Backlash was a five-match PLE done right. The formula had worn out its welcome in the eyes of many fans as the more ticket prices went up, the less airtime was dedicated to wrestling. While this format will still have the issue of not featuring enough stars in one show, Backlash shows it can still work, granted the build and matches are decent.
Sure, the time dedicated to the John Cena Classic could have been allotted to one more match, but then, what of the John Cena promo in the middle of the show?
Iyo Sky vs Asuka finally happened
The rivalry between the two started in the summer of 2025. Iyo Sky had become closer to her former rival, Rhea Ripley, which left a sour taste in the mouth of Asuka. The latter made sure the recently released Kari Sane would not turn on her by bullying her, as she thought she was owed respect for paving the way for joshis in WWE with the help of Nikki Bella.
While many feuds nowadays drag on for way too long, fans were happy to see this rivalry play out and have the blowoff at WrestleMania. Only this did not happen. Neither Sky, Asuka, nor Sane were featured in the showcase of immortals. What’s more, Sane was released following WrestleMania, leaving fans even more confused.
It should come as no surprise, but the match delivered and was the best match of the night.
Sky and Asuka embraced after the match. Reports are saying Asuka is semi-retired. Whatever this entails, it looked like a farewell to the fans and to Iyo. This marks the end of one of the most talented lasses in the history of WWE, one that has long been taken for granted.
She is arguably the most well-rounded WWE women’s wrestler from the past decade—more so than any of the four horsewomen—along with Bianca Belair and Rhea Ripley.
While her days as a main eventer were over as those spots are filled with fresher faces, she was always a good hand in midcard feuds and was a regular in the tag team division alongside Kairi Sane. Her timing for leaving could not be better. As a respected veteran whose last storyline was a highlight of the show, and reminded fans of her brilliance.
Other foreign wrestlers would be well-inspired to take Asuka as an example in the way she embraces her outlandishness instead of trying to fit into the mould. Vaquer and Sky are both gifted with natural non-verbal charisma, yet their promos feel robotic as they try to speak perfect English and feel normal.
Notes from the show
Breakker vs Rollins was fine. It did what was needed, but did not go beyond in terms of gear and intensity. Matches like this are reminders that Breakker is not as ready to be the face of the company as we would like to believe.
Danhausen and Minihausen vs Miz and Kit Wilson was silly and entertaining. There was a feeling that the Triple H style of booking took itself too seriously, and the fun was missing. Wrestling needs comedy in small doses, and Danhausen is very good at it. While some were expecting a bigger name than Minihausen, you can’t say it was falsely advertised since there was a segment where Danhausen attempted to clone himself.
The John Cena Classic has left a lot of fans puzzled. Thoughts on this announcement would need a separate article, stay tuned.
Fatu vs Reigns delivered. It was further proof that it was an insult to call Breakker and Fatu the future of the company when it’s clear Fatu already has all it takes to carry a world title belt. Still, it’s not scandalous that Reigns kept the belt. It would have been rushed to have him lose it after his high-profile win against CM Punk at WrestleMania.
Fatu will be a world champion soon. Should he become one at the same time as Breakker, it would be a testaùent to WWE having waited too long to pull the trigger on Fatu.
