At the historic big event premiere in France, the Bloodline presents yet another new member. Cody Rhodes and AJ Styles deliver an atmospheric main event
For the first time in WWE history, the wrestling empire has staged a major event in France – and unveiled its next personnel surprise.
At the atmospheric, ecstatic fan-filled Backlash France event in Lyon, legendary son Tanga Loa made his main roster debut for the league, joining brother Tama Tonga in The Bloodline group just a few weeks ago. Loa helped Tonga and partner Solo Sikoa pick up a victory over Kevin Owens and Randy Orton.
THE BLOODLINE continues to EXPAND at WWEBacklash! pic.twitter.com/A3tvnzUWCk
– WWE (@WWE) May 4, 2024
WWE Backlash: Tanga Loa also becomes part of the Bloodline
Loa – as Camacho once part of the WWE developmental squad NXT – was like Tonga a founding member of the legendary Bullet Club at NJPW in Japan under the original leader Prince Devitt (Finn Balor). Tonga and Loa were seven-time tag team champions in the traditional league as the “Guerillas of Destiny”.
Now the two sons of former WWE and WCW star Haku (Meng) are reunited. It remains unclear whether the current leader of the Bloodline, Sikoa – who had booted out brother Jimmy Uso for Tonga – is acting in the interests of former champion Roman Reigns, who has been on hiatus since WrestleMania, or is mutinying against the “Tribal Chief.”
Cody Rhodes survives first title defense
In the main event of the show, two more ex-Bullet Club members faced off as newly crowned Universal Champion Cody Rhodes defeated AJ Styles in his first title defense.
The match brought Styles full circle: 21 years ago, as the young World Champion of the once glorious NWA, he was in the ring with Cody’s late father Dusty. In the dramatically staged duel with the Junior, Styles surprised with moves that had not been shown for a long time, such as the dangerous Burning Hammer – but in the end he had to give in when Rhodes also expanded his arsenal: this time he showed his special move Cody Cutter from the rope, followed by his finisher Cross-Rhodes.
There was a title change for the women: In her third TV match for WWE, Jade Cargill, who transferred from competitor AEW, teamed with Bianca Belair to secure the Women’s Tag Team Titles from the Kabuki Warriors (Kairi Sane and Asuka).
Meanwhile, Damian Priest retained the World Title with a victory over Jey Uso (thanks to some unwanted help from his Judgment Day alliance colleagues), while Bayley retained the WWE Women’s Title in a three-way battle with Naomi and top talent Tiffany Stratton
