WWE Backlash 2025 Match Card Predictions Ahead of Go-Home Raw
This year's followup to WrestleMania feels like a fever dream of sorts.
John Cena and Randy Orton are headlining a premium live event like it's 2009 all over again, Pat McAfee is dusting off the black tank top and stepping back into the ring for a match with (*checks notes*) Gunther, and Becky Lynch and Lyra Valkyria are rekindling a rivalry that wasn't really a rivalry from 2023.
Oh, and four of the best workers in the company are fighting for the United States Championship in a match that will, to quote Edge and Christian, "totally reek of awesomeness."
Ahead of this year's Backlash at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis, here are predictions for Saturday's PLE.
Fatal 4-Way for United States Championship
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The two Triple Threat matches at WrestleMania were the best on the entire two-night card, so WWE will double-down on multi-person matchups Saturday night when new U.S. champion Jacob Fatu defends against Drew McIntyre, Damian Priest and LA Knight in a Fatal 4-Way.
The talent here is off the charts, with every one of them a bona fide main event star in WWE, which is a testament to the depth at the top of the card.
For reasons "John Cena's Retirement Tour," though, they are all nestled in the upper-midcard, where they will have a shot at stealing a show that is not particularly enticing on paper.
Expect Knight to show out, as he typically does when he gets a chance in the premium live event spotlight; McIntyre to be the best worker in the match' Priest to overdeliver; and Fatu to again prove why he might be the most interesting in-ring worker on the WWE roster.
Fatu retains here and builds momentum for himself and his title reign.
Prediction: Fatu retains
Women's Intercontinental Championship: Lyra Valkyria vs. Becky Lynch
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After Bayley suffered an injury at the hands of an unknown assailant, Becky Lynch returned at WrestleMania 41 to partner with Lyra Valkyria and defeat Raquel Rodriguez and Liv Morgan for the Women's Tag Team Championship.
When the duo lost the gold back to the former champions 24 hours later, The Man shockingly betrayed her friend and protege.
A week later, Lynch revealed she had injured Bayley. A vengeful Valkyria interrupted, issued the challenge for a championship match at Backlash, and her rival accepted.
Valkyria has a high-stakes victory over Lynch to her name, at NXT Halloween Havoc in 2023.
That won't be replicated in St. Louis, though. Like Cena at WrestleMania, Lynch did not turn heel just to lose. She will become the second women's IC champion and go on a run with the title that further elevates its significance on the red brand.
Prediction: Lynch wins the gold
Pat McAfee vs. Gunther
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Pat McAfee returns to the squared circle for the first time since WrestleMania 38, where he defeated Austin Theory before losing an unadvertised match to Vince McMahon that is better never being spoken of again.
His opponent, Gunther, is a relentlessly punishing force who is enraged following his loss to Jey Uso at WrestleMania 41 and has plenty of fury to unleash on anyone who stands in his way of regaining the World Heavyweight Championship.
That includes the former NFL punter turned sports talking head and pro wrestling commentator.
The match will be full of clever spots to keep fans interested, and McAfee is a strong enough showman to make it better than it has any right to be, but Gunther will inevitably shrug off what the Raw commentator throws at him and obliterate him with some chest-caving chops before choking him out in the center of the ring.
If not, and this is the latest in a losing streak for The Ring General, it's going to be a long night on pro wrestling social media and an even longer summer for fans.
Prediction: For the love of all that is sacred in professional wrestling, Gunther wins
Undisputed WWE Championship: Randy Orton vs. John Cena
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For the first time since 2017, John Cena and Randy Orton will square off in a WWE ring when the titleholder defends the Undisputed WWE Championship against his longtime rival.
The Viper will be the overwhelming fan favorite in his hometown of St. Louis, and the first defense against Cena's promise to ruin professional wrestling. The competitors have a long, storied history together and have wrestled their fair share of PLE contests.
With that said, both are older now and a shorter, more succinct match will likely be best for everyone involved. Expect high drama, the trading of signature and finishing moves, and an ending that protects Orton and plays to Cena's heel persona.
Another undetected low blow, maybe a belt shot to the face, should spell the downfall of Orton and give him an "out" for losing in front of his friends and family.
Prediction: Cena retains
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