Sean's Wrestling Reviews: WWF Backlash 2001 Review

Welcome back wrestling fans of the web, another WWE pay per view has passed and more than likely left you feeling emotions such as anger, frustration and regret as you spent three hours watching that show that you cannot get back but fear not creatures of the night as I have just the cure! Why not sit back, put your feet up and join me for another review as I look back on WWF’s Backlash 2001. The Attitude Era bubble had burst, Austin had turned heel and Triple H aligned himself with The Rattlesnake as The Power Trip was born. Who would battle these two giants of the WWF? Well up steps The Brothers of Destruction, Undertaker and Kane. Huge tag match for the main event with all the gold being on the line! Also, Kurt Angle takes on Chris Benoit in an ultimate submission match which is sure to be a classic. So let’s get a move on and dig into Backlash 2001!

Opening Promo

He who has the power has all the gold, four men and one epic battle for the championships. Own the championships and you own all the power and control. Nice simple and very interesting as WWF had not done anything like in quite awhile. We see the infamous Hook stage as we are live from Chicago.

The Dudley Boyz vs X-Factor

Spike is on good terms with his brothers Bubba and D-Von, that’s rare while we have the short lived X-Factor stable with Uncle Kracker Theme. X-Factor run into the ring and we are underway, double suplex on Albert and Spike nails a double stomp. Bubba and D-Von use Spike as a battering ram on Justin Credible and X-Pac. Spike and Justin are in the ring, Spike tries a few quick pins before Credible says screw you and knees Spike in the gut. Albert is in and Albert tosses Spike around like he was yesterday’s garbage (Oh Yeah!). Credible tags back in and misses a dropkick on Spike, Credible bangs his little man off the ringpost and D-Von is in the ring. Punches to X-Pac and Credible before Albert cheap shots D-Von. Spinning heel kick by X-Pac, Credible and X-Pac double team D-Von as D-Von tiddly bits are smashed into the ringpost. Albert brutalizes D-Von with a rope guillotine as JR puts over Albert’s strength.

X-Pac is in, scoop slam and a leg drop. Reverse chinlock by X-Pac on D-Von, X-Pac wipes out D-Von with a very impressive spinning heel kick. Credible receives the tag from X-Pac, Credible jabs D-Von, d-Von battles back but Credible nails a Bossman Slam like move. Albert is legal, double underhook suplex on D-Von. Spike saves D-Von, Albert is not a happy camper so X-Pac tags himself into the match. Quick tag to Credible backfires as D-Von nails both X-Pac and Credible with a clothesline. Bubba receives the hot tag, Bubba Bombs and sidewalk slams await X-Factor. Albert accidently smashes X-Pac, Bubba has Justin Credible for the What’s Up headbutt.

No children for Credible as Bubba says it is time for wood! Albert wipes out D-Von with a kick to the face, Bubba misses a splash on X-Pac and Albert smashes Bubba in the corner with X-Pac and Justin Credible nailing Bubba with a double super kick for the win. Not content with the win, X-Factor want to put Bubba through a table. D-Von takes out Albert, Spike wipes out Justin Credible and moments later, we have a 3D through the table. That was your standard tag affair, nothing of real note and it is no surprise The Dudleys lost as they seemed to lose a majority of the pay per view matches but as long as they drove someone through a table, all was well for The Dudleys.

Winners: X-Factor over Dudleys Boyz with A X Marks The Spot.

We have a car and Kurt Angle

William Regal greets The Duchess of Queensbury with two security guards, it is great, it is like she is the president. We also have Lillian interviewing Kurt Angle who is confident that he shall defeat Chris Benoit in tonight’s match.

(WWF Hardcore Championship Match) Rhyno © vs Raven

I wonder what this appeared to be like for ECW fans as two former ECW champions are competing for the Hardcore Championship. Rhyno was the last ever ECW Heavyweight and TV champion (No I do not count Ezekiel Jackaon are you mad fam?). Raven starts out by drop toeholding Rhyno into a stop sign, Raven smashes Rhyno with a trash can in the corner. Rhyno gores Raven in the corner and starts hammering Raven with a trash can.

Rhyno boots a trash can into Raven’s face, Rhyno grabs the steel steps. Rhyno props Raven into a chair and attempts a Gore from the steel steps. Raven dodges which leaves Rhyno crashing to the floor. Raven nails a clothesline and hurls Rhyno to the floor after a clothesline. Rhyno shoves Raven into the ringpost in desperation, trash can to the head by Rhyno.

