Every Backlash PPV Main Event, Ranked From Worst To Best
Backlash has featured some exceptional main events over the years. However, there have been a few duds, but some of the all-time greats have put on superb performances at Backlash.
Traditionally, Backlash was the post-WrestleMania pay-per-view event for 11 years between 1999-2009. Sometimes the main event at Backlash outshined the main event at WrestleMania. Nevertheless, Backlash returned after a seven-year hiatus in 2016, becoming exclusive to SmackDown. Backlash stayed for 2017 and 2018 but was not featured in 2019, and returned once more in 2020.
In 2021, Backlash returned to its original post-WrestleMania slot with Backlash called WrestleMania Backlash. Generally, the main events at Backlash have been memorable, and with less pressure of it not being on WrestleMania, the matches have turned out to be better affairs in some instances.
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- 16 Triple H Vs. Hulk Hogan - 2002
- 15 Goldberg Vs. The Rock - 2003
- 14 Roman Reigns Vs. Samoa Joe - 2018
- 13 Randy Orton Vs. Jinder Mahal - 2017
- 12 Steve Austin & Triple H Vs. The Undertaker & Kane - 2001
- 11 Batista Vs. Triple H - 2005
- 10 Randy Orton Vs. Triple H Vs. JBL Vs. John Cena - 2008
- 9 John Cena Vs. Edge Vs. Triple H - 2006
- 8 Steve Austin Vs. The Rock - 1999
- 7 Randy Orton Vs. Edge - 2020
- 6 Dean Ambrose Vs. AJ Styles - 2016
- 5 John Cena Vs. Edge Vs. Shawn Michaels Vs. Randy Orton - 2007
- 4 Roman Reigns Vs. Cesaro - 2021
- 3 Chris Benoit Vs. Triple H Vs. Shawn Michaels - 2004
- 2 John Cena Vs. Edge - 2009
- 1 Triple H Vs. The Rock - 2000
16 Triple H Vs. Hulk Hogan - 2002
Hulk Hogan was hoping for one more fairytale run when he challenged Triple H for the Undisputed WWE Championship at Backlash 2002. The Game reclaimed his throne from Y2J at WrestleMania X8.
Unfortunately, this blockbuster match failed to live up to the expectations with Hogan way past his prime. It was a slow and methodical affair but Hogan managed to defeat HHH for his sixth and final WWE Championship reign in one of the worst matches in the history of Backlash.
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15 Goldberg Vs. The Rock - 2003
Goldberg finally made his long-awaited WWE debut on the Raw after WrestleMania XIX, and he began feuding with The Rock. The two iconic figures collided in the main event of the 2003 iteration of Backlash.
This was an underwhelming encounter, and Goldberg isn't known for putting on five-star contests. However, Goldberg got off the mark and he decimated The Rock en route to a convincing victory.
14 Roman Reigns Vs. Samoa Joe - 2018
Backlash 2018 was one of the worst Backlash events in WWE history. The main event was a complete utter failure with Roman Reigns colliding with Samoa Joe. They had great chemistry together with their matches on Raw, but for some reason, this one failed to click.
Fans were completely disinterested in this match, and they clearly preferred to be elsewhere. Chants of "Boring" and "Beat the traffic" reverberated around the arena. Ultimately, The Big Dog prevailed in one of the worst pay-per-view main events in WWE history.
13 Randy Orton Vs. Jinder Mahal - 2017
Randy Orton defended his newly won WWE Championship against Jinder Mahal at Backlash 2017. The Modern-Day Maharaja was an unlikely challenger, and it was a foregone conclusion that The Viper would retain the championship.
It was a mediocre WWE Title match, and Mahal had been a jobber for the majority of his WWE career, so it was hard for fans to take him seriously. Nevertheless, Orton terrorized The Singh Brothers, but Mahal shocked the world by upsetting Orton to win the WWE Title.
12 Steve Austin & Triple H Vs. The Undertaker & Kane - 2001
Four pioneers of the Attitude Era closed out Backlash 2001 in a Winner Takes All matchup. The Undertaker and Kane's Tag Team Championship were on the line, whilst Triple H's Intercontinental and Steve Austin's WWE Championship were also at stake.
This was a decent tag team match, and the Two-Man Power Trip expertly worked on Kane's injured arm. Mr. McMahon interfered in the match to aid Austin and Triple H. Triple H and Austin gained control of the major male titles after The Game nailed Kane with a brutal sledgehammer shot.
11 Batista Vs. Triple H - 2005
Triple H was hellbent on regaining the World Heavyweight Championship from Batista at Backlash 2005. Their WrestleMania 21 encounter was a letdown, but their rematch marginally improved at Backlash.
The Game was extremely aggressive in this contest, and the match flowed a lot better. The Animal wasn't ready to relinquish his title so soon, and he continued to remain dominant over Triple H with another victory to his name.
