Backlash may no longer be a WWE pay-per-view but it certainly left behind quite the legacy. The event used to take place after WrestleMania and was often used for one final blow off match in a big feud or to start a new rivalry. Living in the shadow of WrestleMania it’s often overlooked so we wanted to bring some attention to some of the hidden gems that happened on the Backlash stage. Here are 5 main events you will definitely enjoy if you take the time to check them out.
#5 – Goldberg vs. The Rock (2003)
Goldberg shocked the world when he made his WWE debut the night after WrestleMania 19 and he set his sights on The Rock as soon as he arrived. After finally defeating Steve Austin at WrestleMania, The Rock was claiming that he had done it all and he was planning to leave the WWE. But Goldberg wasn’t going to let The Rock get away before he claimed him as his next victim.
The Rock was on top of his game with his Hollywood character and this match is worth watching simply for his facial expressions alone. He goes completely over the top here and puts on one of the best performances of his entire career as he plays up his fear of Goldberg. When it comes to dream matches involving a WCW guy facing off against a WWE guy that actually happened, this is one of the best.
#4 – The Rock vs. Steve Austin (1999)
The Rock and Steve Austin put on a spectacular main event at WrestleMania 15 which saw Stone Cold Steve Austin become WWE Champion once again. When it came to to their rematch at Backlash, they had to raise the stakes a little bit. Steve Austin was already WWE Champion but this time around he was on a quest to get his smoking skull belt back which was in the hands of The Rock thanks to the McMahons.
The Rock and Steve Austin have always put on great matches and this one is no exception. Steve Austin was white hot at the time and the action between him and the McMahons was as entertaining as ever. When people talk about must watch matches from The Attitude Era, this one definitely deserves to be mentioned.
#3 – Triple H vs. The Rock (2000)
The Rock played the heel to Steve Austin’s face in 1999 but a year later the tables were turned. Coming off of a loss at WrestleMania 16, The Rock was without a doubt the most popular guy in the company and this event gave him a much deserved one on one match with Triple H for the WWE Championship.
The crowd goes crazy as The Rock fights against Triple H and the McMahons. The odds were stacked against The Rock big time here but he ends up getting a little help from Steve Austin to even things out. The match itself is pure entertainment from start to finish and the pop that comes from the crowd when the three count happens is one of the loudest in WWE history.
#2 – Triple vs Shawn Michaels vs Chris Benoit (2004)
Many thought it was impossible to have a match just as good as the WrestleMania 20 main event but this match proved everyone wrong. Triple H, Shawn Michaels and Chris Benoit pulled out all the stops as they tried to top their WrestleMania 20 classic. Whether they topped it or not is debatable but what we ended up with in the end is another classic match that has massive amounts of replay value.
Throwing Chris Benoit into the heated Triple H/Shawn Michaels rivalry proved to be the perfect mixture of technical wrestling, great storytelling and good old fashioned entertainment. This match is not for the weak at heart though. It is without a doubt a grueling contest and classic that will never be forgotten.
#1 – Steve Austin & Triple H vs The Undertaker & Kane (2001)
All you need to do is look at the 4 names involved to know that you’re in for something special when you watch this match. The Two Man Power Trip faced off against the Brothers of Destruction in a huge main event stacked with talent. Steve Austin was WWE Champion, Triple H was the Intercontinental Champion and the Brothers of Destruction were Tag Team Champions and every championship was on the line in this match. As if the names involved weren’t enough of a reason for you to check it out, this match deserves your attention based on the concept alone.
The tag team of Steve Austin and Triple H was unfortunately cut far too short due to Triple H suffering an injury and this match will make you long for what could have been. The Two Man Power Trip had undeniable chemistry and they work so damn well together in this match. Coming off of his win at WrestleMania 17, Austin was working hard to establish himself as a heel and watching him go through the process in this match is beyond entertaining.
This match had a huge concept and everything about it is over the top and all it takes is one viewing to understand why the 4 men involved are all considered legends.
