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WWE Backlash 2025: John Cena Remains Undisputed Champion Defeating Randy Orton; Are Clues Adding Up That His Heel Turn Might Be Temporary?

By Michael Fairman

Published

1 year ago

on

Photo: WWE

John Cena walked out of Enterprise Center in St. Louis on Saturday night, May 10, not only retaining the WWE Undisputed Heavyweight Championship, but shifting from tears to a grimace. The rollercoaster of emotions from the 17-time GOAT was on full display after the match and after WWE Backlash 2025 went off the air on Peacock. The moments were captured on video not only by the WWE, but fans around the world and those in attendance.

For ‘Backlash,’ would be Cena’s first title defense since defeating Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 41 in Las Vegas, and the opportunity to face one of his oldest rivals in Randy Orton, (in “The Viper’s” hometown) one last time during his retirement tour. The match was bound to have some big time moments . Over a 25-year span the two have wrestled each other in various types of matches 94 times (including singles and tag team matches) so they know each other all too well.

While this heel version of John Cena is resorting to winning matches by outside interference (this time by R. Truth), low blows and title belt to the face moves, the WWE Universe seems conflicted. Chants of “Cena Sucks” vs. “Let’s Go Cena” ring out in arenas and stadiums everywhere. Many love finally seeing Cena as a heel, others feel it’s just is so hard to compute in their brains that this is the same guy who has granted more wishes to Make-A-Wish children with serious illnesses than anyone in history. Here are five takeaways from the five-bout card that comprised WWE Backlash 2025.

Photo: WWE

TOO MANY RUN-INS AND INTERFERENCE

While the Cena and Orton match was better than Cena vs. Rhodes at WrestleMania 41, both wrestlers were capable of doing the moves they can successfully execute at this point in their careers. The trouble came when we had a knock-the ref-out-orama when multiple refs went down, and we had the obligatory babyface of the match, in this case Orton, winning with more than a three count pinning Cena, but no ref to do the official count.

Eventually, R-Truth, who in this storyline is confused as his hero is Cena is in trouble during the match, gets into the ring and in front of Orton, who has a helpless Cena lined up for his patented Punt Kick. That opened the door for Cena to deliver a low blow and smash the championship belt over Orton’s head for the win … just as the ref came to just in time for the count.

Photo: WWE

Later, in the WWE Backlash Post-Show media scrum, R-Truth was thrown through the media table, where John was about to take questions for the first time since his heel turn, but instead he got pissed at “Ron” (R-Truth) for interrupting him, After disposing of R-Truth, Cena took off in a huff.  GRADE B-

WHEN THE RING ANNOUNCERS TEAM UP TO BRING DOWN “THE RING GENERAL”

Sports commentator and WWE on-air host, Pat McAfee stepped into the ring for a singles match for the first time in two years to take on Gunther. Previously, Gunther had choked him out, when McAfee cane to the aid of his friend and co-announce partner, the legendary Michael Cole.

Now to even the score could McAfee get retribution against one of the greatest WWE superstars on the roster, a man who has held multiple titles? Things did not look good throughout for McAfee. At one point, Cole couldn’t stand it anymore, and interfered in the match, pulling Gunther’s boot while it was near the ring rope to stop him from pinning McAfee. Throughout it was the two Davids battling the Goliath.  In the end, Gunther won, and Pat McAfee did an admirable job making us root for the underdog and the least experienced “wrestler” of the two.

The one thing that this match needed was someone to come out to help Cole and McAfee when they are in critical danger of being taken out for good by Gunther. Rumors were Bill Goldberg might show up and confront Gunther, but that did not happen, leaving us wondering where does this Gunther go from here? GRADE C

WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MY “MASKED” FRIEND

Dirty Dom Mysterio has gone from fans booing him so loud you can’t hear anything else in arenas everywhere, to fans rooting for him, and this was to be his first title defense at a PLE after winning the Intercontinental title at WrestleMania 41 and it was against the popular Luchador, Penta.

