WWE Backlash 2025

By Steve Ward

The fallout from WrestleMania 41 culminated this evening in St. Louis, Missouri as WWE presented Backlash from the Enterprise Arena. This evening’s card featured five bouts with four holding a title in the balance and was headlined by John Cena defending his Universal Championship against Randy Orton.

United States Championship Fatal Four Way

Jacob Fatu (c) vs. Drew McIntyre vs. Damian Priest vs. LA Knight

Winner: Jacob Fatu via pinfall

 

The tempo of this match remained at a fever pitch throughout. Late in the contest, Priest took both himself and Drew McIntyre out of the match after delivering a South of Heaven from the top of a sound crate through a pair of tables. LA Knight then laid Fatu out on the announce table and scaled to the top rope. First, Solo Sikoa emerged to pull Fatu out of harm’s way. As Knight pursued Solo, he was blindsided by an unknown assailant soon revealed as Jeff Cobb! Knight was then thrown into the ring and served up for Fatu to put him away.

 

Women’s Intercontinental Championship

Becky Lynch vs. Lyra Valkyria (c)

Winner: Lyra Valkyria via pinfall

 

These two women teamed up at WrestleMania to claim the Women’s Tag Team Championship only to lose them 24 hours later on RAW. This caused The Man to reveal her true colors and lay waste to Lyra leading us to tonight’s encounter. Both women pulled out all stops but, in the end, Lyra withstood multiple Manhandle Slams, the Disarm Her, and an exposed turnbuckle to end up winning with a pinfall reversal.

 

WWE Intercontinental Championship

Dominik Mysterio (c) vs. Penta

Winner: Dominik Mysterio via pinfall

 

After Penta was cost his chance at claiming the Intercontinental Championship on RAW recently, he was granted another opportunity tonight. Late in the match, The Judgement Day tried to get involved only to be stopped by the referee and banned from ringside. While the referee was still distracted, El Grande Americano emerged to headbutt Penta with a loaded mask. This set the stage for Mysterio to hit the frogsplash and seal his victory.

 

Gunther vs. Pat McAfee

Winner: Gunther via submission

 

The night following WrestleMania Gunther took exception to the commentary being delivered by Michael Cole and Pat McAfee and assaulted the two. That prompted McAfee to call out Gunther bringing us to tonight. McAfee made the match interesting and received a little help in the form of outside interference from Michael Cole, but in the end, Gunther put him away with the Sleeper Hold.

 

WWE Universal Championship

Randy Orton vs. John Cena (c)

Winner: John Cena via pinfall

 

John Cena and Randy Orton resumed their 25-year rivalry tonight in Orton’s hometown for possibly the last time with Cena’s new Universal Championship on the line. Randy Orton controlled most of the match and seemed poised to win his 15th world championship until Cena decked the referee inadvertently with the title. In the closing minutes, Orton had Cena squared up for the punt only to be stopped by the man who calls Cena his childhood hero despite being older than him, R-Truth. R-Truth promptly received an RKO for his efforts. As Orton yelled at Truth, who had rolled out to the arena floor, Cena delivered a low blow to Randy. Cena then finished Orton off with a shot to the head with the Universal Championship and pinned him just in time for the referee to recover and count the pinfall.

AC Boxing Scene Alive and Thriving

By Frank Bartolini

Professional boxing in Atlantic City has often been written off as dead. But that message clearly didn’t reach the over 10,000 fans who packed the Convention Center on the boardwalk to witness Jaron “Boots” Ennis successfully defend his World Welterweight Championship, in an event promoted by Matchroom Boxing.

Ennis, a Philadelphia native, delivered the most dominant performance of his career, dismantling Eimantas Stanionis in six rounds. Philadelphia, known for embracing its champions, showed up in full force—many clad in Eagles Super Bowl gear—to support their hometown hero.

Using sharp left jabs to the head and body, Ennis opened up Stanionis for a brutal body assault. Switching to a southpaw stance at times, Ennis demonstrated his versatility and ferocity. Though he absorbed a few hooks, Ennis responded with a relentless wave of punches that eventually overwhelmed the tough and resilient Lithuanian challenger.

In the sixth round, Ennis targeted Stanionis’ midsection with a punishing barrage. Grimacing in pain, Stanionis backed into the corner, clearly hurt. Sensing the moment, Ennis landed three consecutive left uppercuts to the chin of a hunched-over opponent. Stanionis crumbled to the canvas but courageously got back to his feet and survived the round.

Back in his corner, concern was etched on the faces of his team. As the ringside physician, referee, and head trainer assessed his condition, a decision was made to stop the fight. The trainer called it off, and with agreement from the doctor and referee, the bout was officially ended. Though suffering his first professional loss, Stanionis (now 15–1, 9 KOs) earned respect for his grit and heart.

With this emphatic victory, Ennis (now 34–0, 30 KOs) firmly established himself as the king of the 147-pound division. However, challenges remain. Super lightweight champion Teofimo Lopez has publicly called him out, and undefeated fighters Devin Haney and Brian Norman Jr. are also being floated as potential opponents. Still, it would be fitting if Ennis cleaned out the welterweight division before moving up in weight. This writer’s dream matchup? A clash between Ennis and Gervonta “Tank” Davis—a Philly vs. Baltimore showdown that would electrify fans across the boxing world.

Don’t believe the doubters—the Atlantic City fight scene is far from dead. Just two weeks before the Ennis-Stanionis bout, Larry Goldberg’s BoxingInsider Promotions hosted a six-fight card at the Tropicana Casino & Hotel. Headlining the event was local favorite Justin Figueroa, a junior middleweight and standout former high school athlete. Over 1,500 fans filled the venue—hardly the sign of a fading boxing town.

Back in 2015, Atlantic City’s boxing future looked bleak. The city was in economic decline, with multiple casinos shuttered and others demolished. Professional boxing came to a near halt. That’s when welterweight contender Thomas “Cornflake” LaManna took a bold step—promoting boxing himself to keep the sport alive in the “City by the Sea.”

LaManna’s efforts reignited the local boxing scene. His initiative inspired other promoters, leading to a resurgence that now boasts more than 20 fight cards a year on the boardwalk. A veteran of 45 professional bouts, LaManna’s own career continues as he prepares to face former super welterweight and middleweight champion Jermall Charlo in a 10-round bout on May 31 at the Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas.

Thanks to fighters like Ennis and LaManna, and the passionate fanbase that continues to show up, Atlantic City remains a vital part of the boxing world. The scene isn’t dying—it’s thriving.