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WWE Backlash
WWE Backlash
WWE Backlash
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WWE Backlash
WrestleMania Backlash
WWE Backlash logo used since 2023
PromotionWWE
BrandsRaw
(2002–2009, 2018, 2020–present)
SmackDown
(2002–2003, 2007–2009, 2016–2018, 2020–present)
ECW
(2007–2009)
Other name(s)WrestleMania Backlash (2021–2022)
Backlash France (2024)
First event1999
Event gimmickBacklash of WrestleMania
(1999–2009, 2021–present)

WWE Backlash is a professional wrestling event that is produced by the American company WWE, the world's largest professional wrestling promotion. It is broadcast live and has been available through pay-per-view (PPV) since 1999 and via livestreaming since 2016. Since premiering in 1999, 20 events have been held, with its most recent 20th edition occurring at the Enterprise Arena in St. Louis, Missouri on May 10, 2025. With the exception of the events held from 2016 to 2020, the concept of the show is based around the backlash of WWE's flagship event, WrestleMania.

The inaugural Backlash in April 1999 was the company's first monthly PPV held after the discontinuation of the original In Your House shows, which were monthly PPVs held between the promotion's "Big Five" PPVs at the time: Royal Rumble, WrestleMania, King of the Ring, SummerSlam, and Survivor Series. The inaugural event had originally been advertised as an In Your House show, but the branding was dropped before the event took place. From its inception until 2009, Backlash held the position as the post-WrestleMania PPV and was held annually in April, with the exception of the 2005 event, which was held in May. After the 2009 event, Backlash was discontinued and replaced by Extreme Rules in 2010, but after seven years, it was reinstated in 2016 and held in September as that year's post-SummerSlam PPV. The events in 2017 and 2018 were then held in May, but were not the post-WrestleMania PPVs. An event was originally scheduled for June 2019 but was canceled and replaced by a one-off event called Stomping Grounds. Backlash then returned in 2020 and was held that June. The 2021 event moved Backlash back to May as the post-WrestleMania 37 PPV, thus the event returned to its original concept with the 2021 and 2022 events titled as WrestleMania Backlash, but the 2023 event reverted to its original name while maintaining the post-WrestleMania theme. The 2024 event was WWE's first PPV and livestreaming event held in France, as well as the first Backlash held outside of North America.

The 2002 event was WWE's first PPV held following the implementation of the original brand extension the month prior. With the brand split in effect, the events in 2002 and 2003 featured wrestlers from both the Raw and SmackDown brands, but from 2004 to 2006, Backlash was held exclusively for the Raw brand. Following WrestleMania 23 in 2007, brand-exclusive PPVs were discontinued, thus the events from 2007 to 2009 featured wrestlers from Raw, SmackDown, and ECW, the latter of which was established as a third brand in 2006 but was disbanded in 2010. The brand split itself ended in 2011, but was reintroduced in mid-2016. Backlash was then reinstated as a SmackDown-exclusive PPV that year and was WWE's first brand-exclusive PPV of the second brand split, and it was also SmackDown-exclusive in 2017. Following WrestleMania 34 in 2018, brand-exclusive PPVs were again discontinued, thus the events since have featured both the Raw and SmackDown brands.

History

[edit]

From 1995 to 1999, the American professional wrestling company World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE) ran a series of monthly pay-per-view (PPV) events titled In Your House, which were held between the promotion's five major PPVs at the time: Royal Rumble, WrestleMania, King of the Ring, SummerSlam, and Survivor Series. In April 1999, the WWF phased out the In Your House events to establish permanent names for monthly pay-per-views to be held between these five major events.[1] Backlash was subsequently established to be held after WrestleMania XV, and it took place on April 25, 1999, at the Providence Civic Center in Providence, Rhode Island.[2] Early advertising for the inaugural Backlash had featured the "In Your House" branding until it was quietly dropped in the weeks leading up to the pay-per-view. The concept of the pay-per-view was based around the backlash from WWF's flagship event, WrestleMania.[1][3][4]

A second Backlash event was held the following year after WrestleMania 2000, thus establishing Backlash as an annual PPV for the WWF.[5][4][6][7] With the exception of the 2005 event, which was held in May,[8] Backlash was held every April through the 2009 event. Throughout this time, it retained its position as the post-WrestleMania PPV.[4] Following the 2009 event, however, Backlash was discontinued and replaced by Extreme Rules in 2010.[9]

