9. Backlash ’99
Here’s a forgotten gem in the pantheon of 90s PPVs.
In Your House: Backlash debuted the month after the epically disappointing WrestleMania XV, and on all levels blew that show out of the water. From the exciting Brood vs. Ministry of Darkness opening six-man to the unexpectedly entertaining Bob Holly-Al Snow Hardcore Title match, to the solid New Age Outlaws vs. Owen/Jarrett #1 Contenders Tag Match, the first half of the show had a lot going for it.
But the stacked second half was where Backlash really shined – Mankind vs. Big Show in a vicious, bloody Boiler Room Brawl, Triple H vs. X-Pac in a grudge match between former best friends, Ken Shamrock vs. The Undertaker in an MMA-influenced slugfest, and the Steve Austin-Rock rematch from ‘Mania, which thoroughly outshined its predecessor.
Backlash ’99 is what WrestleMania XV should’ve been – a PPV full of significant, highly entertaining matches with almost no lulls, and certainly no Vince Russo booking shenanigans.
