Ranking and grading every WWE pay-per-view in 2021 so far

#3 WWE WrestleMania Backlash

.@WWECesaro WILL. NOT. QUIT!#WMBacklash #UniversalTitle @WWERomanReigns @HeymanHustle pic.twitter.com/moPklXp82i

— WWE (@WWE) May 17, 2021

The weirdly named WrestleMania Backlash was one of WWE's strongest efforts during the ThunderDome era. It followed up on a few stories from WrestleMania 37, but none of them was a direct rematch from The Show of Shows.

That was showcased in the pair of triple threat matches on the RAW side. Rhea Ripley retained the RAW Women's Championship against Asuka and Charlotte Flair, while Bobby Lashley kept Drew McIntyre and Braun Strowman at bay. The All Mighty WWE Champion had a particularly strong showing.

Meanwhile, Rey and Dominik Mysterio won the SmackDown Tag Team Championships from Robert Roode and Dolph Ziggler, becoming the first father-son duo to become Tag Team Champions in WWE. However, it was not all hits at WrestleMania Backlash.

#AndNEW!!!The first father-son tag team champions in WWE history! #WMBacklash @reymysterio @DomMysterio35 pic.twitter.com/J7leo8xz94

— WWE (@WWE) May 17, 2021

The zombie Lumberjack Match between Damian Priest and The Miz was nothing but a terrible movie tie-in, possibly being WWE's worst pay-per-view bout in 2021 so far. WrestleMania Backlash may have also delivered the best pay-per-view match of the year.

Cesaro put up a heroic effort against Roman Reigns, nearly capturing the Universal Championship in the process. He was outstanding in the ring and threatened The Tribal Chief on multiple occasions, but ended the night laid out when Seth Rollins attacked him post-defeat.

Grade: A-