Backlash (2024)
Backlash (2024), also known as Backlash France, was the nineteenth annual Backlash professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) and livestreaming event produced by WWE. It was held on May 4, 2024, at the LDLC Arena in Décines-Charpieu, France, marking the first time the event was staged outside North America and the first WWE premium live event in the country. The show drew an attendance of 11,682 spectators and generated the largest gate for any arena show in WWE history. Five matches were contested, including three for championships, with the card headlined by Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes defending his title against AJ Styles. The event opened with a Street Fight between Randy Orton and Kevin Owens against The Bloodline members Solo Sikoa and Tama Tonga, where Sikoa and Tonga emerged victorious amid interference from Tanga Loa, advancing the ongoing Bloodline storyline. In the first title match, WWE Women's Champion Bayley retained her championship in a triple threat bout against Naomi and Tiffany Stratton, securing the win with her signature move on Stratton. World Heavyweight Champion Damian Priest followed by defending his title against Jey Uso, retaining despite distractions from The Judgment Day faction, and later fending off a post-match attack. The undercard saw Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill capture the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship from The Kabuki Warriors (Asuka and Kairi Sane) in their first match as a team, ending the champions' second reign. The main event featured Rhodes defeating Styles by pinfall after hitting his Cross Rhodes in a hard-fought contest that highlighted their long-standing rivalry. The Lyon crowd was widely praised for its energy, contributing to the event's reception as one of WWE's most enthusiastic international shows.[1]Production
Background
The Backlash event series originated in 1999 as a pay-per-view (PPV) produced by World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), initially serving as a follow-up to WrestleMania with rematches and emerging storylines from the flagship event.[2] It ran annually through 2009, after which it was discontinued and replaced by Extreme Rules as WWE's post-WrestleMania offering.[3] The event was revived in 2016 in a September slot but underwent further changes, including cancellation in 2019; it returned in 2020 and shifted to May 2021 specifically to capitalize on WrestleMania fallout, establishing its modern role as a key premium live event (PLE) in WWE's calendar.[4] This evolution aligned with WWE's broader transition from traditional PPV to the PLE format in 2022, emphasizing streaming accessibility and global reach.[2] WWE announced Backlash France on November 16, 2023, as part of its strategic planning for European expansion, marking the company's first PLE in the country and scheduling it for May 4, 2024, at the LDLC Arena in Décines-Charpieu, near Lyon.[5] The venue, with a capacity of approximately 13,000 for wrestling configurations, drew an attendance of 11,682, setting a record for the largest gate of any arena show in WWE history.[6] The event adopted the tagline "Nightmares Do Come True," reflecting thematic ties to ongoing narratives, and was broadcast live on Peacock in the United States and the WWE Network internationally, starting at 1 p.m. ET to accommodate European evening prime time.[7] Production logistics included adaptations for the six-hour time difference from U.S. East Coast headquarters, such as adjusted crew schedules and earlier start times to optimize viewer engagement across regions.[8] This installment occurred amid WWE's accelerated push into Europe following the September 2023 merger with Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) under TKO Group Holdings, which enhanced resources for international events and built on successes like Money in the Bank in London earlier that year.[9] WWE's presence in France dates to the 1980s, when the then-World Wrestling Federation (WWF) began airing on Canal+ in 1985 and hosted tours featuring stars like Hulk Hogan, establishing a foundational fanbase despite limited live events thereafter.[10] As a post-WrestleMania XL showcase, Backlash 2024 provided a platform to extend key outcomes from that event into new rivalries.Storylines
Following WrestleMania XL, WWE's programming on Raw and SmackDown focused on resolving immediate fallout while building new rivalries for Backlash France, the promotion's first premium live event in the country on May 4, 2024, at LDLC Arena in Lyon. These storylines emphasized brand crossovers, with SmackDown's Undisputed WWE Championship and Raw's World Heavyweight Championship defenses highlighting the unified narrative post-Draft.[7] The primary storyline centered on Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes defending against AJ Styles, a rivalry rooted in their March 22, 2024, SmackDown match where Rhodes emerged victorious en route to WrestleMania. After Rhodes dethroned Roman Reigns at WrestleMania to claim the title, Styles positioned himself as the next challenger by defeating LA Knight, Kevin Owens, and Rey Mysterio in a fatal four-way match on the April 19 episode of SmackDown.[11] The tension escalated during a contract signing on the April 26 SmackDown, where Styles, embracing a heel persona after his earlier 2024 turn against LA Knight, slapped Rhodes and mocked his WrestleMania journey, drawing personal barbs about legacy and entitlement.[12] This angle underscored Styles' opportunistic pursuit of gold he felt was denied him previously.