Photo: WWE

Mysterio showed the moves in this bout, and in fact, this might have been the best singles match his WWE career and he seemed to out wrestle one of the greats in Penta. Later in the match his buddies from the Judgment Day show up to ringside: Finn Balor, JD McDonaugh and Carlito.

However, the official ended up throwing them all out of ringside and to the back. With the referee distracted, out of nowhere came El Grande Americano hit Penta with a plated head butt, which allowed Mysterio to take the victory. GRADE B

LYRA CAN HOLD HER OWN

Lyra Valkyria had to prove she could go toe to toe with the woman she idolized, and who turned on her, “The Man”, Becky Lynch. During the match, this jealous heel version of Lynch would appear in control and then completely lose her temper. In fact, Becky tried to humiliate Valkyria in front of Lyra’s fiancé in the crowd, Irish Wrestler LJ Cleary, who was in the front row.

Photo: WWE

The end of the match saw Valkyria continually stop Lynch’s attempt to use an exposed turnbuckle on her. As Valkyria came up with some powerhouse maneuvers on Lynch, eventually “The Man” would poke Lyra in the eye and try to roll her up for the win. However, the Women’s Intercontinental champion would come up with three count on Lynch despite not being able to use her other arm to hold Lynch down because of possible broken nose.

After the match, being a sore loser, Lynch attacked Valkyria in the ring until security had to get her off of the champ and out of the ring. GRADE B+

FATU FOR YOU

Jacob Fatu is quickly becoming an overwhelming fan favorite, especially with his Samoan Drop finisher, moonsaults and athleticism. In the fatal four-way at Backlash in which Fatu defended the U.S. Heavyweight Championship for the first time since winning at WrestleMania 41 against LA Knight, Drew McIntrye and Damian Priest, he was pretty unstoppable.

Each wrestler had their spots in one of the better matches of the night and it was the show opener. LA Knight showed why he is still so viable with his great timing and moves. Will the WWE give him another push soon, or is it too late? Meanwhile, bitter rivals Drew McIntyre and Damian Priest beat the crap out of each other, until while in the crowd, Priest delivered a South of Heaven through a table that knocked them both out of the match.

Photo: WWE

When Fatu was in trouble, Solo Sikoa showed up pulling the ref out of the ring when it looked like LA Knight had him beat. All of a sudden, Jeff Cobb shows up and is beating up the Megastar so Fatu could hit his patented moonsault to secure the victory.

Trouble is now brewing because Fatu looked completely puzzled why and how Cobb showed up and aligned himself with Sikoa, when it seemed like Jacob didn’t want any help. Is the going to be the turning point, where Fatu puts his alliance with the Bloodline 2.0 to bed and just continues to build to a main event star? We hope so.  GRADE B+

So, what did you think of WWE Backlash 2025? Are you enjoying Cena’s heel run? Do you hope he retires with the belt? Share your thoughts, and check out the Michael Fairman Channel’s latest episode of our talk show “What’s Up? Wrestling” were we shared our reactions and reviews from WWE’s latest premium live event.

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What a way to kickoff the PLE with the Fatal Four way match. Four different wrestlers that worked against each other, calling the match. That takes talent and they did a good job with some decent spots. [Fatu retains]

“The Man” goes up against Lyra. Something is off. The same issues with Charlotte and Tiffy. The two living legends are not working well with the new talent. I think the seasoned veteran ladies need to feud. And by the way, Lyra’s bird gimmick is horrible! She needs to scrap that. One way is to go heel and go with a [Lyra retains.]

Michael, what do you think of Penta? I have grown to really like him. you could see that the man is very talented. But I like his style. The way he carries himself. Kind of funny when he enters the runway and heads to the ring. He is good to the fans to. [Dirty Dom retains.]

“Slap” McAfee. Did you see how red he was from the beating he took from Goonther! Not bad for what it was. I expected more out of Pat. He needed to do more high spots to make it a little interesting. I guess there is too much on the line with all the jobs he has. Gunther finished playing with him, Michael Cole got a little involved, but Gunther wrapped it up and that was that and that was the end of Pat!

