Updated 2025 WWE Backlash Card and Predictions for Match Order

For the first time since becoming a record-breaking, 17-time world champion at WrestleMania 41, John Cena will put the WWE Championship on the line in the likely main event of Backlash on Saturday.

Cena's opponent will be one of his greatest rivals in 14-time world champion Randy Orton, who figures to have a ton of support from his hometown fans against the now-villainous Cena.

While Cena vs. Orton is the headliner, the intercontinental, United States and women's intercontinental titles will also be on the line, plus Raw commentator Pat McAfee will be in action, competing in a rare match against Gunther.

Here is everything you need to know about Saturday's Backlash premium live event, including the entire card, projected match order and further analysis regarding the top bouts to watch.

Where: Enterprise Center in St. Louis

When: Saturday, May 10 at 7 p.m. ET

Watch: Peacock

Backlash 2025 Card and Projected Match Order

-Intercontinental Championship: Dominik Mysterio (c) vs. Penta

-United States Championship Fatal 4-Way: Jacob Fatu (c) vs. LA Knight vs. Drew McIntyre vs. Damian Priest

-Gunther vs. Pat McAfee

-WWE Women's Intercontinental Championship: Lyra Valkyria (c) vs. Becky Lynch

-WWE Championship: John Cena (c) vs. Randy Orton

Top Backlash Matches to Watch

John Cena vs. Randy Orton

Given that John Cena is on his retirement tour, it is only fitting that he is set to face one of the biggest rivals he has ever had over the course of his legendary career.

Cena and Randy Orton have done battle countless times over the years, but Saturday's match will undoubtedly feel fresh and unique.

For starters, Cena and Orton have not faced off in a televised singles match since 2017, and they haven't met in a PLE singles match since Hell in a Cell 2014.

Additionally, Cena was always the beloved babyface in their previous encounters with Orton acting as the heel, but the roles will be reversed this time around.

Cena and Orton may not put on a fast-paced, five-star-caliber match, but they know each other well enough to put on something entertaining in what could be the final match they ever have against each other.

Lyra Valkyria vs. Becky Lynch

In her first singles match in nearly a year, Becky Lynch will challenge Lyra Valkyria for the Women's Intercontinental Championship at Backlash.

Lynch made a surprise return last month at WrestleMania 41, filling in for the injured Bayley as Lyra's tag team partner. Together, they beat Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez for the WWE Women's Tag Team Championships.

However, Morgan and Rodriguez won the titles back the next night on Raw, and Becky snapped on her partner, beating down Valkyria in a vicious attack.

The Man later admitted that she was the one who attacked Bayley and rendered her unable to compete at WrestleMania, leading to a Women's Intercontinental Championship match between Lynch and Valkyria at Backlash.

Becky has pretty much done it all in WWE, but the women's IC title is among the only things missing from her résumé, which suggests a title change is very much within the realm of possibility.

Gunther vs. Pat McAfee

Fresh off dropping the World Heavyweight Championship to Jey Uso at WrestleMania 41, Gunther may be out for blood at Backlash.

On the Raw after WrestleMania, Gunther confronted Raw announcers Michael Cole and Pat McAfee over their support for Uso. McAfee intervened when Gunther attempted to choke out Cole, which resulted in The Ring General choking out McAfee instead.

While he has had only a handful of matches during his WWE career, McAfee is a top-flight athlete and former NFL punter who has always managed to impress in the squared circle when given the opportunity.

However, Gunther has long been heralded as one of the best in-ring workers in the world, making Saturday's match arguably the toughest test McAfee has ever had.

While the match probably won't look like a traditional Gunther bout, there is plenty of reason to believe he can get the most out of a relative novice in McAfee.

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