9 Things You Didn't Know About WWE Backlash

4. Hulk Hogan's 2002 WWE Title Win Cut Short Planned Long Reign For Triple H

Triple H's return to action in January 2002, after eight months on the sidelines recovering from a torn quadriceps tendon, was one of the biggest WWE stories of the year.

The hype machine built up The Game's recovery for weeks, he received an earth-shattering ovation upon his return to Raw in Madison Square Garden, won the Royal Rumble and eventually triumphed over Chris Jericho in the main event of WrestleMania X8, winning the WWE Undisputed Championship in the process.

It was storybook stuff, the narrative WWE had wanted to push all along. The all-conquering Cerebral Assassin was back and he was on top and he was there to stay. Well, that was the initial plan, anyway, but a certain Mr. Hogan got in the way of it.

Vince and WWE officials were blown away by the consistently strong reactions that the Hulkster was getting and decided to remove him from the heelish nWo stable and have him embrace the red and yellow once again.

Just a month after winning the title after a two-month chase, Trips dropped it to Hogan in the rotten main event of Backlash, putting his planned lengthy reign on the backburner. Unfortunately for Hogan and WWE, the thunderous crowd reactions did not translate into ratings, house show attendance or pay-per-view buyrates - all of which declined while Hogan was on top.

A month after giving him the belt at Backlash, WWE had Hulk drop the strap to The Undertaker in the main event of Judgement Day.