American professional wrestler
Robert Louis Backlund
(born August 14, 1949) is an American retired
amateur
and
professional wrestler
. He is best known for his appearances in the
World Wide Wrestling Federation
/
World Wrestling Federation
from 1976 to 1984 and in the 1990s, where he held the
WWWF/WWF Championship
on two occasions. His 2,135-day reign is recognized as the second longest in the championship's history.
[a]
Backlund was inducted into the
WWE Hall of Fame
in 2013.
Backlund began his career in
amateur wrestling
, competing for the
North Dakota State University Bison
from the late 1960s to early 1970s. He began training as a professional wrestler in 1973 under
Eddie Sharkey
and competed for the
American Wrestling Association
. He then wrestled for the
National Wrestling Alliance
and won the
NWA Missouri Heavyweight Championship
in 1976. Later that year he joined the World Wide Wrestling Federation, defeating
Superstar Billy Graham
for the WWWF Heavyweight Championship in 1978. He held the championship until 1983, where he lost it in a match against
the Iron Sheik
. Shortly after losing the title, Backlund left the WWF, but returned in 1992 and was in the
1993 Royal Rumble
match for over an hour, a record held until the
2004 Royal Rumble
. At the
1994 Survivor Series
, Backlund won his second WWF Championship, defeating
Bret Hart
. He held the championship for three days, before losing it to
Diesel
at a
house show
in
Madison Square Garden
.
In addition to his time with the WWWF/WWF, Backlund has had success in
Wrestling and Romance
,
Championship Wrestling from Florida
,
New Japan Pro-Wrestling
and was inducted into the
George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame
in 2016.
Early life
[
edit
]
Backlund was born in
Princeton, Minnesota
, in 1949.
[3]
He is a graduate of
Princeton High School
, where he was a state finalist in wrestling. During his freshman year while at
Waldorf College
in
Forest City, Iowa
, Backlund was an
All-American
in both
football
and wrestling (191 lb [87 kg], finishing third). During his sophomore campaign, Backlund focused on wrestling and once again earned All-American honors (190 lb [86 kg] and national runner-up). Backlund was an
amateur wrestler
at
North Dakota State University
, winning the Division II NCAA Championship at 190 pounds in 1971. In 1972 Backlund moved up to the heavyweight class and finished fifth at the NCAA DII Nationals.
[1]
He graduated from
North Dakota State University
with a degree in
physical education
.
Professional wrestling career
[
edit
]
Early career (1973?1977)
[
edit
]
Backlund was trained for professional wrestling by renowned trainer
Eddie Sharkey
and made his debut for the
American Wrestling Association
(AWA) in 1973. Backlund's clean-cut look and technical approach made him a natural
face
, and he quickly
got over
with the fans.
[1]
After leaving the AWA, Backlund traveled the United States, working for the
National Wrestling Alliance
in its various
territories
. In 1974, Backlund wrestled in
Texas
, for
Dory Funk Jr.
and
Terry Funk
's
Amarillo, Texas
-based
Western States Sports
promotion. In March, he defeated Terry Funk for the
NWA Western States Heavyweight Championship
(the promotion's top title). Backlund held it for two months, before losing it to
Karl Von Steiger
in May.
[4]
In mid-1975, Backlund started working for
Georgia Championship Wrestling
(GCW). He teamed with
Jerry Brisco
to win the
NWA Georgia Tag Team Championship
from
Toru Tanaka
and
Mr. Fuji
in October 1975. They held the
championship belts
for two months before losing to
Les Thornton
and Tony Charles. In 1976, Backlund left Georgia for
Championship Wrestling from Florida
(CWF, NWA Florida). Here he teamed with
Steve Keirn
to defeat
Bob Orton Jr.
and
Bob Roop
for the
NWA Florida Tag Team Championship
. Backlund and Keirn lost the title to
The Hollywood Blonds
(
Buddy Roberts
and Jerry Brown) in October 1976.
[4]
While working for NWA Florida, Backlund also wrestled in
St. Louis, Missouri
, for
Sam Muchnick
's
St. Louis Wrestling Club
. He defeated
Harley Race
to win the
NWA Missouri Heavyweight Championship
on April 23, 1976, and he lost the title to
Jack Brisco
on November 26.
[4]
World Wide Wrestling Federation/World Wrestling Federation (1976?1984)
[
edit
]
Road to the title and early successes (1976?1978)
[
edit
]
In late 1976, Backlund joined
Vincent J. McMahon
's
World Wide Wrestling Federation
.
[5]
He was
managed
by
"The Golden Boy" Arnold Skaaland
. Less than four months into his WWWF run, Backlund received his first shot at the
WWWF Heavyweight Championship
against
Superstar Billy Graham
, but he lost by
countout
. Through 1977, Backlund received additional title shots at the champion, and his fortunes started to change; the two went to a double
countout
in one match,
[6]
then Backlund defeated Graham, but by countout (the title can only change hands via pinfall or submission).
