Saturday's women's intercontinental had a dash of Lynch's bravado, a sprinkle of Valkyria's technique, and heaping scoops of bravado and intensity from both athletes. The former tag team champions kicked off the match with a fist fight, demonstrating their bitterness. Lynch found the most success by intercepting Valkyria and bludgeoning her with strikes. At one point, Lynch dragged Valkyria over the latter's fiance, mocking the lovebirds. Several open-hand slaps meant to demean Valkyria instead lit a fire under her. The defending champ slapped Lynch back before hitting a running fisherman's buster, enzuiguri and sit-out powerbomb. A stalling superplex was perhaps Valkyria's best display of power.

Valkyria's increasing momentum spurred Lynch's desperation. "The Man" rolled up Valkyria and grabbed the ropes for leverage, but the referee caught her red-handed. The closing sequence featured a series of impressive counters as both superstars chained armbar attempts. Lynch appeared to have the match secured after landing a Manhandle slam, but Valkyria kicked out. The champ's resilience sent Lynch into a panic. The challenger attempted to use a steel chair and exposed turnbuckle, but the referee continued to foil her.

Ultimately, Valkyria stunned her former hero with a quick roll-up for the win. Lynch, outraged, didn't give her opponent a moment to celebrate. Lynch pounced on Valkyria and slapped on a Disarm Her until WWE producers pulled her off. This was Valkyria's best main roster match to date. Her power moves had impact, her technique was crisp and she shined as the underdog. Lynch was a step behind her in the ring, but played excelled as a cunning villain. My only complain is the match ran a little long. Valkyria def. Lynch via pinfall to retain the women's intercontinental title. Grade: B+

Next up is the women's intercontinental championship match. Lyra Valkyria welcomed back Becky Lynch as her mystery partner at WrestleMania 41. The pair won the women's tag team titles, but lost them back to Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez the night after. Post-match, Lynch turned on Valkyria, setting the stage for tonight's encounter.

Backlash got off to a hot start with this fatal four-way match. The St. Louis crowd validated Fatu's reputation as a future main eventer, repeatedly chanting his name. Typically, more conniving superstars form temporary alliances in these matches. But heroes Knight and Priest, recognizing Fatu's danger, briefly aligned to take out the champ. Everyone had a moment to shine, but it's hard competing with Fatu's ridiculous athleticism. The defending United States champion pieced together an incredible sequence after being hurled off the top rope by McIntyre, landing on Knight with a swanton bomb. Aftewards, he quickly took out McIntyre with a corner attack, launched into Priest with a suicide dive, and flattened McIntyre with a second swanton.

Each superstar also scored near falls. Priest fell directly onto Knight after eating a Claymore Kick, nearly winning the match by accident. McIntyre had the match won before Priest yanked the referee from the ring, continuing the plot of Priest screwing McIntyre over. Knight put down Fatu with an elbow drop, but the champ kicked out. The bad blood between McIntyre and Priest spilled into the crowd. The brawl ended after Priest hit a South of Heaven chokeslam off an equipment box through two tables, ostensibly removing them from the match.

Closer to the ring, Fatu was in peril. Knight splayed Fatu across the announcers' table and lined him up for a top rope elbow drop. That's when Solo Sikoa arrived. Fatu's Bloodline ally yanked Fatu off the table and confronted Knight. Suddenly, Knight was laid out by a mystery assailant -- the debuting Jeff Cobb. Fatu was upset with Sikoa and Cobb's intrusion, but capitalized by putting away Knight with a jumping top rope moonsault. Each superstar delivered memorable spots. The finish hit all the right marks: giving the champ a win, protecting the challengers, debuting a new act, and furthering The Bloodline storyline. Fatu def. Knight, McIntyre and Priest via pinfall to retain the U.S. title.Grade: A

Welcome to CBS Sports' live coverage of WWE Backlash. We'll provide live recaps and results for tonight's five matches in St. Louis. No need to refresh. Stay put here for highlight videos and more. We start with a fatal four-way match for the United States championship. Jacob Fatu defends his title against Damian Priest, Drew McIntyre and LA Knight.