For the first time, WWE will stop in France, in Lyon. Find all the information and the complete program.
This is a first that many wrestling fans in France and Europe have been waiting for. The world’s biggest wrestling show, the American franchise WWE, is coming to France this Saturday, May 4 in Lyon, in the LDLC Arena in Décines, with its Premium Live Event “Backlash”. This exceptional evening will be preceded the day before by the weekly WWE show, “Smackdown”, also at the LDLC Arena.
This is the first time that the WWE has decided to organize one of its official and broadcast stages in France. A little over a year ago, in April 2023, a first show took place in Bercy, but not broadcast. The wrestlers present were then surprised by the enthusiasm generated by wrestling in France and by the atmosphere in the stands. The success of this event then pushed the organizers and authorities of the WWE to think about an official stage in France.
The organizers of the WWE in any case expect a lot from this premiere in France. “If France is up to it, we will definitely add the country to the list of ‘we have to go back there in an even bigger way very soon.’ I can’t wait to be there,” Paul Levesque, in charge of content at WWE, told le10sport.
A month after the high mass of Wrestlemania, the “card”, the list of wrestlers present, begins to take shape for this Lyon Backlash. Winner of the undisputed WWE belt, Cody Rhodes will defend his title for the first time since he acquired it at the expense of Roman Reigns. He will face AJ Styles. Damian Priest, winner of the heavyweight belt, will be against Jey Uso.
Two matches have already been announced for the evening of Friday, May 3, with Cody Rhodes against Shinsuka Nakamura, and Jey Uso against Drew McIntyre.
The WWE Backlash show will be broadcast in France on the WWE Network exclusively and live from 7:00 p.m. It will also be broadcast on a delayed basis, on Tuesday, May 7 at 8:55 p.m. on AB1 with commentary by Philippe Chéreau and Christophe Agius .
The weekly evening of Friday May 3 will be broadcast in full on AB1 from 8:55 p.m., or slightly delayed since the show will begin at 7 p.m. on site.
This Saturday, May 4, WWE presents its first Premium Live Event after Wrestlemania 40 and its first PLE in France, Backlash. The American company will set down on French soil on Friday for a new episode of smackdown.
France is preparing to experience a moment in history. For the first time in its history, France will host an episode of Smackdown and a live WWE PLE. On the program the new undisputed world champion, Cody Rhodes will face AJ Styles. For the record, the phenomenal one defeated Cody Rhodes’ father, Dusty Rhodes in 2003 to become NWA champion. 21 years later, Styles is still here, but this time facing the son. Absolute star and legend of his sport, Randy Orton will be present teaming up with Kevin Owens to face Bloodline 2.0 (Solo Sikoa and Tama Tonga).
The LDLC Arena in Lyon-Décines is getting ready to vibrate for the episode of Smackdown then WWE Backlash on Saturday. WWE presents here its first PLE after Wrestlemania 40 which should bring the American company into a new era according to Triple H. FOR the moment 4 titles will be defended during Backlash which has 6 matches on its card. The day before during the episode of Smackdown, the tag team titles will also be up for grabs.
WWE Backlash 2024 will be broadcast on the WWE Network exclusively and live from 7:00 p.m. The subscription costs 11 euros per month and brings together all the PLEs in the company’s history as well as exclusive documentaries. In France Backlash will be broadcast on AB1 on Tuesday May 7 at 8:55 p.m. commented by Philippe Chéreau and Christophe Agius. Both men will be ringside to commentate on the show.
The episode of Smackdown will be broadcast delayed on AB1 from 8:55 p.m. this Friday with Philippe Chéreau and Christophe Agius still behind the microphone, the show will begin at 7:00 p.m.
The full schedule for the WWE Backlash in Lyon is as follows:
Singles Match – WWE World Heavyweight Championship
Singles match – Undisputed WWE Universal Championship
WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship
Tag Team Match
Triple menace – WWE Women’s champion
