Backstage News On WWE Choosing Lyon, France For Backlash 2024

WWE put together a memorable pay-per-view on Saturday, May 4 as Backlash emanated from the LDLC Arena in Lyon, France. The show only featured five matches but the highlight for many was the raucous crowd in Lyon as they filled the air with chants of "il est vraiment phenomenal" for AJ Styles during the main event, "simplement deux", and a rendition of 'La Marseillaise', the national anthem of France.

WWE have implemented a strategy to hold more pay-per-views outside of the United States and Canada in recent years, beginning with Clash at the Castle in September 2022 from Cardiff, Wales. WWE have visited London, England and San Juan, Puerto Rico since then and the company will head to Glasgow, Scotland and Berlin, Germany this Summer for more shows. 

WWE have often received funding from local governments to hold shows but that wasn't the case with Backlash, according to POST Wrestling. WWE's French promoter also told POST Wrestling that Paris was the first choice for Backlash but no venue was willing to accommodate WWE for four days due to the upcoming Olympic Games in France's capital city. 

Even with the show taking place in Lyon, it was a tremendous success for WWE and was officially the highest-grossing arena show in company history, primarily due to the average ticket price being $300.