WWE Backlash Has Been Elevated to a Must-See PLE Thanks to Unique Locations

This Saturday, WWE Backlash will emanate from the LDLC Arena in Décines-Charpieu in Grand Lyon, France.

Backlash is routinely the company's first show scheduled after WrestleMania season. As such, it initially acted as a follow-up to the biggest storylines from The Showcase of the Immoral until it was replaced by Extreme Rules in 2010.

The concept returned in 2021 branded as "WrestleMania Backlash," hoping to capitalize on casual fans' interest in WWE's most popular weekend of the year and new viewers from Peacock. The new name drew some criticism and who could forget the infamous Zombie Lumberjack match?

This year's iteration marks the first time the premium live event will occur outside North America. We're in for a treat if it's anything like the company's debut in San Juan, Puerto Rico last May.

A Much-Needed Change of Scenery

Backlash has been fairly inconsistent since its inception in 1999. The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin famously extended their WWE title program to the event as they feuded over the smoking skull championship.

This storyline gave us iconic moments like The Great One throwing Austin and the belt off a bridge and into the river below on the Apr. 12 episode of Raw. The Rock also prepared a funeral for The Texas RattleSnake the following Monday.

These events led to their No Holds Barred match at Backlash, the pay-per-views' first main event. Their WrestleMania rematch would ultimately define the B-show, but The Brahma Bull's title win over Triple H in 2000 made the best use of its original intent.

It gave us a proper payoff to his Royal Rumble win and the underwhelming ending to the fatal four-way elimination match from The Greatest Spectacle in Sports Entertainment. This was a rare occasion where the show felt important.

Sure, AJ Styles also won the WWE title for the first time when the PLE returned as a brand-exclusive event in 2016. Jinder Mahal also pulled off a massive upset over Randy Orton the following to claim the company's top prize.

However, Backlash often came off as retread or filler after the year's hottest stories culminated on The Grandest Stage of Them All. There were exceptions like Orton's star-making performance against Cactus Jack or the star-studded fatal four-way from 2007.

Nevertheless, the premium live often didn't have enough of a hook to separate it from the rest of the WWE schedule.

Unique Locales Offers A Rejuvenating Atmosphere

In 2022, WWE made plans to reimagine its pay-per-view. According to Bryan Alvarez of The Wrestling Observer, this meant fewer gimmick shows like TLC and Hell in a Cell and more international shows.

After the success of Clash at the Castle, this seemed like the right course of action because the underserviced crowd in Cardiff, Wales responded so well. The company has the reach to start an effective global expansion, and there are so many fans all over the world who want the premium live experience.

Last year, Puerto Rico provided an excellent backdrop for Backlash, one of the company's best outings of 2023. Bad Bunny's entrance alone was one of the highlights of the year thanks to the incredible live audience.

He and Damian Priest over-delivered in the San Juan street fight, and Zelina Vega benefitted from an emotional standing ovation in her home country. Iyo Sky's reception during the Raw women's title match was also the precursor to her most successful stint on the main roster.

For those reasons, it wouldn't be a stretch to say the show was an instrumental moment heading into this new era for WWE. The new location and refreshing perspective of the San Juan audience revitalized Backlash.

It elevated it past its original premise and produced one of the most memorable nights in the event's history. Hosting a follow-up in a unique destination like Grand Lyon, France is a savvy move that will likely pay off.

Hopefully, this will become an annual tradition because it helps this B-show stand out again.