With only five matches on the WWE Backlash 2025 card, there are several expected matchups that didn’t end up making the final cut.
While the abbreviated card is likely to focus attention on the main event between John Cena and hometown hero Randy Orton, there are still a few bouts that were seemingly on course for taking place before being dropped.
Here are seven WWE Backlash 2025 matches that were alluded to, but didn’t end up happening.
7. Jade Cargill vs. Naomi
A non-title grudge match like this (even ending in DQ when shenanigans erupt at ringside) would have been a simple way to add more than one women’s match onto the card for Backlash 2025.
While there was some tag team action on a recent edition of SmackDown featuring Jade Cargill teaming with Tiffany Stratton to take on the formidable duo of Naomi and Nia Jax – it didn’t serve to cement any alliances.
Rather, Cargill made her intention to take Tiffany’s WWE Women’s Championship from her clear – a sentiment she reiterated again on the SmackDown before Backlash, telling Charlotte Flair to “get to the back of the line” before Cargill’s #1 contender’s match against Jax.
While Nia Jax ended up beating Cargill – with the help of a distraction from Naomi who attacked Stratton at ringside – it seems this feud is far from over.
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6. Jey Uso vs. Logan Paul
After capturing the WWE World Heavyweight Championship from GUNTHER at WrestleMania 41, Jey Uso was celebrated by fans and allies alike.
Having a touching in-ring moment with both Sami Zayn and twin brother Jimmy Uso, the moment felt like it could be the catalyst for a stunning betrayal.
However, Zayn and Jimmy remained true to Jey (for now at least) and were actually just there to celebrate. Someone who isn’t interested in celebrating Uso though is Logan Paul.
The social media sensation has been targeting Jey Uso over the last few weeks which was seemingly setting up a match at Backlash – however, it wouldn’t come to be, and it’s seemingly planned for Saturday Night’s Main Event in two weeks’ time instead.
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5. Any Tag Team Championship Match
Neither sets of WWE tag team championships are on the line at Backlash 2025.
While WWE Tag Team Champions the Street Profits made an appearance on the SmackDown before Backlash after their massive TLC match title win – they were promptly met by newly minted main roster team Fraxiom (Nathan Frazer and Axiom) – who beat them in a non-title match.
Meanwhile World Tag Team Champions the New Day are still looking for their next challenger but will get closer to a resolution on the WWE Raw after Backlash.
The War Raiders (Erik and Ivar) are set to take on the Creed Brothers (Julius & Brutus Creed) to determine who will be the #1 contenders to the New Day’s World Tag Team Championship.
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4. GUNTHER vs. Any Wrestler
After GUNTHER took a devastating loss at WWE WrestleMania 41 against Jey Uso, he seemingly returned without his standard stoic restraint.
Instead the Austrian was somewhat unhinged, ending up attacking Michael Cole before ultimately choking out Pat McAfee.
McAfee’s absence would be short-lived however as he would return the following week and a match between him and the Ring General was made official.
While this seems very odd, it may actually be the shroud for an entirely different surprise, as rumors remain potent that Goldberg could return.
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3. IYO SKY & Rhea Ripley vs. Giulia & Roxanne Perez
While this match is still happening – it won’t be at WWE Backlash 2025.
Rather the tag team battle has been announced to be happening on the Raw after Backlash on May 12.
Over the last several weeks, NXT stars Roxanne Perez and Giulia have formed an alliance and – despite still being considered NXT stars – have appeared weekly on Raw to target Women’s World Champion IYO SKY and Rhea Ripley.
The match will surely be a great one, fans will just have to wait an extra two nights to see it.
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2. WWE Women’s United States Championship Match
Although it seemed like the WWE Women’s United States Title could be on the line at Backlash 2025, it would not end up happening.
The title changed hands on an episode of SmackDown a couple of weeks ago with Zelina Vega beating Chelsea Green for the United States Championship.
The men’s United States Championship is, however, on the line at the event in a four-way match that could steal the show.
Jacob Fatu will put his newly won title on the line against LA Knight, Damian Priest and Drew McIntyre.
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1. Dominik Mysterio vs. Finn Balor
When Dirty Dominik Mysterio captured the WWE Intercontinental Championship at WrestleMania 41, it seemed like the victory would finally spell the end of Judgment Day.
Demonstrating his ability to be patient in his quiet simmering rage however, Finn Balor will not be getting the first shot at Dirty Dom’s title – rather Backlash 2025 will see Dom take on Penta.
Very likely there is a storyline beat necessary at Backlash in order to bring Mysterio vs. Balor around in the future – but we’ll have to stay tuned to find out.
Perhaps Judgment Day isn’t really breaking up, despite the prospect being teased for a very long time already.
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