WWE Backlash: 5 memorable moments in the history of the pay-per-view

#2 Orton and Foley's Barrage of Violence

In early 2004, Randy Orton was in the middle of a huge push in the mid-card as a member of Evolution. His new moniker, The Legend Killer, was well received and he slowly climbed up the ladder by feuding with, humiliating and defeating legends of the game. However, none of his feuds were as personal and violent as his feud with Mick Foley.

Foley and Orton had been at odds with each other for almost 8 months before Backlash 2004, with the duo eliminating each other at Royal Rumble and wrestling each other in a handicap tag team match between Evolution and Rock n' Sock Connection at 'Mania 20. The grudge match for the Intercontinental title, with the added no holds barred stipulation, saw Foley bring out his alter ego, Cactus Jack, to bring an end to this feud.

Despite coming in an hour before the close of the show, the match managed to steal the show. Barbed wire bats and trash cans were a common sight in the fight as both wrestlers were drenched in their own blood. Orton felt barbed wire on his nuts, Foley's flesh too tasted the barbed wire while Orton realized how it felt to have thumbtacks in his body.

After 23 minutes that saw the two smash each with every possible weapon, an RKO onto the barbed wire ended Foley's night. The match kick-started Orton career as a main-eventer in WWE.