In the very center of Saint Louis, Missouri, the WWE Universe was given an exhilarating night in the annals of wrestling. Backlash 2025 was not an ordinary PPV event; this was an occasion to celebrate legacy, power, and change. Being the first significant ppv after the seismic upsets of WrestleMania 41, expectations were nearly impossible to be met, yet WWE delivered with full force. From returning luminaries to breakout stars, every match, every second, and every twist seemed carefully interwoven into a tapestry shaping the company’s future.
The Enterprise Center had been buzzing from the opening of its doors. Chants filled the air while signs waved, bringing together fans of all nationalities under the lights of the show ripe with promise for emotion, pandemonium, and history in the making. Placed with match-ups pitting icons such as John Cena and Randy Orton against each other one last time whilst offering fresh names like Jacob Fatu and Lyra Valkyria to cement their places on the main stage, Backlash 2025 proved that every single chapter in the story of WWE counts. If WrestleMania was the mountaintop, then Backlash was the treacherous climb down back into the battlefield where fresh wars are waged, and dynasties are forged.
The Energy in St. Louis: A City Electrified

St. Louis, known for its rich wrestling history, brought an energy that added an extra layer of magic to the night. The crowd had been hot since the pre-show, chanting every word, showering welcome to every surprise entrance, and cheering every moment of brutality. Fans from all over the world mingled with the melting pot of wrestling culture that provided the gruesome backdrop to a WWE production. The arena resonated with clamor, eagerness, and adrenaline as all the young ones shouted for affairs such as John Cena vs. Randy Orton and the Fatal Four-Way for the U.S. Championship.
Main Event: John Cena vs. Randy Orton – “One Last Time”
Underlining the events of the night was the blockbuster match: Cena defending the Undisputed WWE Championship against Randy Orton in what was marketed as their final encounter. Their rivalry traces well into WWE history, spanning over 20 years, an innumerable number of exchanges over world titles, and some unforgettable clashes at WrestleMania.
Cena was allowed no ease; fresh off the record-setting 17th world title win at WrestleMania 41, Randy Orton rose from the stage where blowouts were often underway and made his presence felt when he stormed into the foyer attacking Cena on Raw and demanded his rematch. The buildup was huge, with highlight reels cramming the airwaves, emotional promos swirling around among fans, and very personal insults thrown about-an opportunity turned career-defining moment.

From the get-go, two seasoned pros really put on a show for the very few. Cena Five Knuckled Shuffle-Dropkick, but Orton countered the Attitude Adjustment with a thunderous RKO that came within inches of winning the match. The drama followed by the double table spot, false finishes, and referee bumps kept escalating. The count of two commenced after Cena somehow managed to kick out of a punt kick, and the crowd jumped on its feet.
The finish was controversial with a roll-up following a miscommunication between Cena and the referee, sealing the pinfall. The reaction belied the outcome. Cena was celebrating, while Orton stood motionless, fixed on the crowd, his legacy flickering before him. Whether this was a real last match will have to be proven one way or the other, but the match felt historic.
United States Championship Fatal Four-Way: Chaos and Carnage
Jacob Fatu came in as the United States Champion and proved that he was more than a mere transitional champion. With his opponents being LA Knight, Drew McIntyre, and Damian Priest, Fatu faced three of WWE’s hungriest and deadliest superstars.
The action was nonstop: McIntyre slamming Priest through the announcers’ table; LA Knight top-roping super BFT; and Fatu launching and springboard moonsaulting onto all three outside the ring. There was a spark between these four, and every near-fall was more terrifying than the last.
At the final moments, while Knight would have delivered a second BFT on McIntyre for the finish, Fatu struck with a Samoan Spike instead, covering for the victory. The victory cemented Jacob Fatu’s position as a principal figure in the WWE mid-card scene, and it’s clear that his reign has only just begun.
Women’s Intercontinental Championship: Becky Lynch vs. Lyra Valkyria

One of the hottest topics brewing in the women’s department was Becky Lynch versus Lyra Valkyria for the Women’s Intercontinental Championship. Stakes were high not only because of the title but also because of her shock heel turn where she attacked Valkyria and was revealed as the mystery attacker of Bayley.
This was a brutal, raw match. Becky went right after Lyra’s previously injured knee, working over it methodically. Valkyria, typical of any underdog, hardly gave in and back with a spinning heel kick, some top-rope dives.
Valkyria eventually held on to her title via another surprise distraction courtesy of Bayley–who attacked Becky in retaliation for weeks of abuse. Post-match brawling gave hint of the possibility of a triple-threat match in the near future. This one was a swan song for the stifled women’s division!
Pat McAfee vs. Gunther: An Unexpected Gem

