5 greatest post-WWE WrestleMania pay-per-views of all time

#2 WWE Backlash 2004

#TodayInHistory: #ChrisBenoit defeats #HBK & #HHH in a triple threat match at Backlash 2004 to retain the WHC. #WWE pic.twitter.com/4IIKXKMMkx

— WWE Talk (@_WWETalk) April 18, 2015

WWE WrestleMania XX was a memorable event featuring a spectacular main event and epic ending with Chris Benoit and Eddie Guerrero celebrating with the two top titles.

The following month at WWE Backlash 2004, the company produced another highly entertaining pay-per-view event headlined by a WrestleMania rematch.

In Edmonton, Alberta, the home-country hero and World Heavyweight Champion Chris Benoit once again met Triple H and Shawn Michaels in a triple threat match.

The three men went at it in a phenomenal main event that ended in dramatic fashion, with Benoit making HBK tap out to the sharpshooter.

The stellar clash was not the only classic at WWE Backlash 2004. Randy Orton defended the Intercontinental Championship against hardcore legend Mick Foley under his Cactus Jack persona in a hardcore match.

MWA's Match of the Day, Randy Orton vs Mick Foley, Backlash 2004.#wwe #backlash #randyorton #rko #mickfoley @RandyOrton @realmickfoley pic.twitter.com/SuKTlNQ9N0

— MWA Podcast Network (@MWAWORLD) June 11, 2020

The level of physicality here intensified over a thrilling 23-minute battle. Orton's body was brutalized as his back was slammed into a pile of thumbtacks. He picked up a career defining victory when he gave Foley the RKO on a barbwired bat to retain the WWE Intercontinental Championship.

The rest of the card was littered with solid affairs throughout the night. Edge defeated Kane, Shelton Benjamin picked up the biggest win of his young career over Ric Flair, while Victoria retained the WWE Women's Championship over Lita.

Chris Jericho also gained revenge from WrestleMania XX with a victory in a handicap match over Christian and Trish Stratus.

Below-average contests like Jonathan Coachman vs. Tajiri and Hurricane and Rosey against La Resistance were quickly forgotten by the end of the night.

On the back of those top two matches, WWE Backlash 2004 is fondly remembered as a benchmark major show that lived up to lofty expectations set by the Showcase of the Immortals the month prior.