[13] On Raw, World Heavyweight Champion Damian Priest's reign began controversially when he cashed in his Money in the Bank contract on Drew McIntyre moments after McIntyre's WrestleMania XL Night 2 victory over Seth Rollins on April 7, capitalizing on a post-match assault by CM Punk.[14] Jey Uso emerged as Priest's challenger after winning a fatal four-way match on the April 8 Raw against McIntyre, Bronson Reed, and Ricochet, aided by Punk's interference that neutralized McIntyre.[15] The buildup portrayed Uso as the popular underdog seeking his first world title, contrasting Priest's opportunistic Judgment Day-backed rule, with promos highlighting Uso's "Yeet" movement and Priest's warnings of ruthless defense.[16] The WWE Women's Championship picture involved champion Bayley, who had turned on Damage CTRL to win the title from Iyo Sky at WrestleMania XL, facing instability from opportunistic challengers. Naomi earned momentum by defeating Tiffany Stratton on the April 19 SmackDown, leading SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis to book a No. 1 contender's match for April 26.[11] That bout ended in a no-contest due to interference from Nia Jax, prompting Aldis to sanction a triple threat match at Backlash to settle the confusion around Bayley's post-WrestleMania reign.[17] The narrative emphasized Bayley's isolation as a lone champion amid the chaos of rising stars like the athletic Naomi and the brash Stratton, whose Prettiest Moonsault Ever finisher symbolized her ambition. Following the 2024 WWE Draft, Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill announced their intention to challenge for the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship. On the April 26 episode of SmackDown, the duo confronted champions The Kabuki Warriors (Asuka and Kairi Sane), prompting SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis to officially book the title match for Backlash, marking Belair and Cargill's first team outing.[18] The Bloodline saga evolved under Solo Sikoa's leadership after Roman Reigns' WrestleMania loss, with Sikoa expelling Jimmy Uso on the April 12 SmackDown to assert dominance. Tama Tonga, Sikoa's real-life family member and new enforcer, debuted on the April 19 SmackDown by joining Sikoa in a post-match assault on Kevin Owens following Owens' victory over Sikoa, marking a betrayal of Bloodline traditions and igniting a vendetta.[11] Randy Orton aligned with Owens after the attack, vowing retribution for the group's invasion-style tactics; their alliance culminated in a massive brawl with Sikoa and Tonga on the May 3 SmackDown, where officials struggled to separate the factions, solidifying the tag team clash.[19] This storyline highlighted themes of family loyalty and power shifts within The Bloodline.Event
On-screen personnel
The English-language commentary for Backlash France was handled by Michael Cole and Corey Graves, who provided play-by-play and color analysis throughout the event.[20] The French broadcast team, positioned at ringside, consisted of Christophe Agius and Philippe Chereau, whose presence drew significant crowd reactions and chants from the local audience.[21] The pre-show panel on the Countdown to Backlash featured host Jackie Redmond alongside analysts CM Punk and Big E, who discussed the night's key matchups and storylines leading into the main card.[22] Samantha Irvin served as the ring announcer for the event, introducing competitors and matches with her signature style.[23] Refereeing duties were assigned to several officials, including Jessika Carr, who made history as the first woman to officiate a WWE world championship main event during the Undisputed WWE Championship match between Cody Rhodes and AJ Styles; other referees, such as Danilo Anfibio and Charles Robinson, handled various preliminary bouts.[24][25] Backstage interviews were conducted by Cathy Kelley, contributing to on-screen segments amid the event's high-stakes atmosphere. Medical staff were on hand to address potential injuries from the physically demanding matches.Preliminary matches
The Street Fight between The Bloodline's Solo Sikoa and Tama Tonga against Randy Orton and Kevin Owens erupted from weeks of escalating tension within the Bloodline's internal power struggles on SmackDown, culminating in a no-holds-barred brawl that General Manager Nick Aldis officially sanctioned as a Street Fight before the bell.[1] The action spilled immediately into the crowd, with Owens wielding a kendo stick to batter Tonga and Orton introducing trash cans and steel chairs to target Sikoa, building to high-impact spots like Owens' cannonball senton off the apron through a table on Tonga outside the ring.[25] Orton teased his signature RKO multiple times, connecting one on Tonga onto the announce table and another near-fall attempt on Sikoa amid the chaos of tables and barricades being destroyed, heightening the stakes of the Bloodline's bid to solidify their new hierarchy without Roman Reigns.[26] The match resolved the ongoing feud's violent chapter when Tonga Loa made a shocking debut interference, distracting Orton and allowing Sikoa to deliver a Samoan Spike to Owens for the pinfall victory after 20:20 of brutal warfare, strengthening The Bloodline's ranks.[1][25] In the triple threat match for the WWE Women's Championship, champion Bayley defended against Naomi and Tiffany Stratton, whose rivalry stemmed from Stratton's opportunistic interruptions of Bayley and Naomi's title program on SmackDown.[17] The bout showcased athletic exchanges, starting with Bayley and Naomi double-teaming Stratton before alliances shifted, highlighted by Stratton's agile back handspring elbow on Bayley and her signature Alabama Slam on Naomi, while incorporating playful antics like taunting with her Money in the Bank briefcase prop from the apron to mock her opponents' veteran status.