Jeff Cobb makes his WWE debut, teams up with Solo Sikoa, and helps Jacob Fatu win the title. Fatu is unhappy about Cobb’s intervention.
John Cena has successfully ended what is likely the final chapter of his eternal rivalry with Randy Orton and remains WWE Champion. In his wake, the wrestling market leader has revealed its latest signing: Jeff Cobb made an unannounced debut at WWE Backlash.
In the opening match of the major Backlash event in St. Louis, the heavyweight teamed up with Solo Sikoa to help up-and-comer Jacob Fatu defend his US title – but seems to be heading for a duel with him in the medium term.
IT’S JEFF COBB!!! WWEBacklash pic.twitter.com/SbmSBqsIKn
— WWE (@WWE) May 10, 2025
WWE Backlash: Jeff Cobb strikes
Fatu, enforcer Sikoas in the second incarnation of the Bloodline without Roman Reigns, put his belt won at WrestleMania last month on the line against former titleholder LA Knight, Drew McIntyre, and Damian Priest.
After archrivals Priest and McIntyre neutralized each other with a fall from a great height, the action came down to Fatu and Knight. Fan favorite Knight seemed to be on the road to victory, but was then confronted by Sikoa from the audience and then struck down from behind by Cobb.
The 42-year-old ring veteran Cobb – who competed for Guam at the 2004 Olympics in Athens – left his long-time employer NJPW in Japan a few weeks ago to join WWE, with commentator Michael Cole introducing him to fans as “one of the hottest free agents on the planet.”
Thanks to Cobb’s intervention, Fatu had an easy time with Knight in the end, but looked skeptical to hostile at the new alliance between Sikoa and Cobb. It looks like sooner or later they will turn against the son of former WWE wrestler Sam Fatu (Islander Tama / Tonga Kid), cementing his transformation into a fan favorite.
Personnel changes
Cobb’s arrival continues to shake up the personnel at WWE: After WrestleMania, Rusev and Aleister Black, who had returned from rival AEW, had already celebrated their comebacks there. On the TV show SmackDown, the tag team Fraxiom (Nathan Frazer and Axiom) was recently promoted from the NXT development squad and thrust into the tag team title race.
Just on Friday, former women’s champion Alexa Bliss also competed in her first match since the Royal Rumble – where she had returned from her baby break – and started a still mysterious storyline with Charlotte Flair, with whom she sought a conversation after Flair left the ring in anger over the negative reactions against her.
“Let’s chat”
– Alexa Bliss to Charlotte FlairSmackDown pic.twitter.com/EpQ5Z8La3k
— WrestlePurists (@WrestlePurists) May 10, 2025
Conversely, WWE parted ways with various stars and talents a week ago in the wake of a major wave of layoffs, including Braun Strowman, Dakota Kai, and Shayna Baszler.
John Cena ends eternal feud with Randy Orton
In the main event of Backlash, superstar Cena—in his new role as a bitter villain—continued his farewell tour: In a turbulent clash of giants, Cena knocked out several referees with failed blows with his title belt, denying Orton a sure victory with his finisher RKO.
The LAST REAL CHAMPION has left the ring.WWEBacklash pic.twitter.com/7rMdUzfZCp
— WWE (@WWE) May 11, 2025
Orton took out his frustration on SmackDown GM Nick Aldis and the officials, whom he gradually knocked down with RKOs. When he turned back to Cena, his old companion R-Truth stepped in and begged for mercy for Cena, who took advantage of this and turned the tide in his favor with a low blow against Orton.
Cena ultimately defeated his eternal rival in his hometown and ended the show by repeating his claim that he was the “last true champion” and demanding better challengers. As a further sign of his transformation, Cena also had his famous entrance theme cut short and left the arena without music – but despite everything, he was not booed. Many fans gave Cena, who will retire at the end of the year, a respectful round of applause.
At the press conference after the show, Cena further cemented his current role by turning on R-Truth and hitting him with his finisher, Attitude Adjustment, through the conference table.
What … did we just witness? pic.twitter.com/Y2NnxJ3f6s
— WWE (@WWE) May 11, 2025
Pat McAfee stands up to Gunther
Between the opener and the main event, there were three more matches: Lyra Valkyria, Women’s Intercontinental Champion, defended her title against Becky Lynch, who had turned on her former protégé after her comeback at WrestleMania. Enraged by her defeat – brought about by a simple roll-up – Lynch beat up Valkyria afterwards and put her in her Disarm Her hold.
The Men’s Intercontinental Title remains with Dominik Mysterio, who defeated Mexican Penta with the help of both the Judgment Day faction and “El Grande Americano” (Chad Gable), who continued his feud with the Mexican luchadors with his attack on Penta.
There was a break in style in the co-main event, in which former World Champion Gunther from Austria was challenged by commentator Pat McAfee – the former NFL punter and well-known presenter (The Pat McAfee Show) had confronted Gunther when he took out his anger over his WrestleMania defeat against Jey Uso on fellow commentator Cole.
Well that was unexpected! WWEBacklash pic.twitter.com/a91Dgebj75
— WWE (@WWE) May 11, 2025
McAfee put up a spirited fight against the “Ring General,” and Cole also tried to turn the uneven duel in McAfee’s favor with distractions. Gunther ultimately prevailed with his sleeper hold, but not without casually paying respect to McAfee for his performance.
