WWE Backlash took place on Saturday, May 10, 2025, at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis, Missouri, celebrating its 20th event with a thrilling lineup of matches. The anticipation was palpable as fans tuned in to watch the event live, exclusively streaming on Peacock in the United States and Netflix internationally. The atmosphere was electric, with the crowd buzzing about the marquee matchups, including John Cena defending his Undisputed WWE Championship against long-time rival Randy Orton.
In a highly anticipated showdown, John Cena put his 17th World Title on the line against Randy Orton in Orton's hometown. The two legends have faced each other 21 times previously, with Cena holding a significant edge in their rivalry at 13 wins to Orton's 7, along with 1 draw. This match was billed as potentially their final encounter, with a staggering combined total of 31 World Titles between them. The stakes couldn’t be higher as Cena aimed to prove his dominance once more.
Meanwhile, the Intercontinental Championship was also on the line as Dominik Mysterio defended his title against Penta. Their rivalry heated up following WrestleMania, where Penta felt cheated after not being pinned in the title match. With tensions running high, Mysterio had to be at his best to fend off the challenge from the determined luchador.
The United States Championship was contested in a chaotic Fatal 4-Way match featuring Jacob Fatu, LA Knight, Damian Priest, and Drew McIntyre. This match was officially sanctioned by SmackDown GM Nick Aldis after a series of brawls and confrontations leading up to the event. Fans were eager to see who would emerge victorious from this high-stakes bout.
In the Women's Intercontinental Championship match, Lyra Valkyria defended her title against the ever-popular Becky Lynch. Their feud intensified after Lynch’s controversial actions at WrestleMania, where she helped Valkyria win but then turned on her ally, setting the stage for a fierce grudge match.
Lastly, Gunther faced off against Pat McAfee, who was making his return to the ring for his first singles match since WrestleMania 39. McAfee was looking for revenge after Gunther's attack on the Raw announce team, and fans were eager to see how the former commentator would fare in the squared circle.
As the night progressed, the United States title match became a highlight reel of action. The crowd erupted as Jacob Fatu (c) faced off against LA Knight, Damian Priest, and Drew McIntyre. The match started with a tense staredown before all four competitors engaged in an explosive brawl. Knight quickly gained the upper hand, delivering a flurry of offense to all three opponents, while Priest showcased his athleticism with a top-rope hurricanrana on Fatu.
Outside the ring, the chaos continued as Priest charged at Fatu, only to be countered with a devastating Samoan drop onto the barricade. Back inside, McIntyre and Fatu exchanged heavy blows, with each man trying to secure the victory. The action escalated when McIntyre hit Knight with a Claymore kick, but Priest intervened by pulling the referee out of the ring, preventing a three-count.
The fight spilled into the crowd, where McIntyre and Priest found themselves atop a production crate. In a jaw-dropping moment, Priest executed a South of Heaven chokeslam on McIntyre, sending him crashing through two tables below, prompting medical staff to rush in to check on the fallen superstar.
As the match continued, LA Knight attempted to put Fatu through the announce table with an elbow drop, but in a surprising turn of events, Solo Sikoa pulled Fatu off the table just in time. Knight, undeterred, pursued Sikoa but was ambushed by the debuting Jeff Cobb, shocking the audience. Fatu, seemingly taken aback by Cobb's sudden appearance, capitalized on the distraction and pinned Knight with a stunning moonsault, retaining his title.
In the lead-up to Backlash, WWE Friday Night SmackDown on May 9, 2025, featured critical moments as John Cena delivered a fiery promo targeting Randy Orton. Cena's remarks were sharp, calling Orton a liar and questioning his legacy within WWE. The promo ended with Orton delivering an RKO to Cena, marking the third time Orton had stood tall over Cena leading up to their championship clash.
Additionally, the episode showcased the return of Alexa Bliss, who teamed up with Zelina Vega to take on Chelsea Green and Piper Niven. Bliss made a triumphant return by executing a Sister Abigail DDT for the victory, reminding fans of her in-ring prowess.
As the dust settled on WWE Backlash, the event left fans buzzing with excitement over the matches and the dramatic turns that unfolded. With Cena and Orton's rivalry reaching new heights and unexpected debuts like Jeff Cobb shaking up the landscape, WWE continues to keep its audience on the edge of their seats.
WWE Backlash 2025 was not just a celebration of wrestling; it was a testament to the enduring legacies of its superstars and the ever-evolving stories that captivate fans worldwide. As the event concluded, eyes turned to what lies ahead in the WWE universe, with new rivalries forming and legends continuing to clash.
