When Cody Rhodes looks back at his Undisputed WWE Championship reign, he’s especially proud of the match he had against AJ Styles in France.
Rhodes and Styles met in their first ever singles-match against each other when WWE Backlash took place in Lyon, France in May 2024. It was the first title defense for Rhodes after toppling Roman Reigns — and he was on a mission to prove that he could be an effective babyface champion. A red-hot crowd, and having Styles as his opponent, made the show a special experience for Rhodes.
“There’s two things that lingered with me in terms of being champion that I was very proud of. I was very proud that immediately, right after WrestleMania 40, we jumped right to this PLE in France in front of the greatest crowd wrestling may have ever seen,” Rhodes told Undisputed in a new interview. “I shared the ring with AJ Styles, a wrestler’s wrestler, who is as good as it possibly gets–on any given day, AJ could be the number one wrestler for any company in the world.
“We told a story for that incredibly loud crowd, and I wanted to show that this run would be different. Traditionally, you’ll hear people say that it is hard to be a babyface champion. It’s hard to be a babyface in general. But I’ve been blessed to have this connection, especially this unique connection with our younger audience, which grows at a speed like no other.”
Rhodes added that the other thing that resonates with him about his run with the title is how his identity became being the champion.
“And something else I was really proud of is when the cameramen say, ‘Hey, Champ.’ Or Joe [Tessitore] says, ‘Hey, Champ.’ I’m proud of how my identity became that of the champion,” he said.
Rhodes held the Undisputed WWE Championship for one year before dropping the belt to John Cena at WrestleMania 41. The two will face off in a rematch for the title this August at SummerSlam. If Rhodes wins, he’ll head back to France as champion when WWE Clash in Paris takes place on August 31. Following Backlash in Lyon, this is the second time France has ever hosted a WWE PLE.
Figure Four Daily with Bryan Alvarez and Filthy Tom Lawlor is back with tons to talk about including how much we loved THE WWE SPEED TOURNAMENT, how you can watch and what’s next for this odd little brand, plus Smackdown and the Smackdown-brand matches on the Backlash PPV. A fun show as always so check it out~!
The story coming out of Saturday’s WWE Backlash wasn’t so much about a match or a result. It was about the crowd.
Much like last year’s Backlash, the show in Lyon, France, had monumental heat for every one of the matches that took place, creating an environment that made WWE look like the hottest promotion on Earth.
As a result, all matches from Saturday’s premium live event benefited and made the show an absolute thumbs up just to hear the crowd react to anything and everything.
Cody Rhodes retained the undisputed WWE Championship in a very good match against AJ Styles — a true WWE main event match in structure. There isn’t much to say about it as it was good! Not a match-of-the-year contender by any means, but they had a good match in front of a hot crowd. You can say that for most of the matches that took place on Saturday.
One thing I’ll praise WWE events about is the brisk pace. That’s refreshing in a world where I have to spend all day covering an AEW pay-per-view that starts at 3:30 PM PST and doesn’t finish until Tony Khan stops talking at around 11:30 PM PST.
Anyway, here’s my thoughts on the rest of the card:
The opening match had The Bloodline’s Tama Tonga and Solo Sikoa earn a win over Randy Orton and Kevin Owens when, of all people, Tanga Loa came in and interfered, seemingly becoming the newest member of The Bloodline. The match was your typical very good WWE-style weapons match, but the crowd made it memorable. One thing is for sure: France likes singing Orton’s theme.
Bayley retained the WWE Women’s Championship in a three-way over Naomi and Tiffany Stratton. This was a match made to showcase Stratton as it’s clear she’s getting over and improving to the point where she may become a top star sooner than one would think. As much as I liked this match, I am wincing as the next title program is probably Bayley vs. Nia Jax. I can’t wait for that. Just kidding, I can.
Damian Priest kept the WWE World title, denying Jey Uso thanks to the help of JD McDonagh and Finn Balor. The match was a backdrop for the Judgment Day drama, which I think is finally leading to the split that’s been teased for well over a year. Still, I thought this was good as well, a big step up by Uso after a very disappointing WrestleMania match.
There was one title change on the show with Jade Cargill and Bianca Belair winning the Women’s Tag Team titles by defeating The Kabuki Warriors. I also thought this was good as Cargill is improving. It’s a smart idea to put her in a team for a while with someone like Belair. The only problem is what other tag teams are there in this division?