In March 2002, the WWF introduced the brand extension in which the roster was divided between the Raw and SmackDown brands, which is where wrestlers were exclusively assigned to perform.[10] The 2002 Backlash was in turn the promotion's first PPV held following the implementation of the original brand split and it featured wrestlers from both brands.[11][4] The month after the 2002 event, the WWF was renamed to World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE, which became an orphaned initialism in 2011).[12][13] While the 2003 event also featured wrestlers from both brands,[14] the 2004 event was held exclusively for the Raw brand[15][16] and continued to be Raw-exclusive up through the 2006 event.[8][17] Following WrestleMania 23 in 2007, WWE discontinued brand-exclusive PPVs,[18] thus the events from 2007 to 2009 featured wrestlers from Raw, SmackDown, and ECW,[19][20][21] which had been established as a third brand in 2006 but was disbanded in 2010,[22][23] and the brand extension itself was dissolved in 2011.[24]

After Backlash was discontinued following the 2009 event, it endured a seven-year hiatus. During this time in February 2014, WWE launched their online streaming service, the WWE Network, and in addition to traditional PPV, the events also became available on the Network.[25] In mid-2016, WWE reintroduced the brand split and also brought back brand-exclusive PPVs.[26] Due to the need for more PPV events, Backlash was reinstated, and the 2016 event was held exclusively for the SmackDown-brand and was WWE's first brand-exclusive PPV of the second brand split. Backlash that year was also held in September after SummerSlam, thus ending its previous tradition of being the post-WrestleMania PPV.[27][28] The 2017 event was moved up to May and was again SmackDown-exclusive.[29][30] While the event was technically SmackDown's first PPV held after WrestleMania 33, none of the matches were backlash from that WrestleMania. Furthermore, the Raw-exclusive PPV, Payback, was held between WrestleMania 33 and Backlash.[31] The 2018 event was originally scheduled to be a Raw-exclusive PPV,[32] but following WrestleMania 34 that year, WWE again discontinued brand-exclusive PPVs, thus events held since have featured wrestlers from both Raw and SmackDown.[33] Although the 2018 event was held in May, the Greatest Royal Rumble was held between WrestleMania 34 and Backlash.[34]

In 2019, Backlash was originally scheduled to be held in June, however, it was canceled and replaced by a one-off PPV called Stomping Grounds.[35][36] Backlash then returned in 2020 and was held in June that year. The event was originally scheduled to be held in Kansas City, Missouri,[37] but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which began affecting the industry in mid-March that year, WWE had to relocate its programming for Raw and SmackDown to the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida with no fans in attendance, although in late May, WWE began using Performance Center trainees to serve as the live audience.[38] The 2020 event was in turn held at the Performance Center and was WWE's first PPV event to be announced after the start of the pandemic.[37]

In August 2020, WWE relocated Raw and SmackDown's events to a bio-secure bubble called the WWE ThunderDome, which was first hosted at Orlando's Amway Center.[39][40] In December, the ThunderDome was relocated to Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida,[41] and then in April 2021, it was relocated to the Yuengling Center in Tampa, Florida.[42] The 2021 Backlash was in turn WWE's first PPV held in the ThunderDome at the Yuengling Center. The event was originally scheduled to be held in June,[43] but was moved up to May.[44] This in turn positioned the 2021 event as the first PPV held after WrestleMania 37, thus the event returned to its original concept and was titled "WrestleMania Backlash".[44] The 2021 event was also the first Backlash to livestream on Peacock's WWE Network channel, following the merger of the American version of the WWE Network under Peacock in March that year.[45]

In July 2021, WWE resumed a live touring schedule.[46] On February 11, 2022, WWE announced that the 2022 event would also be held under the "WrestleMania Backlash" name.[47] On March 8, 2023, however, the 2023 event was announced and reverted the event series to its original name of Backlash while maintaining its post-WrestleMania theme. It was also announced to take place on Saturday, May 6, 2023, at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico José Miguel Agrelot in San Juan, Puerto Rico, marking the first WWE event held in Puerto Rico since New Year's Revolution in 2005, and second event overall.[48]

In 2024, the event was announced to be held on Saturday, May 4, 2024, in the Lyon commune of Décines-Charpieu, at the LDLC Arena marking WWE's first PPV and livestreaming event held in France, with the event in turn promoted as Backlash France, subsequently marking the first Backlash held outside of North America.[49]

Locations

[edit]
class=notpageimage|
Locations for Backlash in the United States.
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Location for Backlash in Canada.
class=notpageimage|
Location for Backlash in Puerto Rico.
class=notpageimage|
Location for Backlash in France.

