3. WWE Championship Match: Triple H Vs. The Rock (Backlash 2000)
There are few matches that blend as many stories together to create one masterclass in professional wrestling the way the main event of Backlash 2000 did. There was the ongoing McMahon family drama, including a side rivalry between Stephanie and Linda. There was the mistreatment and firing of Earl Hebner that was such a major occurrence in the weeks leading into the event. "Stone Cold" Steve Austin was advertised to make his first appearance since his neck surgery months earlier. The Rock was hunting for revenge against Vince McMahon for his betrayal at WrestleMania 2000. And right there in the middle of it all was Triple H, the WWE Champion who had weathered every storm put in front of him thanks to his impressive collection of friends. All of the support in the world could not help him on that night, though. Even with stooge referees like Gerald Brisco and Pat Patterson stacking the deck against The Rock, The Great One still managed to hang in long enough for Linda McMahon to shove her daughter out of the way and reinstate Hebner as referee, and Austin to hit the ring, blasting every villain in sight with a steel chair and setting Rock up for his first Heavyweight Championship win in over a year. Triple H's title reign may have come to an end that night in Washington, D.C., but it was in a classic match that proved just how extraordinary WWE's creative department was at that point.
Erik Beaston is a freelance pro wrestling writer who likes long walks in the park, dandelions and has not quite figured out that this introduction is not for Match.com. He resides in Parts Unknown, where he hosts weekly cookouts with Kane, The Ultimate Warrior, Papa Shango and The Boogeyman. Be jealous.
