One WWE Match You MUST Watch From Every Year 1984-2024
20. 2004 - Randy Orton Vs Mick Foley, Backlash
Randy Orton's push was going swimmingly before he was forced to fight the man that had been his storyline mentor in Triple H, but there was a sad certainty to that. If there was one thing clear as day by 2004, it was that 'The Game' had never been that good at making people, including himself. That was the job of Mick Foley.
A 1999 push wasn't really taking until Mankind/Cactus Jack came along, and WWE copied their own homework with the 'Legend Killer' in 2004. It was, for a time, a vital next step for Orton. Having thrown Foley down a staircase, spat in his face then defeated him at WrestleMania, a young Randy was full of confidence that he'd diminished the 'Hardcore Legend' enough to add him to his victims list. In reality, he still had to survive Backlash.
Symbolically taking a harrowing bump into thumbtacks was making great use of one prop, and fearing the barbed wire 2x4 until he used it himself was another great touch in elevating him to something more than another production line cookie cutter jock. He was doing all the right things as well as saying them. All until he butted heads with his Evolution gaffer anyway.
Second time around though...