With Backlash out of the way and King of the Ring coming up, we should be getting some ideas for SummerSlam in the next few weeks, at the very least planting the seeds for the next big stadium show in the U.S. We’ll likely see that once the dust clears from the King and Queen of the Ring tournaments that begin on Monday’s Raw.
New Women’s Tag Team Champions Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill, Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes, and Chief Creative Officer Triple H took questions from the media following Saturday’s premium live event in Lyon, France.
Here are notes from the press conference:
Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill
Belair noted that the women showed up tonight, saying that the women’s division can put on amazing matches. Belair said they are moving on from accomplishing firsts, it’s now the norm.
Cody Rhodes
He told a story about how he and his wife were eating dinner when he said just winning the WWE Championship and getting to hold it would be enough for him. Cody said that Brandi told him he was “full of s***”, saying he’d just want to make things even bigger. He put over both the crowd in France and AJ Styles.
When asked who he would like to face next, he said he would like to refer that to Triple H. He did say that LA Knight is someone he looks at because there’s a flavor there, and it is a match he is interested in. He also mentioned he wonders how he would do against his former mentor Randy Orton.
Someone asked about Dustin Rhodes not being at WrestleMania and asked Cody if he had talked to him. He said he had the shortest talk ever at WrestleMania, but also the greatest. Dustin told him that “he’s doing it now,” and to Cody, that’s the best feeling ever. He said that before Sting or Shawn Micheals was his favorite wrestler, it was Dustin Rhodes and he has advocated for Dustin to go into the WWE Hall of Fame.
Mentioned that Jamie Knoble called him the “golden boy”. He said if he is the face of this new era, he hopes the fans have the excitement, love, and happiness that it has brought him.
Triple H
Put over how loud the fans were tonight. Triple H said they were so loud that people couldn’t hear one another in the gorilla position.
Triple H reiterated that this was the largest gate in any arena in WWE history. He does not expect this to be the last time they are in France.
He also put over the recent European tour, singling out Italy and saying he would be looking into them. He said that if a major country wants WWE, they have to do what France did.
He mentioned London Mayor Sadiq Khan getting re-elected, saying they should talk
When asked if they would run a stadium show in France in the future, Triple H said he got a text from Nick Khan during the show with the word “stadium”.
Someone asked how he was doing after everything that has happened in the last few years between his health, the Vince McMahon allegations, and the TKO takeover. He said he was doing fine, all of the other stuff is stuff that happens. He said that he loves doing this and loves the process. One thing WWE stresses is fun, they are here to entertain people and put smiles on people’s faces.
One final question was asked regarding Drew Gulak getting released and if it had anything to do with Ronda Rousey’s allegations. Triple H sidestepped the Rousey allegations and said that they release talent all the time. In Gulak’s case, he was not released, his contract just wasn’t renewed.
WWE’s first-ever PPV/PLE from France was a financially successful night for the company.
During the event, it was announced that Backlash broke the record for the largest arena gate in WWE history (excluding stadium shows). Backlash took place from LDLC Arena in Lyon on Saturday. The venue also hosted Friday’s SmackDown, with that being the highest-grossing SmackDown of all time.
“This is the largest gate of any arena show in WWE history,” Michael Cole announced. “Thank you, Lyon. Thank you, France. Thanks everybody watching at home.”
The previous record for WWE’s largest arena gate was Money in the Bank 2023, which was held at The O2 Arena in London and drew a gate of $3.3 million.
Both SmackDown and Backlash had red-hot crowds in Lyon. WWE’s new strategy is for non-big five PLEs to be held in locations outside of the United States/Canada. The company’s upcoming events include King & Queen of the Ring in Saudi Arabia (May 25), Clash at the Castle in Scotland (June 15), and Bash in Berlin in Germany (August 31).
In just their fourth time teaming together on television, Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill captured tag team gold.
The new duo defeated Damage CTRL’s Asuka & Kairi Sane at Backlash to win the WWE Women’s Tag Team titles. This is Cargill’s first title reign in WWE, and it’s the first time Belair has been a tag team champion in her career.
Asuka & Sane looked to have the match won after an InSane Elbow on Belair, but Cargill broke up the pin. Cargill laid out Sane with Jaded, then Belair dropped Asuka onto Sane with a KOD. Belair pinned Asuka to win the titles.
