Oooh, I didn't understand what you were talking about until the last paragraph. I always thought "brake checking" was a specific move when you change lanes in front of the car and slam on the brakes, just a type of road rage. So, when you said that you'd be at fault if you hit them in the rear, I was really confused.
On the other hand, if you "ride their ass" and they check you, that's completely fine in my book. Personally, I always keep the safe distance and it makes me really nervous when someone follows up close as I like to be in control of the road situation around me. An animal could run onto the road, something could fall out of a nearby truck etc. I mean, what is the person behind going to do? Anyways, I don't usually check them, but rather slow down gradually so they also have to, and then speed up. They usually get mad, but if you're going to drive like a dick, expect someone to react.
Don't worry, I'll get a bucket