Welcome to the WWE Backlash 2025 live blog at Pro Football and Sports Network. This is your one-stop-shop for real-times updates from the Premium Live Event.
The Countdown to Backlash ends with Pershard Owens singing ‘America The Beautiful,’ following which the main show kicks off. We get a city scenic of St. Louis followed by a shot of the Enterprise Center from the outside.
Pat McAfee, Gunther, Lyra Valkyria, Becky Lynch, Randy Orton are shown entering the Enterprise Center for the show. As always, a wonderful cold open to get us warmed up for what promises to be a terrific night.
Michael Cole welcomes everyone to WWE Backlash 2025. He and Wade Barrett are the official commentators for tonight, no Pat McAfee, as he prepares for a brutal beat down against Gunther.
And we begin the proceedings with the United States Championship Fatal 4-Way Match.
WWE Backlash Opening Match: WWE United States Championship Fatal 4-Way
LA Knight makes his way to the ring with a huge ovation. Drew McIntyre and Damian Priest are out next. Last but not the least, it’s time to welcome the United States Champion, Jacob Fatu.
While no superstar has pinned or submitted Jacob Fatu, he doesn’t have to be pinned to lose his title tonight. The bell rings and the match is underway- all men engage in a stare-down and finally go off.
Two rivalries split off as McIntyre goes after Priest, while Knight goes after the champion. The Megastar looks good, a neckbreaker for Fatu, Back Suplex for Priest and now McIntyre will fall prey to the Knight elbow, oh no!
Damian Priest cut him off, attempting a South of Heaven chokeslam, but he managed to get him down and hit a double Knight Elbow. Jacob Fatu trying to get control again here at WWE Backlash, but Priest and Knight work together to take him out.
McIntyre returns, a German Suplex for LA Knight and a spine buster for Damian Priest. A trio of neckbreakers for all three superstars. But the momentum keeps shifting!
McIntyre and Knight sidelined, Priest with a hurricanrana off the top rope on Fatu. A Flatliner for Knight and now he is going for the Old School, but turns it into a crossbody on Drew McIntyre approaching from behind.
All gas, no breaks! Jacob Fatu just hit a pop-up Samoan Drop on the ridge of the barricade on Damian Priest. Uh-oh, now the battle of two alpha males- Fatu and McIntyre!
Right hands from both men, but finally a big shoulder tackle from Fatu and a pop-up Samoan Drop for the Scottish Warrior as well! He’s not done, pays homage to Umaga and Rikishi with a hip attack on the former WWE Champion.
The Samoan Werewolf heads to the top rope, but Drew McIntyre rakes his eyes. Just as he’s about to go for a move, LA Knight sets him up in a tree of woe position. Fatu knocks away the former US champion, but McIntyre’s core strength is unbelievable!
McIntyre pulled himself up and hit a belly-to-belly suplex, but no effect on Fatu! A Swanton Bomb from Fatu to McIntyre, Knight hits the champ with the BFT, but Priest catches him with a South of Heaven Chokeslam immediately! Goes for the cover, but McIntyre breaks it up.
Fatu stopped in his tracks by McIntyre, a future-shock DDT for LA Knight, followed by a claymore! He almost got the three count, but once again Priest costs McIntyre a championship in WWE.
Déjà vu.#WWEBacklash pic.twitter.com/HADpJw6MBw
— WWE (@WWE)
Priest and McIntyre’s brawl spills over the barricade, Fatu and Knight in the ring. The Samoan Werewolf went for the moonsault, Knight rolls away and connects with an elbow off the top twice- but to no avail! Jacob Fatu kicks out again.
On the other hand, Priest and McIntyre continue to brawl among the fans here at WWE Backlash. Both men climb a production box or structure. A SOUTH OF HEAVEN CHOKESLAM OFF THE TOP! Oh my god, this is painful.
Jacob Fatu and LA Knight continue to fight it out at ringside. The former champion gets the better of the current champ, sets him up on the table, but Solo Sikoa saves him!
IT'S JEFF COBB!!! 😲#WWEBacklash pic.twitter.com/SbmSBqsIKn
— WWE (@WWE)
JEFF COBB IS HERE! Jeff Cobb makes his debut, attacking LA Knight from the front-row. An assault from Cobb on Knight, an intense stare from Fatu to Cobb and Sikoa; the champ is perplexed.
