Greatest WWE Backlash matches ever: Dave Meltzer Star Ratings

Originally posted on F4WOnline.com | By Jake Skudder | Last updated Apr 23, 2025 1:06 PM ET

WWE Backlash can be a really odd show. Considering that it has traditionally been the first PPV/PLE to take place following WrestleMania, there are sometimes a ton of rematches and re-hashed moments from the Mania that preceded it. Sometimes though, the company decides to give some talent more time in the ring and more of chance to have a genuine classic, with the pressures of not having to cater more to a ‘mainstream’ audience like they feel they need to for WrestleMania.

Here I’ll go through the top WWE Backlash matches in the history of the show, and I’ll include Dave Meltzer’s ratings and thoughts along the way.

Best Backlash Matches Ever

5. Triple H vs. The Rock – Backlash 2000

This was the match that should’ve headlined WrestleMania 2000, but at least we got it at Backlash. Although hampered by the crowd looking to the entranceway awaiting the return of Stone Cold Steve Austin, it’s still a great match that should’ve headlined a month prior.

Meltzer Rating: 3.75 stars

4. Scotty 2 Hotty vs Dean Malenko – Backlash 2000

A genuine hidden gem and a match that you might not expect to see here considering who was in it. That’s no dig on Scotty 2 Hotty, but he was known at the time as being a tag team guy. This Light Heavyweight title match is one of the best of the era and well worth going back to check out.

Meltzer Rating: 4 stars

3. Seth Rollins vs. The Miz – Backlash 2018

Backlash 2018 was not a good show by any stretch of the imagination. However, Rollins and Miz had a great IC title that helped to elevate the title further during a time that the company desperately needed to rehab the midcard title.

Meltzer Rating: 4.25 stars

2. Randy Orton vs. Cactus Jack – Backlash 2004

In the same way that Cactus Jack made Triple H as a top-tier main eventer at Royal Rumble 2000, he did the same here for Randy Orton. The two stars went back and forth in a brutal Hardcore match that showed Randy could keep up with the best of them, and even three years after Foley ‘retired’ he proved that he could turn it on when it counted.

Meltzer Rating: 4.5 stars

1. Cody Rhodes vs. AJ Styles – Backlash 2024

Everything about this match fell just right. The performers, the crowd, the pacing of the match were spot on and these two men produced arguably one of the greatest WWE Championship matches in history, let alone in Backlash history.

Meltzer Rating: 5 stars