[7]
On February 20, 1978, at
Madison Square Garden
, Backlund finally scored a
pinfall
victory over Graham and won the title,
[4]
despite Graham's leg being on the rope during the pinfall.
[8]
Backlund's early challengers for the title included
Spiros Arion
, Mr. Fuji,
Ivan Koloff
,
George "the Animal" Steele
, and
Ken Patera
, and had his first high-profile title match in Japan, defending against
Antonio Inoki
. He also won a series of rematches against Graham, including an April 1978
steel cage match
at
Madison Square Garden
.
Three days after winning the WWWF Heavyweight Championship, Backlund clashed with the
NWA World Heavyweight champion
Harley Race in a rare "WWWF vs. NWA" title match. Both titles were on the line, but neither changed hands as the two fought to a 60-minute time limit
draw
.
[9]
Defending against other champions became a recurring theme in Backlund's run with the title. He faced the
AWA World Heavyweight champion
(
Nick Bockwinkel
)
[10]
and two NWA World Heavyweight champions (Harley Race four times and
Ric Flair
once)
[11]
He defeated the
NWA Florida Heavyweight champion
Don Muraco
.
[12]
In August 1982, he battled
Canadian International Heavyweight Champion
Billy Robinson
to a 63-minute curfew draw in Montreal.
[13]
Early in his run, Backlund and
Peter Maivia
formed a successful
tag team
and challenged for the
WWWF World Tag Team Championship
, held by
the Yukon Lumberjacks
. During a television taping that aired on
WWF Championship Wrestling
in October 1978, Maivia
turned on
Backlund and attacked him and Skaaland. In the immediate aftermath, fans for the first time got to see another side of Backlund's personality: that of a raving, ranting maniac when angered or pushed hard enough; in the post-match interview, Backlund screamed to interviewer
Vince McMahon
that he was going to "kill that son of a bitch!" Backlund eventually won a series of matches against Maivia, including a steel cage match in January 1979 at Madison Square Garden, although he was not able to fulfill his threat to end the life of Maivia.
In 1979, the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF) became the World Wrestling Federation (WWF). On November 30, 1979,
NWF Heavyweight champion
Antonio Inoki
defeated Backlund in Tokushima, Japan to win the WWF title. Backlund then won a rematch on December 6. However, WWF president
Hisashi Shinma
declared the re-match a no contest due to interference from
Tiger Jeet Singh
, and Inoki remained champion. Inoki refused the title on the same day, and it was declared vacant. Backlund later defeated
Bobby Duncum
in a Texas death match to regain the title on December 17. Inoki's reign is not recognized by WWE in its WWF/WWE title history.
On August 9, 1980, Backlund teamed with
Pedro Morales
to capture the WWF Tag Team Championship from
the Wild Samoans
at
Showdown at Shea
. Backlund and Morales were forced to
vacate
the title due to a then-extant WWF rule stating that no one can hold two
championships
at the same time.
[14]
Backlund had more tag team success when he (along with Antonio Inoki) won the "1980 MSG Tag Team League Tournament", last defeating
Hulk Hogan
and
Stan Hansen
on December 10 in Osaka, Japan. Backlund and Inoki finished the tournament with seven wins and two double-countout decisions.
Also during 1980, Backlund and Hogan met in a series of highly publicized matches; although he scored several countout victories over Hogan, Backlund never was able to score a decisive victory over his charismatic young challenger, and Hogan ? showing flashes of his future superstardom ? proved to be one of Backlund's toughest opponents. Backlund was also able to overcome a challenge from Ken Patera, with whom he feuded on-and-off from 1978 until early 1981, including during Patera's reign as
WWF Intercontinental Heavyweight champion
.
Early 1980s: continued success
[
edit
]
Backlund's WWF Heavyweight Championship was held up after a match in
New York City
against
Greg "the Hammer" Valentine
on October 19, 1981, after a dazed referee "accidentally" gave the championship belt to Valentine as part of the storyline,
[15]
it constituted an interruption of Backlund's title reign. However, Backlund was billed as the WWF Heavyweight champion in other cities in the days following the controversy.
[16]
In the early part of the 1980s, when no promotion held nationally televised events, it was not uncommon practice to "hold up" the title in one area (to build interest in a rematch the "former" champion would win) while ignoring the situation in other parts of the territory. On November 23, Backlund pinned Valentine for the "vacant in New York only" WWF Heavyweight Championship.
[17]
A rematch for the title, held inside a steel cage at the
Philadelphia Spectrum
in January 1982, also saw Backlund emerge the winner, securing the victory when he hit a
piledriver
on Valentine onto the mat. Even with the title being held up against Inoki and Valentine, Backlund is recognized by WWE as having one continuous title reign from 1978 to 1983 as WWE champion.