This was Cargill’s sixth televised match for WWE. After departing AEW last September, Cargill signed with WWE. She then made her WWE in-ring debut this January. WWE started to pair Belair & Cargill together as a team prior to WrestleMania 40.
Belair & Cargill were both drafted to SmackDown in the 2024 WWE Draft. As the Women’s Tag Team Champions, they can appear on every brand. Asuka & Sane can now only appear on Raw.
Asuka & Sane had been champions since winning the Women’s Tag Team titles from Kayden Carter & Katana Chance on the January 26 episode of SmackDown.
The Bloodline got an unexpected new addition at Backlash.
At Saturday’s event in France, Tanga Loa made his WWE debut by helping the new-look Bloodline (Solo Sikoa & Tama Tonga) defeat Kevin Owens & Randy Orton in a street fight. Loa is Tonga’s brother. They were seven-time tag team champions together as the Guerrillas of Destiny in NJPW.
The 40-year-old Loa’s last match for NJPW took place on March 31. There wasn’t any speculation going into Backlash that he would be able to join WWE.
Prior to his eight-year run in NJPW, Loa wrestled in NXT as Camacho.
Owens was about to pin Tonga at Backlash before Loa got involved. Owens gave Tonga a brainbuster off the top rope onto a pile of chairs. He went for the cover, but Loa pulled the referee out of the ring. Loa struck both Owens and Orton with the steel steps, leading to Sikoa & Tonga getting the victory with Sikoa pinning Owens.
Since WrestleMania, The Bloodline’s story has seen Sikoa seemingly put himself in charge of the faction with Roman Reigns not around. He’s added both Tonga and Loa to The Bloodline while kicking Jimmy Uso out of it.
Paul Heyman, who has been worried about the changes to The Bloodline, said on SmackDown that he hasn’t talked to Reigns since WrestleMania. Heyman said he made the decision to pull Reigns out of the WWE Draft on his own because he couldn’t subject Reigns to the chaos that’s going on within The Bloodline right now.
Backlash was Tonga’s first televised match for WWE. It wasn’t originally announced as a street fight, but SmackDown general manager Nick Aldis added the stipulation after the teams got into a wild brawl before the bell rang.
Tonga & Loa are sons of pro wrestling legend Haku.
Date: May 4, 2024 Location: LDLC Arena in Lyon-Décines, France
**********
Show Recap —
KICK-OFF SHOW
Paul Levesque, Cody Rhodes, AJ Styles, Damian Priest, Jey Uso, Tiffany Stratton, Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill were shown arriving to the arena at various times.
Jackie Redmond, Big E and CM Punk hosted the pre-show panel from their studio (not in France). Punk wished he was in France for the show.
They plugged Rhodes vs. Styles and Bayley vs. Naomi vs. Tiffany Stratton.
There was an Andre The Giant tribute video.
Byron Saxton interviewed Jey Uso. Jey had goosebumps. He called tonight a career-defining moment. Damian Priest was a beast but Jey had to prove he could stand on his own as World Heavyweight Champion.
Big E, somewhat oddly, spoke about Jey’s comments from a few days ago where Jey said he was disappointed with his match against Jimmy Uso at WrestleMania. (Odd thing to bring up given that he won that match.) Big E said Jey would be extra motivated tonight, not only to win the title but to have a match people will remember.
There was a video of Kayla Braxton and Kevin Owens hanging out around France.
Saxton interviewed Belair and Cargill. Belair was tired of talking about Damage CTRL and proceeded to talk about them. Belair wanted to take their titles so Damage CTRL could disappear back to Raw. Cargill said they didn’t have time for this and they left.
They cut to a live shot of the live crowd chanting for Punk. He appreciated it and promised to be there with his boots on the next time they were in France.
Saxton walked down the aisle to take in the red-hot live crowd.
Randy Orton and Kevin Owens were shown arriving. Owens snuck into Rhodes’ locker room to steal a banana.
Big E mentioned that Tama Tonga was in Guerrillas of Destiny with Tanga Loa in New Japan and Punk was taken aback that he mentioned any of those things. Punk admitted he still wasn’t sure where the line was regarding what they could mention and what they couldn’t. Big E didn’t care if he got in trouble.