Events

[edit]
Raw-branded event SmackDown-branded event
# Event Date City Venue Main Event Ref.
1 Backlash (1999) April 25, 1999 Providence, Rhode Island Providence Civic Center "Stone Cold" Steve Austin (c) vs. The Rock in a No Holds Barred match for the WWF Championship with Shane McMahon as the special guest referee [2][50][51][52]
2 Backlash (2000) April 30, 2000 Washington, D.C. MCI Center Triple H (c) vs. The Rock for the WWF Championship with Shane McMahon as the special guest referee [53][5][54]
3 Backlash (2001) April 29, 2001 Rosemont, Illinois Allstate Arena The Two Man Power Trip ("Stone Cold" Steve Austin (WWF) and Triple H (Intercontinental)) vs. The Brothers of Destruction (The Undertaker and Kane) (Tag Team) in a Winners Take All match for the WWF Championship, WWF Intercontinental Championship, and WWF Tag Team Championship [55][56][57][58]
4 Backlash (2002) April 21, 2002 Kansas City, Missouri Kemper Arena Triple H (c) vs. Hollywood Hulk Hogan for the Undisputed WWF Championship [59][60][61]
5 Backlash (2003) April 27, 2003 Worcester, Massachusetts Worcester Centrum Goldberg vs. The Rock [62][63][64]
6 Backlash (2004) April 18, 2004 Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Rexall Place Chris Benoit (c) vs. Shawn Michaels vs. Triple H in a triple threat match for the World Heavyweight Championship [65][66][67]
7 Backlash (2005) May 1, 2005 Manchester, New Hampshire Verizon Wireless Arena Batista (c) vs. Triple H for the World Heavyweight Championship [68][69][70]
8 Backlash (2006) April 30, 2006 Lexington, Kentucky Rupp Arena John Cena (c) vs. Edge vs. Triple H in a triple threat match for the WWE Championship [71][72][73]
9 Backlash (2007) April 29, 2007 Atlanta, Georgia Philips Arena John Cena (c) vs. Edge vs. Randy Orton vs. Shawn Michaels in a fatal four-way match for the WWE Championship [74][75][76]
10 Backlash (2008) April 27, 2008 Baltimore, Maryland CFG Bank Arena Randy Orton (c) vs. John "Bradshaw" Layfield vs. John Cena vs. Triple H in a Fatal 4-Way Elimination match for the WWE Championship [77][78][79]
11 Backlash (2009) April 26, 2009 Providence, Rhode Island Dunkin' Donuts Center John Cena (c) vs. Edge in a Last Man Standing match for the World Heavyweight Championship [21]
12 Backlash (2016) September 11, 2016 Richmond, Virginia Richmond Coliseum Dean Ambrose (c) vs. AJ Styles for the WWE World Championship [28]
13 Backlash (2017) May 21, 2017 Rosemont, Illinois Allstate Arena Randy Orton (c) vs. Jinder Mahal for the WWE Championship [30]
14 Backlash (2018) May 6, 2018 Newark, New Jersey Prudential Center Roman Reigns vs. Samoa Joe [32]
15 Backlash (2020) June 14, 2020 Orlando, Florida WWE Performance Center Edge vs. Randy Orton [37]
16 WrestleMania Backlash (2021) May 16, 2021 Tampa, Florida WWE ThunderDome at Yuengling Center Roman Reigns (c) vs. Cesaro for the WWE Universal Championship [44]
17 WrestleMania Backlash (2022) May 8, 2022 Providence, Rhode Island Dunkin' Donuts Center Drew McIntyre and RK-Bro (Randy Orton and Riddle) vs. The Bloodline (Roman Reigns, Jey Uso, and Jimmy Uso) [47]
18 Backlash (2023) May 6, 2023 San Juan, Puerto Rico Coliseo de Puerto Rico José Miguel Agrelot Cody Rhodes vs. Brock Lesnar [48]
19 Backlash (2024) May 4, 2024 Décines-Charpieu, Lyon, France LDLC Arena Cody Rhodes (c) vs. AJ Styles for the Undisputed WWE Championship [49]
20 Backlash (2025) May 10, 2025 St. Louis, Missouri Enterprise Center John Cena (c) vs. Randy Orton for the Undisputed WWE Championship [80]
(c) – refers to the champion(s) going into the match

