10 Things You Didn't Know About WWE Backlash
5. The 'McMahon & The Referee' Finish
Some serendipity saw WWE enact the same finish to their main event match at two consecutive editions of the April supershow, largely involving the same selection of talent.
In 1999, Vince and Shane McMahon's relationship had soured amidst the son's hostile takeover of their 'Corporation' stable during a period in which his father was more distracted protecting his daughter Stephanie against the wrath of The Undertaker.
As Corporation member The Rock attempted to dethrone Champion Steve Austin in their WrestleMania XV rematch, Shane took centre stage as a biased referee determined to screw 'The Rattlesnake' as his father had failed to the prior month. The plan failed when Vince made his heroic return, leathering the 'Boy Wonder' and inserting Earl Hebner in as referee for the climactic 'Stone Cold' victory.
A year later, all the McMahons were on the heel side of the fence, bar one. Collaborating to protect newest family member Triple H as he defended against 'The Great One', the family had inserted Pat Patterson and Gerald Brisco as corrupt officials turning blind eyes to their rampant interference.
Special guest enforcer Stone Cold Steve Austin arrived fashionably late to wipe out 'Stooges' and McMahons alike with brutal steel chair shots, before babyface Linda frogmarched Hebner down to yet again administer justice, pushing down indignant daughter Stephanie along the way.