I thoroughly enjoyed the Main Event, Cena versus the hometown legend, St. Louis’s number one heel/baby face, Randy Orton. We knew Cena would retain. Old school gimmicks and a master class on calling the match and executing their spots. John Cena stole the post event presser!

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Recaps

THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Steffy Tells Carter She’s Pregnant, But He Has a Way ‘Out of This Situation For All of Us’

Published

10 hours ago

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September 12, 2026

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Steffy and Carter

After taking a second pregnancy test on the Friday, September 12 episode of The Bold and the Beautiful, Steffy Forrester (Jacqueline MacInnes Wood) freaks out ever more when it come back positive, too. Leading her to shriek, multiple times over, “Oh my God! Oh my God! I’m pregnant!”

As previously reported, CBS and The Bold and the Beautiful have already confirmed that in the story, the baby Steffy is carrying is Carter’s (Lawrence Saint-Victor) which kicks-off their 40th season of storytelling. However, could there be a twist down the line that it’s really Finn’s (Tanner Novlan)?

On Friday’s episode, Carter gets a text from his wife, Daphne (Murielle Hilaire) telling him she wants to talk more about surrogacy later, since she cannot carry Carter’s child, and the couple was exploring ways for them to have a baby. Suddenly, Carter flashes back to waking up next to Steffy on the couch in the office after they had sex the night before in their drunken stupor.

Carter

Courtesy/CBS

CARTER DEVISES A PLAN

Then, Steffy comes whirling into the office demanding to talk to Carter right away. Steffy is informing Carter that she has to tell Finn about their night together more than ever! A confused Carter asked her what changed, when they agreed to keep their one night together a secret? Carter tells her if she reveals what happened between them, it will tear about all of their lives.

Carter thinks nothing will come of their “mistake” if they keep their mouth shut. Steffy responds, “You’re wrong.” She goes on to explain that she’s pregnant! That declaration stuns Carter and we fade to black.

However, it was the preview for the action next week on The Bold and the Beautiful, that aired at the end of Friday’s episode and is now all over B&B’s social media that is the real tell-tale sign of where this story is heading.

B&B SPOILERS

In a scene airing next week, Carter says to Steffy, “I have a way out of the situation for all of us!” This comes on the heels of Daphne telling Carter she wishes she knew someone who would be their surrogate. So, putting two and two together, it looks like Carter will come up with the idea to pass Steffy and his baby off as the surrogate child of Carter and Daphne.

Look no further than the official B&B spoilers for episodes airing Monday, September 14- Friday, September 18 and the teaser lines of the Steffy/Carter baby drama to back that up below.

Monday, September 14, Steffy’s news complicates things even more with Carter, while on Tuesday, September 15, 2026  Daphne is hopeful she and Carter will be able to find a surrogate and Carter rushes to stop Steffy. On Wednesday, September 16, Carter makes a passionate plea. and by Thursday, September 17, Daphne can’t believe Carter’s suggestion. Then come Cliffhanger Friday, September 18, Steffy is caught off guard.

So, what do you think how it look to be Carter who originated plan to keep the truth from ever coming out, that he and Steffy had sex, and the best way to do this is for Steffy to be the surrogate for Carter and Daphne’s child? How complicated will the cover-up eventually get? Will Steffy fall in love with the baby making this whole thing untenable for her? Share your thoughts and theories via the comment section, but first check out B&B’s video teaser for next week’e episodes below.

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General Hospital

GENERAL HOSPITAL: Jason and Britt Reach an Impasse; Is This the End of Their Relationship?

Published

11 hours ago

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September 12, 2026

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Jason and Britt

On the Friday, September 11 episode of General Hospital, Jason (Steve Burton) and Britt’s (Kelly Thiebaud) relationship becomes strained to potentially the point of no return.

Things take a turn when an unglued Britt having been traumatized by almost being killed by Anna Devane (Finola Hughes) asks Jason to back her up with the PCPD when she reports Anna for attempted murder.