Rhyno continues to wipe out Raven by smashing a guard rail sign. Rhyno is not done though, Rhyno has a trolley or a shopping cart to you Americans (Got to cater to my fans….. yeah I have none I know). Trademark Raven spot as Raven drop toeholds Rhyno into the shopping cart. Sign to the head, Rhyno is on his feet until Raven drops the champion with a huge 4^th shot. Corner clothesline and bulldog for a two count for the challenger. Rhyno nails a thumb to the eye, Rhyno has the shopping cart, Raven smashes the champion with a trash can. The shopping cart falls on Rhyno but Raven can only get a two count, Raven rams Rhyno with the shopping cart.

Raven attempts a bulldog but Rhyno counters with a sign shot and a trash can shot. Rhyno sets up for The Gore, Rhyno misses and goes into the shopping cart, Raven pounds the shopping cart with weapons and Raven gets a two count. Rhyno nails a Gore out of nowhere for the win. Well, fair play to these two as when Rhyno gored that shopping cart, the crowd ate it up and they seemed to be really into in by the end. They worked hard and beat up one another pretty bad with the weapons.

Winner: Rhyno over Raven with a Gore! Gore! Gore!

Shane Promo

Shane takes the piss out of The Big Show with a retelling of Jack and The Beanstalk, Shane speaks of how he kicked his father’s ass and how Big Show had Chokeslammed Big Show. Shane says he will win for The Last Man Standing Match. Stephanie interrupts a promo by Shane, warning her brother of the dangers of facing Show. Shane says this story has a happy ending. The Coach interviews The Duchess of Queensbury about the rules of the match with Chris Jericho, Regal interrupts Coach so that The Duchess cannot explain the rules. Shenanigans, I smell shenanigans afoot!

(Duchess of Queensbury Rules Match) Chris Jericho vs William Regal

So Regal does not like Jericho because Jericho is a pompous arrogant little tosser so Regal makes this match to teach Jericho a lesson. Regal introduces The Duchess to the audience which is greeted like a fart in church. Jericho mocks Regal and The Duchess before the match, Regal’s facials are so perfect for comedy, I feel he has missed his calling as an actor. Lockup with Regal cheap shotting Jericho, side headlock by Jericho and an arm wringer. Jericho outwrestles Regal before elbowing The Commissioner.

Regal powders after taking a dropkick, Jericho starts whaling on Regal as a fan shouts “Get him Chris, yeah”! Jericho misses a missile dropkick, Regal knees Y2J in the head and waves to the fans. Jericho battles out of a sleeper before Regal boots Jericho to the mat. Regal waves for too long and Jericho drops Regal with a hurricanrana. Chops by Y2J, flying forearm and a bulldog. Lionsault is nailed and The Duchess says the time limit has expired for round one.

Very nice touch and I will tell you why I like it later in the passage. Jericho knocks down Regal, Jericho gets caught by Regal who scores with a German suplex. Regal applies The Regal Strecth, Jericho struggles but reaches the ropes. Jericho blocks a German suplex into The Walls of Jericho. Regal taps out and The Duchess changes the rules to allow no submissions.

Jericho has had enough of The Duchess, Jericho wipes out Regal. However, Regal nails Jericho with her cane, Regal is disqualified but guess again, The Duchess says there are no disqualifications. Reverse elbow by Regal, double underhook suplex for a two count. Jericho lands on his feet out of a back suplex, enzuigiri by Y2J. Slugfest with Jericho gaining control, Jericho stomps Regal in the corner. Jericho low blows Regal, baseball slide by Jericho.

Regal lands in The Duchess’ private parts (Regal’s facials are golden). Jericho applies The Walls Of Jericho to The Duchess, Regal wears out Jericho with a chair and steals the win. Ok so this match I liked up to a certain point because it followed the formula of bending the rules in favour of the heel. What I dislike is when the heel is beaten like a dog and eventually, overcomes the face because it makes the heel seem weak in the process, think of Lance Storm vs Mike Awesome in WCW at a pay per view in Canada.

Awesome pinned Storm at least three times which made the United States Champion look like an absolute chump. I really liked the time limit expiring because it saved Regal from getting pinned, I also liked the disqualification ruling as it put more heat on Regal for bending the rules. I wasn’t a fan of the submission because of the reasons I stated above, the match was fine, nothing that really stood out. I must comment on Regal’s facials though, they were great, the man could make chicken salad out of chicken shit.

