The 2025 WWE Backlash will take place on 10th May 2025 in St Louis Missouri. There will be over 15,000 WWE fans in attendance. WrestleMania 41 was a mixed show with some good matches and some not so good. However the Raw after WrestleMania 41 was one of the best of all time. The build to WWE Backlash is incredible. Therefore it would be good to look at some of the most amazing Matches to ever take place at this show in history.
Let’s look at the Top 5 WWE Backlash Matches
1) Cody Rhodes vs AJ Styles for WWE Championship – 2024
Cody Rhodes had won the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 40. AJ Styles was his first competitor and this match had all the hype. This match was in Lyon, France. AJ Styles was the heel but he was cheered massively as they were chanting He is Phenomenal in French. Cody Rhodes got a massive pop. This match was a masterclass in storytelling and wrestling. The start was slow and gradually the pace picked up. AJ Styles gave Cody the Phenomenal Forearm, the 450 Splash but it was not enough. Cody Rhodes hit Cross Rhodes, Disaster kick but AJ Styles kicked out. There were near falls for both men. In the end, Cody Rhodes hit Cross Rhodes to win the match and have a great first defence.
2) Randy Orton vs Cactus Jack for Intercontinental Championship – 2004
This is the match that made Randy Orton a star in WWE. This was 21 years ago when Randy Orton arrived in WWE. He was the Intercontinental Champion and Mick Foley wanted a hardcore match to prove that Hard-core wrestling was not for everyone. This was personal and the match reflected that. Randy Orton stepped up his game and he took nasty bumps. One included where he was thrown to Thumbtacks while his back was in the ground. Mick Foley tested Randy Orton and Randy Orton gave an RKO to win the match. After this match, Randy Orton became a star and he was respected by his peers.
3) Seth Rollins vs The Miz for Intercontinental Championship – 2018
Seth Rollins had won the Intercontinental Championship at WrestleMania 34. He was the face and he wanted to defend the title against a credible opponent. The Miz stepped up and this was a match which was the show stealer at WWE Backlash 2018. Seth Rollins was the High flying wrestler and Miz was the technical expert. Their styles mashed perfectly. The Miz hit the Skull Crushing Finale but it was not enough. Seth Rollins hit the Superplex into the Falcon Arrow but Miz kicked out. Seth Rollins hit the Curb Stomp to win the match and retain the Intercontinental Championship.
4) Scotty 2 Hotty vs Dean Malenko for WWE Light Heavyweight Championship – 2000
These 2 wrestlers are some of the most underrated wrestlers in WWE history. These 2 do not have all time classics but they have matches like these that were very good at WWE Backlash. Dean Malenko was the heel who was the technical wrestler and he was the champion going into this match. Scotty 2 Hotty was the babyface. This match was the perfect blend of wrestling styles. Dean Malenko was the technician and he was controlling most of the match. Scotty 2 Hotty was getting near falls with his big moves. This was getting cheered by the fans. Dean Malenko won the match with a top rope DDT and was still the champion.
5) Triple H vs The Rock for WWF Championship – 2000
This is the second match from WWE Backlash 2000. This was the main event of the show. This is one of the most famous WWE Backlash Matches. This was following WrestleMania 2000 where Vince McMahon screwed The Rock. Shane McMahon was the special guest referee. This match was good and was with near falls mostly for Triple H. Shane McMahon was not covering for The Rock. Near the end when it looked like Triple H would be champion, the glass shattered and Stone Cold took out everyone and The Rock was the WWF Champion. The clip of Stone Cold Steve Austin from this show is still played to this day.