However, Jason told Britt, he can’t. Jason shares that he does not believe Anna would have gone through with shooting her. Therefore, Britt was not in any real imminent danger. Britt is flabbergasted and hurt that Jason is refusing to tell the police what he actually witnessed for himself on Mount Emerson.

Britt

Courtesy/ABC

BRITT WANTS BACK UP FROM JASON

Jason counters that he can’t believe that Britt would want Anna punished. or sent to prison, or a mental facility after the trauma she endured while being locked up and mentally tortured while at Wyndemere.

He asks Britt, “How could you even say that you want her locked up or prosecuted for what she did when you knew she was being held prisoner and you did nothing to save her?” Britt is stunned by Jason’s response.

Coming up, official General Hospital spoilers share that on the upcoming Monday, September 14 episode, Jason confides in Carly (Laura Wright), while Britt is stung. In the video preview that aired at the end of the Friday, September 11 episode for this coming Monday, Britt says to Jason, “You don’t believe me. Do you?”

General Hospital head scribes, Chris Van Etten and Elizabeth Korte previously teased in their fall preview of the soap, “Britt and Jason have come a long way and fought a lot of enemies to be together. But the most stubborn obstacle to their happiness isn’t without, it’s within. Decisions Britt made to stay alive while under Cullum’s thumb will come back to haunt her and may prove too difficult for this unlikely couple to survive.”

So, what do you think will happen? Will Jason and Britt break-up over Britt’s lies and Jason’s unwillingness to report Anna’s crime against her? Do you want Jason and Britt to go their separate ways? If they do, will Britt become romantically involved with Dr. Tristan Roberts (Dean Geyer) ? If so, who do you pair Jason with? Anyone? Weigh-in via the comment section.

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Recaps

THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Steffy is Shaken to the Core, ‘Oh My God! I’m Pregnant!’

Published

2 days ago

on

September 10, 2026

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Steffy

On today’s Thursday, September 10 episode of The Bold and the Beautiful, Steffy Forrester (Jacqueline MacInnes Wood) discovers she’s pregnant, after taking a home pregnancy test, that will launch a new story arc that will remain front and center for the show in the months ahead.

The life-changing story kicks off the B&B’s 40th season which officially began on September 8. In it, Carter Walton (Lawrence Saint-Victor) is the biological father of Steffy’s unborn child from their drunken night together when both endured turbulent times in their marriages.

Previously, Carter had trouble with Daphne (Murielle Hilaire), when she initially walked out on him, because she could not carrying his child. Meanwhile, Steffy broke up with Finn (Tanner Novlan) while in Monaco over Finn’s mother Sheila Carter (Kimberlin Brown) showing up, who once tried to kill her.

Courtesy/CBS

Fast-forward, Carter and Steffy made a pact that no one will ever need to know about their drunken night together, but now with Steffy becoming pregnant it changes everything. Making matters all the worse, Daphne views Steffy as her best friend, in fact, Daphne and Carter have been talking about having a child via surrogacy. While Finn had showed the couple how to start the process of finding a surrogate, Daphne felt just choosing a random person to carry Carter’s child is so impersonal. She would rather have it be someone she knows.

It does not take a scientist to predict … that somehow Steffy will carry the baby pretending to be the surrogate, when she its biological mother, and along the way, the questions become, does she keep the whole thing somehow a secret to herself? Doe Carter find out at some point? Stay tuned to see how this story reveals itself.

At its root, this is a major storyline for Wood, who has already won three Daytime Emmy Lead Actress Awards in her 18 years with The Bold and the Beautiful. In that time, her character of Steffy has experienced multiple pregnancies, given birth to two children, Kelly with Liam (Scott Clifton) as the father, and Hayes with Finn as the father, and endured a miscarriage.

So, what did you think of Steffy getting confirmation she is pregnant and looking mortified when she found out? What will she do next? Will she tell Carter? Will Daphne come to Steffy to ask her to be her surrogate, which Steffy may think will be the answers to her prayers, only for the truth to come out later, or falling in love with the baby since its hers to be begin with? Share your thoughts and theories for this major story for Jacqueline MacInnes Wood, via the comment section.

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