Jacob Fatu retains the United States Championship! He sealed the deal with the hip attack and moonsault. Interesting to see how perplexed Fatu is. The follow-up will be interesting!
Jacob Fatu walked past Jeff Cobb, signaling he’s definitely not down with his addition. Next up, an all-Irish showdown- Becky Lynch vs Lyra Valkyria for the Women’s Intercontinental Championship.
PFSN Rating – 4/5
UP NEXT at #WWEBacklash pic.twitter.com/ctJwIBygTv
— WWE (@WWE)
Becky Lynch vs Lyra Valkyria – Women’s Intercontinental Championship
And the match kicks off with some chain wrestling and arm drags from Becky Lynch. Standing switch from Valkyria, but Lynch switches it up into an Irish Whip. Champion trying to turn things around, punishing The Man with an incredible standing surfboard, and now a traditional one.
This is a technical clinic on display from Lyra Valkyria so far. Beautiful Northern Lights suplex with a bridge cover, but the challenger kicks out. Lynch sent to the outside with a dropkick, Lyra follows her with a kick through the middle ropes.
The 7-time Women’s Champion shows her experience and makes a comeback. Dropping Valkyria on the outside of the ring, goading her fiancee at ringside. The champion won’t take that well!
The Man messed with Lyra's man and paid the price! 😬#WWEBacklash pic.twitter.com/4oADdAMzWT
— WWE (@WWE)
Lynch now humiliating the champion with slaps, but they are fueling her instead! A flurry of offense and comes close to retaining with a superplex! Lyra now going for the Nightwing, Lynch gets out of it, standing switch and a roll-up, but Becky rolls-up again!
Becky Lynch tried to use the ropes for advantage, but referee Jessika Carr caught her. Manhandle Slam attempt, countered by Lyra Valkyria. She climbs the top rope and hits the leg drop across the back of Becky’s neck, but isn’t enough to retain.
Valkyria, a moonsault, not the prettiest, but still good enough. Both women up on their feet, a stalemate between the two; Lynch locks in the arm bar, but Lyra gets one locked in of her own.
Counter after counter, but finally a Manhandle Slam connects! THE CHAMPION KICKS OUT! Becky Lynch has no idea what to do now here at WWE Backlash. She goes to the outside to get a steel chair, the referee stops her in the ring.
Lynch takes advantage, exposes the top turnbuckle, but it almost backfired! Valkyria almost falls prey to the trap, gets lucky, gets hit with a Manhandle slam, but she continues to kick out!
The challenger tried to drive the champion’s head straight on the exposed turnbuckle, but the referee noticed it. She goes to the outside to get the turnbuckle, meanwhile Lyra hits a Nightwing on Lynch!
The extra seconds to get in the ring allow Becky Lynch to kick out at 2! Roll up after roll up and Lyra Valkyria wins with a Pat Patterson quick one! The Man is furious, dis-arm her locked in and potentially a broken nose as well.
BECKY SNAPS#WWEBacklash pic.twitter.com/oBRts2SVrH
— WWE (@WWE)
PFSN Rating – 3.75/5
It’s time for the Intercontinental Championship again, but this time on the men’s side!
UP NEXT at #WWEBacklash pic.twitter.com/VS8057rZr1
— WWE (@WWE)
Mexico’s Finest Clash at WWE Backlash 2025: Dominik Mysterio vs Penta
Things start slow, but pick up pace quickly. In the early going, Dominik has established complete control. The DDT on the outside was pure beauty from Dirty Dom. He is undoubtedly out-maneuvering Penta.
Penta taking control back, sends Mysterio to the outside and now follows it up with a high crossbody off the top rope on the outside! Penta’s back has taken quite the damage, took a while to send Dominik back in the ring.
The champion takes advantage, goes for the three amigos, but only manages to connect one. A 619 attempt fails, but an obLIVion to Penta! Dominik used his girlfriend, Liv Morgan’s finisher, to put away the challenger, close but not enough.
You seeing this, @YaOnlyLivvOnce?! 🤗#WWEBacklash pic.twitter.com/wdFvw5jVC0
— WWE (@WWE)
Action spills to the apron, Dominik attempts a suplex, but Penta counters with a Mexican Destroyer! Both men are down, and now Carlito makes his way to the ring. The referee is busy with Carlito, while JD McDonagh and Finn Balor make their way to attack Penta from the other side.