Backlund continued to be successful into 1982 and 1983, successfully defending against a variety of contenders, ranging from
Adrian Adonis
,
"Cowboy" Bob Orton
,
Big John Studd
, Ivan Koloff,
Magnificent Muraco
and
Sgt. Slaughter
. One of his most memorable encounters came in mid-1982, when he won a steel cage match against
"Superfly" Jimmy Snuka
; in that match, at
Madison Square Garden
, Snuka scaled the top of the cage, intending to perform his
"Superfly" splash
onto a prone Backlund to incapacitate him, but Backlund moved after Snuka began to fly through the air and went on to escape the cage. He also turned back a challenge from Superstar Billy Graham, who returned to the WWF in late 1982 wanting to reclaim the championship.
End of an era
[
edit
]
After having been popular with the fans from early on, in the final months of his title reign, Backlund changed his image, cutting his mop hair into a crew cut, wearing amateur wrestling singlets and losing muscle mass and definition. Fans seemingly grew weary of this "
Howdy Doody
" character (as
the Grand Wizard
had dubbed him). In 1983, he was voted the
Wrestling Observer Newsletter
'
s
Most Overrated Wrestler
.
Vince McMahon
, who had bought the WWF from his father, wanted to put the title on the more charismatic and muscular Hulk Hogan. McMahon initially suggested Backlund to turn
heel
and lose to Hogan, but when Backlund refused, a
transitional champion
became necessary between Backlund and Hogan. Backlund sustained a (
kayfabe
) arm injury when
the Iron Sheik
assaulted him with his Persian clubs and on December 26, 1983, Backlund lost the title to the Sheik when Backlund's manager,
Arnold Skaaland
, threw in the towel while Backlund was locked in the
camel clutch
.
[4]
Due to Backlund's injury, Hogan took over Backlund's rematch and became the new WWF World Heavyweight Champion.
[18]
The injury was a television story only; Backlund wrestled the Iron Sheik at least three times for the title at
house shows
(including once at the
Boston Garden
, winning by
disqualification
), and also wrestled the Magnificent Muraco for the Intercontinental Heavyweight Championship, also at a non-televised house show.
[19]
Backlund continued to work for the WWF for a while after the title change, but did not receive another title shot for the WWF World Heavyweight Championship after Hogan's victory. On August 4, 1984, Backlund defeated
Salvatore Bellomo
in his last WWF match for eight years.
[20]
After the WWF and semi-retirement (1984?1992)
[
edit
]
After leaving the WWF, Backlund had a run in the short-lived
Pro Wrestling USA
, a joint promotion of the NWA and the AWA, meant to combat the national expansion of the WWF. In Pro Wrestling USA, Backlund unsuccessfully challenged
AWA World Heavyweight champion
Rick Martel
. He soon dropped out of the pro wrestling scene in 1985, but he made a surprise return in 1991 for
Herb Abrams
' short-lived
Universal Wrestling Federation
(UWF). At
Beach Brawl
, he defeated Ivan Koloff.
[21]
Backlund also wrestled for
Newborn UWF
and
UWF International
in Japan, in a series of matches with
Nobuhiko Takada
in 1988 and 1989. During his time away from the ring, he coached amateur wrestling at
Bacon Academy
and Rocky Hill High School in Connecticut.
[22]
Return to WWF (1992?1997, 2000)
[
edit
]
In 1992, Backlund returned to the WWF.
[23]
During his absence, the WWF had expanded into an international wrestling promotion, due in part to the colorful characters of the "Rock 'n' Wrestling Connection Era", which Hulk Hogan helped to kickstart eight years prior. Backlund, whose persona remained the same as it was in his heyday, seemed to be out of step with the evolution of the WWF. Many fans did not remember him, as he had left just prior to Vince McMahon's national expansion. His initial return to the WWF was largely uneventful and he mainly wrestled mid-card matches. However, at the
1993 Royal Rumble
, Backlund, the number two entrant lasted sixty-one minutes and ten seconds,
[24]
a duration record that stood until 2004, when
Chris Benoit
broke it. Backlund's first
WrestleMania
appearance was at
WrestleMania IX
, where he was quickly pinned by
Razor Ramon
.
[25]
Backlund also received several shots at the Intercontinental Championship, then held by
Shawn Michaels
.
On the July 30, 1994, episode of
Superstars
, Backlund wrestled what was billed as an "Old Generation vs. New Generation" match against
Bret Hart
, with Hart's WWF Championship on the line. Over the preceding weeks, the WWF aired vignettes of Backlund training for this match. Hart won the match, capitalizing after Backlund mistakenly believed he had won and helped Hart to his feet. Backlund "snapped" after Hart repeatedly tried to offer a sportsmanlike handshake following the match. He slapped Hart in the face and locked him in the
crossface chickenwing
submission hold, while screaming hysterically. After finally releasing the hold, Backlund stared at his hands in apparent shock. Backlund then started to regularly "snap" in similar fashion during his matches, viciously attacking his opponent with the crossface chickenwing and refusing to release it after the opponent submitted. He would then seemingly snap back to normal and appear horrified by what he had done.
