WWE Backlash was eventful.
There were no new champions crowned, but the matches were pretty layered. Let’s take a look at everything that happened in St. Louis on Saturday night, including John Cena’s memorable match against Randy Orton.
WWE Backlash 2025 Results and Breakdown
In the main event, John Cena retained the title over Randy Orton with the help of three downed-referee spots and a hilariously appropriate injection of R-Truth that ultimately put the G.O.A.T. over.
Here is the end sequence:
Here are some of the more memorable spots.
Cena left with a parting shot and another example of impeccable mic work.
I’m not sure how many people noticed some of Cena’s physical actions after the primary pay-per-view stream ended. Cena seems to be planting the seeds for his face turn.
He appeared to be conflicted as the WWE Universe, who still support him, began to overpower the haters with positive chants. Cena walked to the locker room slowly and seemingly unsure of his newly adopted nasty ways.
We’ll see, but as for the match with Orton, it was booked perfectly considering where the two rivals are in their careers. Cena took two table bumps, and there were countless kickouts after finishes.
I loved every minute of it from a pure action and nostalgia standpoint.
Gunther def. Pat McAfee
This match felt pretty pointless. There was no clear storyline to progress here. Perhaps something will come from this, but as it was, McAfee showed excellent toughness and a true understanding of the business he’s become attached to.
I expected to see Goldberg inserted into this segment, but I’m kind of glad that he wasn’t. That would have been too predictable. Still, this was the low point of the premium live event.
(c) Dominik Mysterio def. Penta (Mysterio retains his Men’s IC title)
Dom continues to cook. This match was great, though appropriately abbreviated by interference from the Judgment Day, and ultimately from El Grando Americano.
Everything about this match was booked properly. Mysterio and Penta had their moments to shine and the red-hot winner and loser didn’t lose any status in the process.
(c) Lyra Valkyria def. Becky Lynch (Valkyria retains her Women’s IC title)
Valkyria and Lynch put on an excellent match. This match was put together to help push Valkyria as the top-tier star WWE wants her to be. Mission accomplished.
Lynch helped pull out a level of flair we hadn’t seen in Valkyria since she was called up to the main roster. Valkyria won clean but might have sustained a legit broken nose in the process as Lynch battered her following the final bell.
Be on the lookout for injury reports on her during the upcoming week.
(c) Jacob Fatu def. LA Knight, Damian Priest and Drew McIntyre (Fatu retains his US title)
This match was an excellent kickoff for the show. There were some excellent spots like this one.
Fatu got some unexpected help from the debuting Jeff Cobb who made a splash attacking LA Knight. Cobb was brought in by Solo Sikoa, but it doesn’t appear as though Fatu was aware the help was coming.
This helps to build the inevitable clash between Fatu and Solo, likely to happen at SummerSlam or earlier. Night of Champions was announced for June 28. That might be a great spot for their match.