There was a pre-taped interview with Styles. He told Braxton that his new attitude was due to his renewed focus. He was tired of being complacent. Styles didn’t want to hurt Rhodes, but he did need to beat him. While discussing the match, Punk took a not-so-subtle shot at Drew McIntyre (without mentioning his name).
They cut to Michael Cole and Corey Graves who spoke about how insanely loud the crowd was. Cole said he got a noise level warning on his smartwatch.
********
BACKLASH FRANCE
They aired the same clips from the pre-show of Cody Rhodes, AJ Styles, Jade Cargill, Bianca Belair, Damage CTRL, Damian Priest and Jey Uso arriving earlier today.
There was a Backlash intro video. There were no fireworks but the noise of the live crowd more than made up for that.
Street Fight: Solo Sikoa & Tama Tonga (w/Paul Heyman) defeated Kevin Owens & Randy Orton (19:34)
Owens entered first to a huge reaction. He stood in the aisle for a long time soaking in the reaction as his music played. (It went so long I thought it might’ve been a mistake but they wanted to let the crowd reaction continue.) Orton entered next and the fans loudly sang his song.
Cole and Graves noted that they may not need to speak at all today because of how loud it was. The Bloodline was booed and we got “We want Roman” chants.
Before the match began, Owens started brawling with Tonga so Orton followed suit with Sikoa. The fight spilled to the outside where a bunch of officials and security ran in to separate them. Owens handed out stunners to two security guards.
Nick Aldis entered to make this a street fight. The crowd, of course, popped big.
There was a wild brawl that went through the crowd until the Bloodline was finally sent back to ringside. Owens gave Tonga a splash off the barricade. Orton stood on the barricade as if he would do one too but he simply stepped down and posed for the crowd. They chanted for Orton as he gave Tonga a back suplex onto the announce table. Owens gave Sikoa a DDT on the steps.
Orton whacked Tonga right in the head with a trash can lid. Owens did the same to Sikoa. There were chants of “ECW.” Owens and Orton used a kendo stick before grabbing a table, delighting the crowd. Owens put Tonga through a table with a frog splash off the apron.
Almost eight minutes into the match, the Bloodline finally got some offence when Sikoa cut off Orton and put him through a table with a Samoan drop. Owens tried going after Sikoa but he dropped Owens with a clothesline. Tonga hit Owens with a kendo stick as the crowd called him an asshole.
The Bloodline ganged up on Owens until he tackled Tonga but Sikoa hit him with a trash can. Heyman looked on with an apparent look of concern as Bloodline beat up Owens. The Bloodline grabbed a table but Owens fought back and drove Sikoa through the table. Tonga knocked him down with a clothesline.
Orton got back in before Tonga could hit Owens with a chair. Orton ducked a chair shot and hit clotheslines, a powerslam, a draping DDT and RKO but Sikoa broke up the cover.
Sikoa cleared the announce table and the crowd actually booed because it was a bad guy doing it. They chanted “Solo sucks” as he placed Orton on the table. Orton blocked a Samoan Spike and gave Sikoa an RKO on the table (which didn’t break).
Owens hit Tonga in the back with four different chairs. He set up the chairs on their legs and placed Tonga over the tables but Tonga got up. They battled on the ropes until Owens put Tonga through the chairs with an avalanche fisherman’s buster, which was insane.
Owens had it won but the cover was broken up when Tanga Loa yanked the referee out of the ring. Tanga Loa hit Orton and Owens in the face with the steel steps.
Sikoa gave Owens a uranage onto a chair before hitting the Samoan Spike for the pinfall win.
— After the match, Heyman kneeled by Owens’ fallen body and asked the Bloodline to stop there.
Solo Sikoa, Tama Tonga and Tango Loa stood tall and did the Bloodline pose. Heyman joined them.
This was quite the spectacle.
********
Triple Threat Match: Bayley defeated Naomi and Tiffany Stratton to retain the WWE Women’s Championship (13:34)
Naomi and Bayley seemed particularly pumped up by the fans’ reactions to their entrances. The crowd sang the Bayley song. There were some “Tiffy time” chants too. The crowd chanted something in French and Bayley clapped along while mouthing, “I don’t know what you’re saying.”
They traded some three-way spots which led to Stratton taking control. Bayley tried fighting back but Stratton hit an Alabama Slam. Naomi was supposed to break up the cover but she was late so Bayley kicked out anyway.
