10 Best Post-WrestleMania Pay-Per-Views

WrestleMania is the biggest extravaganza of the year, and WrestleMania season is the most exciting time to be a wrestling fan. Inevitably, fans have huge expectations for the show to deliver, and generally, it does, but sometimes it can be a huge let down.

In some instances, the immediate pay-per-view after WrestleMania has generally been a huge success. This could be due to the rematches being better, and traditionally April hasn't been too bad for WWE. Backlash cemented the post-WrestleMania spot from 1999-2009, and will once again in 2021 as WrestleMania Backlash. Nonetheless, expect the unexpected with title changes and marquee matches delivering.

10 In Your House 14: Revenge Of The 'Taker (1997)

WrestleMania 13 was essentially disappointing with Sycho Sid and The Undertaker facing off in a lackluster main event for the WWE Championship. However, In Your House 14: 'Revenge of 'the Taker did marginally better than WrestleMania 13.

This was virtually a two-match show with 'Taker retaining the WWE Championship against his old rival Mankind, which failed to close out the show. Steve Austin and Bret Hart continued their feud with a perfectly executed double turn at WrestleMania with Austin beating Hart by DQ in a great main event.

9 Backlash 2007

Every match at Backlash 2007 had high stakes, as all six matches were championship bouts. There were two rematches from WrestleMania 23 on the card with Chris Benoit once again getting the better of MVP in a decent United States Title match. The Undertaker and Batista tore the house down once more in a Last Man Standing Match for the World Heavyweight Championship that resulted in a no contest.

The Hardys had tremendous chemistry with Lance Cade and Trevor Murdoch in the show opener for the World Tag Team Championship. Moreover, Melina retained the Women's Title against Mickie James in an underrated title match. The only title change on the show was shocking as Mr. McMahon captured the ECW Title from Bobby Lashley, and John Cena battled past Shawn Michaels, Edge, and Randy Orton in one of the best Fatal-4-way matches for the WWE Title.

8 Backlash 2009

The card for Backlash 2009 was jam-packed. Christian defeated Jack Swagger for the ECW Championship in the opening match, and Chris Jericho fought his way past Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat in a forgotten but brilliant match.

Jeff Hardy avenged his loss to his brother Matt at WrestleMania XXV by forcing him to utter the words "I Quit." However, the two World Title matches that closed out the show were outstanding. Randy Orton recaptured the WWE Championship from Triple H in a six-man tag team match, and Edge overcame John Cena for his ninth World Title reign in the Last Man Standing match.

7 Extreme Rules 2011

WrestleMania XXVII was arguably the worst WrestleMania of the 2010s but Extreme Rules 2011 made up for the disappointment in a massive way. CM Punk and Randy Orton outshined their WrestleMania match with Orton prevailing in a Last Man Standing match. The same can be said for Rey Mysterio and Cody Rhodes' Falls Count Anywhere match.

However, Michelle McCool said goodbye to professional wrestling as she lost to Layla in a Loser Leaves WWE match. Christian finally captured the World Heavyweight Championship against Alberto Del Rio in a ladder match, and it was a tear-jerking moment with Christian celebrating with Edge. To round things off, John Cena ended The Miz's WWE Title reign in a triple threat steel cage match that involved John Morrison.

6 Backlash 1999

The inaugural Backlash took place in 1999, and it was one of the most compelling pay-per-views on the calendar that year. Al Snow finally ended his obsession with becoming the Hardcore Champion by defeating Hardcore Holly.

Mankind and Big Show clashed in a WrestleMania XV rematch with Mankind prevailing in a Boiler Room Brawl. The Brood and three members of The Ministry of Darkness, Triple H going toe-to-toe with X-Pac, and The Undertaker defeating Ken Shamrock were other noteworthy matches on the card. However, Steve Austin and The Rock topped their WrestleMania clash by Austin retaining the WWE Title in a No Holds Barred match.

5 King Of The Ring 1993

The inaugural King of the Ring pay-per-view event in 1993 was among the better ones that WWE has ever staged. It became a permanent fixture in the calendar for nine years, breaking up the traditional Big Four events.

The tournament matches were arguably the greatest in history, all thanks to Bret Hart. The Hitman had a tough field to get through but he overcame Razor Ramon, Mr. Perfect, and Bam Bam Bigelow to win the 1993 King of the Ring tournament. Shawn Michaels retained the Intercontinental Title against Crush, and Yokozuna recaptured the WWE Championship from Hulk Hogan, who was heading to WCW.

4 Extreme Rules 2012

The buzz surrounding Extreme Rules 2012 marked the in-ring return of Brock Lesnar, who collided with John Cena in a brutal Extreme Rules match in the main event. Both men bled profusely, and it was a violent affair with Big Match John prevailing.

However, three WrestleMania rematches did leaps and bounds better than their original contest. Randy Orton squared off with Kane in a Falls Count Anywhere match, Sheamus and Daniel Bryan had a superb two-out-of-three falls match for the World Heavyweight Title, and CM Punk and Chris Jericho's Chicago Street Fight for the WWE Championship was exceptional.

3 SummerSlam 1992

Fans had to wait four months for the next pay-per-view after WrestleMania VIII, and SummerSlam 1992 was certainly worth the wait. 80,000 fans gathered at Wembley Stadium in London, England to witness a great show.

Randy Savage and The Ultimate Warrior's WWE Championship match was great despite the count-out finish with Ric Flair and Mr. Perfect getting involved. Ultimately, the match of the night was Bret Hart and British Bulldog's Intercontinental Title encounter which saw Bulldog capture the Intercontinental Championship in front of his hometown fans.

2 Backlash 2004

WrestleMania XX was a slog of a show to watch with 'Mania lasting over four hours but the first-Raw exclusive pay-per-view of the year, Backlash 2004, was remarkable. The Women's Championship match between Victoria and Lita was brilliant as was Christian and Trish Stratus' handicap match against Chris Jericho.

Moreover, Chris Benoit proved his credentials as World Heavyweight Champion by defeating Triple H and Shawn Michaels in another sublime triple threat match. However, this night belonged to Randy Orton who retained the Intercontinental Championship against Mick Foley in a brutal Hardcore match.

1 Backlash 2000

Unfortunately, WrestleMania 2000 was far from great but Backlash 2000 was arguably the best pay-per-view in 2000. The card was jam-packed from top to bottom with several high-stakes matches delivering. Edge and Christian collided with DX's Road Dogg and X-Pac in an underrated WWE Tag Team Championship match.

Moreover, Eddie Guerrero and Essa Rios tore it up in a pulsating European Title match as did Dean Malenko and Scotty Too Hotty in a Light Heavyweight Championship match. Ultimately, Chris Benoit and Chris Jericho engaged in a quality Intercontinental Championship bout, and The Rock dethroned Triple H for another WWE Championship reign, which arguably should have happened at WrestleMania.

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