For most of its existence, Backlash was the PPV after WrestleMania on WWE’s schedule. From 1999 - 2009, the show was where stories from the company’s biggest event were followed up on - where fans and characters felt the backlash from WrestleMania. Get it?
But then WWE put the brand on the shelf for a while, and when it returned in 2016 it was the show after SummerSlam. The following year Backlash shifted to May, with Payback in between it and ‘Mania. In 2018, there was a trip to Saudi Arabia in that Payback spot on the schedule. Backlash went away again in 2019 (replaced by Stomping Ground) and returned last year as the event after Money in the Bank.
Which is what was rumored to be the plan again this year. Instead WWE announced during WrestleMania 37 that Backlash would again be the post-’Mania show this year. And they’re rebranding it to really get the point across...
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You can imagine the marketing push to rename the show WrestleMania Backlash. You’re going to get more attention with the ‘Mania brand included. Will people decide to watch it after you’ve caught their eye, though? Or will they write if off as a less essential postscript?
We’ll see. We’ll also see what the rest of WWE’s 2020 PPV schedule looks like. The assumption is that with WrestleMania Backlash on Sun., May 16, Money in the Bank will now be in the June 20 spot original formula Backlash was rumored for, and that both shows will take place at the new ThunderDome in Tampa’s Yuengling Center.
Until we get those answers, give us your thoughts on WrestleMania Backlash in the comments below.