JoJo Offerman got emotional watching Jey Uso’s “Fireflies” entrance at WWE Backlash.
At the May 4 event in Lyon, France, the crowd created a new special entrance for Uso by holding up the lights on their phones and motioning along with him. It was reminiscent of the way fans would use their phones to create “Fireflies” for Bray Wyatt’s entrance.
Offerman and Wyatt (Windham Rotunda) were engaged to be married and had two children together prior to Wyatt’s tragic passing in August 2023. Uso told the Battleground Podcast that he received a text message from Offerman after she saw clips of his Backlash entrance. Her emotional reaction solidified that Uso wants to keep using the entrance:
His wife, JoJo, Bray Wyatt’s wife had text me and just said how much she was emotional watching. She saw clips of it on YouTube, and that let me know right there, alright, I’m going to keep it. I hope it sticks with me, man. I never asked for it. They did it and I just want to keep it with me now.
Offerman is a former WWE ring announcer.
Backlash was the first-ever WWE PPV/PLE to take place from France. Uso lost to World Heavyweight Champion Damian Priest at the event. On the Battleground Podcast, Uso said the crowd made it probably his favorite experience in wrestling ever.
Since Backlash, Uso has been competing in WWE’s King of the Ring tournament. He’s facing Gunther in the semifinals on Raw this coming Monday.
WWE Backlash on 5/4 in Lyon, France, will go down as a memorable show with a tremendous main event, although perhaps not one with major storyline repercussions.
The story on both Friday and Saturday was the crowd at the LDLC Arena, which was one of the loudest crowds in WWE history. It was described to us as a typical French crowd at a major sporting event, filled with loud chants. In many cases, the reactions weren’t even related to the work in the ring. At other times they were. It was the introductions, with fans lighting up the arena with cell phones and fans singing the entrance songs, notably that of Randy Orton, Jey Uso, and Cody Rhodes.
Rhodes retained the WWE title in the main event over A.J. Styles in what one could strongly argue was the company’s best actual wrestling match of the year. The match was made for that very reason, to give Rhodes a clean win over a wrestler who they don’t have qualms about beating but could start the Rhodes era off with a great match.
Subscribers can now read my full thoughts from this past Saturday’s WWE Backlash from Lyon, France, which featured a super-hot crowd for a quick three-hour PLE.
From Cody Rhodes vs. AJ Styles to the WWE Women’s Tag Team title change to everything in between, it’s all here.
Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer is back with tons to talk about including WWE Backlash with an incredible crowd in France, post-show notes, UFC PPV recap with Paul Fontaine plus post-show notes, John Lauranitis flips, Gable Steveson is fired, WrestleMania is coming to Vegas on Easter, New Japan Dontaku and Resurgence, Arena Mexico and more. A fun show as always so check it out~!
Timestamps:
Start: WWE Backlash recap
34:22: Backlash press conference notes
43:31: UFC 301 recap
58:32: John Laurinitis agrees with Vince McMahon motion
1:05:17: Gable Steveson gone from WWE
1:13:22: WrestleMania 41 to take place in Las Vegas, WWE Raw preview
1:16:17: NJPW Wrestling Dontaku recap, Resurgence card rundown
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.
With Bryan Alvarez out attempting to broker peace between Kendrick Lamar and Drake with an offering of paper mache heads, “Filthy” Tom Lawlor rides shotgun with yours truly as we drive you around the world of professional wrestling on today’s Wrestling Observer Live.
We take a look at RAP BEEF, preview tonight’s WWE SmackDown, and give predictions for tomorrow’s Backlash in France. Plus, we talk news related to Janel Grant’s lawsuit against Vince McMahon and WWE, NJPW’s two-show Wrestling Dontaku event, Ethan Page getting his AEW release, and so much more.
WWE Backlash takes place this Saturday from Lyon, France, and should continue the company’s string of hot shows out of international markets.
Backlash in Puerto Rico last year had a fun crowd that created a unique atmosphere. It was pretty much the Puerto Rican WrestleMania and the crowd responded to it as such. The fans in Lyon might not be quite as raucous, but they will still be loud enough to help the show feel important.
The Triple H-era of WWE sure has shortened the amount of matches on PLEs as just five are confirmed for this show. This means everything should get a lot of time, notably the main event between Cody Rhodes and AJ Styles. Those two will be given enough room to do something memorable.
Below are previews and predictions for all five matches currently scheduled for Saturday’s show (1 PM Eastern on Peacock/WWE Network).
All odds are from Betonline as of Thursday, May 2nd.
Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes defends against AJ Styles
The result here is not in question as Rhodes will defeat Styles in what should be an excellent match. The oddsmakers have him as a -4000 favorite and it’s hard to disagree with that.
In the lead-up to WrestleMania 40, Styles said in an interview that his career was getting close to the end and that he doesn’t want to embarrass himself as he gets older. However, at 46, he has shown no signs that his ability is in decline. There is a reason he was selected as Rhodes’ first challenger. He’s a guy that WWE knows can give Rhodes a solid bell-to-bell match to close a fun show in front of what will be a hot crowd.