Referee catches Balor with the steel chair before he connects, and sends The Judgment Day away from ringside. Balor isn’t obeying the referee, trying his best to get in the ring, and from behind, El Grande Americano popped out of nowhere to hit that devastating headbutt.
Dominik Mysterio takes advantage of the opportunity and seals the deal with a frog splash!
PFSN Rating – 3.5/5
Alright, brace yourselves folks because up next is Gunther vs Pat McAfee and it guarantees to be a brutal affair…..for Mr. McAfee.
UP NEXT at #WWEBacklash pic.twitter.com/JRdsoc0LJF
— WWE (@WWE)
WWE Backlash Beatdown: Pat McAfee vs Gunther
Pat McAfee is wearing a black jeans and casual shoes, Gunther is in his usual ring attire – that itself tells a lot. Collar and elbow tie up attempt, but McAfee gets swung away and he can feel the heat.
Another collar and elbow tie up attempt, but this time, Gunther locks the left arm and goads McAfee. Beautiful combination to free his arm from the Ring General’s grasp, narrowly escaped a chop as well.
Headlock on Gunther, but the former World Heavyweight Champion mocks the NFL star with a pat on the head. A fired up McAfee goes after Gunther, but one chop and he is down!
— WWE (@WWE)
Things are about to get nasty, but Pat McAfee isn’t giving up. Body shots, left hands, a couple of chops, but one chop from Gunther puts him down again! McAfee’s chest is as red as a tomato. He can barely stand up on his feet.
Gunther goes for the elbow drop, McAfee moved away and hit a kick on his spine; more like a punt. Michael Cole is cheering on, but chops and a big boot continue to add to McAfee’s misery.
The Ring General offering Michael Cole to enter the ring and pin Pat McAfee on his behalf. But Pat McAfee slaps him out of nowhere! That woke up the Austrian for sure. A chop again, and now he is going for the kill with the sleeper hold.
Unbelievable! Pat McAfee somehow managed to get out of it, but a german suplex from Gunther levels it up. Cole is begging Gunther to end the match, but he doesn’t seem interested in that.
😅😅😅 pic.twitter.com/frqrVbM9FZ
— WWE (@WWE)
Things seemed over, but Pat McAfee isn’t staying down. Three punts from McAfee and now a chop, right hands, forearms battle between the two. This is a slugfest! A big kick followed by a super kick, but the punt kick was blocked.
A powerbomb from Gunther and Cole is screaming at the top of his lungs, begging Gunther to end the match here at WWE Backlash. Cole is now at ringside, and Gunther just manhandled him into the ring.
MICHAEL COLE gets in on the in-ring action at #WWEBacklash! pic.twitter.com/4uiZiREQlE
— WWE (@WWE)
Oh my god, he is going for the powerbomb on Cole, but McAfee makes the save! Action ensues, McAfee on the apron, Gunther goes for the suplex but Michael Cole holds the Austrian Destroyer’s leg, McAfee gets a near-fall.
Sleeper hold locked in, McAfee has managed to get out of it once, will he do it twice? He is! Amassing all the strength he can, but Gunther just tightened the grip like an anaconda. McAfee is unconscious. The referee calls for the bell.
Well that was unexpected! 👀#WWEBacklash pic.twitter.com/a91Dgebj75
— WWE (@WWE)
Post-match, we see Gunther staring down Michael Cole and Pat McAfee. In the end, in a shocking turn of events, we see him pay his respects to the part-time wrestler and full-time commentator in Pat McAfee.
PFSN Rating – 3.75/5
And the match we’ve all been waiting for – it’s time for the main event, it’s time for John Cena vs Randy Orton: ONE LAST TIME!
WWE Backlash 2025 Main Event: John Cena vs Randy Orton (Undisputed WWE Championship)
MAIN EVENT TIME at #WWEBacklash! pic.twitter.com/9ei40M2rLb
— WWE (@WWE)
Randy Orton, the hometown hero, makes his way to the ring. All of St. Louis is singing ‘Voices,’ and it’s a sight to behold. How ironic that in their last match ever, the roles are reversed, Cena is the heel and Orton is the babyface.
John Cena makes his entrance, the new normal- black titantron and a spotlight. Wow, Alicia Taylor just gave the 17-time Champion a legit, long introduction.