[1]
On an episode of
Monday Night Raw
, shortly after his match with Hart, Backlund claimed that he should still be considered the legitimate WWF Champion, as he had not been pinned by The Iron Sheik, nor
submitted
to the camel clutch. Backlund continued wrestling under the new
gimmick
of an out of touch and highly volatile eccentric, out to teach "The New Generation" a lesson.
[1]
He dressed in business suits (complete with a bow tie), had a hyperactive personality and used (and often misused, for comic effect) large words during his interviews. He demanded that he be addressed as Mr. Backlund, and he would only sign autographs for wrestling fans if they could recite the names of all of the
United States Presidents
in
chronological order
. On several instances, he assaulted wrestlers and other WWF employees and placed them in the crossface chickenwing. These victims include
Jim Ross
,
Duke "The Dumpster" Droese
,
WWF Magazine
writer Lou Gianfriddo, and his former manager Arnold Skaaland, whom he blamed for costing him the WWF World Heavyweight Championship in 1983.
On November 23, 1994, at the
Survivor Series
pay-per-view in
San Antonio
,
Texas
, Backlund faced Bret Hart in a special
submission match
for the WWF Championship where the only way for a wrestler to win was to have the opponent's valet, like Arnold Skaaland did for Backlund over a decade earlier, stop the match by throwing a towel into the ring. Backlund began displaying a white towel that he claimed was the same one that was thrown into the ring the night he lost to The Iron Sheik. To serve as his second for the match, Backlund paired up with
Owen Hart
, the brother and chief rival of the reigning champion who had tried and failed multiple times that year to wrest the belt from Bret.
Late in the match, as Backlund was locked in Hart's trademark Sharpshooter submission, Owen entered the ring and attacked Bret from behind to cause him to break the hold. Bret's cornerman for the match,
Davey Boy Smith
, chased Owen around the ring only to collide head first with the ring stairs. When Bret turned around to argue with his brother, Backlund took advantage and locked the crossface chickenwing on the champion. Hart fought the hold for an unprecedented eight-and-a-half minutes, but refused to give up.
Since Smith was unconscious on the floor, he was unable to save Hart. Owen took advantage by picking up the pink and black towel Smith carried and, feigning concern for the well-being of his brother, approached his father
Stu
and his mother Helen who were seated at ringside. As Backlund continued to cinch in the crossface chickenwing in the ring, Owen pleaded for his parents to stop the match. Stu refused, not trusting Owen's motives. Helen, however, did not want to see Bret risk further injury and she grabbed the towel and threw it into the ring. Backlund was awarded the championship and celebrated in the ring while Owen rejoiced in finally having cost his brother the championship. After the match, Backlund conducted a brief interview which he concluded by screaming how he felt "like
God
".
[1]
[4]
Backlund's second reign as WWF Champion was brief, as he lost the title three days later to
Diesel
[26]
at a non-televised show in Madison Square Garden,
[4]
the site of many of Backlund's victories in the 1970s and 1980s. Diesel kicked Backlund in the stomach, hit him with a
Jackknife Powerbomb
and pinned him in eight seconds.
[1]
For weeks afterwards, fans jeered Backlund with chants of "Eight seconds! Eight seconds!". In a 2005 interview for the
Pro Wrestling Torch
, Kevin Nash (a.k.a. Diesel) recalled how Backlund
sold
his
Jackknife Powerbomb
by crawling up the aisleway, back to the dressing room area of the Garden. Nash said, "He couldn't have put me over any stronger". This match was the last time (to date) the WWF Championship changed hands at a non-televised event, and aside from
Money in the Bank
cash-ins, this match remains the shortest WWF title match ever; in fact, it would be tied by
Randy Orton
cashing in his
Money in the Bank
contract on
Daniel Bryan
at the
2013 SummerSlam
, or
Brock Lesnar
's quick victory against
Kofi Kingston
at
SmackDown's 20th Anniversary
in 2019.
After the title loss, Backlund wrestled progressively less often, never again reaching main event status. One of his final WWF matches was an
"I Quit" match
against Bret Hart at
WrestleMania XI
on April 2, 1995, which Backlund lost, even though he never actually said "I quit", instead screaming unintelligibly into the microphone, which
special guest referee
Roddy Piper
seemed to interpret as "I quit".
[27]
Following WrestleMania, the WWF ran an
angle
in which Backlund declared his candidacy for President of the United States. Several vignettes aired, featuring Backlund preaching
socially conservative
values, and one showed him campaigning at a beach. Backlund also confronted a
Bill Clinton
impersonator
who was seated at ringside at the
1995 Survivor Series
. This angle was quietly dropped before it reached a conclusion.
From 1995 to 1996, Backlund went to mid to low card status. He lost to Bret Hart by disqualification on
Monday Night Raw
on November 21. That would be his last television appearance.
[28]
He continued to appear in
house shows
. He lost to
Savio Vega
in a dark match at
In Your House 5
and competed in the
Royal Rumble
getting eliminated by
Yokozuna
. This would be his last pay-per-view appearance. His last match was a loss to Savio Vega on May 19 at
Madison Square Garden
.
