With the 2025 edition of Backlash right around the corner, WWE has had to move on quickly from their WrestleMania stories. The card is already starting to take shape with matches like Jey Uso vs. Logan Paul, Becky Lynch vs. Lyra Valkyria, and Gunther vs. Pat McAfee being built to be added to the card. The main event for the show will see John Cena defend his Undisputed WWE Championship against Randy Orton in Orton’s hometown.
A few of those matches are already confirmed, but the April 28 edition of Monday Night RAW proved how many storylines WWE is currently working with. Numerous other matches could be added to the Backlash card, but there are some stories that will progress beyond the company’s next Premium Live Event, some of which have been ongoing for years at this point.
Finn Balor Will Turn on JD McDonagh
Even with Dominik Mysterio becoming the Intercontinental Champion at WrestleMania 41, The Judgement Day hasn’t been the same since Damien Priest and Rhea Ripley went their separate ways. Now with the announcement that Liv Morgan is leaving to film a movie, Dominik will stand by his lonesome as he’s forced to deal with the likes of Finn Balor, JD McDonagh, Carlito, and Raquel Rodriguez.
Since his addition to the faction, Finn Balor has been a team player through and through. He captured the Tag Team Championships with Damian Priest on two different occasions and then won the World Tag Titles with JD McDonagh as well. Balor and Mysterio have not seen eye to eye recently, and more fuel was added to the fire when The Prince had no idea McDonagh was returning on Monday Night RAW last week. With Balor left out of conversations, it’s only a matter of time before he leaves the group. The former Universal Champion might even do so by turning on his protégé, JD McDonagh.
Roman Reigns and Sami Zayn Reunite
Roman Reigns’ refusal to team with CM Punk is going to keep him constantly falling behind in his rivalry with Seth Rollins, Bron Breakker, and Paul Heyman. When Roman Reigns led The Bloodline, he lost all of his trust with the WWE roster, except for Sami Zayn. Even though Zayn turned on Reigns, leading to their epic match in Canada, the former Honorary Uce still sticks up for The OTC.
NO DEAL.#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/mLkVKET3cw
— WWE (@WWE) April 29, 2025
Sami Zayn put Seth Rollins in his place with his promo on RAW, which could lead to his inclusion in the storyline. Reigns teaming with Zayn before he chooses to team with Punk makes a lot of sense, but it’s clear that he’ll need The Best in the World to take down Paul Heyman’s newest clients.
Lana Will Return to Help Rusev
Rusev is set for singles action on next week’s episode of Monday Night RAW as he takes on Otis. This is a continuation of his attack from last week, where he returned and laid out Alpha Academy.
RUSEV is here to REDEEM.
The #WWERaw locker room has officially been put on notice. pic.twitter.com/9uBNmcdwJj
— WWE (@WWE) April 29, 2025
In Rusev’s first words back on WWE television, he said, “I left WWE and on my way home to Bulgaria, I fell into the abyss. The abyss is where I found myself.” No one is quite certain of what Rusev meant by this line, but him reuniting with Lana is the most likely scenario.