What started as a minor feud exploded into one of the night’s most compelling matches. Commentating from behind the announcers’ desk for this insane melee was a clear crowd favorite, Pat McAfee, and by part-time, he also wrestles! McAfee has proven to be much stronger than a former Intercontinental Champion; Gunther was one of the big six feet menacing personalities that WWE has had in recent years. Gunther came out strong for half of that match, stiff chopping and utilizing submission kind of holds, keeping the little man at bay; however, little McAfee bounced back with his boundless energy and showed the performer inside someone by hitting a moonsault outside and a superkick that might have landed Gunther in shock.
The brute, however, was worthy of all that and much gifted on some level since he overpowered McAfee with a powerbomb for the win.
Intercontinental Championship: Dominik Mysterio vs. Penta
Dominik Mysterio’s title reign has been clouded by interference and Judgment Day manipulation. Against Penta, a fan-favorite known for his Lucha Underground legacy, Dominik faced his toughest test yet.
The bout was a spectacle of styles—Penta’s high-flying offense met with Dominik’s crafty submissions and heel tactics. The St. Louis crowd was firmly behind Penta, chanting “Zero Miedo” throughout.
After a hard-fought 20-minute contest, Dominik retained thanks to JD McDonagh pulling Penta’s foot during a pin attempt. Fans erupted in boos, and post-match, Penta hinted at recruiting allies to deal with Judgment Day. The rivalry is far from over.
Backstage Segments, Surprises, and Fan Pops
- Rusev’s Return: In a surprise backstage segment, Rusev appeared and attacked American Alpha, marking his return to WWE after a five-year absence. The Bulgarian Brute looked dominant and has seemingly aligned himself with Paul Heyman.
- Iyo Sky vs. Stephanie Vaquer Teased: During a backstage interview, Women’s World Champion Iyo Sky was confronted by NXT’s Stephanie Vaquer. The stare-down created buzz, and fans are already speculating about a Champion vs. Champion match at SummerSlam.
- Seth Rollins & Bron Breakker Alliance: In a major twist, Rollins and Breakker appeared backstage with Paul Heyman, teasing the creation of a new faction. Their recent attack on Roman Reigns has ignited rumors of a power shift within WWE.
- Fan Chants of the Night: “Let’s go Cena/Cena sucks” roared louder than ever, “YEAH!” echoed for LA Knight, and “This is awesome” chants were constant.
What’s Next for WWE After Backlash 2025?
With King of the Ring approaching, seeds planted at Backlash will likely bloom into summer rivalries:
- Will Randy Orton seek justice against Cena after a controversial finish?
- Can Jacob Fatu withstand another multi-man assault for his U.S. title?
- Who will challenge Lyra Valkyria next — Bayley or Becky?
- What’s next for Rusev and his new alliance with Paul Heyman?
Expect WWE Raw and SmackDown this week to be packed with fallout, announcements, and escalating rivalries.
Final Thoughts: A WrestleMania-Caliber Show Outside WrestleMania

Backlash 2025 was no way a show—it was a declaration. WWE put the world on notice: The momentum from WrestleMania is not going to slow down anytime soon. There was a gala of unforgettable matchups: new talent was elevated, old rivalries were brought back to life, and just before the onset of summer, an explosive build was instilled on the horizon.
The enthusiastic crowd from St. Louis was witness to one of those rare mixtures of nostalgia and innovation where legends clashed, and the stars of tomorrow caught their own moments. Shocking heel turns, formation of factions, surprise returns, suspenseful title defenses-the list could go on and on. Every single match carried heavy meaning.
With the abatement of Backlash, with King of The Ring around the corner and SummerSlam soon thereafter, every brand and every division will still be tasting the aftershocks. In one simple sentence, this is just about the most creatively rich and talent-stacked era WWE is now experiencing, and a clear result of the Backlash 2025 extravaganza lies therein.
If you missed it, go watch it. If you watched it live, watch it again. Because WWE Backlash 2025 was more than mere entertainment-it was a statement. And it said loud and clear: This is just the beginning.
Stay locked in. The best may be yet to come.
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