[29]
From late 1996 to early 1997, Backlund joined forces with his old nemesis, The Iron Sheik, to manage
The Sultan
in the WWF.
[1]
He left the WWF shortly after
In Your House 14: Revenge of the 'Taker
on April 20, where he managed The Sultan in his win over
Flash Funk
.
In February 1999, Backlund appeared on an episode of
Sunday Night Heat
in a skit in which himself, The Iron Sheik, and
Dominic Denucci
gave comedic advice to
Mankind
before his WWF Championship match with
The Rock
at
St. Valentine's Day Massacre
.
[30]
[31]
Backlund returned to the WWF in the
2000 Royal Rumble
. After that, he briefly managed
Intercontinental
and
European
Champion
Kurt Angle
, and he taught his crossface chickenwing submission hold to Angle. Later on, Angle fired Backlund and locked him in that move, after discovering Backlund had booked him in a two-fall
triple threat match
against
Chris Benoit
and
Chris Jericho
(with both of his titles on the line) at
WrestleMania 2000
, where he ultimately lost both titles.
[1]
Backlund teamed with Angle on
SmackDown!
as they lost to Jericho and
Tazz
by disqualification on March 16.
[32]
Japan and Independent circuit (1994?2001)
[
edit
]
In 1994, Backlund while under contract with WWF worked for
Genichiro Tenryu
's
Wrestle Association R
in Japan. He won the
WAR World Six-Man Tag Team Championship
with
Scott Putski
and former WWF wrestler
The Warlord
defeating
Fuyuki-Gun
members
Hiromichi Fuyuki
,
Gedo
and
Jado
on August 26. They dropped the titles back to Fuyuki, Gedo, and Jado a few days later.
[33]
In 1995, while still working for the WWF, Backlund started wrestling on the
independent circuit
. He mainly wrestled for Windy City Wrestling from 1995 to 1998. He lost to
Jimmy Snuka
on February 27, 1996, at Trans World Wrestling Federation event.
[34]
After leaving WWF in 1997, Backlund continued in the indies. On November 11, 1998, he lost to
Lance Diamond
at NWA New Jersey event.
From 1998 to 1999, he wrestled for
Battlarts
in Japan. In October 2001 he returned to
New Japan Pro-Wrestling
teaming with
Tatsumi Fujinami
for a few matches. He once again retired from wrestling.
[35]
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (2007)
[
edit
]
After many references to Bob Backlund were made by
Kevin Nash
, he officially debuted in
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
(TNA) in January 2007, at the
Final Resolution
pay-per-view, judging the finals of the Paparazzi Championship Series (PCS) between
Alex Shelley
and
Austin Starr
. Given the tie breaking vote, Backlund launched a long explanation before declaring his decision a draw, and the match was restarted by PCS director Kevin Nash. After Shelley won the match, Starr pie-faced Backlund because he believed Backlund had cost him the match, at which Backlund responded by putting Starr in the crossface chickenwing.
[36]
At
Against All Odds
after
Senshi
defeated
Austin Starr
, Backlund came out and put his own chickenwing on Starr before dragging him to the back.
Backlund then began to make regular appearances on
Impact!
. During this time, he was described as crazy and weird by commentators
Don West
and
Mike Tenay
, somewhat similar to the "Mr. Backlund" gimmick of his second WWF tenure. At
Destination X
, Backlund was in the corner of
Austin Starr
who lost to
Senshi
in a
Crossface Chickenwing match
. At
Lockdown
, Backlund was the special guest referee in a Six Sides of Steel match where Senshi defeated Austin Starr.
Backlund made his in-ring return at
Slammiversary
, where he defeated Alex Shelley. He then teamed with
Jerry Lynn
to lose to
Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin
(managed by Kevin Nash) at
Victory Road
. When TNA redesigned their website, Backlund's profile was removed, signaling the end of his run with the company.
Third return to WWE (2007?2017)
[
edit
]
On the
15th Anniversary episode of
Raw
on December 10, 2007, Backlund participated in the 15th Anniversary
battle royal
, along with 14 other wrestlers from
Raw'
s 15-year history. Backlund was eliminated from the match by
Skinner
.
[37]
On the July 9, 2012, episode of
Raw
, after
Heath Slater
's match with
Sin Cara
, Slater issued a challenge to any "past champion" as part of a weekly series of
Legend
[
broken anchor
]
appearances. Backlund emerged from backstage to answer this challenge and, as Backlund entertained the crowd, Slater kicked him in the stomach and mocked him; Backlund responded by putting Slater in the crossface chickenwing, which he refused to break for 20 seconds after Slater had
tapped out
. He later appeared on
Raw 1000
with all of the other Legends who had faced Slater over prior weeks, helping Lita chase Slater back into the ring when he tried to run away from
Lita
and the
APA
.
