WWE: Paris Announced to Host Backlash 2024, Dakota Kai on Kairi Sane’s WWE Return, Tribute to the Troops 2023 Date Announced

Nov 16, 2023

WWE Announces Paris as Host of Backlash 2024 for May of 2024

WWE announced earlier today that next year’s Backlash event will officially take place on May 4, 2024 at the LDLC Arena in Lyon-Decines, France.

It was also announced that the prior night’s SmackDown show on May 3, 2024 will also be taking place at the same venue.

This will be the first time in WWE history that WWE will be holding a Premium Live Event in France.

Official press release:

France to host first-ever WWE Premium Live Event WWE Backlash France in May 2024
STAMFORD, Conn., November 16, 2023 – WWE, part of TKO Group Holdings, today announced that WWE Backlash Francewill be the first-ever WWE Premium Live Event to be held in France, emanating from the LDLC Arena in Lyon-Decines on Saturday, May 4, 2024.
Additionally, SmackDown will emanate from the LDLC Arena on Friday, May 3, 2024, marking the first time SmackDown will broadcast from France.
Fans interested in an exclusive SmackDownand WWE Backlash Francecombo presale opportunity can register now at https://www.wwe.com/backlash-2024-presale.
Additionally, Priority Pass ticket packages will soon be available from On Location, offering fans the chance to be ringside for every exhilarating moment including premium seating, pre-show hospitality with WWE Superstar appearances, ringside photo opportunities, exclusive merchandise and more. To learn more about Priority Passes, please visit https://onlocationexp.com/backlash.
Other artists set to hold major events at the LDLC Arena in Lyon-Decines, France, in the coming months include Sting, Jonas Brothers and Green Day. The news also follows the announcement of Bash In Berlin taking place at the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Berlin, Germany, on Saturday, August 31, 2024.
Backlash2023, held earlier this year at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico José Miguel Agrelot in San Juan, Puerto Rico, became WWE’s highest-grossing and most-viewed Backlash in company history.
Additional information will be announced in the coming weeks. To learn more please stick with WWE.com.

Dakota Kai Comments on When She Found Out About Kairi Sane’s Return to WWE

As noted before, Kairi Sane made her official return to WWE at their Crown Jewel 2023 event earlier this month in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

In a recent streaming session on Twitch, Dakota Kai gave her thoughts about Sane’s recent return to WWE and when she first found out about Sane’s return and her joining Damage CTRL.

“Not that long. Not that long at all. Almost as though we found out the day before. There’s a lot of stuff that we don’t find out until the day of. I was so happy. I met IYO and Kairi almost ten years ago, my first tour of Japan in 2013/2014. It was right when my tour was ending. We hung out and went to dinner. Kairi is a sweetheart. She’s also deadly. You do not want to cross her.”

Transcript h/t: Fightful.com

WWE Announces This Year’s Tribute to the Troops Show to Air Live This December

WWE recently announced that this year’s Tribute to the Troops show will be airing live on Friday, December 8th at the Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence, Rhode Island.

It was also announced that this year’s show will be presented as a special edition of that week’s SmackDown show and airs starting at 8PM EST.

Official press release:

WWE^® TRIBUTE TO THE TROOPS SET FOR FRIDAY, DECEMBER 8 ON FOX
Tribute To The Troops To Take Place In Providence, Rhode Island At Amica Mutual Pavilion
STAMFORD, Conn., November 13, 2023 – WWE^®, part of TKO Group Holdings (NYSE: TKO), today announced that the 21st annual Tribute to the Troops will air Friday, December 8 at 8 p.m. ET on FOX. The event will take place in Providence, R.I. at Amica Mutual Pavilion. Tickets are available via Ticketmaster.com.
Since its inception in 2003, WWE’s Tribute to the Troops has honored our U.S. service members, veterans and their families for their continued sacrifice and commitment to our country, and is widely considered one of television’s most patriotic and heartwarming shows of the year.
WWE has a multi-decade commitment to the U.S. Armed Forces, which includes visiting nearly 400 military installations throughout the world, offering all U.S. military personnel free tickets to WWE live events, and has partnered with military organizations, such as Hire Heroes USA. WWE currently supports the USO and tells stories of heroism and valor of our nation’s bravest through the company’s partnership with National Medal of Honor Museum to make an impact in the community.