Winner: Regal over Jericho following a barrage of chair shots

Big Show Promo

Big Show walks into Vince’s office and Vince tells Show not to hold back on his son. Show says he will destroy Shane and Vince says he likes it. They share an awkward handshake and laugh segment (Must have been before Show kept taking shits in Mcmahon’s toilet).

(Ultimate Submission Match) Chris Benoit vs Kurt Angle

Angle had cheated to defeat Benoit at Wrestlemania but the war was not over. Benoit rallied and this match was made, two technical wrestlers who are going to tear it up inside of this ring. Kurt cuts a promo referencing Michael Jordan and how Angle is a winner while Chicago has none. Angle references other Chicagonites? (I hope that is what people are called if they are from Chicago, if they ain’t, I am deeply sorry for offending you, please don’t beat me up). Lockup with a clean break, second lockup and another clean break. Angle shoots for the leg, Benoit comes out on top as these two wrestle with the crowd going mild.

Double leg takedown looking for The Angle lock, Angle has the head of Benoit but we have a break as both men are tangled in the ropes. Another takedown by Angle, Benoit blocks well with Benoit looking for The Crossface before Angle powders and rethinks his strategy. Takedown by Angle, clean break as you could see the intensity etched on both men’s faces. Benoit almost locks in The Crossface but Angle powders, both men roll to the floor as they struggle for control. Benoit has The Crossface on the outside and Benoit makes Angle tap.

It does not count due to Benoit and Angle being on the floor. Angle slowly steps into the ring while favouring his shoulder. JR questions whether Angle is faking, Angle lures in Benoit and takes down The Crippler with a kneebar. Angle is up 1:0 due to the kneebar, there is a thirty second rest period and I like this little touch. Angle chop blocks Benoit’s leg, make it two but Angle tries for a third. Benoit catches Angle and ties up the score with a rolling cross armbreaker (Eat your heart out Alberto Del Rio).

Benoit goes to a neutral corner before the match is restarted. Angle is tossed into the ringpost by Benoit, another armbreaker by Benoit and Angle rolls into the ropes to avoid tapping. Shoulderbreaker and chops by The Rabid Wolverine. Ten minutes are up!

Angle holds onto the ropes as Benoit shoves down Mike Chioda, Angle uses a chair on Benoit and applies The Ankle Lock for a submission. 2:1 to Kurt Angle, Angle ignores the thirty second rule as JR sells the Angle Lock. Angle adds insult to injury as Kurt makes Benoit tap to The Crippler Crossface. 3:1 for Angle and really good heel work from Angle. Imagine tapping to your own hold, Angle is simply a top quality asshole in this match. Angle attacks the neck of Benoit with elbows.

Angle kicks Benoit to the floor and introduces Benoit to the announce table. Benoit elevates Angle to the floor while selling his leg like a motherfucking boss. Benoit works on the shoulder of Angle, Benoit is like a maniac beating on Angle with no rhyme or reason. Benoit gets overzealous as Angle counters and Benoit meets the steel steps which are not too friendly to Benoit. Ankle Lock on the floor by Angle as Benoit clutches his injured leg. Benoit is looking to hang on when Angle locks in a cross armbreaker, Benoit holds his guard and reaches the ropes. Abdominal Stretch by Angle in the centre of the ring, Benoit rolls out and applies a cross armbreaker on Angle.

Angle reaches the ropes and stomps on a Benoit who cannot capitalize. Benoit reverses an Irish whip into a Sharpshooter, Angle reaches the ropes but the punishment is far from over, Benoit rolls through a German Suplex for a single leg Boston Crab with a knee in the back for extra pressure (Wonderful counter). Angle taps and Angle’s lead has become more slender with the score being 3:2 in his favour. 20 minutes are up!

Angle runs from Benoit with Benoit pulling faces which look like a man who is listening to modern Rock music, Benoit chases after Angle with Angle gaining control and beating down Benoit. Angle rakes the eyes and hurls Benoit to the floor, a quick breather for Angle as Angle stomps Benoit so he cannot re-enter the ring. Great strategy by Angle as he knows Benoit can take him if he gets in the ring so Angle tries desperately to make sure Benoit stays on the floor. Snap suplex by Angle, Benoit reaches the ropes after a single Boston crab attempt.

Angle eats a boot from Benoit but Angle drop toeholds Benoit, reaching for The Ankle Lock. Angle tosses Benoit to the floor, Angle snap suplexes Benoit on the floor. Benoit is bounced around the ringside area by Angle who is wearing down the clock. Benoit dragon screws Angle, Ankle Lock attempt does not work for Benoit as Angle reaches the ropes. Benoit misses a dropkick and Angle applies a STF, Benoit is fading fast but Benoit survives the STF. Benoit like a pitbull will not stay down as he smacks Angle in the ribs.