Backlund was inducted into the
WWE Hall of Fame
on April 6, 2013, by his friend
Maria Menounos
, and was acknowledged onstage with the year's other inductees at
WrestleMania 29
.
[38]
[39]
Backlund made an appearance on the October 7, 2013, episode of
Raw
, unsuccessfully attempting to canvass votes in order to become the special guest referee for the WWE Championship match at
Hell in a Cell
;
Shawn Michaels
later won a public vote and was named as the special guest referee. However, Backlund did appear in a segment at Hell in a Cell together with
The Prime Time Players
, where they played
WWE 2K14
. Since April 2014, he has served as an ambassador for WWE.
[40]
On the May 5, 2016, episode of
SmackDown
, Backlund was asked by
Darren Young
to be his
life coach
, and Backlund agreed, vowing to "
Make Darren Young Great Again
".
[41]
Over the next several months, various vignettes featuring Young and Backlund aired, with Backlund assuming the role of Young's life coach. On the July 11 episode of
Raw
, Young won a battle royal to become the number one contender for the
Intercontinental Championship
. At
Battleground
, Young faced
The Miz
in a match that resulted in a
double-countout
after he applied the Crossface Chickenwing to Miz outside the ring to protect Backlund from Miz and
Maryse
.
[42]
On July 19 at the
2016 WWE draft
, Backlund and Young were drafted to
Raw
. In early 2017, after Young got injured, Backlund ceased appearing on television. On October 29, 2017, Young was released from WWE, ending the storyline. Backlund's profile on WWE.com was then moved to the
Hall of Fame
page shortly afterwards.
[43]
Return to Independent Circuit (2009, 2011)
[
edit
]
On September 21, 2009, Backlund defeated Jason Rumble at NWA On Fire in Springvale, Maine.
[44]
He would wrestle for
Juggalo Championship Wrestling
Legends & Icons event defeating
Ken Patera
on August 12, 2011.
[45]
Dradition Pro Wrestling (2018)
[
edit
]
At 68 years old, Backlund returned to Japan and joined for
Dradition Pro Wrestling
for two events in 2018. On April 20th he teamed with
Riki Choshu
and
Tatsumi Fujinami
to defeat
Jinsei Shinzaki
,
Kazma Sakamoto
and
Tajiri
.
[46]
The next day he teamed with
Hiro Saito
and
Yoshiaki Fujiwara
as they lost to Fujinami, Choshu, and
Masakatsu Funaki
.
[47]
Books
[
edit
]
Backlund's
autobiography
,
The All-American Boy: Lessons and Stories on Life from Wrestling Legend Bob Backlund
, was released on September 18, 2015. The 452-page book, contributed to by Robert H. Miller, includes interviews with Roddy Piper, Ric Flair, The Iron Sheik and Vince McMahon.
[48]
Acting career
[
edit
]
Backlund was a guest on
MTV
's
Singled Out
, where he acted in sketches with hosts
Jenny McCarthy
and
Chris Hardwick
. He played the role of Friar Chuck, alongside
Maria Menounos
and
John Waters
, in the feature film comedy
In the Land of Merry Misfits
. The film played at the 2007
Tribeca Film Festival
, where Backlund appeared and signed autographs.
Personal life
[
edit
]
Backlund and his wife, high school
physical education
teacher Corki, have a daughter named Carrie. They sold their home in Glastonbury CT and moved to Florida in the spring of 2023.
[49]
In 2000, he unsuccessfully ran for a Connecticut seat in
Congress
on a
Republican
ticket.
[50]
[51]
Championships and accomplishments
[
edit
]
Notes
[
edit
]
- ^
Backlund lost the WWF Heavyweight Championship to
Antonio Inoki
after 648 days, but WWE does not officially acknowledge the title change and recognizes Backlund's reign as uninterrupted at 2,135 days.
References
[
edit
]
- ^
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
i
j
k
Brian Shields (2006).
Main event ? WWE in the raging 80s
(4th ed.). Pocket Books. pp.
106?108
.
ISBN
978-1-4165-3257-6
.
- ^
a
b
c
"Bob Backlund Stats"
.
Wwe
. Retrieved
April 29,
2018
.
- ^
"WWF CHARACTERS - HALL OF CHAMPIONS"
.
8dc0418d-a-62cb3a1a-s-sites.googlegroups.com
.
- ^
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
Royal Duncan & Gary Will (2006).
Wrestling Title Histories
(4th ed.). Archeus Communications.
ISBN
0-9698161-5-4
.
- ^
"Matches " Bob Backlund " Wrestlers Database " CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database"
.
www.cagematch.net
.
- ^
"WWF Show Results 1977"
. January 16, 2023.
WWWF World Champion Superstar Billy Graham fought Bob Backlund to a double count-out
- ^
"WWF Show Results 1977"
. January 16, 2023.
Bob Backlund defeated WWWF World Champion Superstar Billy Graham via count-out
- ^
"WWF Show Results 1978"
. January 16, 2023.
