting one.
Gunther continued to play with his food as he put McAfee on the top rope and looked for an avalanche German suplex. McAfee managed to avoid that calamity, and tried for a moonsault. Gunther avoided it, and tried for a German suplex. McAfee landed on his feet and hit a series of punts on Gunther. That, however, wasn’t enough to even get a two-count as Gunther kicked out at one. McAfee and Gunther faced off in the middle of the ring and exchanged strikes until McAfee’s attempt at keeping Gunther floored was met with a powerbomb.
In the middle of the ring, McAfee was trapped in a Boston Crab by Gunther as Michael Cole got off his commentary seat and tried to will McAfee on. Gunther took notice and dragged Cole into the ring as he attempted to hit a powerbomb on the commentator. McAfee intervened with a boot, but was met with a boot from Gunther for his troubles. Cole grabbed onto Gunther’s feet as McAfee tried for a pin, but Gunther kicked out.
McAfee’s sleeper hold attempt was stopped as Gunther destroyed him with a lariat. Gunther caught McAfee with his patented sleeper hold and appeared to have it all wrapped up. McAfee struggled and tried to fight out of it, but simply could not escape as Gunther scored the victory via referee stoppage.
Post-match, Gunther appeared to give McAfee credit for his efforts in the match.
Gunther def. Pat McAfee via submission
I can’t quite put into words how I felt about this match, since this wasn’t really going to be a classic bout. In any case, this match was certainly one of the matches of all time. Gunther did the best he could and certainly played his role, and I can’t really say much about McAfee’s in-ring abilities (or lack thereof). In short, this felt like a match that lasted a bit too longer than it should’ve.
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Undisputed WWE Championship Match: John Cena vs. Randy Orton
As expected, Orton got a huge hometown reaction from the crowd inside the Enterprise Center, complete with the now-familiar singalong of “Voices” serenading Orton’s arrival to the ring for this main event.
Following the introductions, the bell rang as Cena and Orton locked up in the middle of the ring with a test of strength that nobody won out in. The two would then stare one another down as Cena offered a handshake, before he poked Orton in the eye. The Viper answered back with a shot of his own to Cena’s eye, which sent the WWE Champion outside to reassess the situation.
In the ring, Orton dropped Cena with a shoulder block as he then applied a headlock. Cena escaped, but got taken down with another shoulder block, which caused him to take a powder and attempt to walk out on the match. Orton ran him down and refused to let Cena escape. In the ring, Cena struck Orton with a surprise clothesline to gain control of this match. Orton fought back and caught Cena with a set of 20 punches in the corner.
Orton began to target the downed Cena with his patented stomps, followed by a knee drop to the face of the Champ. Cena reversed an Irish whip from Orton and trapped him in a sleeper hold. This led to a series of dueling sleepers from both men that ended with Orton delivering a back suplex on Cena as both men were left down and out in the ring. Cena recovered and hit his shoulder charges, spinout Protoplex, followed by the Five Knuckle Shuffle. Orton fought out of an AA attempt from Cena as he answered with a vintage powerslam. Cena countered a draped DDT attempt with a rollup, followed by the STFU locked in. Orton escaped the hold and connected with his trademark DDT to leave Cena out cold.
The Viper sized up his prey as he looked for the RKO, but Cena countered and attempted an Attitude Adjustment. Cena appeared to connect, but Orton countered it into a sort-of RKO as he was being dropped on his back. Once both men got back to their feet, we got an exchange of strikes between Orton and Cena. In the melee, Cena caught Orton with the Attitude Adjustment. One, two… Orton kicked out!
Cena tried for another AA, but Orton used the ropes to escape. Cena’s attempt at hitting the shoulder tackles was met with an RKO out of nowhere. Cena managed to roll out of harms way to avoid Orton pinning him. Orton tried to go for the Punt with Cena in position, but the Undisputed WWE Champion escaped and hit one more AA. However, Orton kicked out at 2.99999999 to keep this match going.
Cena mocked Orton’s pose and tried for a Punt of his own. Orton dodged, and looked for an RKO, but Cena pushed him right into the referee. Cena hit an AA on Orton and grabbed the WWE Championship belt from ringside. As Cena entered the ring, he got met with an RKO from Orton. One, two…. Cena kicked out! As Cena rolled out of the ring, Orton looked towards the commentary table and cleared it away with bad intentions on his mind. Cena once again pushed Orton into the referee, which sent him into the steel steps as a result.
Cena took Orton and put him on his shoulders, as he looked for an AA onto the table, but Orton escaped and turned the tables with an AA of his own to Cena. The table itself fell apart five seconds after after Cena kicked around while sprawled in pain. Orton looked around under the ring and found a table as he set it up next to the ring. Cena took advantage and once again tried the AA, but Orton escaped yet again and threw Cena with an AA through the regular table.
Inside the ring, Cena got himself up and was taken down by an RKO. As a referee ran down to make the count, Cena kicked out at two. Orton argued with the referee as Cena grabbed the WWE Championship belt. Orton hit an RKO on Cena, but there was no referee to make the count. SmackDown GM Nick Aldis and several officials ran down to the ring to survey the chaos, much to Orton’s irritation.
Orton snapped and dropped Aldis and the other officials with a barrage of RKOs, to the St. Louis crowd’s delight. Cena was again in position for a Punt, but R-Truth ran in to stop Orton at the last second. He got dropped with an RKO for his troubles. This allowed Cena to hit a low blow on Orton, followed by a shot with the title. As the referee crawled back to the ring, Cena made the pin and that’s it, over. The so-called “Last Real Champion” retains in the Backlash main event.
After the match, Cena took the microphone and had the music cut. He said that he didn’t need music, and he needed competition. Cena said that this is what the “Last Real Champion” looks like and despite the obvious set up for a surprise, the show just ended there.
John Cena def. Randy Orton via pinfall to retain the Undisputed WWE Championship
That got a bit overbooked towards the end, but it was the fun kind of overbooked, which did make the main event a decent way to end an otherwise okay show that felt like “Saturday Night Raw” at times. Of course, the main highlight of the night was the excellent Lynch/Valkyria Women’s I.C. Title match, but other than that, everything just felt like a “kinda there” moment.
It’s clear that the 5-match PLE format that the Paul Levesque-led WWE braintrust have adhered to is a double-edged sword. When the majority of the matches are solid, it elevates the show greatly. On the other hand, when the show is filled with 3-4 mediocre-to-decent matches, it ends up making the show fall a bit flat. Unfortunately, Backlash 2025 falls under that latter category.
