The WWE machine continues to roll on, with its latest Backlash event in France garnering rave reviews from fans worldwide. As the company charges ahead with new rosters and a string of exciting events, including the King and Queen of the Ring Premium Live Event, Money in the Bank, and Clash at the Castle Scotland, on the horizon, it’s also a great time to take a trip down memory lane and revisit some of the most iconic matches, moments, and events in WWE’s storied 70-plus-year history.
In this week’s edition, we take a look back at five major matches, moments, and events that occurred around this time in WWE history, featuring a mix of Backlash and Extreme Rules events that showcase the company’s penchant for delivering unforgettable action.
First up, we have the 2001 WWE Backlash event, which took place on April 29th at the Allstate Arena in Chicago, Illinois. This event saw the Two-Man Power Trip duo of Triple H and Steve Austin defeat The Brothers of Destruction, capturing the WWF Tag Team Titles in a thrilling all-or-nothing tag team match that lasted an impressive 25 minutes. Unfortunately, the Two-Man Power Trip story was cut short due to Triple H’s ensuing injury.
Fast-forward to 2007, and we have another edition of Backlash, held at the Philips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. This event featured a Last Man Standing Match between The Undertaker and Batista, which saw The Phenom successfully defend his World Heavyweight Championship in a grueling 21-minute bout. The finish to this match remains one of the most memorable, with both men crashing off the stage and failing to get to their feet by the count of ten, resulting in a draw.
At WWE Extreme Rules 2012, held at the Allstate Arena in Chicago, Illinois, the WWE universe witnessed the stunning return of Brock Lesnar, who had been absent from the company since 2004. His return match against John Cena, although ultimately ending in defeat, marked a significant moment in WWE history.
In 2006, Backlash saw one of the most bizarre and questionable matches in WWE history, as Vince McMahon and Shane McMahon teamed up to take on Shawn Michaels and “God” (represented by a spotlight) in a No Holds Barred Match. Yes, you read that right – Vince McMahon booked himself in a match, and it’s a moment that still raises eyebrows to this day.
Lastly, Backlash 2005 featured the formation of a dream team, as Shawn Michaels and Hulk Hogan united to take on Daivari and Muhammad Hassan in a thrilling tag team match. This marked a memorable moment in WWE history, as two legends came together to deliver a spectacular performance.
As the WWE continues to forge ahead, it’s essential to acknowledge the rich history that has shaped the company into what it is today. These iconic matches, moments, and events serve as a testament to WWE’s ability to create unforgettable experiences for its fans, and we can’t wait to see what the future holds for this Sports Entertainment juggernaut.