Bob Backlund pinned WWWF World Champion Superstar Billy Graham to win the title at 15:51 with the
atomic drop
, even though the champion's foot was on the bottom rope during the pinfall.
- ^
"WWF Show Results 1978"
. February 23, 1978.
WWWF World Champion Bob Backlund fought NWA World Champion Harley Race to a draw
- ^
"WWF Show Results 1979"
. January 16, 2023.
WWW World Champion Bob Backlund fought AWA World Champion Nick Bockwinkel to a double count-out at 39:10 when both men began brawling on the floor
- ^
Brian Shields (2006).
Main event ? WWE in the raging 80s
(4th ed.). Pocket Books. pp.
3?4
.
ISBN
978-1-4165-3257-6
.
- ^
Brian Shields (2006).
Main event ? WWE in the raging 80s
(4th ed.). Pocket Books. p.
3
.
ISBN
978-1-4165-3257-6
.
- ^
Brian Shields (2006).
Main event ? WWE in the raging 80s
(4th ed.). Pocket Books. p.
10
.
ISBN
978-1-4165-3257-6
.
- ^
Brian Shields (2006).
Main event ? WWE in the raging 80s
(4th ed.). Pocket Books. p.
201
.
ISBN
978-1-4165-3257-6
.
- ^
"WWF Show Results 1981"
. October 19, 1981.
WWF World Champion Bob Backlund pinned Greg Valentine at 19:32; the title was held up after the battle when the dazed referee accidentally gave the title to Valentine; the title controversy was only a factor in NYC as Backlund continued to defend the title until the following month's rematch
- ^
"WWF Show Results 1981"
. October 20, 1981.
WWF World Champion Bob Backlund fought WWF IC Champion Don Muraco to a draw
- ^
"WWF Show Results 1981"
. January 16, 2023.
Bob Backlund (w/ Arnold Skaaland) pinned Greg Valentine to win the vacant WWF World Heavyweight title at 15:36 with a German suplex into a bridge after avoiding a punch; in a move that was only recognized in the NYC area, the championship was vacated the previous month when the referee accidentally handed Valentine the title following his loss to Backlund
- ^
Shaun Assael and Mike Mooneyham (2004).
Sex, Lies, and Headlocks: The Real Story of Vince McMahon and World Wrestling Entertainment
(Reprint ed.). Three Rivers Press. pp. 33?34.
ISBN
978-1-4000-5143-4
.
- ^
"WWF - 1984"
.
The History Of WWE
. Retrieved
March 11,
2022
.
- ^
Brian Shields (2006).
Main event ? WWE in the raging 80s
(4th ed.). Pocket Books. p.
16
.
ISBN
978-1-4165-3257-6
.
- ^
"Universal Wrestling Federation - OWW"
. Retrieved
December 19,
2019
.
- ^
Writer, DAVID DALEY; Courant Staff (February 5, 1999).
"FORGET VENTURE: CONNECTICUT PRO WRESTLER HOPES TO TAKE DOWN CONGRESSMAN LARSON"
.
courant.com
.
{{
cite web
}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (
link
)
- ^
"WWF Show Results 1992"
. January 16, 2023.
Bob Backlund pinned Skinner (Backlund's return after 8 years)
- ^
prowrestlinghistory.com.
"WWF Royal Rumble Statistics"
.
- ^
"WWE WrestleMania"
.
www.prowrestlinghistory.com
.
- ^
WWF World Champion Mr. Bob Backlund vs Diesel, WWF 1994
, retrieved
February 1,
2022
- ^
"WWE WrestleMania"
.
www.prowrestlinghistory.com
.
- ^
"WWF Monday Night RAW #139 " Events Database " CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database"
.
www.cagematch.net
.
- ^
"Matches " Bob Backlund " Wrestlers Database " CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database"
.
www.cagematch.net
.
- ^
"Sunday Night Heat February 14, 1999"
.
pWw--Everything Wrestling
. February 14, 1999.
Archived
from the original on February 25, 2020
. Retrieved
February 23,
2023
.
- ^
Keith, Scott (January 8, 2019).
"The SmarK Rant for WWF Sunday Night Heat?02.14.99"
.
Scott's Blog of Doom!
.
Archived
from the original on February 23, 2023
. Retrieved
February 23,
2023
.
- ^
"Matches " Bob Backlund " Wrestlers Database " CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database"
.
www.cagematch.net
.
- ^
"Matches " Bob Backlund " Wrestlers Database " CAGEMATCH - the Internet Wrestling Database"
.
www.cagematch.net
.
- ^
"Matches " Bob Backlund " Wrestlers Database " CAGEMATCH - the Internet Wrestling Database"
.
www.cagematch.net
.
- ^
"Matches " Bob Backlund " Wrestlers Database " CAGEMATCH - the Internet Wrestling Database"
.
www.cagematch.net
.
- ^
"TNA Final Resolution 2007 Results"
. January 15, 2001. Archived from
the original
on September 30, 2007.
