WWE Backlash: John Cena and Randy Orton to face each other one last time for the Undisputed WWE championship

Indian Express

07-05-2025

WWE Backlash: WWE is returning on May 11 with their first major event, Backlash, since Wrestlemania 41 in Las Vegas. Stories and narratives that were birthed during the biggest wrestling extravaganza of the year will finally reach their summit, as many wrestlers, including superstars like John Cena, Randy Orton, Jey Uso, Seth Rollins, Gunther and Becky Lynch, will be making an appearance.
One of the most important events during WrestleMania was Paul Heyman pulling off a 'double Brutus', as he betrayed both CM Punk and Roman Reigns during their triple threat match with Seth Rollins. The 'wise man' has certainly chosen his next project in Rollins and has now set his sights on making the 'architect' the next World Heavyweight Champion. He challenged Jey during Raw on May 5, and the high-flying Samoan accepted the challenge.
What followed was an all-out war between Jey and Rollins, as the latter tried to gain an advantage with the help of his new lackey Bron Breaker. Someone in the back room wrote this match to perfection, as Sami Zayn and CM Punk came out to even the odds, and Jey Uso ultimately walked out of the arena still holding on to his title.
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However, the main event of Backlash will feature even bigger names and a feud that started more than a decade ago. For the last time in their careers, Randy Orton and John Cena will face each other in the squared ring. It was expected that John was going to face Randy, who is probably his greatest adversary in the business, during his farewell tour. After securing the WWE title at WrestleMania, John announced to the world that he was going to ruin wrestling and was going to erase the legacy of all those who came before him.
Naturally, Randy, who has a legacy, did not take to his words kindly and expressed his displeasure by planting John with his finisher in front of a sold-out arena. The two continued to have a verbal fight in the week that followed, where Randy unsuccessfully tried to convince John to drop this 'heel' act and go back to being a good guy. John, true to his new character, tried to get a cheap shot in, but Randy countered and rendered the champion unconscious in the middle of the ring. Interestingly, Backlash is being held in St Louis, which is Randy Orton's hometown.
Over the years, the two have had legendary matches, including stipulations like TLC, Iron Man and I Quit. Both have cemented themselves as the top WWE superstars, not only from their generation but in the history of the entertainment company.
According to reports, Backlash will be streamed live on Netflix at 4:30 am IST on May 11. Other important match-ups include Lyra Valkyria vs Becky Lynch (Women's Intercontinental Championship), Jacob Fatu vs LA Knight vs Damien Priest vs Drew McIntyre (US Championship), Dominik Mysterio vs Penta (Intercontinental Championship) and Gunther vs Pat McAfee.