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WWE Backlash: 10 showstopping, favorite matches from the show’s history

By Kaleb Carter

Batista during WWE WrestleMania 21 "WrestleMania Goes Hollywood" at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, United States. (Photo by J. Shearer/WireImage for BWR Public Relations)
Batista during WWE WrestleMania 21 "WrestleMania Goes Hollywood" at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, United States. (Photo by J. Shearer/WireImage for BWR Public Relations) /
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Shawn Michaels vs. Batista w/Chris Jericho as special guest referee  – 2008 Backlash

Not one month after Shawn Michaels *air quotes* “ended the career” of Ric Flair in one of the more emotional WrestleMania moments in history, Batista and Michaels had a spirited, unusual match that saw Michaels wear Batista’s limbs down mercilessly, demonstrating why some argue him to be the greatest in-ring performer in WWE history. Batista was livid with Michaels choosing to bring his all to Mania, defeating his former Evolution mentor Flair and ending his in-ring career

Jericho adds a little extra silliness to the match without getting into it really with either performer other than getting physical a few times to interrupt holds, but they at least tease he could cause tensions to rise.

The sluggish pace this match runs at for the majority of its runtime could have made this forgettable, but these two amp things up in the last 10 minutes to really elevate it while amplifying the strain these two are undergoing to make their point.

Michaels doing anything, including suckering in Batista with a fake knee injury, to get the upper hand, is magnificent.

Edge vs. Kurt Angle – Backlash 2002 

“You Suck” fever hitting in full is just a great reminder of how easy it was to root against Kurt Angle, while fully appreciating how naturally excellent Kurt Angle is at the business.

The first time I jumped out of my seat watching this one back was certainly when Angle completes an over-the-top superplex, but it’s the back and forth excitement this match sustains in the arena during the course of the match that sticks out way more than any particular moment. The frantic near falls had the place in a frenzy, and the fans are hanging on seemingly every moment throughout. Angle smashing a steel chair against the ropes only for it to smack him in the dome, kick out of the near fall and initiate the sequence that led to an Angle Slam and victory was executed to perfection.

It was just a blast all the way through.

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