Backlash was the first pay-per-view immediately following WrestleMania 21. Taking place May 1st in Manchester, New Hampshire, this event is unique not because the WWE didn't let the dust settle on Batista's title belt before offering Triple H yet another title match immediately after losing, but because it features the return of Hulk Hogan in a "wrestling" capacity.

These "events" aside, there was some pretty good mic work on the part of Christian, a couple of surprises and more Diva boredom.

Here's the card:

• WWE Intercontinental Championship Match [Shelton Benjamin vs. Chris Jericho] - Two talented wrestlers put on a pretty good show. As i've said before, Benjamin has vastly improved after coming over from SmackDown! In fact, he seems to be adding more and more high-flying moves to his repertoire. Jericho, on the other hand, might not have any new moves, but is great as usual. Though there were a couple of spots that were noticeably slow, overall this was an entertaining match.
  

• Edge Interview
  

• Tag Team Turmoil for the World Tag Team Championship [William Regal & Tajiri vs. Heart Throbs vs. Simon Dean & Maven vs. La Resistance vs. Hurricane & Rosey] - I didn't care much for the outcome of this match, and the Heart Throbs make Clay Aiken manly, but I thought this was a another good match. Regal & Tajiri started the match against the Heart Throbs, and once one team was counted out, another one stormed the ring until there was only one team left standing.
  

• Last Man Standing Match [Chris Benoit vs. Edge] - I don't like Edge. At all. And this has nothing to do with the recent internet soap opera regarding another of my favorites, Lita. However, being in the ring with someone as talented and as hard-working as Benoit should automatically increase your ability [if you can keep up]. Surprisingly, Edge is able to keep up and actually hold his own against Chris. That doesn't mean I like him.
  

• Kane Talks To Lita In Her Locker Room
  

• Jerry "the King" Lawler Interviews Raw Divas In the Ring - So let's see....what's more painful? Watching Lawler leer over the Divas or watching Chris Masters interrupt the "interview" for another "Masterlock" challenge. And this time he locks a woman. Great job Chris!
  

• Viscera With Trish Outside Her Locker Room
  

• Kane with Lita vs. Viscera with Trish - So...you've fired all Divas that could wrestle, and two of the remaining three that can wrestle, are injured. What do ya do? Simple, you team the injured Divas with two guys who can't wrestle. Duh. Seriously, out of the two "wrestlers" in the match; Kane was the most athletic and Viscera was the most humorous. The only thing significant about this match, was Trish's squash at the end that was necessary while she's out to heal a herniated disc.
  

• Shawn Michaels & Hulk Hogan vs. Muhammad Hassan & Daivari - This was one of those matches I didn't want to like, but I did. I admit that Hulk was one of the architects for the popularity of the WWF/E in the 80's blah, blah, blah..but, that doesn't mean he should still be allowed in the ring. Sure Ric Flair still wrestles once in a while, and it's pretty much the same schtick [the Flair Flop still elicits a chuckle from me]. However, Hogan's antics really grate on my nerves. Or perhaps it's because he spends so much time posing in the ring or doing the whole "wave near his ear while pointing to one section of the audience" thing. Whatever it is, his time is done. Please for the love of God let this be the ONE last match.
  

• Triple H Interview - Now here's something you never see on Raw - an interview with Triple H.
  

• Christian In Ring - I wasn't much of a fan of his until he cut his hair, adopted his "Peeps" and took on a "Problem Solver" while he was injured. Of late, he's been fantastic on the mic and this is no exception.
  

• World Heavyweight Championship Match [Batista vs. Triple H] - If you saw these two wresting at WrestleMania, then you've already seen this match. There's really nothing different about it besides the pacing. Predictability aside, this was the second match that surprised me on this disc.
  
  

• Backlash Music Video - Featuring the song "Stronger" by TRUSTcompany.
  

In addition to the matches above, the following extras are also included:

• Promos
  
• Triple H vs. Batista II
• Hulk Hogan & Shawn Michaels vs. Muhammad Hassan & Daivari
• Trish & Viscera's Date [Raw 4-25-05] - Trish is comedy gold. Plain and simple.
• the History Of the Pedigree - If you were expecting an exposé on when the pedigree was created, it's uses throughout the ages and it's practical applications to everyday life, you'll be sorely disappointed. This is basically a 30 second rant by Trips set to video of a few times he's done it in the ring.
  
• Sunday Night Heat
  
• Christian & Tyson Tomko Interview
• Muhammad Hassan & Daivari Interview
• Val Venis vs. Tyson Tomko - When you need someone to squash, who ya gonna call? Well, Steven Richards was busy, so tonight that honor goes to Val Venis. I suppose it's a good thing that Val continues to get squashed, since I don't know how many times I could put up with seeing "the Money Shot".
  
• DVD Exclusive
  
  
• Hulk Hogan & Shawn Michaels Post Match Interview - My initial comments regarding Shawn and the Hulkster aside, no one can work the mic like him, brother.
• Lita & Edge Backstage

Video: As usual, this one is presented in the full frame 1.33:1 ratio and the colors are bright, making this a pretty attractive transfer.

Audio: The Dolby Digital 5.1 sound was crystal clear and enveloped my living room while I was watching it. There's also an option of watching the disc in Spanish.

Conclusion: I was surprisingly entertained by this PPV and, though in essence this is an extended episode of Raw with no commercials, it seemed to fly by pretty quickly. If you were one of the people sitting on your couch chanting "One more match!", i'm sure I don't need to tell you why you should own this. All in all, i'll give this one a Recommended.