Where do you go from here?

With the WWE backlash in the rearview mirror, WWE is now officially bringing attention to the summer series of PLE events at banks Money, Night of Champions and Summerslam. Given the nature of these three events, there could be a big shakeup when it comes to titles that will change in the relatively near future, but this weekend in St. Louis was not the case. All four titles on the line are retained, and Gunther vs. Pat McAfee may not have gone as many fans thought, but most outcomes were pretty much expected.

Still, the fact that the backlash result was essentially choke should not stop anyone from moving forward. As they do after the PLE/PPV, the Winc crew are here to do just that in all five matches that graced Saturday’s cards. The backlash is over – where will we go from here?

Backlash continued the reign of Jacob Fatu as the American champion, promoting a constantly changing dynamic between bloodlines. Almost a year ago, Fatu was brought by Solo Sicoa after bringing in Tama Tonga, Tonga Roa and “Samoan Werewolf” with the aim of becoming a new “tribe chief.”

Cicor eventually failed his goal, losing to Roman rule at the beginning of the year to end his claim, and in the following weeks Fat lost the faith he led him to and placed on him. It made it clear when Fatu won the title without cicoa as he would, and his claim to do things in his way as a champion. However, this weekend, Cicoro pushed back the idea, taking part in a title match for Fatu, LaNight, Damien priest, Drew McIntyre, and debuting a new member of his group with Jeff Cob. Together they assured Fatu that he could finish things off with the night, but it was abundantly clear that Fatu had stared at the Dagger at their pair before walking.

So, when he gets out of the repulsion, he not only has a fork on the road as a champion, but he has to navigate his position within the very group he took to WWE from the start. If the belief from Sicora’s part is that his right arm has grown beyond his station, then Cobb could be considered a replacement for Fatu within the group. A sicor or cobb could cross Fatu as a challenger. But the Knight will definitely have something to say about how he was handed his loss, and the priest and McIntyre technically defeated that their own feud had been placed before the match. They could argue that they were suitable for another occasion earlier than late. But in the end, it appears that the future will be addressed during Friday’s “WWE Smackdown,” so only time will tell.

Written by Max Everett

Lyra Valkyria barely survived the backlash at the Women’s Intercontinental Championship as she convened a one-arm roll-up pin to defeat Becky Lynch.

Still, it doesn’t seem like things are over between them. Lynch only ended when officials broke them after Bell ended with a silly attack on her rival. Lynch and Valkyria have run the gauntlet of professional wrestling friendship over the past few years, and Valkyria will disrupt the 2023 NXT Women’s Championship Lynch.

Lynch returned this year as a seemingly last-minute replacement when Bailey was subjected to a mysterious attack. After losing them in that defense, Lynch reveals the architect of the plan to betray Valkyria the moment she returns, and attacks Bailey to get close enough to the female Intercontinental champion.

Now, one roll-up loss doesn’t sound exactly like someone who stunts their efforts. Valkyria definitely feels the effect of her last title defense, so it’s more likely that Lynch will make those issues worse and push her back into the ring. Given that she’s 2-0 now, Valkyria could tell Lynch to get behind the line, but that record can push the trilogy she believes she can win. But anyway, the answer will be clear during Monday’s “WWE Raw.”

Written by Max Everett

WWE has not wasted time playing on the established referee day title defense strope as part of the Dominik Mysterio men’s Intercontinental title match.

Mysterio’s second title defense against Penta appeared to be set to go the same way that his first title defense against Penta left. Last time it was JD McDona’s return. This time, the entire day of judgement could manipulate and interfere with the event… but Finn Balor was a little late, and there was no obvious reason while his teammates were rushing to urge him. As a result, the timing of the interference was abandoned, and the group was caught by the judge. Mysterio could hold it anyway, but that’s because someone else had grumble against Penta. If El Grande Americano wasn’t, then a subtle change in Valor’s standard judgment’s day interfering play would have meant his teammates would have lost money.