And here we go, Orton vs Cena one last time is underway at WWE Backlash! Collar and elbow tie up, strengths match. Cena extends his hand for a handshake, Orton laughs it off and thinks for a while before extending his hand. But heel Cena is on another level; good old heel move with a finger poke to the eye.
Headlock takedown from Orton, the Viper is in no hurry. He has his plan laid out and is slowly wearing down Cena. The Champ gets out of the headlock, but a shoulder tackle lets him know who’s in charge.
Cena isn’t happy with what’s happening in the ring. He is walking away, but Orton won’t let him! Action back in the ring, and the 17-time Champion levels the hometown hero with a clothesline.
Cena takes Orton to the corner and goes for the mounted punches, but Orton shows him how it’s done. The vintage Orton stomps and knee drop. The Apex Predator is enjoying this, but not for long. Cena has locked in a sleeper hold!
The Viper gets out of the sleeper and locks a chin lock. Reversal after reversal, Cena and Orton with sleeper hold after sleeper hold. Ultimately, Orton’s back suplex on Cena allows both men to regroup.
Cena regroups faster, five moves of doom, and now he is going for the Five Knuckle Shuffle. Attitude Adjustment attempt thwarted by Orton, and now he is keeping Cena from locking in the STF.
Randy Orton somehow gets out of the submission and hits a picture perfect draping DDT. And now, The Viper is coiled, and he is hearing voices in his head! Went for the RKO, Cena blocked, went for the AA, but Orton countered it into the RKO!
Both men are down, and this is awesome chants have ensued here at WWE Backlash in St. Louis. Stalemate between the two and Cena hits an Attitude Adjustment out of nowhere, but it isn’t enough to keep Orton down.
Cena went for the AA, but Orton held on to the ropes. The Champ instantly went for the shoulder tackles, connnected one and got hit with a RKO outta nowhere! The Legend Killer wanted to become the GOAT Killer, went for the punt kick but Cena got out of the way and hit another AA, and another 2 count!
The Last Real World Champion is mocking Randy Orton now. Going for a punt of his own, but misses. Both superstars in the corner, Cena shoves Orton, and the referee gets caught in the crossfire. A third AA from Cena to Orton, but the referee is down.
Cena went for the finish with the championship, but Orton caught him with a RKO; had the referee not been injured, it was an easy 3 count and a title win for The Viper. Referee Chad Patton was pleading Orton to keep this in the ring and Cena attacked Orton again, sending him straight onto the referee, who hit his head on the steel steps.
Cena going for the AA, but Orton says, I do it better! An Attitude Adjustment from Randy Orton to John Cena through the announcer’s table! This is not a No DQ match, but with the referee down, everything is legal.
Orton sets up the table at ringside and hits an Attitude Adjustment again through the table! This has turned into a street fight, and we still have no referee out here after Chad Patton was taken out.
The 14-time World Champion coils again and connects with a RKO, but referee Eddie Orengo takes a while to get to the ring. Precious seconds lost and Cena kicks out. Orton having words with the referee, moves out of harm’s way but another referee down as Cena hits him with the Undisputed WWE Championship.
Randy Orton is frustrated, hits another RKO, but no referee to count. It’s safe to say Orton had the match won thrice. Producers and SmackDown GM Nick Aldis make their way to the ring to check on the referee, Orton isn’t impressed.
All hell breaks loose as Orton connects every WWE Producer and Nick Aldis with RKO’s, five to be precise! He is going for the head, getting ready for the punt and R-Truth is here! Truth is trying to talk sense, but he falls prey to the RKO as well!
Oh no, a low blow out of nowhere from John Cena to Randy Orton. A championship shot to the head and John Cena retains the Undisputed WWE Championship at WWE Backlash.
The show isn’t over yet, the 17-time Champion has a message for the WWE Universe. “I don’t need music, what I need is competition. And I sure as hell don’t need you [fans]. Drink it in St. Louis, because this is what the last real champion looks like.”
PFSN Rating – 4.5/5
Premium Live Event Rating – 4/5
And that’s all from WWE Backlash 2025 from the Enterprise Center in St. Louis, Missouri. The PFSN Live Blog returns for the next WWE Premium Live Event. Until then, it’s a goodbye and a goodnight!