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

WWE Backlash

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WWE Backlash is a premium live event (PLE) produced by , traditionally serving as the first major event following and featuring high-stakes matches that often build on or resolve storylines from the flagship show. The event debuted on April 25, 1999, at the Providence Civic Center in , as the World Wrestling Federation's (WWF) first monthly after the discontinuation of the series, with a main event rematch from pitting WWF Champion against The Rock. It ran annually from 1999 to 2009, consistently positioned as the post-WrestleMania PPV, showcasing championship defenses and marquee rivalries such as vs. in 2002 and Edge vs. in a Last Man Standing match in 2008. After a six-year hiatus, Backlash was revived in 2016 as a SmackDown-branded exclusive event, marking WWE's effort to bolster its brand extension roster with dedicated programming. The series continued annually thereafter, with notable iterations including WrestleMania Backlash in 2021 and 2022—temporarily renamed to emphasize its connection to WrestleMania outcomes—and a 2024 edition in Lyon, France, which set a record as the highest-grossing arena event in WWE history with an attendance of 11,682. The 2025 event, held on May 10 at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis, Missouri, headlined with Undisputed WWE Champion John Cena defending against Randy Orton in their final singles match, underscoring Backlash's role in delivering career-defining moments.

Overview

Concept and positioning

WWE Backlash was introduced in 1999 as the promotion's first standalone monthly event following the discontinuation of the series, marking a shift toward branded PPVs rather than supplemental shows tied to the major events. Positioned immediately after , it served as a direct follow-up to capitalize on the flagship event's momentum, with the inaugural edition held on April 25, 1999, at the Providence Civic Center in . The core concept of Backlash revolves around the "backlash" from outcomes, emphasizing rematches of high-profile contests, continuations of simmering grudges, and championship defenses arising from 'Mania results to extend key storylines into the spring season. This thematic focus positioned it as a bridge, allowing wrestlers to settle unresolved tensions or escalate rivalries in the immediate aftermath of WWE's biggest show of the year. Within WWE's annual event cycle, Backlash originally occupied a spring slot, held annually in April or May from 1999 until 2009 to maintain post- hype before the summer buildup. The event went on hiatus from 2010 to 2015, replaced by Extreme Rules, but was revived in 2016 amid the era as a event available via subscription streaming. During the 2021 and 2022 editions, it was temporarily renamed to further underscore its ties to fallout and boost its prominence in the PLE lineup.

Evolution of the event format

The Backlash event during its original run from 1999 to 2009 typically consisted of 8 to 10 matches per card, blending singles competitions, multi-person encounters, hardcore stipulations, and high-profile defenses to capitalize on post-WrestleMania momentum. These cards emphasized variety to sustain viewer engagement over three-hour broadcasts, with examples including multi-man elimination matches and no-disqualification brawls that highlighted ongoing rivalries. Following the 2016 revival, Backlash adopted a more streamlined structure with 6 to 8 matches, shifting focus toward focused singles and rivalries to align with WWE's and shorter runtime preferences. This evolution reduced filler bouts, allowing greater emphasis on storytelling and in-ring quality within a tighter format. Broadcast and production underwent significant changes, starting as traditional events distributed via cable and satellite providers before transitioning to streaming exclusivity on the in 2016. The introduction of kickoff pre-shows, which began across events in 2012, was integrated into Backlash starting in the revival era to build hype with undercard matches. By 2022, Backlash fully embraced the premium live event (PLE) model, rebranded from PPV to emphasize global accessibility via platforms like Peacock, with enhanced production elements such as multi-language commentary. Match stipulations at Backlash have varied without a recurring gimmick, often serving as vehicles for intense grudge matches, including the Last Man Standing bout in 2009 between and Edge for the World Heavyweight Championship, and the San Juan Street Fight in 2023 featuring and . Other examples, such as no-holds-barred encounters and early iterations of multi-competitor formats akin to Elimination Chamber precursors, underscored the event's role in escalating personal feuds through unrestricted violence. In adapting to WWE's evolving , Backlash shifted from a U.S.-centric territorial focus to a global PLE, incorporating international venues and co-main events post-2023 to broaden appeal. Notable examples include the 2023 edition in , featuring culturally resonant matches, and the 2024 event in , which highlighted European talent in prominent slots to foster worldwide fan engagement.

