Calling Spots: Backlash 2025
A new WWE season begins with a renewed rivalry
Back in Summer 2024 when I was brainstorming ideas for this Substack, I knew I wanted to include a series about professional wrestling. WWE and WCW had been a part of my life throughout my childhood, and I’ve since made a comeback to this world within the past few years. I like to think professional wrestling (and also Fantasmic! at Disneyland) were the start of my love for live theater. But that’s another story for another day.
Professional wrestling is serialized storytelling. Two television shows every week (three if you count the developmental brand, NXT) where characters interact, argue, feud, and fight. The easiest, and most common, form of media to compare it to is the soap opera. Hours and hours of content each week with no conclusion. The story just continues. That means wrestling history is vast and deep.
All of these storylines eventually lead to monthly Premium Live Events (PLEs) — a big spectacle event where matches often result in massive story turns and character development. The biggest PLE of them all is Wrestlemania — now a two-night event with over a dozen matches held in enormous stadiums around the United States.
Now, I consider myself a narrative-based person. I watch a fair amount of television and movies, so I’d like to think I can spot the narrative bread crumbs left by the writing team in all of these storylines. That’s where Calling Spots was born. I watch the two main WWE television shows each week, and make predictions on the PLE match outcomes based on the stories being told. Am I always successful? Hell no. But is it a fun exercise nonetheless? Yeet!
Let’s preview the upcoming WWE Premium Live Event, Backlash, and make some match predictions based on the ongoing stories being told each week on Monday Night Raw and Friday Night Smackdown.
THE UNDERCARD
If you haven’t yet, go back and read my 2024-25 recap to see how our predictions fared during the Year of Cody.
Calling Spots: Final 2024-25 WWE Prediction Results
Back in Summer 2024 when I was brainstorming ideas for this Substack, I knew I wanted to include a series about professional wrestling. WWE and WCW had been a part of my life throughout my childhood, and I’ve since made a comeback to this world within the past few years. I like to think professional wrestling (and also
THE MAIN EVENT
Undisputed WWE Championship Match
John Cena (c) vs. Randy Orton
After 25 years of an insane rivalry, we’re getting the final Cena / Orton match of our lifetime. Wild to think! I’ve loved the video packages that have been featured on Raw and Smackdown over the past few weeks, each recapping a different classic match from their past. It’s been a great way to relive their legacy in this quick amount of time before their match.
John Cena — the perennial good guy — and Randy Orton — the lifelong baddie — have finally switched roles. Cena is now at war with the WWE Universe, including all those poor children cosplaying as Cena wondering, “now why am I in it?”. It’s a dysfunctional relationship, and John is done with us.
Orton — noted 2006 drug test failee — is here to save us from this new pompous Cena. He’s going to kill one more legend on his road to his 15th world championship. No matter what happens, let’s all enjoy this. One last time.
Prediction: Tomorrow our childhood dies. Life isn’t fair. Winners write the history books. John Cena doesn’t lie. He’s the last real champion.
Women’s Intercontinental Championship Match
Lyra Valkyria (c) vs. Becky Lynch
God I love heel Becky. This iteration is even more fun because her character seems to be poking fun at the older legion of wrestlers who are obsessed with harping on the current product and the younger generation of wrestlers. Based on her promos the last few weeks, Becky is angry that the fans are ungrateful for her return considering she is one of the best of all time to lace up the boots. In her eyes, she made Lyra.
Which may have some truth in it as Becky and Lyra did have a great match last year for the NXT title. Lyra is a star, and she’s getting a push that matches her talent. This feud with Becky is just the thing to get her to the next level. Which, unfortunately, means she’s going to have to climb the mountain again to prove herself. Plus, an arrogant Becky needs to make her point by taking the belt away from a younger superstar.
Prediction: Becky proves she’s The Man by besting Lyra in this first matchup.
United States Championship Fatal 4-Way Match
Jacob Fatu (c) vs. Drew McIntyre vs. Damian Priest vs. LA Knight
Here is an interesting match-up combining two Wrestlemania storylines with Damian Priest / Drew McIntyre and Jacob Fatu / LA Knight (and Solo Sikoa getting the shaft once again). The story is pretty straightforward here — these various feuds are all ongoing and everybody wants that US Title. The big question has been can the good guys (Priest and Knight) get along in any capacity to defeat the freak that is Jacob Fatu. So far, the answer is a resounding no.
As good as the Sin City Street Fight at Mania was, it didn’t feel like the end of the Priest / McIntyre feud. I want more. It feels like Priest has been getting into it more with LA Knight in preparation for this match, so I’m hoping he doesn’t move on from Drew too quickly.
A Jacob / Drew feud would be really fun though, and if anyone were to beat Fatu at Backlash it should be Drew. But Jacob with the belt is too damn good to take it off him this early. Damian should cost Drew another title to keep their feud going.
Prediction: The Samoan Werewolf becomes The Samoan Dogwalker as he survives and thrives in his first title defense. Yadadamean?
Intercontinental Championship Match
Dominik Mysterio (c) vs. Penta
I adore Penta Cero Miedo. Greatest gimmick currently on the roster, and his charisma is off the charts. He and Dom should put on a fun match with numerous clipable spots for social media.
So, what’s the story? Penta has been on a tear since his debut earlier this year. He’s absolutely in line for the Intercontinental title. Dom likes to make fun of masked luchadors, calling them ugly. That’s. . . kind of it? They’ve had some interactions backstage, but nothing of note to make a difference in this match. There’s also the Chad Gable of it all, who keeps getting involved in Penta’s business. In any case, this feels like the beginning of a great feud so let’s see how the story progresses after this.
Prediction: Dirty Dom has zero fear and successfully defends his title.
Pat McAfee vs. Gunther
What are we even doing here, ya’ll? Who asked for this? I initially thought Gunther choking out McAfee was a way to write Pat off television so he can go do his other day job for a few months until he chooses to return during the more exciting months. It wouldn’t be the first time he’s done it. But now it’s led to an actual match?
If this isn’t an 8-second squash I honestly don’t know what the point is. Make Pat look good? To what end? I’ll let the writing team cook, but I hope the chef knows I didn’t order this.
Prediction: Gunther wins. We all lose.
Those are my called spots. Tell me yours! Who do you think is walking out on top at Backlash?