Naomi speared Stratton through the ropes. Stratton fought back and hit a handspring back elbow to Naomi into the barricade. Stratton was distracted by the crowd so Bayley hit a suicide dive. Naomi came off the barricade with a blockbuster on Bayley. Naomi gave Stratton a split-legged moonsault but Bayley broke up the cover.
Naomi gave Stratton a sit-out powerbomb for two. Naomi applied Feel the Glow but Bayley broke it up with a flying elbow drop for two. Bayley gave Stratton a Bayley-to-belly for two. (The crowd chanted “Simplement deux” after every two count.)
Stratton gave Naomi an Alabama Slam onto the edge of the announce table and did the same to Bayley. Stratton tried PME on both women but they both moved and gave her a 3D. The crowd chanted “This is awesome.”
Bayley and Naomi exchange blows. Naomi tried a cradle but Bayley countered into one of her own for the pinfall win. Bayley retains.
There were some rough spots at the beginning but this wound up being pretty good. Obviously, the crowd helped.
— Naomi hugged Bayley after the match and raised her hand. The crowd applauded.
********
Jey Uso warmed up in the back when he was approached by the Bloodline. There was a brief staredown before Bloodline walked off. Heyman approached Jey with a look of concern. Heyman shook his head and walked away.
Damian Priest defeated Jey Uso to retain the World Heavyweight Championship (15:46)
Jey entered through the crowd and his entrance looked terrific. Priest had new music.
Jey used his Yeet pose to control the crowd the way Daniel Bryan did in that cage match angle with Bray Wyatt years ago. As the match started, he did the pose to each side of the arena. He was going to ignore the stage side as wrestlers often do, but because there were way more fans there than usual, they called for him to do it for their side and he did.
Priest took control early after driving Jey into the barricade. Jey fought back with strikes, a thrust kick, an uppercut, an enziguri, and a flying cross body.
As the referee checked on Priest, JD McDonagh showed up and used the middle rope to crotch Jey Uso (which didn’t look great). Priest followed with a spear for two.
Priest argued with McDonagh so Jey knocked them both down with superkicks. Jey followed with an Uso Splash for two. They exchanged strikes as the crowd chanted, “Yeet” and “No Yeet.” The crowd really got loud after both guys went down. They got up and Priest hit a Razor’s Edge for two.
Jey blocked a chokeslam and hit a spear for a nearfall.
Jey went to the top but Finn Bálor entered through the crowd. Jey superkicked him off the apron but Priest dropped Jey with a clothesline. Priest followed with the South of Heaven chokeslam for a nearfall. The crowd exploded for the kick-out. (This match is just ok but this crowd is making it feel way better.)
Priest hit a couple of kicks to the head as the crowd booed. The fans Yeeted and Jey responded with superkicks and a leaping superkick in the corner. Jey hit a spear and hit another Uso Splash, seemingly for the win, but McDonagh placed Priest’s foot on the bottom rope to break up the cover. The crowd called JD an asshole.
Jey wiped out McDonagh with a suicide dive and speared Bálor. Jey went back to the top but Priest knocked him down and hit a chokeslam off the ropes for the pinfall win.
— Bálor and McDonagh put the boots to Jey after the match but Priest shoved them off. Priest got in Bálor’s face but McDonagh got between them. Priest told them to stand there and pose with him, so they did.
(The story was that McDonagh and Bálor came down on their own to help.)
********
Philippe Chéreau announced (in French) that today’s show was the largest gate in any arena show in WWE history.
Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill defeated Kairi Sane & Asuka to win the Women’s Tag Team Championships (17:21)
The champs entered first. Asuka and Sane danced at ringside to Belair’s music as they waited.
Belair and Cargill had the early edge and worked over Sane. Belair missed a dive and Asuka kicked her as Sane distracted the referee. Sane hit a wild flying crossbody on Belair to the outside.
Asuka and Sane worked over Belair after that. Sane hit a flying forearm for two. She was annoyed at the referee for taking too long to count. Asuka set up for a vertical suplex but Belair hit one instead. Belair tried for the hot tag but Sane leapt off of Belair’s back and knocked Cargill off the apron.
Asuka applied a Disarmer but Belair got to her feet while hoisting Asuka on her shoulders. Sane tagged in and saved her partner. Belair fought them off and made the hot tag to Cargill.