[25] Naomi countered with explosive offense, including a Rear View bulldog on Stratton and a split-legged moonsault attempt, as Bayley methodically applied Bayley-to-Belly suplexes to both challengers, resolving the multi-woman feud by capitalizing on the division when Stratton missed the Prettiest Moonsault Ever on Naomi; Bayley then rolled up Stratton for the three-count retention after 17:10.[26][1] Damian Priest defended the World Heavyweight Championship against Jey Uso in a high-stakes clash fueled by Uso's momentum as a fan favorite challenger following his tag team success, contrasting Priest's opportunistic cash-in at WrestleMania.[15] The match built through power versus speed dynamics, with Uso landing a series of superkicks to stagger Priest and following with a spear through the ropes to the floor, while Priest responded with razor-sharp clotheslines and a Broken Arrow powerslam for near-falls.[25] Interference from The Judgment Day's JD McDonagh and Finn Bálor at ringside distracted Uso, allowing Priest to hoist him for the South of Heaven chokeslam and secure the pinfall retention after 17:35, underscoring the faction's protective yet tense alliance around the new champion.[1][26] Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill challenged The Kabuki Warriors (Asuka and Kairi Sane) for the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship in the duo's first official match as a team, stemming from Cargill's recent alliance with Belair on SmackDown and their pursuit to dethrone the champions following The Kabuki's victory over previous titleholders.[1] The match featured high-energy tag action, with The Kabuki Warriors asserting early dominance through coordinated strikes and Asuka's mist attempt, countered by Belair's athleticism including a handspring moonsault and Cargill's powerhouse lifts leading to near-falls.[25] Key moments included Sane's Insane Elbow on Belair and a double-team on Cargill, but the challengers rallied with a combination of Belair's KOD (Kiss of Death) on Asuka and Cargill's Jaded on Sane, securing the pinfall victory and the titles after approximately 14 minutes, ending The Kabuki Warriors' second reign and marking a successful debut for the new champions.[26][1]Main event
The main event of Backlash (2024) pitted Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes against challenger AJ Styles in a singles match for the title, serving as Rhodes' first defense since defeating Roman Reigns at WrestleMania XL.[26] Held at the LDLC Arena in Décines-Charpieu near Lyon, France, the bout marked WWE's inaugural premium live event in the country, drawing an electric crowd that chanted enthusiastically throughout in support of both competitors.[7] The match was officiated by Jessika Carr, who achieved a milestone as the first female referee to oversee a World Championship main event at a WWE premium live event.[27] Lasting 27 minutes and 21 seconds, the contest showcased exceptional technical wrestling, with Styles early on targeting Rhodes' left arm through submissions and strikes, while Rhodes responded with high-impact offense, including a powerbomb that sent Styles crashing through the French announce table.[28] Key sequences featured Styles teasing multiple Phenomenal Forearms, countered by Rhodes' superkicks and a signature Cody Cutter off the top rope, alongside near-falls from Styles' springboard 450 splash and Burning Hammer driver. Interference teases from The Bloodline added tension amid their ongoing storyline with Rhodes, though none materialized during the action. The French audience amplified the intensity with dueling chants and applause for the athletic exchanges.[26] Rhodes secured the victory and retained the championship by pinning Styles following a sequence of three Cross Rhodes, the final one after countering a Phenomenal Forearm attempt into a top-rope Cody Cutter.[28] The match was lauded for its quality and pacing, earning high praise for elevating both performers in a showcase of veteran skill.[26] In the closing moments, Rhodes celebrated his retention by parading the title around the ring and connecting with the Lyon crowd, who erupted in cheers as confetti fell, concluding the event on a high note and hinting at escalating rivalries ahead.[26]Results
Match outcomes
The Backlash (2024) event featured five matches, all contested under premium live event rules without a pre-show.[1]| Match | Competitors | Stipulation | Result | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Randy Orton & Kevin Owens vs. Solo Sikoa & Tama Tonga | Street Fight | Solo Sikoa & Tama Tonga def. Orton & Owens via pinfall (Tonga pinned Owens after Sikoa's Samoan Spike) | 19:37 |
| 2 | Bayley (c) vs. Naomi vs. Tiffany Stratton | Triple threat match for the WWE Women's Championship | Bayley def. Naomi & Stratton via pinfall (pinned Naomi after countering a pinfall attempt) | 17:05 |
| 3 | Damian Priest (c) vs. Jey Uso | Singles match for the World Heavyweight Championship | Priest def. Uso via pinfall (South of Heaven chokeslam) | 14:36 |
| 4 | Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill vs. Asuka & Kairi Sane (c) | Tag team match for the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship | Belair & Cargill def. Asuka & Sane via pinfall (Cargill pinned Sane with Jaded) | 10:21 |
| 5 | Cody Rhodes (c) vs. AJ Styles | Singles match for the Undisputed WWE Championship | Rhodes def. Styles via pinfall (Cross Rhodes after Cody Cutter) | 27:00 |