History

Original run as pay-per-view (1999–2010)

The original Backlash pay-per-view event debuted on April 25, 1999, at the Providence Civic Center in Providence, Rhode Island, marking WWE's first monthly PPV following the discontinuation of the In Your House series. The inaugural show drew an attendance of 10,939 and featured seven matches, with the main event being a no-disqualification rematch for the WWF Championship between The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin, stemming directly from their WrestleMania XV clash. This event capitalized on the peak popularity of the Attitude Era, positioning Backlash as a direct follow-up to WrestleMania to extend major storylines. From 2000 to 2002, Backlash continued under the WWF banner, aligning with the height of the before the company's rebranding to in May 2002 due to a dispute. The 2000 edition at the MCI Center in , set a high mark for the series with 19,101 attendees, reflecting strong fan interest in interpromotional angles like the WWF vs. WCW storyline buildup. Following the introduction of the brand split in March 2002, Backlash events from 2003 onward operated under the name and primarily focused on the Raw brand starting in 2004, though early post-split shows like 2002 and 2003 featured cross-brand participation. This period transitioned into the Ruthless Aggression Era, emphasizing emerging stars and hardcore elements while maintaining the event's role as a aftermath showcase. Key milestones during the run included the 2001 event at the in (near ), which drew 15,592 fans and highlighted tag team rivalries amid the post-WrestleMania fallout. In 2004, Backlash expanded internationally for the first time, held at Rexall Place in Edmonton, , , with 13,000 in attendance, testing WWE's global appeal during the brand-exclusive era. By 2007, following the end of brand-exclusive PPVs, the event became tri-branded, incorporating ECW for the first time with a high-profile handicap match for the ECW World Championship involving against Team McMahon (Vince, Shane, and Umaga). The 2009 Backlash on April 26 at the Dunkin' Donuts Center in , drew 8,357 attendees, where Edge defeated in a Last Man Standing match to capture the World Heavyweight Championship. The original run's final event was Backlash 2010 on April 25 at the 1st Mariner Arena in , , drawing 10,791 attendees. The tri-branded show featured eight matches, headlined by defeating and (c) in a match to win the . This event marked the end of the series amid WWE's broader strategy to address PPV over-saturation, as the promotion faced declining buy rates from an excessive schedule of around 14 annual events.

Hiatus (2011–2015)

Following the 2010 edition of Backlash, discontinued the event as part of a strategic reduction in its annual schedule from around 14 events to 12 by 2012, aimed at achieving creative and business efficiencies by limiting events to one per month (except ). This move was driven by cost-cutting measures amid declining overall PPV revenues, with the April slot taken by Extreme Rules starting in 2011 and the May slot by Over the Limit. The decision reflected 's recognition that mid-tier events like Backlash were underperforming, as evidenced by the 2009 Backlash drawing only 182,000 buys compared to 25's 960,000 buys earlier that year. During the hiatus from 2011 to 2015, WWE underwent significant internal restructuring, including the phase-out of its original by late 2010, which eliminated the need for brand-specific mid-tier PPVs and transitioned all events to supershow formats featuring talent from Raw and SmackDown. This adjustment helped consolidate resources and boost attendance for remaining events by allowing cross-brand matchups, addressing the low draw of brand-exclusive shows like previous Backlash iterations. The period also saw WWE prioritize its "Big Four" cornerstone events—, , , and —as the primary revenue drivers, further de-emphasizing secondary PPVs in favor of building hype around these marquee spectacles. A pivotal shift occurred with the launch of the on February 24, 2014, which bundled all PPVs into a subscription model and accelerated the elimination of lower-drawing events to streamline production costs and focus storytelling on weekly television programming. Concurrently, introduced NXT in February 2010 as a developmental brand and reality-style competition show, evolving it into a key pipeline for main roster talent while emphasizing narrative development through Raw and SmackDown to reduce reliance on interim PPVs like Backlash. This era marked a transition toward a more integrated content ecosystem, setting the stage for Backlash's eventual revival.