Cargill hit a springboard crossbody to both women and dropped Asuka with a pump kick. Cargill handed out Stinger splashes (and Cole referred to it as such) and gave Sane a spinebuster but Asuka broke up the cover.
This was followed with a messy sequence. Asuka and Sane took turns hitting Cargill with strikes and Sane hit a reverse DDT. Sane tried to make a cover but the ref told her that she wasn’t legal. Cargill and Sane kept wrestling even though Sane was apparently not legal. Asuka got on the apron and tagged in and the ref acknowledged the tag, even though Asuka was supposedly legal. Sane tagged back in so they could go back to whatever they wanted to do before.
Sane and Asuka each applied armbars to Cargill and Belair but Cargill and Belair hoisted them up and hit one-armed powerbombs. (This was the spot they were building to.)
This was followed by a cool double-team sequence by Belair and Cargill. They teamed up to spike Sane before Cargill hit a suplex for two.
Sane hit Belair with the Insane Elbow but Cargill broke up the cover. Cargill caught Sane off the top and effortlessly transitioned into Jaded. (That spot was awesome and probably should have been the finish.)
Belair gave Asuka a KOD onto Sane and pinned Sane for the pinfall win. Belair and Cargill win the titles.
This was an entertaining match outside of that one sequence they messed up earlier.
********
They announced first round Raw matches on Monday for the Queen of the Ring and King of the Ring. (Smackdown matches will be announced later.)
Zoey Stark vs. Ivy Nile
Shayna Baszler vs. Zelina Vega
Lyra Valkyria vs. Asuka
Iyo Sky vs. Natalya
Drew McIntyre vs. Finn Bálor
Kofi Kingston vs. Rey Mysterio
Ricochet vs. Ilja Dragunov
Gunther vs. Sheamus
The announcement of Gunther vs. Sheamus got a big reaction.
********
The crowd loudly sang Rhodes’ song. This might have been the loudest a crowd has sung his song. They also had a ‘Phenomenal’ song/chant for AJ Styles.
Jessika Carr was the referee. Cole said she was the first woman to referee a WWE Championship match in the main event of a PLE.
Cody Rhodes defeated AJ Styles to retain the Undisputed WWE Championship (27:17)
They were having a mostly even match until Styles drove Rhodes’ shoulder into the turnbuckle. Styles targeted his shoulder and the announcers mentioned the potential shoulder injury Rhodes may have sustained in his match against Carmelo Hayes.
Styles cleared the French announce table and the crowd booed, again, because it was a bad guy doing it. Rhodes fought him off and they battled on the ropes. Rhodes tried a delayed superplex but Styles slipped out. I’m not sure what the planned spot was but Rhodes fell back into the ring. Rhodes sold his back and Styles hit an electric chair drop.
Styles tried a Lionsault but Rhodes got his knees up. Rhodes hit a powerslam and Disaster Kick for two. The crowd serenaded Styles and Rhodes as they traded counters until Styles hit a fireman’s carry neckbreaker for two. Styles dropped him onto the apron with a suplex moments later.
Styles tried a PK but Rhodes caught him and powerbombed him through the announce table. Both men simultaneously slipped back in the ring at a nine count. They exchanged strikes before knocking each other down with kicks.
They both fired up and traded strikes until Rhodes hit jabs and a Bionic elbow for two. Rhodes went for a Cody Cutter but Styles caught him. They traded reversals until Styles suplexed him right into the turnbuckles. Styles followed with a springboard 450 for two.
Styles hit a burning hammer but Rhodes kicked out at one, fired up and hit a Cody Cutter for a nearfall. The crowd chanted “Fight forever,” perhaps because they didn’t want this show to end.
Styles blocked a Cross Rhodes and hit a Pelé Kick. Styles dropped his elbow pad and went for a Phenomenal forearm but Rhodes hit a thrust kick to the gut. Rhodes applied a Kimura but Styles got to his feet and slammed Rhodes. Rhodes scaled the ropes and hit a Cody Cutter off the top.
Rhodes emphatically hit a Cross Rhodes for the pinfall win. Rhodes retained.
Two title matches, plus a Bloodline tag team bout have been added to the Saturday, May 4 WWE Backlash lineup.
Women’s Tag Team Champions Asuka & Kairi Sane of The Kabuki Warriors will defend their titles at Backlash against Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill as revealed during Friday’s SmackDown episode.
