The next step on the John Cena retirement tour is WWE Backlash in St. Louis, Missouri. The last big WWE event hosted in St. Louis was the Royal Rumble 2022. After John Cena won his 17th Championship at WrestleMania 41, there was only one realistic choice for his opponent at Backlash. That is 14-time champion, the Viper Randy Orton, who grew up in Missouri.
This is Orton’s first one-on-one Main Event match for the WWE Championship since Hell in the Cell 2020. Orton beat Drew McIntyre to win his 14th title on that night. But four and a half years later, Orton will look to capture his 15th title and dethrone the self-proclaimed “Last Real Champion”.
This is the 22nd singles match between the two, with Cena leading the series 13-7-1. But this is the first matchup between Orton and Cena since an episode of SmackDown in 2017. This has been one of the most incredible and legendary matchups in WWE history, and it is fitting that they are titling this as “The Last Time”.
Many times, Backlash after WrestleMania has felt like a quickly put-together event. Yes, that may also be true for this year, but this time, the WWE has two of the greatest wrestlers of all time headlining the card. There are five matches on Backlash, with four titles being defended.
How to Watch
This premium live event starts at 7:00 p.m. ET and will be available on Peacock. The countdown show will begin at 5:00 p.m. ET on WWE’s YouTube Channel and Peacock.
Full Card and Predictions
WWE Undisputed Universal Championship Match
(C) John Cena vs. Randy Orton
Although it would be incredible to see the hometown guy in Orton win the title, it would be shocking to see Cena’s reign end so soon. Since we are only three weeks removed from WrestleMania 41, it seems too early for his final and 17th reign to end. Cena has done tremendous work as a heel so far, and he can have many other elite championship feuds in the future.
But this match will likely not end clean. Cena won the title from Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 41 with the help of Travis Scott. We haven’t seen Rhodes since he lost his championship, and it wouldn’t surprise me if he attacks Cena after the match is over. Orton will win another championship in his illustrious career, but not now. This is the John Cena retirement tour, and it is more fitting to see his title reign continue.
Prediction: John Cena retains his Undisputed Championship.
WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship Match
(C) Lyria Valkyria vs. Becky Lynch
At WrestleMania 41, Lynch returned to team with Valkyria against the Judgment Day. Lynch and Valkyria won the Tag Team titles, but “The Man” turned on her protege at Raw after Mania. They have faced off before, but this time, the student Valkyria is defending her championship against the teacher, her former friend, Lynch. This match is between the face of Irish women’s wrestling and the future. This story has many layers and has been great throughout the last three weeks on Monday Night Raw.
Lynch is arguably WWE’s biggest women’s star, and since she’s been gone, they announced the women’s Intercontinental and United States titles. Lynch has won every other title so far in her career, and this is a perfect opportunity for her to elevate the new championship.
Prediction: Becky Lynch wins her first Women’s Intercontinental Championship.
WWE Intercontinental Championship Match
(C) Dominik Mysterio vs. Penta
Two of the best Mexican wrestlers in the WWE will face off in a singles match for the WWE Intercontinental Championship. Dominik Mysterio will make his first defense of his title after winning it at WrestleMania. Although Penta is a better wrestler and is the bigger fan favorite right now, Mysterio deserves a longer title reign than three weeks.
Prediction: Dominik Mysterio beats Penta with the help of the Judgment Day.
WWE United States Championship Match
(C) Jacob Fatu vs. LA Knight vs. Damian Priest vs. Drew McIntyre
This is an incredible match and has the potential to be the best one on the card. Fatu has his hands full in his first title defense against three of the best wrestlers in the world: Knight, Priest, and McIntyre. I fully expect Solo Sikoa and the Bloodline to interfere in this match.
But the question is, when is Sikoa going to turn on Fatu? It has been building to this moment for many months. This is a fatal four-way because Sikoa suggested McIntyre should be in this match. Initially, I thought Fatu vs. Sikoa would be a WrestleMania match, but it would be fitting to take place at the first-ever two-night SummerSlam this August at MetLife Stadium.
Prediction: Fatu pins Priest, but Sikoa turns on him after the match.
Men’s Singles Match
Gunther vs. Pat McAfee
Although McAfee isn’t a regular in-ring competitor, he puts on a show whenever he steps into the squared circle. McAfee is a great athlete and is a perfect fit in the WWE, whether on the microphone or in the ring. He has competed in seven matches in the WWE, but this is his fifth one-on-one match. Technically, he had a singles match against Mr. McMahon at WrestleMania 38, but it was an impromptu match and only lasted a few minutes. McAfee’s last match he competed in was the 2024 Royal Rumble.
Gunther went from having a 200-plus day reign as WWE World Heavyweight Champion to being tapped out at WrestleMania 41 and is now wrestling a non-regular wrestler. You may say Gunther is on a weird path since losing his title, but it has been an interesting and entertaining storyline with Michael Cole and McAfee.
I find it hard to believe that Gunther and McAfee will have a long traditional wrestling match. It would be surprising if there weren’t interference and an unusual finish. McAfee doesn’t get in the ring often and will likely not take a straight-up pin from the former champion.
Prediction: Gunther beats Pat McAfee with the help of Ludwig Kaiser.
