WWE Backlash, the annual follow-up PLE to Wrestlemania, emanates from the Enterprise Center in St. Louis, Missouri on Saturday May 10, 2025 at 7 p.m. ET. and will stream on Peacock.
Backlash 2025 sees WWE return to its normal five-match PLE format with the “final” encounter between undisputed WWE Universal Champion John Cena and his arch nemesis, Randy Orton. The show will also see the return of commentator Pat McAfee to the squared circle as he takes on the former WWE Champion, Gunther.
Pop Break’s Editor-in-Chief Bill Bodkin is joined by Jeff Fountain of the United States Department of Nerds (USDN) podcast from the Datfeelin’ Podcast Network (DFPN). Jeff has been a guest on Socially Distanced before, and we’re excited to have him back on the site.
WWE Women’s Intercontinental Title Match: Lyra Valkyria © vs. Becky Lynch
Jeff’s Thoughts: I’m a huge fan of both these ladies but this may be a case of the wily vet pulling one over the young champ. Heel Becky is back and that version of Becky is my favorite version of Becky. Lyra will give us one hell of a match with Becky but at the end of the day, Becky takes the belt off Lyra to cement herself as a heel champ.
Prediction: “And New”… Becky Lynch by dirty pinfall
Bill’s Thoughts: Big agree with Jeff here. A salty, shoot-from-the-hip Becky Lynch is the best version of the first-ballot Hall of Famer. With that being said, the tag title hot potato and the sudden heel turn did feel like it came straight from the worst parts of the Attitude Era. These two will have a good match, and I do believe Becky gets the one-up on Lyra, evening up their singles record.
Prediction: “And New” – Becky Lynch
Fatal Four-Way for the WWE US Title: “The Samoan Werewolf” Jacob Fatu © vs. LA Knight vs. Damian Priest vs. Drew McIntyre
Jeff’s Thoughts: This will be the match of the night, big beefy men slapping beef …mannnn. We’re gonna see some hard hitting and some “ruthless aggression” dished out by all these competitors, who seemingly have a grave dislike of each other. At the end of the night though, I quote, “I’m all gas, no brakes and I’m gonna dog walk y’all asses, youknowwhatimean!” ~ FA-TU
Prediction: This belt doesn’t leave Fatu’s waist until WWE decides it’s his time to hold the WWE Championship. Clean win by Fa-Tu and he dog walks everyone.
Bill’s Thoughts: Triple H should be fired on site if Fatu loses the belt. He is one of the best performers in WWE today, and ultimately it would be great to see him and Drew have a one-on-one feud. However, I think every match right now for Big Jake is just a placeholder till his big match with Solo Sikoa at Summerslam.
Prediction: “And Still” Jacob Fatu
Pat McAfee vs. “The Ring General” Gunther
Jeff’s Thoughts: But why though? I’m hoping this is a switcheroo and Pat pulls a fast one and someone else will compete in his place. I’m doubting this though and don’t get me wrong, Pat can go in the ring but this is the Ring Gener-alll Gunther and he’s going to chop Pat’s chest till it bleeds and absolutely punish Pat. Are they writing Pat off air for some time? This is a perfect way to do it and Gunther will make a great show at doing it. Gunther takes it home but Pat will make it competitive.
Prediction: Gunther by choke out
Bill’s Thoughts: Pat McAfee is the Jerry “The King” Lawler for this era of WWE — big goof on commentary, but when the moment calls he can cut a strong promo and can go in the ring. This match feels like one big set-up for the return of … Bill Goldberg. Yeah, that’s the rumor floating out there. Of course, people will call this cinema or great long-term storytelling because Gunther made fun of him that one time. You know what I call it? Terrible. That’s what I call it. God, what I wouldn’t give to see Gunther in New Japan right now. Regardless, Pat McAfee is going to hit like 3-5 moves before his soul leaves his body via chop.
Prediction: Gunther
WWE Intercontinental Title Match: Dominik Mysterio © vs. Penta
Jeff’s Thoughts: It’s hard to hate Dom’s rise to being the top heel in WWE and i’ve been here the entire time for it. This is going to be a fantastic lucha libre style match (calling it now), Dom will surprise us with things we haven’t seen before. Penta will look phenomenal as always and hit all the classic moves and he and Dom could steal the match of the night away from Fatu. I’m calling this an upset by hook or by crook and Penta will be a champ one day, it just ain’t going to be this day.
Prediction: Dom retains with Judgement Day interference
Bill’s Thoughts: This is where Jeff and I will diverge on picks. Here’s my logic. WWE is promoting a big AAA x NXT show at the Kia Forum next month. The Forum is a big house and you need to fill it — and neither NXT or AAA (right now) has the horses at the moment to sell it out. Having Penta on the card, with a title changes a lot as he is a draw. Nick Khan recently talked about the success of Penta on the TKO investor call, so they see a lot in him. Putting him at the top of the card would be huge, and that’s why I think he gets the belt here.
Prediction: “And new” Penta
Undisputed WWE Championship Match: John Cena © vs. Randy Orton
Jeff’s Thoughts: As bad as I would love to see Randy Orton beat Cena and send him off to Hollywood, we all know it’s not time for Cena to drop the belt. We’ll get a classic Cena vs. Orton match with multiple false finishes and they’ll both look strong with Cena retaining the title.
Prediction: Cena retains with shenanigans
Bill’s Thoughts: My dislike for Randy Orton is not a secret. However, it makes logical sense that these two will face each other in the main event. It’s the John Cena retirement tour. It’s Randy’s hometown. There’s a two-decade long rivalry. It’s solid booking. Here’s the problem — all of their matches have been as exciting as three-day old oatmeal, and now they’re 20 years older. So yeah, now it’s going to be as exciting as 20 year-old oatmeal. They’re going find a way to make sure Randy Orton does not show one iota of weakness and Cena looks like a cowardly heel. Miss me with this one.
Prediction: John Cena obviously retains. Randy Orton remains looking strong. If The Rock and/or Travis Scott shows up, that noise you’ll hear is me laughing.
WWE Backlash 2025 will stream on Saturday May 10 live on Peacock.
