WWE Backlash 2024 Notes: Tanga Loa Makes Surprise WWE Return & Joins Bloodline, Backlash Breaks WWE Arena Gate Record, Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill Wins Women’s Tag Titles

May 4, 2024

Tanga Loa Makes Surprise WWE Return at WWE Backlash 2024

Saturday’s WWE Backlash 2024 event in Lyon-Decines, France featured former New Japan Pro Wrestling talent Tanga Loa making his surprise return to WWE.

During the Street Fight match between the Bloodline and Kevin Owens & Randy Orton, Owens hit a brainbuster to Tama Tonga off the top rope through a pile of chairs. Owens covered Tonga for a pinfall attempt only for the referee to be pulled out of the ring by a mystery person. This mystery person was quickly revealed to be Tanga Loa making his surprise return to WWE. Loa attacked Owens and Orton with the steel steps leading to Solo Sikoa hitting a Uranage to Owens through a chair and followed it with a Samoan Spike for the pinfall victory.

THE BLOODLINE continues to EXPAND at #WWEBacklash! pic.twitter.com/A3tvnzUWCk
— WWE (@WWE) May 4, 2024

Following the match, Loa joined up with the rest of the Bloodline in the ring revealing himself as the newest member of the group under Sikoa’s leadership.

Tama Tonga and Tanga Loa!!
G.o.D. is officially in WWE!!! WOW!!! #WWEBacklash pic.twitter.com/OArvgkQVKr
— 𝐃𝐫𝐚𝐕𝐞𝐧 (@WrestlingCovers) May 4, 2024

This was Loa’s first appearance in WWE since May of 2014. This was also the first time Loa reunited in the ring with his real life brother Tonga since Tonga’s departure from NJPW earlier this year.

WWE Announces Backlash 2024 Broke WWE All-Time Arena Live Gate Record

Saturday’s WWE Backlash 2024 event also featured WWE officially announcing that this year’s event at the LDLC Center in Lyon-Decines, France broke the all-time record for largest ever live gate for an arena event in WWE history.

While the official live gate number was not given, WWE commentator Michael Cole had announced earlier in the show that the official attendance was 11,682.

LARGEST GATE OF ANY ARENA SHOW IN WWE HISTORY!

Thank you LYON, FRANCE! 🇫🇷#WWEBacklash pic.twitter.com/nsPde6DAYX
— WWE (@WWE) May 4, 2024

Bianca Belar & Jade Cargill Wins WWE Women’s Tag Titles at Backlash 2024

Saturday’s Backlash 2024 event also featured Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill defeating the Kabuki Warriors (Asuka & Kairi Sane) to become the new WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions.