Chris King gets you ready for WWE Backlash with a look at his Top 10 Backlash Matches!

In the spirit of BACKLASH (HHH’s voice), I have gone back and selected my top ten matches from the past decade. It’s crazy how much WWE has changed from the land of opportunity in 2016 to the current wrestling product. In the history of the PLE, we’ve seen new champions crowned, amazing triple-threat matches, and straight-up great wrestling matches. Here are my top ten Backlash matches from the last decade!

10. AJ Styles VS. Dean Ambrose (WWE Championship) Backlash 2016 

‘The Phenomenal One’ AJ Styles made his shocking debut at the 2016 Royal Rumble PLE. Styles had wrestled all over the world of professional wrestling except the WWE and was ready to prove why he’s one of the greatest in-ring workers of all time. Styles had already challenged for the WWE Championship twice and had just defeated John Cena at SummerSlam; the sky was the limit for The Phenomenal One. 

Styles was recently drafted to SmackDown Live and was immediately placed into the WWE championship title picture. Styles challenged Dean Ambrose for his newly won WWE Championship at Backlash in his first title match under the blue brand. Both superstars started off the match going right at each other, trying to gain the upper hand. Ambrose came back with his fast-paced offense, and Styles stopped his momentum. 

They fought all around the ringside area, beating the hell out of each other. The finish of the match saw Ambrose almost hit the referee, and Styles took advantage and delivered a low blow followed by a Styles Clash for the win!

9. Austin Theory VS. Bronson Reed VS. Bobby Lashley: (United States Championship) Backlash 2023 

‘A-Town’ Austin Theory played his role perfectly here as the mastermind and at times the sneaky heel. Bronson Reed and Theory formed a temporary alliance for a few minutes, going after ‘The Almighty’ Bobby Lashley. The alliance didn’t last long as Reed took out the champion, which allowed Lashley to turn the tide.

Theory tried to hit A-Town Down, but it was thwarted. The finish of this fun sprint of a match saw Reed miss a moonsault and Lashley hit a massive spear, and the sneaky champion took advantage to retain his title.

8. AJ Styles VS. Shinsuke Nakamura No Disqualification Match (WWE Championship) Backlash 2018 

‘The Phenomenal One’ AJ Styles defended his WWE Championship at WrestleMania 34 against ‘The King of Strong Style’ Shinsuke Nakamura in what was considered a dream match, going all the way back to their five-star classic at Wrestle Kingdom 10. Both superstars put on a wrestling clinic, but Styles survived his greatest threat. Nakamura congratulated his opponent by giving him a nasty low-blow while presenting him the title. At the Greatest Royal Rumble PLE, both competitors were counted out as their hatred got the better of them. 

At Backlash, Styles once again defended his WWE title against his former friend turned rival, this time in a No Disqualification Match. Nakamura started the match antagonizing Styles, which caused The Phenomenal One to deliver punishment to his challenger. The King of Strong Style played mind games with Styles all throughout the match. Nakamura waited for his opportunities to strike the champion. 

Nakamura took the fight to Styles and utilized a dragon sleeper to slow down his opponent. Nakamura tried to go for the Kinshasa, but Style threw a chair right at his knee. Styles locked in the Calf Crusher, which has his opponent writhing in pain. This was such a great match with an awful ending, as both superstars hit low blows on each other and were unable to make it to their feet. It’s still such a crime that WWE never booked Nakamura to win the WWE Championship at all in his ten-year WWE career.

7. Bobby Lashley VS. Drew McIntyre VS. Braun Strowman ( WWE Championship) Backlash 2021 

At the 2021 Extreme Rules PLE, The Miz cashed in his Money in the Bank briefcase on Drew McIntyre after Bobby Lashley took him out. A few weeks later, ‘The Almighty’ easily defeated Miz with his patented Hurt Lock to win his first WWE Championship. At WrestleMania 37, Lashley successfully defended his title against McIntyre in a great first match in front of the WWE Universe since Covid started. ‘The Moneter Among Men’ Braun Strowman was added to this match after defeating Drew McIntyre.

As soon as the bell rang for this massive triple-threat match for the WWE Championship, the action was fast-paced. There was a minimal temporary alliance between Lashley and McIntyre that took out The Monster with a double-brain buster. After that instance, though, it was an all-out war between all three powerhouses. ‘The Scottish Warrior’ sent the champion crashing into the LED wall and refocused onto Strowman. 

Both superstars fought outside the ring, and Strowman countered a Claymore attempt into a massive powerbomb through the announce table. It seemed like The Monster was about to win the match until Lashley came out of nowhere to capitalize on McIntyre’s offense. One spear, and The Almighty was able to secure the victory and retain his WWE Championship!

6. Kevin Owens VS. AJ Styles (United States Championship) Backlash 2017 

“The New Face Of America” Kevin Owens won the United States Championship from his former best friend turned rival Chris Jericho on the May 2nd episode of SmackDown Live and took out Y2J in the process. “The Phenomenal One” AJ Styles stepped up to the arrogant champion for a match at Backlash. Two of the best superstars in wrestling put on a wrestling clinic over the prestigious championship. Styles utilized his fast-paced moveset, while KO used a more calculated mindset. The Phenomenal One tried to hit a Styles Clash on the outside, but KO countered it and beat the hell out of his challenger. The calculated champion locked in several devastating submissions focusing on Styles’ injured knee. 

The resilient challenger finally mounted some offense, hitting a nasty suplex to KO on the ring apron. Styles managed to hit a Phenomonal Forearm on the outside and went for his signature move on the announce table, but his leg got caught; KO retained his 

title by count-out. I truly believe this is one of the best rivalries of that year, and it’s criminally overlooked. KO and Styles made the United States Championship feel so important.

5. Seth Rollins VS. The Miz (Intercontinental Championship) Backlash 2018 

Seth Rollins won the Intercontinental Championship at WrestleMania 34 in a fantastic match against Finn Balor and The Miz. At Backlash, ‘The A-Lister’ challenged him for

his title in a thrilling, fast-paced match to open the PLE. The Miz is no stranger to giving everything he has to make the Intercontinental Championship prestigious after being a seven-time champion. Rollins was utilizing his high-flying repertoire on his opponent, but the tables turned when he hit the ringpost knee first. 

The Miz, with all that veteran wherewithal locked in the Figure-Four submission, is trying to tie Chris Jericho as an eight-time champion. ‘The Kingslayer’ was not ready to give up so easily as Rollins hit a high knee followed by a Superplex but his knee gave out before he could deliver his patented Falcon Arrow. The champion was able to slightly capitalize on a roll-up pin and fight through the pain to hit The Stomp for the victory.

4. Cody Rhodes VS. Seth Rollins: Backlash 2022 

‘The American Nightmare’ Cody Rhodes made his shocking return at WrestleMania 38, Night One, where he would defeat a game Seth Rollins. ‘The Visionary’ was not impressed with his loss and quickly turned his feud personal, bringing up Rhodes’s dad Dusty Rhodes’ shortcomings in the WWE. Rollins was ready to prove to the world that he’s still the better wrestler. 

Both superstars did everything they could to have a five-star classic in front of a red-hot crowd. The Visonary was able to outsmart everything Rhodes threw at him. The American Nightmare was finally able to thwart his opponent’s attack and hit a massive Superplex for a two-count. Both superstars got into a scrap battle with slaps and fists. Rhodes with some fast-paced offense and hit a beautiful Cody Cutter for a near-fall. A rolling elbow strike flurry and a Falcon Arrow saw Rollins get a two-count. 

Rhodes went to the well too many times, and Rollins countered a Cutter into his Bucklebomb, followed by a spectacular frog splash for another near-fall. A Superplex into a Falcon Arrow attempt was thwarted, and Rhodes hit CrossRhodes, but Rollins’ leg hung over the rope to keep this fantastic match alive! An irate Rollins tried to hit Dusty’s signature flurry into a Bionic elbow, but it was reversed into a rolling pinfall attempt. Rhodes outsmarted his opponent and used the tights to gain the victory.

Honorable Mention: Breezango VS. The Usos (SmackDown Tag Team Championships) at Backlash 2017 

Tyler Breeze and Fandango were made for each other; everything they did was solid gold. Their Fashion Files segments were some of the corniest and funniest things in WWE history. It’s hard to believe that Breeze dressed up as a janitor with a freaking mop during the championship match. Seeing him use a mop to fight against two of the most serious characters in WWE was simply a thing of beauty. 

Jimmy and Jey started off being amused, but it changed very quickly. Breeze disguised himself as a grandma, and the WWE Universe was chanting, “Let’s Go Grandma.” Sometimes all you need is genuinely entertaining superstars full of charisma and humor to win over the fans. Breezango almost won the titles on several different occasions, but The Usos got tired of the antics and utilized a little twin magic to retain their tag team titles! 

3. Bad Bunny VS. Damien Priest (San Juan Street Fight) Backlash 2023 

On paper this match had no business being this good. Especially with the past few years of celebrity appearances in WWE, this was a truly different time. The global hip hop artist Bad Bunny blew everyone’s minds with his tag team match alongside Damien Priest at WrestleMania 37 against The Miz and John Morrison. The Puerto Rico crowd was red-hot for Bunny as he and Priest made magic once again, this time as foes. 

Priest almost had the match won early into the match but wanted to punish his opponent more. Bunny utilized a modified Falcon Arrow for a near-fall. The Judgement Day member suckered Bunny in when he appeared to forfeit the match but kicked a trash can into Bunny’s face. The two superstars fought all over the pyrotechnics area, and Priest hit a massive Broken Arrow through the table. 

Shortly afterwards, The Judgement Day and The LWO provided some fun interference. The red-hot crowd lost their minds after Carlito made his shocking return to help even the odds in Bunny’s favor. Savio Vega came out to assist in clearing out JD as well. The hip hop artist ended things with a beautiful Canadian Destroyer to secure the victory. 

2. Cody Rhodes VS. AJ Styles: (WWE Undisputed Championship) Backlash 2024

‘The American Nightmare’ Cody Rhodes did the unthinkable when he defeated Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 40, ending his 1316-day reign as WWE Undisputed Champion. A confident and fighting champion was ready to find out who his first title defense would 

be against, and none other than ‘The Phenomenal One,’ AJ Styles, would become number-one contender. This was considered a dream match, as former Bullet Club leaders have never faced each other before. 

The red-hot crowd of Lyron, France, were on their feet in anticipation for this dream match. Both men started up with holds, chops, and a dropkick that had the champion gain the advantage. An aggressive Styles was incensed and ran into a high back body drop. The action spilled outside the ringside area as Rhodes sent his challenger right into the steel steps. The American Nightmare wanted a Superplex, but Styles reversed it, and the champion fell back-first. 

The champion found new life as he landed a beautiful powerslam followed by his signature disaster kick for a near-fall. The veteran, though, gained some momentum, dropping the challenger with his patented slam to the knee and neck combo. Styles dropped Rhodes on top of his head from a nasty Suplex on the apron. The champion caught his challenger and delivered a massive powerbomb through the already exposed announce table. Both men barely made it inside by the count of nine for this incredible match to continue. 

Styles wanted his signature phenomenal blitz, but the champion answered back with the Dusty punches, followed by a Bionic Elbow for another two-count. This crowd is insane; they haven’t let up once as The Phenomenal One hit a beautiful 450 splash for a near-fall! The finish was a fantastic sequence of finishing moves, including a kimura lock, Cody Cutter, and a failed Styles Clash. The champion solidified his first title defense with a huge Cross Rhodes to send the Lyon crowd home happy! 

1. The Bloodline VS. RK-BRO And Drew McIntyre: Backlash 2022 

‘The Tribal Chief’ Roman Reigns was riding high off his incredible victory at WrestleMania 38, defeating Brock Lesnar to become the Undisputed WWE World Heavyweight Champion. With Reigns holding both top titles, he wanted his cousins The Usos to become undisputed tag team champions as well. That was until RK-Bro started to get the better of the SmackDown tag team champions. While Randy Orton and Matt Riddle were getting beaten down by The Bloodline, ‘The Scottish Warrior’ Drew McIntyre entered the fray and evened the odds.

The match was perfectly orchestrated as Reigns allowed The Usos and RK-Bro to do much of the heavy lifting, beating the hell out of each other. McIntyre tagged in and began making short work of his rivals. Reigns teased entering the match to fight McIntyre, but the Tribal Chief calls the shots around here. The undisputed champion finally made the tag, and a slugfest ensued. Everyone was fighting in and outside the ring, which allowed Reigns to take advantage and deliver a thunderous spear for the victory!

When we do Top 5 lists, they’re usually about the 5 best or worst of something.  But a match or angle’s quality (which is of course totally subjective) doesn’t measure it’s impact or importance.  Did a match usher in a new era of success?  Did it enact some lasting change in the business?  Or cement the company’s position in some kind of way or crown a new king of the company?  Those are the kind of things that are bigger than just how many stars a match may have gotten in somebody’s rating system.

5. John Cena vs The Rock, WrestleMania XXVIII

At a time when WWE was coming off one of it’s worst ever WrestleManias, it badly needed a shot in the arm, which this match provided.  It was the match that brought me (and I believe lots of others like me) back to paying attention to wrestling and WWE.  Rock was the top dog from when I was last a full time fan while Cena was the current one and a guy we’d mostly just heard about, so the prospect of the former coming back for one more match against the current boss was enough of a hook to reel us back in.  The match was a bridge between generations of fans and got more than a few of us older ones to give it a chance again.  14 years later, here we still are.

4. Roman Reigns vs Brock Lesnar, WrestleMania XXXI

This was the match that set up the company for the last 11 years. Lesnar was a year off of breaking the Undertaker’s streak and into a run that would make him the in ring final boss of the company for almost a decade while Reigns was the embattled heir apparent to Cena trying to prove he belonged in that spot.  The match itself was one of the best main events ever, and then was punctuated with the arrival of Seth Rollins to cash in the Money in the Bank briefcase and assume his place ruling next to Roman.  One man went in already established as a King and two more would come out of ready to build their own thrones.

3. Steve Austin vs Shawn Michaels, WrestleMania XIV

The first of many rebirths of WWE happened here.  In 1997 Austin ascended to the top of the popularity totem pole in WWE with his outlaw persona that took on all comers and didn’t trust anybody.  The Stone Cold character was some light at the end of the tunnel that WWE had been stuck in for well over a year, getting their heads handed to them week after week by WCW in the Monday Night Wars.  His coronation at WrestleMania XIV wasn’t just a title victory, it was the official beginning of the Attitude Era where WWE would fully embrace a more risqué product and turn the tide against WCW while entering it’s most lucrative and popular period arguably ever.  While the stories of them being almost out of business in the mid 90s are a tad overblown they were in danger of being relegated to second place on a more permanent basis had things continued.  But Austin gave them an answer to the NWO, and this is where he began to cement his place in company and wrestling history.

2. Hulk Hogan vs Andre the Giant, WrestleMania III

The first WrestleMania was Vince’s biggest gamble, and this was the payoff.  The biggest match that Vince could have made among his roster at the time, and it drew 93,173 (yes, I know) fans and showed the country what was possible to do in professional wrestling.  It was the ultimate ‘scoreboard, MFers!’ moment for the WWF to throw in the face of the old territory bosses who thought Vince was insane for trying to create a national wrestling company and turn it into a major entertainment vehicle.  And it provided the first iconic WrestleMania moment – Hogan slamming Andre, a moment that would cement Hogan’s place in history forever.

1. Hulk Hogan and Mr T vs Roddy Piper and Paul Orndorff, WrestleMania I

To be blunt, none of us here are doing this without this match or this show.  This was Vince’s first big gambit to show that he could create a bigger and better wrestling company than all his competitors.  Leveraged to the gills to put on this event, Vince was wagering his entire project on the success of this event, and this was the match that sold it.  It was the perfect marriage of pro wrestling and popular culture that he’d been seeking. It parlayed Hogan and Mr. T’s previous work experience on Rocky III into a marquee match that captivated millions, even getting Hogan on Saturday Night Live.  Without this match, the last 40 years don’t happen.

Who missed the cut?

There are a couple that were contenders at the moment they occurred but ultimately did not have the longer term impact that these five had.  The Ultimate Challenge at WrestleMania VI was supposed to be a passing of the torch but the Ultimate Warrior’s flameout as world champion rendered that moot.  Batista defeating HHH at XXI was deflated by the Animal’s injury prone and short post-Mania career.  The first ever women’s main event at XXXV looks a lot more like a peak in hindsight and not a gateway to bigger things for women’s wrestling.  And finally WrestleMania 40 was being hailed as the beginning of a new golden age but, it only took a year for much of the bloom to fall off of that rose.