WWE Backlash 2025 Recap ~ 5/14/25

In what may be John Cena’s final appearance at WWE Backlash (and his first Backlash match since 2009), the reigning Undisputed Champion held his own against fellow veteran and longtime in-ring rival Randy Orton. With a little help from his biggest fan R-Truth, Cena defeated Orton to cheers and boos from a clearly divided crowd, giving the recently vindictive and spiteful Cena pause as he exited the ring, hinting at some internal conflict at work.

In a Fatal Four-Way match for the United States Championship, Jacob Fatu benefited from a distracted Damien Priest and Drew McIntyre, both of whom were too focused on destroying each other to keep their eyes on the prize. With help from fellow Bloodline member Solo Sikoa and new WWE arrival Jeff Cobb (a recent departure from rival wrestling promotion AEW), Fatu was able to pin L.A. Knight and retain the championship in a satisfyingly brutal fashion.

Speaking of brutal, Women’s Intercontinental Champion Lyra Valkyria put it all on the line against her former friend and mentor Becky Lynch. The challenger was unrelenting in her quest to pin Valkyrie, leaving the champion bruised and bleeding. Despite all this, Valkyrie won the day and retained the title, though she took yet another beating from a furious Lynch after the match, leaving her current status unknown.

The inner turmoil of the Judgement Day was front and center as Men’s Intercontinental Champion Dominik Mysterio took on lucha libra challenger Penta. With Finn Bálor, Carlito and JD McDonagh in his corner, Mysterio held his own against the dynamic attacks of Penta. The tide turned in Penta’s favor, however, when Bálor was caught assisting Mysterio, leading to the Judgement Day’s ejection from ringside. But thanks a surprise intervention by upstart luchador El Grande Americano (who may or may not be Chad Gable in disguise), Mysterio was able to pin Penta and hold onto his championship.

Mysterio may be out of the frying pan and into the fire though, as Finn Bálor (a man with a history of stabbing his teammates in the back) eyes the Intercontinental belt with envy. Meanwhile, Penta intends to make Gable and/or El Grande Americano answer for their meddling and for their insulting mockery of lucha libre.

The penultimate match before the Cena vs. Orton main event was former NFL player and current WWE commentator Pat McAfee taking on Gunther. After his loss at WrestleMania, Gunther took out his anger on McAfee and fellow commentator Michael Cole, putting the former into a vicious sleeper hold. Seeking retribution for himself and his friend, McAfee challenged Gunther to a match.

Unsurprisingly, the former Heavyweight champion dominated McAfee in the ring, but was unable to put him for good. McAfee held his own longer than expected, even putting Gunther in a sleeper hold of his own. Gunther was able to escape, apply the same move to McAfee and finally leave him unconscious. Afterwards, the victorious Gunther, usually a pinnacle of arrogance, acknowledged his opponent in a rare show of respect.

WWE now turns its attention to upcoming premium live events, starting with Saturday Night’s Main Event on May 24 in Tampa, FL, followed by Money in the Bank on June 7 in Los Angeles, CA, and the recently announced Night of Champions on June 28 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.