10 Randy Orton Vs. Triple H Vs. JBL Vs. John Cena - 2008
Randy Orton had a tight vice grip on the WWE Championship, but his title reign was in peril at Backlash 2008. Three former champions in Triple H, JBL, and John Cena were determined to take the title away from him in a Fatal-4 Way elimination match.
JBL was removed from proceedings first, and Cena shortly followed. Orton and his bitter rival The Game went to battle in extraordinary exchanges. Ultimately, The Game brought Orton's dominance to a halt with a jaw-dropping Pedigree.
9 John Cena Vs. Edge Vs. Triple H - 2006
John Cena proved his doubters wrong by retaining the WWE Championship against Triple H at WrestleMania 22. However, Cena had another test to pass as he defended the gold against both Edge and Triple H in a triple threat match.
The Rated-R Superstar smartly bided his time and waited on the outside so he could seize the opportunity. It was a hard-hitting title match but Cena once again hung onto the WWE Championship.
8 Steve Austin Vs. The Rock - 1999
The Rock lost the WWE Championship to his rival Steve Austin at WrestleMania XV, and he had his mandatory rematch at the inaugural Backlash in 1999. Shane McMahon oversaw proceedings as the special guest referee.
This WWE Title match was better than their WrestleMania encounter, and it became abundantly clear that Rock was going to be turning babyface. Ultimately, The Texas Rattlesnake retained his title in a competitive affair.
7 Randy Orton Vs. Edge - 2020
It seemed strange that Randy Orton and Edge's match would be dubbed as "The Greatest Wrestling Match Ever." Unfortunately, their clash at Backlash 2020 was behind closed doors due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Nevertheless, it was a war of attrition and they pulled out all of the stops to make this a memorable affair. Unfortunately, Edge tore his triceps during this encounter. The veterans tore the house down, but The Viper got the bragging rights over his former tag team partner.
6 Dean Ambrose Vs. AJ Styles - 2016
Dean Ambrose put the WWE Championship on the line against a red-hot AJ Styles at Backlash 2016. The Phenomenal One registered confidence-boosting wins over John Cena, and he was ready to win his maiden WWE Title.
This was a remarkable WWE Title match, and it encapsulated the greatness of Styles. However, with some late drama, Styles executed a Styles Clash on Ambrose to become the new WWE Champion.
5 John Cena Vs. Edge Vs. Shawn Michaels Vs. Randy Orton - 2007
At Backlash 2007, John Cena, Edge, Shawn Michaels, and Randy Orton collided in one of the greatest Fatal-4-way matches in WWE history. Big Match John put his WWE Championship on the line.
All four men had exceptional chemistry together, and the match was enthralling from start to finish. The chain of events to close out the match was perfect, and Cena continued to build his momentum by retaining the WWE Championship once again as the undisputed face of the company.
4 Roman Reigns Vs. Cesaro - 2021
Cesaro finally had his first one-on-one World Title shot, and he challenged Roman Reigns for the Universal Championship at WrestleMania Backlash. In typical Reigns' matches during his lengthy run as Universal Champion, the challenger has got off to a blistering start.
This was a hard-hitting match, and Cesaro proved that he belonged in the title picture. The Tribal Chief worked on Cesaro's shoulder that was troublesome throughout the contest. Ultimately, Cesaro had a refusal to stay down but Reigns cinched in his debilitating Guillotine Choke to remain as Universal Champion.
3 Chris Benoit Vs. Triple H Vs. Shawn Michaels - 2004
Chris Benoit finally became a World Heavyweight Champion when he defeated two of the all-time greats in Triple H and Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania XX. The Rabid Wolverine defended the gold in front of his hometown fans in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada in a rematch from WrestleMania.
Somehow these three men managed to put on another breathtaking match which was a close second to the original. Nevertheless, Benoit proved his worth as a World Champion by prevailing once more.
2 John Cena Vs. Edge - 2009
John Cena and Edge's storied rivalry came to an end in a brutal Last Man Standing Match for the World Heavyweight Championship at Backlash 2009. Their matches always captivated audiences. Despite being the heel, Edge was the more popular out of the two.
They battled around the arena, and Cena executed a jaw-dropping AA and launched Edge into the crowd. Nevertheless, Big Show interfered and Chokeslammed Cena into a spotlight which allowed Edge to become a nine-time World Champion.
1 Triple H Vs. The Rock - 2000
Triple H and The Rock were jousting to be the undisputed face of the company with Steve Austin on the sidelines. At Backlash 2000, The Game and Rock collided in a WWE Championship match which should have headlined WrestleMania four weeks prior.
This is unquestionably their best match together and Rock's popularity was sky-high at this one point. Despite repeated interference from The McMahon-Helmsley faction, Austin interfered to even up the odds. The People's Champion finally ended Triple H's WWE Title reign in a brilliant encounter.
