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WWE Backlash France preview with UK start time for Tama Tonga debut-Alistair McGeorge-Entertainment – Metro
The huge premium live event in fast approaching.
![WWE Backlash France preview with UK start time for Tama Tonga debut-Alistair McGeorge-Entertainment – Metro](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Cody-Rhodes-celebrates-at-WrestleMania-40-06e0.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=1024)
Cody Rhodes is hoping for another big night (Picture: WWE)
WWE Backlash comes to Lyon, France this weekend for the first premium live event since a history WrestleMania weekend in Philadelphia.
Last month, Cody Rhodes finally finished his story by dethroning Roman Reigns to become Undisputed WWE Champion, while Damian Priest cashed in his Money In The Bank contract and won the World Heavyweight Title.
The landscape of the company has dramatically changed, with Rhea Ripley suffering a devastating injury and Becky Lynch becoming new Women’s World Champion, while Bayley puts her newly won WWE Women’s Title on the line for the first time.
There have also been twists and turns in The Bloodline saga, with Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson and Roman Reigns off screen, and Solo Sikoa leading the charge with recent signing Tama Tonga.
Add the heavily rumoured impending arrival of the Wyatt 6, and there is a lot to get excited about at the moment, particularly with WWE coming back to the UK next month for Clash At The Castle.
But first, it’s time for Backlash, and here’s everything you need to know.
When is WWE Backlash France 2024?
WWE Backlash France airs this weekend, Saturday, May 4, with all the action kicking off at 6pm for fans in the UK.
It comes live from the LDLC Arena, which is also the site of tonight’s episode of Friday Night SmackDown.
How can you watch WWE Backlash France 2024?
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The usual Kickoff preview show is available to stream via the WWE Network, as well as WWE.com, the WWE app, X, Facebook, YouTube and Twitch. The broadcast start an hour before the main show, which makes it 5pm.
You can also had to the WWE Network now to check out today’s Countdown to Backlash France, which took place at the LDLC Arena.
UK fans will be able to tune into the main Backlash event either live or on demand via the WWE Network, or by ordering the show on TNT Sports Box Office.
That is all set to change with WWE’s content set to move to Netflix in January 2025 as part of a huge $5 billion deal.
WWE Backlash France match card
Undisputed WWE Title: Cody Rhodes (c) vs. AJ Styles
World Heavyweight Title: Damian Priest (c) vs. Jey Uso
WWE Women’s Title: Bayley (c) vs. Naomi vs. Tiffany Stratton
Women’s Tag Team Titles: Kabuki Warriors (c) vs. Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill
Randy Orton and Kevin Owens vs. Solo Sikoa and Tama Tonga
Why is John Cena in France before Backlash?
Could John Cena make an appearance? (Picture: WWE)
There has been speculation that John Cena could make a surprise appearance this weekend, after he was spotted some 500 miles away in Nice, France.
He made a cameo appearance at WrestleMania 40 last month, and has recently been keeping busy shooting Amazon Studios film Heads of State with Idris Elba and Priyanka Chopra Jonas.
Given his surprise Mania role and last year’s pop-up at Money In The Bank, he could always treat fans to something special this weekend too.
WWE Backlash France predictions
We’re a few weeks removed from WrestleMania, and WWE is continuing to put its best foot forward as they tout a ‘new era’ led by Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque.
Cody Rhodes is on a high after finally capturing the Undisputed WWE Championship and putting an end to Roman Reigns’ iconic run at over 1,300 days.
Cody Rhodes will make his first defense since beating Roman Reigns (Picture: WWE/Getty Images)
Now, the American Nightmare is embarking on his own journey with the gold, and it’s incredibly unlikely he’ll fall at the first hurdle, even against someone as experienced and respected as AJ Styles.
Similarly, it feels far too soon for Damian Priest to drop his World Heavyweight Title, although Jey Uso’s soaring popularity means fans in Lyon – and viewers around the world – will be throwing their support behind the former Bloodline man.
As the card takes shape, it’s set to be a special night after last year’s emotionally charged Backlash in Puerto Rico, when Bad Bunny beat Priest in a wild Street Fight.
It’s far too soon for Bayley to lose the championship (Picture: WWE)
New WWE Women’s Champion Bayley is another new champ putting her gold up for grabs as she faces off against Tiffany Stratton and Naomi in a Triple Threat, and she definitely deserves a longer run.
The Role Model’s former Damage CTRL allies Asuka and Kairi Sane are in action too as the Kabuki Warriors defend their tag titles against Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill, who would be a great choice to dethrone the duo.
Finally, The Bloodline pairing of Tama Tonga and Solo Sikoa should get the win over Randy Orton and Kevin Owens as they look to assert their dominance on SmackDown with Roman Reigns away from the ring.
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