Every WWE Backlash World Title Match Ranked From Worst To Best
11. Brock Lesnar Vs John Cena (2003)
An intriguing battle between two developmental graduates during a period of flux for the company at large, the inaugural pay-per-view meeting between Brock Lesnar and John Cena was categorically their worst, but showed flashes of the type of performers both would blossom into in later stages of their careers.
The pressure was reduced for the pair at Backlash 2003, with matches featuring the entire top bracket of Monday Night Raw and a dream clash between The Rock and Bill Goldberg ensuring a midcard spot for Lesnar's first supershow defence of his newly-won WWE Title. But Cena in particular made the best of the contest with a standout display that justified his meteoric rise up the SmackDown pecking order.
Though the duo's relative inexperience was highlighted throughout the match via series of slightly mistimed collisions and set-ups, their ability to improvise without panicking impressive. This was especially true in the closing portion of the match, where an exhausted Brock made his babyface comeback through raw physicality and hulking strength in place of the traditionally energised retort.
Michael Cole and Tazz put both men over huge in the post-match, positioning Cena as a future megastar, which only enhanced Brock's aura as the man at the top of the blue brand.