It seemed clear for a while that Valor was trying to undercut Mysterio, holding the IC title belt he longs for himself. This plan, indirectly “Dirty Dom” failed, could mean that Barore would have to ultimately take a more direct approach, perhaps as soon as WWE is ready to turn around Mysterio Babyface (the crowd’s response when winning the WrestleMania title is a central argument for such a change). Many questions remain surrounding Balor’s betrayal – what specific form will it take, will his trainees and fellow Irish Macdonna turn with him? Where does Calito’s loyalty lie – but the most pressing question is whether he pulls, or how long will Valor keep pulling in Mysterio’s eyes before he gets into motion.

Written by Miles Schneiderman

Gunther’s post-restraint tourmania and post-return feud with the World Heavyweight Championship did not “ring general” following his loss of championship and tap-out defeat against the NFL punter-turned WWE commentator. After choking him first in an episode of “WWE Raw,” he defeats Pat McAfee in the middle of the ring, so Gunther is free to move.

Following the match, Gunther gave McAfee a respectful approval and didn’t beat him, so thankfully there’s no loose end to tie him down. As for McAfee, he waved to the fans from the ring after the match, but was relatively fine so he left the ring with his own consent. From all of that, it doesn’t seem that McAfee was meant to be amortized from WWE programming, but if there was any commitment before college football in August, this would be a good time for him to rest for a while.

The only remaining question from this match is Gunther’s “Who’s Next.” With rumors that Goldberg could be featured in the Backlash, fans were totally hoping to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame at a premium live event. Goldberg is scheduled to play his retirement match in 2025, but there was little detail about the match other than the fact that it was happening this year. He and Gunther met Bad Blood in 2024 when Goldberg was in the crowd, so it’s very likely that Goldberg has returned to face Gunther for his final match.

Goldberg’s final two matches took place in Saudi Arabia, where he may have received a big salary. WWE confirmed that it will take place on the night of the champions in Riyadh on June 28th during the backlash. It would give Goldberg enough time to return to WWE programming and set up a feud with “General Ring” if he wants to retire in Saudi Arabia. If not Saudi Arabia, he will leave more time to return to 2025 and leave his boots in the ring. SummerSlam is another option for this match, but where it leaves Gunther for the coming months, there will remain a big question about his booking.

Written by Daisy Ruth

Uncontroversial WWE champion John Cena defeated long-time career rival Randy Orton in a backlash sold as the pair’s final meeting. With a bit of help in the match, it appears that the number one fan in WWE, R-Truth is distracted by Orton, but Cena has even regained his bearings and took an RKO due to his troubles. Following the intervention of truth, Cena was able to blow Orton away and hit him in the championship behind the referee’s back, earning the victory.

However, at the post-match press conference, Cena was not excited by the true attitude. The truth appears on the Presser and as he tries to talk to Cena, the Champion sends him to the table in front of everyone. It may seem ridiculous, but China is prominently promoted in the main event next Saturday night. R-Truth seems to be the best option as there is little time to set up another real opponent for Cena (as there is no better term). He is epic for Cena behind the scenes, even through his heel turns, and the truth is a fan favorite. Putting Cena on a card to defeat the truth is that he was a relatively inactive bad guy with 17-time champions, which will give him even more heel fever. Matches can end with shenanigans or disqualification, protecting CENA and reducing the risk of injuries on the retirement tour.

Following a potential match against R-Truth, it appears that Punk is waiting for Cena on the wings. He posted an Instagram story following the backlash, hinting that he wanted a match against Cena. Not only does Cina eliminate punctures with STFs in the removal chamber before turning the heels to Cody Rhodes at the premium live event, but the pair also have a big history between the ropes. WWE’s next PLE is bank money following the network special on the next Saturday, and there’s no better event to leave the punk to Cena. With a “The Last Real Champion’s” date with WWE diminished and heels floping, WWE wants to start Cena’s Redemption Arc earlier than slowing it down.

Putting the championship on Punk with Bank Money, the 2011 Lamitbu, could be a good way to change the babyface from China to the title again. Fans don’t stop chanting his name in search of punk. So even if you take him to a rival against Cena to set up a title match in June, you’ll be able to easily set up while Cena is on the move to SNME.

Written by Daisy Ruth