WWE Backlash goes down on Saturday from Enterprise Heart in St. Louis, Missouri. The occasion, which historically follows WrestleMania, is headlined by John Cena, who can be making the primary protection of the undisputed WWE championship he received from Cody Rhodes in the principle occasion of WrestleMania 41.
Cena will face Randy Orton in the principle occasion, rekindling a rivalry that dates again to the late 2000s. Orton is seeking to minimize Cena’s retirement tour brief, whereas Cena has claimed he’ll depart skilled wrestling later this 12 months nonetheless holding the title because the “final actual champion” in WWE historical past.
The cardboard may even characteristic three extra title matches. Most notably, a deadly four-way for america 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 effectively.
Plus, ladies’s intercontinental champion Lyra Valkyria places her title on the road in opposition to former pal turned rival Becky Lynch. “The Man” returned at WrestleMania to workforce with Valkyria to win the uncooked ladies’s tag workforce titles in opposition to Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez. However on the next episode of Uncooked, Morgan and Rodriguez received again their belts and Lynch turned on Valkyria, sparking an prompt rivalry.
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 possible have Finn Balor, who he pinned in a deadly four-way at WrestleMania to win the title, in his nook, however tensions inside 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 persona 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 to 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
With all of the scheduled motion, let’s check out who the CBS Sports activities specialists are selecting for all 5 matches at WWE Backlash.
WWE Backlash 2025 predictions
Undisputed WWE Championship — John Cena (c) vs. Randy Orton: WWE ran the Cena vs. Orton rivalry into the bottom when the 2 males have been of their primes. Now, they meet once more as two of probably the most completed males in wrestling historical past. It is fascinating to see the pairing in 2025, however there is not a lot drama to be present in contemplating a winner. Cena received the title at WrestleMania and is not going to drop the belt one month afterward a unexpectedly thrown-together match. Will probably be fascinating to see if their familiarity will result in a greater match than Cena was in a position to produce in opposition to Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania, however everyone knows who’s getting the win on Saturday. Decide: John Cena retains the title — Brent Brookhouse (additionally Shakiel Mahjouri)
Ladies’s Intercontinental Championship — Lyra Valkyria (c) vs. Becky Lynch: Valkyria vs. Lynch is a feud WWE can revisit for so long as Lynch is energetic. “The Man” ought to win this time. Having Lynch as ladies’s intercontinental champion instantly elevates the title and expands her legacy. Valkyria already has an NXT title win over Lynch. Shedding on Saturday is step one to an even bigger underdog story for Valkyria. Decide: Becky Lynch wins the title — Mahjouri (additionally Brookhouse)
United States Championship — Jacob Fatu (c) vs. LA Knight vs. Damian Priest vs. Drew McIntyre: Mark my phrases, Fatu can be a cornerstone of the promotion for years to come back. “The Samoan Werewolf” is magnetic on the mic and ferocious within the ring. Fatu is not shedding the title so quickly after successful it. The deadly four-way is a good way to present him wins over main names with out making the losers look weak. Decide: Jacob Fatu retains the title — Mahjouri (additionally Brookhouse)
Pat McAfee vs. Gunther: McAfee has achieved an admirable job along with his mic work resulting in the match, but it surely’s onerous to really feel like this is not a waste of Gunther’s time. Gunther has spent a lot time as a champion in WWE that it is unusual to see him have any form of time-killer program. Having McAfee get the win right here could be an unbelievable misstep since Gunther is coming off a loss to Jey Uso at WrestleMania. He must get a win and be saved robust so he may be positioned into no matter prime spot comes alongside. Decide: Gunther wins — Brookhouse (additionally Mahjouri)
Intercontinental Championship — Dominik Mysterio (c) vs. Penta: That is yet one more match the place it would not make sense to take a title off of a freshly-crowned champion. The title can also be a useful instrument for the continuing story inside Judgment Day. So, except Finn Balor prices Mysterio the title, it appears this can be a clear win for Mysterio. Decide: Dominik Mysterio retains the title — Brookhouse (additionally Mahjouri)