Belair was the first overall pick in the 2024 WWE Draft on Friday’s show, remaining on the SmackDown brand.
New WWE Women’s Champion Bayley will defend her title at Backlash in a tripe threat match against Tiffany Stratton & Naomi.
Naomi and Stratton went one-on-one in a number one contender’s match on Friday’s SmackDown, but the match ended in a DQ after interference from SmackDown selection Nia Jax. As a result, the Backlash bout was announced as a three-way.
The Bloodline will also be in action at Backlash in tag team action.
After targeting Kevin Owens in recent weeks, The Bloodline’s Solo Sikoa & Tama Tonga will team against Owens & Randy Orton at Backlash.
The updated card for Backlash:
WWE Backlash, Saturday, May 4, 1 p.m. Eastern time on Peacock/WWE Network —
Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes defends against AJ Styles
World Heavyweight Champion Damian Priest defends against Jey Uso
Women’s Tag Team Champions Asuka & Kairi Sane defend against Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill
WWE Women’s Champion Bayley defends against Naomi & Tiffany Stratton in a triple threat
The Bloodline’s Solo Sikoa & Tama Tonga vs. Kevin Owens & Randy Orton
Two former Bullet Club members are set to clash for the first time ever.
At Backlash, new Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Cody Rhodes will make his first title defense against AJ Styles. That was made official with Styles defeating LA Knight in a number one contender’s match on SmackDown tonight.
Styles vs. Knight was a rematch from WrestleMania 40. They both won triple threat matches last week to advance to tonight. After losing at WrestleMania, Styles won this meeting after hitting a Phenomenal Forearm. The story of the match involved Styles cheating to win when he poked Knight in the eye.
The last time Styles held a World title was his second WWE Championship reign that lasted from November 2017 to November 2018.
Rhodes won the Undisputed WWE Universal title from Roman Reigns at WrestleMania, ending Reigns’ 1,316-day run as champion.
LDLC Arena in Lyon is hosting Backlash on Saturday, May 4. It’s the first time that France has ever hosted a WWE premium live event. The show will stream live on Peacock starting at 1 p.m. Eastern time in the United States.
Two matches have now been confirmed for Backlash:
Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Cody Rhodes defends against AJ Styles
World Heavyweight Champion Damian Priest defends against Jey Uso.
The new Undisputed WWE Universal Champion is spotlighted on WWE’s poster for Backlash 2024.
With WrestleMania 40 now over, the attention turns to WWE’s next premium live event. Backlash is taking place from Lyon, France on Saturday, May 4. Streaming live on Peacock, it has a special start time of 1 p.m. Eastern in the United States.
Paul “Triple H” Levesque revealed the poster for the event on social media today. It features new champion Cody Rhodes with his title belt:
Rhodes won the title from Roman Reigns in the main event of WrestleMania 40 night two, ending Reigns’ 1,316-day run as champion.
Backlash is being held at LDLC Arena in Lyon. It’s the first time France has ever hosted a WWE PPV/PLE.
No matches have been made official for the show yet, but it looks like Damian Priest will be defending his World Heavyweight Championship against Jey Uso. The main event of the post-WrestleMania episode of Raw saw Uso win a fatal four-way match to become the number one contender to Priest’s title.
In 2023, Backlash took place from San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Paris, France could be the next major international city to host a WWE PLE.
Fightful is reporting that “some internal schedules in the company” have WWE Backlash 2024 as taking place in the city. While a deal has yet to be finalized, running the PLE from Paris is said to have been “discussed heavily.”
The news comes on the same day WWE announced its first-ever PLE in Germany will be Bash in Berlin on August 31, 2024, from Mercedes-Benz Arena. It also comes a month after WWE announced the 2024 Elimination Chamber will be held on February 24, 2024, at Optus Stadium in Perth, Australia.
Nick Khan has previously mentioned WWE is looking to secure more site fees from governments in order host WWE premium live events in their cities.
WWE received nearly $3 million in subsidies from the Welsh government for Clash at the Castle in September 2022. It received roughly $1.5 million from the Puerto Rican government for Backlash 2023 as well.
Additionally, an article in the Catalyst published on Tuesday revealed that the St. Petersburg/Clearwater, Florida tourism board paid $500,000 to bring the Royal Rumble to Tropicana Field next January.
