100 Greatest WWE Matches Of All Time (Ranked)

There were three main eventers at Backlash 2024: Cody Rhodes, AJ Styles and the live crowd in Lyon, France.

Cody was defending his newly won WWE Title after "finishing the story" at WrestleMania 40, and AJ smartly brought his own sub-story by discussing the possibility that this could feasibly be one of his last shots at the biggest belt in the land. That wouldn't be the case, but the storyline ruled, and Styles was in the physical shape of his life for this run. He was a worthy first rival for new poster boy Rhodes.

Both men ran through all of the spots and moves you'd expect from them, but nothing was rushed. That's key here - these two masters went over 27 minutes without going at a breakneck pace 100% of the time. They started off with a decent enough tempo before settling into a groove and letting the live crowd breathe. Conveniently, that also left room for the commentators to tell a story for fans watching at home.

Meanwhile, France went absolutely bonkers. In truth, Styles had struggled to stop himself from smiling as the venue roared and chanted pre-match. WWE's cameras shook, then AJ and Cody delivered a match befitting the atmosphere. The fact they'd struggle to top this the following month in Glasgow, Scotland on Clash At The Castle really speaks volumes.

Not even the addition of an "I Quit" stipulation could help them better Backlash. Cody's title reign got off to a rip-roaring start, and Styles proved he still had gas in the tank for main events. Stellar.