Revival and premium live events (2016–present)

After a six-year hiatus, WWE revived Backlash in as a brand-exclusive event following the reintroduction of the brand split in July of that year. The event took place on September 11 at the in , and was held exclusively for the SmackDown roster, marking it as the blue brand's first standalone premium event in the new era. The main event featured defeating Dean Ambrose to win the World Championship, highlighting the fresh direction for SmackDown's top title picture. The following year, Backlash 2017 remained a SmackDown-exclusive show, held on May 21 at the Allstate Arena in Chicago, Illinois, with Jinder Mahal upsetting Randy Orton to capture the WWE Championship in the main event. By 2018, WWE transitioned to dual-brand premium live events across its monthly shows, and Backlash on May 6 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, featured competitors from both Raw and SmackDown, including Roman Reigns defeating Samoa Joe in the main event. This dual-brand format continued for Backlash 2020, which was delayed from its traditional spring slot to June 14 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and held without a live audience at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida; Edge vs. Randy Orton headlined in a match billed as "The Greatest Wrestling Match Ever." Backlash was canceled in 2019 to accommodate scheduling adjustments around WWE's international commitments. From 2021 to 2022, the event was rebranded as to emphasize its position as the first major premium live event following , maintaining the dual-brand structure with talent from Raw and SmackDown. The 2021 edition on May 16 at the St. Petersburg Coliseum in , saw retain the against Cesaro in the main event, while the 2022 show on May 8 at the Dunkin' Donuts Center in , featured Edge defeating in an "I Quit" match. In 2023, Backlash reverted to its original name as a standard dual-brand event on May 6 at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico José Miguel Agrelot in , with defeating in the main event. The transition to the premium live event (PLE) era in 2022 integrated Backlash fully into WWE's streaming model, with all events, including the 2023, 2024, and 2025 iterations, available exclusively on Peacock in the United States. Backlash 2024 marked the event's international debut on May 4 at the LDLC Arena in Décines-Charpieu, France (near Lyon), where Cody Rhodes retained the Undisputed WWE Championship against AJ Styles in the main event, drawing a global audience and expanding WWE's European footprint. The 2025 edition returned to the United States on May 10 at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis, Missouri, with John Cena defeating Randy Orton to retain the Undisputed WWE Championship in the main event, alongside other matches spotlighting emerging talents like United States Champion Jacob Fatu. Throughout this revival period, Backlash has adapted to WWE's evolving production standards, adopting a consistent three-hour runtime to streamline viewing and emphasize high-stakes matches involving rising stars alongside established names, fostering new rivalries in the post- landscape.