Jawbreaker by Benoit, Benoit is too rash as Angle belly to back suplexes Benoit twice. Angle cannot capitalize as Benoit answers with two belly to back suplexes of his own. Series of counters leads to Benoit making Angle tap out to The Ankle Lock. It is 3:3! Benoit chop blocks Angle’s leg repeatedly, Angle crawls into the ropes with the referee asking Benoit to ease up on the attacks. German suplex by Benoit, low blow by Angle which the referee did not see, Angle applies The Ankle Lock, Benoit crawls to the ropes twice. Back suplex into The Ankle Lock, clock is ticking down and Benoit survives as the time expires, both men are tied 3:3. Angle celebrates as if he has won the match but referee Mike Chioda restarts the match in sudden death.

Angle is not happy as Benoit tapped after the time expired, Angle is back in the ring, right hands by Angle. Belly to belly suplex by Angle, Angle taunts the crowd as the crowd roars Angle sucks. Benoit tackles Angle, judo throw by Benoit goes wrong as Angle has Benoit in some sort of choke, Benoit rolls through into The Crossface and Angle taps out!

That was a different type of a match and I loved it, the crowd were not conditioned to this sort of style so the fans seemed almost quiet throughout like a Japanese crowd. The psychology was great, the heel work by Angle was great, the selling of the leg by Benoit was phenomenal and the counters and manoeuvres the two used were simply awesome, the transitions and reversals from each move were so fluid and effortless, it really was the best of the best when it came to wrestling and in my opinion, they stole the show hands down.

Winner: Chris Benoit Over Kurt Angle with The Crippler Crossface

Undertaker/Kane Promo

The Brothers of Destruction are having a conversation about Kane’s arm, there is no audio but it is heavily hinted that they are talking about Kane’s injury. Triple H and Stephanie discuss Shane’s odds against Big Show, they ain’t good.

(Last Man Standing Match) Big Show vs Shane Mcmahon

Ok so this is something I do not remember, Big Show was supposedly going to join Shane as the first WCW superstar from the WWF. Huge swerve as Show joins Vince and the two will battle in this match. Funny how these two had fought over 11 months ago in a similar type of match with Shane being the face this time, Show had every reason to attack Shane due to what happened at Judgement Day of 2000

. Show returned at The Royal Rumble and by many people’s accounts, was a disappointment until he had his run against Brock Lesnar in 2002. Based on what I have seen so far from the Big Show, I would not call those critics wrong but maybe they are being a little harsh on the big guy. Shane enters to Money for the first time, dancing and doing his thing on the way to the ring. Show chases Shane with Shane grabbing a chair, Shane throws the chair in the ring and crawls under the ring.

Shane reappears with a kendo stick and wears out Show with the stick, book to the head of the Show, that must be some heavy reading (No? Anyone? Alright). Show says enough of this, huge clothesline and a gorilla press slam into the ring, chair shots to the head by Shane. The Giant is knocked to the ground as the referee begins his count. Shane goes under the ring and has a bottle of some sort of liquid, JR says it is ether. Shane applies a surgeon’s mask and applies a sleeper with the ether as Show is fading, Show is on his knees with Shane on his back. Vince Mcmahon runs to ringside and smacks Shane twice with the chair.

Massive asshole chants but I cannot help but think wow, you just made Big Show look weak in comparison with a non-wrestler in Shane. Show breaks the count to beat up Shane, giant knees in the corner. Show chops Shane in the corner and tosses the boy wonder from the top turnbuckle to the canvas. Final Cut by Show, a forgotten finisher of The Big Show. Show breaks the count and Chokeslams Shane into the canvas with a thunderous impact.

Show screams “ I’m the man! Kneel before me!” Show continues destroying Shane, Torture Rack by Show but Test saves Shane with a Big Boot. Show no sells The Big Boot and tosses Test to the floor. Show battles Test to the entrance way with Test saying bringing you big piece of poo poo, Show believes that he is not the shits so Show hurls Test onto some boxes while Shane staggers to his feet and smacks Show in the back of the head with a guard rail sign.

