Character Relationship Map: WWE Backlash 2002

Characters

• Triple H (played by Paul Levesque) — protagonist

  Triple H is the Undisputed WWF Champion representing the SmackDown! brand. At Backlash, he defends the championship against Hollywood Hulk Hogan in one of the event's featured matches. The summary ide...

• Hulk Hogan (played by Hulk Hogan) — supporting

  Hollywood Hulk Hogan is a challenger from the SmackDown! brand who faces Triple H for the Undisputed WWF Championship. Their title bout is one of the event's featured matches. The summary establishes...

• The Undertaker (played by Mark Calaway) — supporting

  The Undertaker is a Raw brand wrestler who competes against Steve Austin in one of Backlash's featured matches. Ric Flair serves as the special guest referee for their encounter. The summary identifie...

• Rob Van Dam (played by Rob Szatkowski) — supporting

  Rob Van Dam competes in a Raw brand singles match against Eddie Guerrero for the WWF Intercontinental Championship. Guerrero defeats him by pinfall to win the title, so Van Dam is the champion who los...

Canonical Relationships

Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.

• Hulk Hogan → Rob Van Dam (Professional Championship Contenders) — Both are actively pursuing or defending major championships during the event.
• Triple H → The Undertaker (Professional Top Brand Stars) — Both are positioned as the premier talent for their respective brands.
• Hulk Hogan → The Undertaker (Professional Brand Representatives) — They act as the primary representatives for SmackDown! and Raw respectively.
• Triple H → Rob Van Dam (Professional Co-Main Eventers) — Both serve as primary attractions for their respective brand showcases.
• The Undertaker → Rob Van Dam (Professional Cross-Brand Competitors) — Both represent their respective brands in the event's featured matchups.
• Triple H → Hulk Hogan (Professional Champion Vs Challenger) — Triple H defends the Undisputed WWF Championship against Hulk Hogan.

Story Analysis

A landmark pay-per-view event showcasing the competitive landscape of the newly established WWF Brand Extension.

Plot Progression

1. Brand Extension Debut — The event opens at Kemper Arena, establishing its historical context as the first PPV following the WWF Brand Extension. It is highlighted as the final U.S.-produced PPV under the WWF name.
2. Undisputed Title Clash — Hollywood Hulk Hogan challenges Triple H for the Undisputed WWF Championship in the SmackDown! brand main event. The bout features intense back-and-forth action culminating in a decisive pinfall.
3. Raw Brand Showdowns — The broadcast shifts to Raw brand matches, featuring The Undertaker's encounter with special guest referee Ric Flair. Rob Van Dam competes in the Intercontinental Championship singles match.
4. Championship Aftermath — Title outcomes are finalized with Hogan securing the Undisputed Championship and Guerrero capturing the Intercontinental title. The event concludes by cementing the new brand landscape.