Events

Chronological list

The following table lists all WWE Backlash events in chronological order, including the event name (noting variants such as WrestleMania Backlash), date, city and state/province/country, venue, and main event. This encompasses the original run from 1999 to 2009 (11 events), the revival starting in 2016 (with a cancellation in 2019), and subsequent annual premium live events through 2025, totaling 20 events. Brand affiliations, such as SmackDown-exclusive (2016–2017), are noted where applicable. For the 2025 event, results are included as it occurred prior to November 2025.
EventDateCity, State/Province/CountryVenueMain Event
Backlash (1999)April 25, 1999Providence, RI, USAProvidence Civic CenterThe Rock (c) vs. Stone Cold Steve Austin for the WWF Championship
Backlash (2000)April 30, 2000Oakland, CA, USAOakland ArenaTriple H (c) vs. The Rock for the WWF Championship
Backlash (2001)April 29, 2001Rosemont, IL, USAAllstate ArenaThe Two-Man Power Trip (Stone Cold Steve Austin & Triple H) (c) vs. The Brothers of Destruction (The Undertaker & Kane) in a Tables, Ladders, and Chairs match for the WWF Tag Team Championship
Backlash (2002)April 21, 2002Kansas City, MO, USAKemper ArenaTriple H vs. Hulk Hogan for the World Heavyweight Championship
Backlash (2003)April 27, 2003Worcester, MA, USADCU CenterGoldberg vs. The Rock
Backlash (2004)April 18, 2004Edmonton, AB, CanadaRexall PlaceEddie Guerrero (c) vs. John Bradshaw Layfield for the WWE Championship
Backlash (2005)May 1, 2005Pittsburgh, PA, USAMellon ArenaBatista (c) vs. Triple H for the World Heavyweight Championship
Backlash (2006)April 30, 2006Lexington, KY, USARupp ArenaJohn Cena (c) vs. Triple H vs. Edge in a Triple Threat match for the WWE Championship
Backlash (2007)April 29, 2007Atlanta, GA, USAPhilips ArenaJohn Cena (c) vs. Edge vs. Randy Orton in a Triple Threat match for the WWE Championship
Backlash (2008)April 27, 2008Baltimore, MD, USA1st Mariner ArenaRandy Orton (c) vs. Triple H vs. John Cena in a Triple Threat match for the WWE Championship
Backlash (2009)April 26, 2009Providence, RI, USADunkin' Donuts CenterEdge (c) vs. John Cena for the World Heavyweight Championship
Backlash (2016) (SmackDown)September 11, 2016Richmond, VA, USARichmond ColiseumDean Ambrose (c) vs. AJ Styles for the WWE World Championship
Backlash (2017) (SmackDown)May 21, 2017Rosemont, IL, USAAllstate ArenaRandy Orton (c) vs. Jinder Mahal for the WWE Championship
Backlash (2018)May 6, 2018Newark, NJ, USAPrudential CenterRoman Reigns vs. Samoa Joe
Backlash (2020)June 14, 2020N/A (WWE Performance Center, Orlando, FL, USA; no audience)WWE Performance CenterEdge vs. Randy Orton in a Last Man Standing match
WrestleMania Backlash (2021)May 16, 2021N/A (ThunderDome, Tampa, FL, USA; virtual)WWE ThunderDomeRoman Reigns (c) vs. Cesaro for the WWE Universal Championship
WrestleMania Backlash (2022)May 8, 2022Providence, RI, USADunkin' Donuts CenterThe Bloodline (Roman Reigns, Jimmy Uso & Jey Uso) vs. Drew McIntyre, Randy Orton & Matt Riddle
Backlash (2023)May 6, 2023San Juan, Puerto RicoColiseo de Puerto RicoBad Bunny vs. Damian Priest
Backlash (2024)May 4, 2024Lyon, FranceLDLC ArenaCody Rhodes (c) vs. AJ Styles for the Undisputed WWE Championship
Backlash (2025)May 10, 2025St. Louis, MO, USAEnterprise CenterJohn Cena (c) vs. Randy Orton for the Undisputed WWE Championship

Venues and international expansion

WWE Backlash events have traditionally been held in mid-sized arenas across , utilizing approximately 15 unique venues since the event's inception in 1999. These locations have primarily been in the United States, such as the in , for the 2001 edition, a venue with a capacity exceeding 14,000. Early iterations also featured Canadian hosts, including the 2004 event at Rexall Place in Edmonton, Alberta, highlighting WWE's initial forays into neighboring markets. Attendance figures for Backlash have shown notable evolution over time, reflecting shifts in WWE's production scale and fan engagement. The event peaked at 17,154 attendees during the 2001 show at , with pre-2010 events generally averaging between 10,000 and 15,000 spectators. Following the 2016 revival as a premium live event, initial figures dipped to 7,000 at the in , with 14,724 at the in , in 2018, before climbing to 17,944 in 2023 at the Coliseo de in San Juan. The 2024 installment marked a sold-out crowd of 11,682 at the in , , while the 2025 return to the drew 17,117 at the in , . The series experienced its first international expansion beyond with the 2024 event in , , at the —no prior Backlash had been held in . This move aligned with WWE's broader strategy to host premium live events globally, particularly following the company's $5 billion, 10-year media rights agreement with that began in January 2025, enabling enhanced distribution and in regions like . The 2025 edition returned to the U.S. in , balancing domestic staples with ongoing international outreach.