Show has a lead pipe with Shane backing away, Shane ducks the pipe and climbs the stage structure. Show is thinking of chasing Shane Mcmahon. Test lays out Show with repeated shots to the head, Show cannot nail The Chokeslam. Test calls for Shane to dive onto Big Show, Shane dives from the top and delivers a leap of faith elbow which crushes Show. Test uses a camera stand to help up Shane and Shane wins this Last Man Standing Match. Well, it was short but very memorable as Shane delivered another crazy performance to make sure the fans talked about Shane rather than the other performers.

Winner: Shane Mcmahon over Big Show with a Leap of Faith

(WWF European Championship Match) Matt Hardy © vs Christian vs Eddie Guerrero

This feels like such an odd match, Matt is your champion at a time where he was as bland as bland could be while Christian was in the same boat with Christian never receiving a singles’ push prior to this match while Eddie Guerrero is on his way out of the company due to substance abuse problems. More replays of Shane’s dive as Vince disowns his son and Steve Blackman says Shane is crazy. Matt defeated Eddie Guerrero for the championship on Smackdown three days prior to this pay per view.

Christian comes down to the ring and it is so weird to see him without Edge, almost looks like a fish out of water. Eddie comes down to the ring and immediately asks Christian to team up, Christian obliges and Matt is double teamed to the floor. Christian cheap shots Eddie, stomping Latino Heat on the back of the head, flapjack by Christian. Powerslam for a two count for Christian, hurricanrana by Eddie Guerrero to cut off Christian.

Eddie places Christian on the turnbuckle for a superplex, Eddie has Matt on his shoulders, Christian misses the clothesline and Matt rolls through for a victory roll pin on Eddie. Two count for Matt, Matt attempts a Twist of Fate on Eddie but Christian takes out Matt with a clothesline. Matt shoves Eddie to the floor after a botched sunset flip, side effect by Matt on Christian.

Two count for Matt, Eddie drags Matt to the floor, double baseball slide by Christian. Matt DDTs Christian on the floor, Eddie drags Matt by the hair and nails a brainbuster in the ring. Nasty brainbuster by Eddie for a two count, Matt scores with a back body drop. Matt is on the top turnbuckle, Matt slams Christian onto Eddie. Christian nails Eddie with a crossbody, scoop slam by Matt on Eddie. Leg drop by Matt, two count for the champion.

Matt and Christian fight on the floor, Edge Spears Matt and rolls the champion into the ring. Christian looks to take advantage but Eddie shoves Christian to the floor. Eddie pins Matt for two, Jeff beats up Edge. Christian nails an Unprettier on Eddie, Jeff Swantons onto Christian and Matt Twist of Fates Christian for the win. Too much interference for me on this one, I don’t feel it was all needed. You could have put Matt over clean but I guess there were not big plans for Matt as Jeff would overshadow his brother by beating Triple H for the intercontinental title only weeks later.

Winner: Matt Hardy over everyone else with A Twist of Fate

(All The Gold Tag Match) Stone Cold Steve Austin © & Triple H © vs Undertaker & Kane ©

Rock was going to Hollywood for The Mummy Returns, Stone Cold joined forces with Vince and Triple H joined forces with Austin to be seen as his equal rather than be a face and battle Austin (Pure politics from The Game). The Power Trip had formed so Triple H and Austin decimated Team Extreme and JR. The Brothers of Destruction won the tag team titles from Edge & Christian so all the championships are on the line. Triple H as Intercontinental Champion in 2001 is so weird, it looks wrong haha but nothing can be more bizarre than heel Austin when nobody wanted to boo The Rattlesnake.

Kane’s arm is taped up as Austin and Triple H smashed up The Big Red Machine’s arm. Austin and Triple H are hesitant to step in the ring with the two brothers, Taker knocks Triple H to the floor with a right hand. Triple H has been knocked right in the nose twice so far and I have no complaints. Austin and Triple H try to walk to the back so Taker & Kane decide to hammer these two cowards for their actions. Kane and Triple H battle in the ring, two armed choke toss by Kane. One for Austin too, Triple H eats a huge right from Kane, right hands by Kane. Corner clothesline by Kane but Triple H turns the momentum with a high knee right to the arm.

Triple H works over the arm in the corner, Kane cannot overtake The Game with a bad hand. Taker gets the tag from Kane and Austin begs for mercy from Taker. Stomps in the corner from Taker, Triple H is floored again. Taker manhandles Austin with Irish whips, Austin extends the handshake to Taker and Taker boots Austin in the face. Kane wants in but Taker reluctantly tags in his brother. Austin kicks the arm of Kane but Kane follows up with a clothesline. Taker is in, right hand to the legal Triple H.