I thought it was interesting that both Styles and Rhodes were essentially babyfaces in the contract signing recently with Styles speaking about how much he loved Rhodes’ father. Styles has been a heel since both returning from injury and his Mania program with LA Knight, so it was a little surprising to see such a respectful contract signing. I almost wonder if his character is luring Rhodes into thinking it will be a fair fight, only for Styles to do something dastardly in an attempt to win.
Rhodes will still win even if he does, but it might extend their program through the next PLE.
Prediction: Rhodes retains
WWE World Heavyweight Champion Damian Priest defends against Jey Uso
Similar to the WWE Championship match, there is little doubt as to who is going to win this one as Priest is also listed as a -4000 favorite to win and retain.
As much as Priest winning is a slam dunk, I don’t think it’s as big a lock as Rhodes beating Styles. Uso is very popular and sells a lot of merchandise, so I don’t think putting the title on him is out of the question. It just feels too soon for Priest to lose it.
The other factor that I think gives Uso a chance, albeit a small one, is all the dissension going on within Judgment Day. If that drama spills out to the ring area, there’s a chance we could see a new champion. In all likelihood, however, Priest will retain and we will continue getting little bits of teased tension from the group, but it won’t implode for a few months still.
Prediction: Priest retains
WWE Women’s Champion Bayley defends against Tiffany Stratton and Naomi in a triple-threat match
It’s not quite “Tiffy Time” on the main roster yet, but it won’t be long. Stratton will eventually become a perennial champion and top star for WWE, but her ascension to the very “Tiffy Top” won’t come as soon as Saturday.
Bayley is listed as a -1500 favorite, which goes against everything we’ve been taught about a champion’s mathematical chances in triple-threat matches like this. All the same, it feels pretty certain that she walks out of Backlash as the champion.
Similar to Rhodes and Priest, who also just won their titles at WrestleMania, it doesn’t seem like the right time to take the title off Bayley. In all likelihood, either Stratton or Naomi will have the match won, the other will cost them the victory, they will move into a program with each other, and Bayley will move on to a new challenger.
Stratton’s rise to the pinnacle will continue, but I don’t know if she’s winning the title until, at least, WrestleMania 41.
Prediction: Bayley retains
WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions The Kabuki Warriors (Asuka & Kairi Sane) defend against Jade Cargill & Bianca Belair
The one possible, and perhaps even likely, title change to happen at Backlash is here. It’s not a lock, but it will probably happen as Cargill & Belair are listed as -1500 favorites to win the belts.
There is only one scenario I can think of where the Kabuki Warriors retain and that’s if Cargill turns heel on Belair or vice versa. I tend to see Belair as a Ricky Steamboat/Rey Mysterio type where she is just such a strong babyface that she never turns heel, though.
Cargill as a dominant heel who starts her WWE run by taking out a perennial champion/contender like Belair is more likely at some point. In all likelihood, any turn would happen after a run with the tag titles together first which starts Saturday.
Prediction: Cargill & Belair win the titles
Randy Orton & Kevin Owens vs. The Bloodline’s Solo Sikoa & Tama Tonga
This match has the closest betting odds of any on the show. However, that doesn’t mean the result is in question as Tonga & Sikoa will all but assuredly get the win.
Owens will take the pin, but I’m not sure if it’ll be Sikoa or Tonga who get the win for their team. On one hand, it’s Tonga’s debut so making him look strong should be a priority but it’s Sikoa’s first match since he has sort of asserted himself as the interim Tribal Chief, so they’ll want him to look strong, too.
Jacob Fatu’s WWE debut looms in the background of this angle. If WWE wants to keep it secret, they could just have him hide out in the traboules or hidden passageways Lyon is known for.
While that debut could happen here, something tells me it’s more likely for an episode of SmackDown at some point in the next few weeks. Regardless, the idea is to build this Roman-less version of Bloodline for the next few months until he returns. Starting them off with a win here seems essential.
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 World Heavyweight title match for Backlash is set.
During Raw, it was confirmed that Damian Priest will defend the title against Jey Uso at Backlash, which takes place in Lyon, France on May 4. Uso became the new number one contender on last week’s Raw after winning a four-way match.
In a backstage segment, Balor told Priest that he thought they should aim to get back the tag team titles. Priest said Balor should focus instead on beating Uso tonight, as he’ll teach him about the word pain at Backlash. The two agreed to focus on Uso.
After Uso defeated Balor, Priest appeared on the apron as the two had a staredown. This allowed Balor, JD McDonagh, and Dominik Mysterio to jump Uso, who managed to fend them off and left through the crowd.
Priest became the new World Heavyweight Champion last weekend during the second night of WrestleMania 40. He cashed in right after Drew McIntyre, who had just won the title from Seth Rollins, was attacked by CM Punk after McIntyre repeatedly mocked him. Priest ran down to the ring and cashed in his Money in the Bank briefcase, pinning McIntyre to win the title.
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.