Notable aspects

Main events and storylines

The inaugural WWE Backlash in 1999 featured a high-profile main event rematch from , with WWF Champion defending against The Rock; Austin retained the title via pinfall after interference from The Corporation, solidifying the ongoing rivalry between the two top stars. In 2004, Champion faced John Bradshaw Layfield in a contentious title match, where JBL captured the championship with assistance from a referee distraction, launching JBL's polarizing 280-day reign and shifting 's championship landscape toward a blue-collar persona. Another standout from 2018 saw Universal Champion defend against in a brutal no-disqualification bout, with Reigns securing the victory via a , advancing his storyline as the dominant force on Raw amid fan backlash to his push. Backlash events have frequently served as platforms for WrestleMania rematches or immediate follow-ups, extending major narratives into the post-Mania period, such as the 2024 clash between Undisputed Champion and , where Styles earned his shot via a contender's tournament on SmackDown and Rhodes retained after countering a Phenomenal into a Cross Rhodes, reinforcing Rhodes' reign while deepening Styles' veteran resurgence arc. World titles have changed hands in seven Backlash events, including the 2000 main event where defended the WWF Championship against The Rock in a no-disqualification match, resulting in The Rock's victory and immediate cash-in implications for the People's Champion storyline. These occurrences have often propelled midcard talents into the main event scene, exemplified by the 2016 match where defeated Dean Ambrose via a low blow and Styles Clash, marking Styles' first world title win shortly after his debut and catapulting him from TNA acclaim to superstardom. In recent years, Backlash has highlighted crossover appeal and legacy rivalries, such as the 2023 San Juan Street Fight between and , stemming from their shared Puerto Rican roots and Priest's betrayal during Bad Bunny's appearances, culminating in Bad Bunny's upset victory with a kendo stick-assisted and elevating the event's cultural significance in San Juan. The 2024 edition further emphasized title defenses in international settings, with ' retention against Styles in underscoring the event's role in global expansion while tying into Styles' frustration over missed opportunities. At Backlash 2025 in , Undisputed Champion defended against in a "one last time" renewal of their long-standing rivalry, with Cena emerging victorious amid interference that echoed their Evolution-era feuds, providing a poignant capstone to Cena's part-time championship run following his controversial win over at 41.

Critical reception and attendance

The original run of WWE Backlash as a event from 1999 to saw fluctuating buy rates, peaking at 398,000 for the inaugural 1999 edition before declining amid broader industry shifts, with the event drawing only 182,000 buys. Following its revival in 2016 as a premium live event streamed on and later Peacock, traditional buy rates gave way to viewership metrics; the 2023 Backlash in marked a high point with a 28% increase in streams over 2022, establishing it as the most-viewed edition to date. has averaged approximately 12,000 fans per event across its history, though international expansions have driven sellouts, such as the 2024 edition with 11,682 attendees and the 2025 St. Louis show drawing 17,155. Critical reception for Backlash has varied, often praised as a solid follow-up to but occasionally critiqued for uneven card quality. The 2000 event earned strong marks from Wrestling Observer Newsletter's , with the main event WWF Championship match between and The Rock rated 3.75 stars for its intense storytelling and in-ring action. In contrast, the 2005 edition received mixed reviews, described as slightly above average but hampered by filler matches and a lack of memorable moments, though Edge vs. in a Last Man Standing match was rated four stars by Meltzer. Post-revival highlights include the 2018 show, where the Intercontinental Championship match between and garnered a 4.25-star rating from Meltzer, lauded for its technical prowess and crowd engagement; the WWE Championship match of vs. was rated 3.25 stars. The 2024 event benefited from enthusiastic international crowds, enhancing overall reception despite a B-tier card, while 2025's installment featured multiple 4.25-star matches per Meltzer, including title defenses that drew praise for high-energy performances. Backlash has played a notable role in WWE's cultural narrative, particularly during the Attitude Era's close; the 2002 edition symbolized the transition from WWF to WWE branding, marking the end of that rebellious period with Hulk Hogan's return and a shift toward content. More recently, the 2024 event in , , served as a milestone for WWE's European expansion, achieving the largest gate for any arena show in company history and amplifying global appeal through passionate fan reactions that elevated the event's atmosphere. The 2025 edition further underscored this growth with strong domestic attendance, though detailed streaming analytics and international feedback remain limited in public data.

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