Corner punches by The Deadman, big boot to the face of The Game. Old School connects on The Game, scoop slam on Austin and an Old School for Austin. The Power Trip had been floored by the might of Undertaker. Triple H cheap shots Taker which prevents certain doom for Austin. Double stomp by The Power Trip, Kane is restrained by the referee. Leg over the back of the neck by Austin, knee to the throat by The Rattlesnake. Triple H is in and The Game works the body of Taker, Triple H facebusters Taker but Undertaker DDTs The Game. Taker will not tag Kane due to Kane’s elbow, Austin tags in and floors Taker with a clothesline, Lou Thesz Press and multiple elbows by The Bionic Redneck.

Undertaker stops an elbow with a grab of Austin’s throat, Taker has Austin for the Chokeslam but Triple H saves Austin. Taker is surprised as Kane tags himself in, big boots to The Power Trip. Sidewalk slam and clothesline combo by Kane on Austin, Triple H is tossed to the mat by Kane. Kane has The Chokeslam on Austin, Triple H attacks the arm. Stunner is blocked by Kane, big boots to The Power Trip. Austin scores with a single arm DDT to stop Kane’s momentum. Austin uses the ropes to weaken the arm of Kane, stomps to the back of the head. Kane’s arm is smashed into the ropes by The Game and Austin smashes Kane’ arm with a chair while the referee is sidetracked with Taker and Triple H.

Triple H works the arm, driving a knee into the elbow as the crowd comes alive for Taker. Austin stomps Kane and smashes The Big Red Machine with hard right hands. Kane counters Austin but Triple H breaks up Kane’s attacks, Austin wrenches the arm of Kane. Austin grabs the referee’s attention while Triple H softens up Kane’s arm. Triple H is legal and there is more arm work on Kane who is milking this injury for all the sympathy he can muster out of this capacity crowd. Kane tosses Triple H to the floor before collapsing to the mat.

Triple H drags Taker off the apron so Kane cannot tag, great little spot there as Austin stomps Kane. Triple H gets the tag and climbs the top rope, Kane stops Triple H with his boot and now, Kane is caught in a sleeper from Austin. One armed back suplex by Kane, Austin tags The Game and Kane is floored by Triple H. Right hands by Triple H, Pedigree by Triple H and there is a tag to Austin. Austin covers but Taker breaks up the pin.

Undertaker Chokeslams Austin behind the referee’s back, Stephanie is up on the apron. Hebnar pushes Stephanie to the floor, Kane covers Austin but Austin kicks out of the pin attempt. Enzuigiri by Kane on Triple H, the referee is blinded so Taker makes the tag and the refere does not see the tag. Taker kills The Power Trip with punches. Corner clotheslines by Taker, Last Ride on Triple H. Taker has the match won but the referee did not see the tag. Austin bundles Taker into the referee, low blow on Taker and a Stunner on Kane.

Undertaker and Austin are on the floor while Triple H and Kane lay in the ring. Stephanie throws the championship belt to The Game. Triple H staggers to this feet, Kane blocks the title belt, Kane boot Stephanie as she saves Triple H. Vince is about to be Chokeslammed but Triple H has the sledgehammer, two sledgehammer shots to Kane, one to the arm and the other to the head and Triple H steals the win for his team. This was a good tag match, the heel work on the arm and cutoffs on Kane were very good and made sense, Austin being cowardly is strange to see but man it looked like he was having fun being a heel.

I think the beatdown and the hopespots for Kane might have went on for too long, there was at least two occasions where they could have had the hot tag to Taker so I think they overstayed their welcome on that one. Kane suffers his first pinfall loss since No Way Out of 2000 and neither of these losses were clean with a low blow doing away Kane in 2000 and a sledgehammer putting down The Big Red Machine in this match.

More interference in the main event, the last four pay per views have had interference (Austin/Mcmahon/Stephanie/Big Show), it is starting to way me down but it made sense here as Taker and Kane were positioned as the two people that The Power Trip could not bully and defeat in a fair fight.

Winners: The Power Trip (Stone Cold Steve Austin & Triple H)

Overall, Backlash was a pretty good follow up for Wrestlemania, there were matches that fell short or lacking like The European title match or the opener but everything else ranged from entertaining to really good. Benoit and Angle were tearing it up in the mid-card, Regal was entertaining as the Commissioner who hated Y2J, Shane was doing crazy things against Show and Taker & Kane were holding their own against Austin and Triple H. WWF was still hot after Wrestlemania but for how long could the momentum being sustained?