Backlash 2025 is scheduled to take place on May 10th at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis, Missouri. WWE WrestleMania41. Following the events and educated speculations of Raw after WrestleMania, we try to predict some of the matches that could take place in Backlash.
WWE PLE cards are often much shorter. Not all of these matches will appear on the backlash card, and could be around the five matches that make up the show. However, it’s not harmful to predict some of the matches and feuds that are suitable for WWE programming over the next few weeks.
John Cena vs. Randy Orton (WWE Championship)
Old rivals clash at Orton’s home turf
- Backlash takes place in Orton’s hometown
- John Cena at Raw after Orton Rko’d wrestlemania
- Cena & Orton are renowned rivals
Due to the repulsion in St. Louis, Randy Orton was given to the card. After WrestleMania, Raw confirmed Orton will take on new WWE champion John Cena in PLE.
It signalled Orton’s RKO’s Cena and his title’s intentions, kicking off what would be the final chapter of the long and renowned rivalry between Cena and Orton since going back to 2007. Orton and Cena fight once last night.
Tiffany Stratton Vs. Nia Jax (WWE Women’s Championship)
Unfinished business between Stratton & Jax
- Nia Jax will soon return to WWE programming
- Tiffany Stratton betrayed Nia Jacks to win the title
- These two women have yet to complete their stories
Nia Jax missed the WrestleMania 41 card despite an impressive year, so expect to see her return to the mix, especially at the top of the Smackdown Women’s Division. Stratton betrays Jacks to cash her money in a bank deal to get the money in the first place, but the pair have yet to engage in a full-fledged single feud.
Their story is likely to peak in PLE, with Backlash apparently being the most obvious destination for Stratton’s first Post-Tourmania title defense.
Lyra Valkyria Vs. Becky Lynch (Intercontinental Championship)
Lynch turned his heels to his former allies
- Valkyria & Lynch won and lost the tag title at WrestleMania Weekend
- Lynch turned his heels and attacked Valkyria.
- Women’s Intercontinental titles have not appeared in PLE yet
The reign of Becky Lynch and Lyra Valkyria women’s tag teams ended just 24 hours later, with an annoyed Lynch turning the heels and attacking the Intercontinental champions on Raw.
It is very clear that the program is extending gold to the line between Lynch and Valkyria.
Jacob Seed vs. Weights (US Championship)
Scores will give you a heart
- Jacob Fatu won the US Championship at WrestleMania
- Wipe Wil Turn Turn Turn Veory
- Sikore missed the mania, he won’t miss the backlash
Jacob Fatu defeated La Knight to become the brand new American champion of WrestleMania 41, but Solo Sicoa lacked celebration. The pair have become increasingly hostile in recent weeks, and turns are inevitable. This can happen before Backlash, before setting a match between the two in PLE.
Solosicore is expected to see him backlash at least against his family members, as he failed to win a match at WrestleMania 41 despite spending a year at the top of the card.
Jey Uso Vs. Sami Zain (World Heavyweight Championship)
2 friends go to it for the top prize in RAW
- Sami Zain returned to life after WrestleMania
- There was potential heel turn bullying
- Uso & Zayn will fight at some point soon
Sami Zain arrived raw after WrestleMania and congratulated her long-term ally Jay Uso… but for a while he appeared to be set up to attack his friends. This bullying is not a coincidence, but for backlash 2025, set a title match between the two.
Zayn vs. USO is an interesting match for the world heavyweight championship, whether it’s behind a heel turn from Zayn or a match rooted in respect and friendship between the two allies, and an impactful way for USO to begin reign with gold.
Dominik Mysterio Vs. Finbarol (Intercontinental Championship)
Judgment Day is broken
- Dominique Mysterio secured Finn Valor at WrestleMania
- Valor loses patience soon
- There may be a backlash match
Dominik Mysterio and Finn Balor have been in each other’s throats for a while, clinging to their alliance with the string. Things got worse when Mysterio locked Balor into the new Intercontinental champion of the Wrestlemania 41.
Judgement Day either kicks out Valor, or Valor turns on Mysterio, leading to a clash between the pairs of Intercontinental Championship.
Cody Rhodes vs Drew McIntyre
Rhodes and McIntyre need a big feud after WrestleMania
- McIntyre, targeting weakened Rhodes, makes sense
- They teased the feud before
- The Multimatch Series keeps both men busy
Cody Rhodes could be down in the dump following his loss of WrestleMania… that is, WWE resident Trolldrew McIntyre will showcase “I So So So So So’s,” Jibes and more shaming to launch a feud. Rhodes and McIntyre each come out of WrestleMania without any clear direction. So it makes sense for WWE to book a major multi-match series between the two for growth over the next few months.
This not only keeps Rhodes busy from the world title scene, but also ensures that McIntyre is involved in major programs going forward.
Seth Rollins & Bron Breakker Vs. CM Punk & Rome Reign
WWE may wait, but this match will happen in the end
- Seth Rollins and Bronbreaker lined up raw after WrestleMania
- Punks and the Rulers need to swallow their pride and team again
- Whether it’s a backlash or after, this match will happen.
In Raw after Wrestlemania, Seth Rollins and Bron Blakeker joined forces to overthrow CM Punk and the reign of Rome, tall with Paul Heyman. Punk and Governance hate each other, but they may have to team up again to take on a common enemy, as they did in the Survivor Series.
Reigns’ part-time status may mean that this match is delayed, but considering that this is one of the biggest angles in WWE at the moment, Backlash 2025 is certainly an option.