After the long list, Backlund had decided that the contest would be ruled as a draw.
- ^
"WWE RAW RESULTS"
.
OnlineWorldofWrestling.com
. 2007.
- ^
"PWTorch.com - CALDWELL'S WWE WRESTLEMANIA 29 PPV RESULTS: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of live PPV from MetLife Stadium - Rock-Cena II, Taker-Punk, Lesnar-Hunter, more"
.
www.pwtorch.com
.
- ^
"WWE Classics"
.
WWE
.
- ^
Cadwell, James (October 20, 2014).
"WWE NEWS: Raw script leak - several roster updates, including injuries, time off, heel or face?, Zayn call-up?, more"
. PWTorch
. Retrieved
September 28,
2014
.
- ^
Wood, Donald (May 11, 2016).
"Bob Backlund possible coach of Darren Young"
.
The Bleacher Report
. Retrieved
May 11,
2016
.
- ^
"7/24 WWE Battleground Results ? Caldwell's Complete Report"
.
PWTorch.com
. July 25, 2016
. Retrieved
July 25,
2016
.
- ^
"The Official Destination for WWE Superstars - WWE"
.
WWE
.com
. Retrieved
July 28,
2018
.
- ^
"Matches " Bob Backlund " Wrestlers Database " CAGEMATCH - the Internet Wrestling Database"
.
www.cagematch.net
.
- ^
"Matches " Bob Backlund " Wrestlers Database " CAGEMATCH - the Internet Wrestling Database"
.
www.cagematch.net
.
- ^
"Dradition Back to the New York Tour in Tokyo " Events Database " CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database"
.
www.cagematch.net
.
- ^
"Dradition Back to the New York Tour in Osaka " Events Database " CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database"
.
www.cagematch.net
.
- ^
"The All-American Boy: Lessons and Stories on Life from Wrestling Legend Bob Backlund", at Amazon.com
- ^
Allen, Mike (May 17, 1999).
"Men Who Put Foes in Headlocks Now Try to Get a Grip on Politics"
.
The New York Times
.
Archived
from the original on July 27, 2021.
- ^
Gubala, Jeff (July 13, 2000).
"Bob Backlund announces his run for Congress"
. CT Insider.
Archived
from the original on February 12, 2023
. Retrieved
February 12,
2023
.
- ^
Herszenhorn, David M.; Zielbauer, Paul (November 8, 2000).
"THE 2000 ELECTIONS: CONNECTICUT -- THE HOUSE; Gejdenson Upset as 5 Incumbents Prevail"
.
The New York Times
.
Archived
from the original on May 27, 2015
. Retrieved
February 12,
2023
.
- ^
Florida Tag Team Title history
At wrestling-titles.com
- ^
"Bob Backlund announced for 2016 Tragos/Thesz Hall of Fame"
.
Pro Wrestling Torch
. Retrieved
February 10,
2016
.
[
permanent dead link
]
- ^
NWA Georgia Tag Team Title history
At wrestling-titles.com
- ^
Oliver, Greg (March 16, 2023).
"IPWHF Class of 2023 both 'Great' and 'Gorgeous'
"
.
Slam Wrestling
.
Archived
from the original on May 7, 2023
. Retrieved
December 5,
2023
.
- ^
Pro Wrestling Illustrated (March 1979). "PWI 1978 Match of the Year Award".
PWI 1978 Reader Awards
. London Publishing Co.
- ^
Pro Wrestling Illustrated (March 1983). "PWI 1982 Match of the Year Award".
PWI 1982 Reader Awards
. London Publishing Co.
- ^
Pro Wrestling Illustrated (March 1995). "PWI 1994 Most hated Wrestler of the Year Award".
PWI 1994 Reader Awards
. London Publishing Co.
- ^
Pro Wrestling Illustrated (March 1978). "PWI 1977 Inspirational Wrestler of the Year Award".
PWI 1977 Reader Awards
. London Publishing Co.
- ^
Pro Wrestling Illustrated (March 1982). "PWI 1981 Inspirational Wrestler of the Year Award".
PWI 1981 Reader Awards
. London Publishing Co.
- ^
Pro Wrestling Illustrated (March 1977). "PWI 1976 Rookie of the Year Award".
PWI 1976 Reader Awards
. London Publishing Co.
- ^
Pro Wrestling Illustrated (March 1981). "PWI 1980 Wrestler of the Year Award".
PWI 1980 Reader Awards
. London Publishing Co.
- ^
Pro Wrestling Illustrated (March 1983). "PWI 1982 Wrestler of the Year Award".
PWI 1982 Reader Awards
. London Publishing Co.
- ^
Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum Inductees
At wrestling-titles.com
- ^
NWA Missouri Heavyweight Title history
At wrestling-titles.com
- ^
NWA Western States Heavyweight Title history
At wrestling-titles.com
- ^
WWWF/WWF/WWE World Heavyweight Title history
At wrestling-titles.com
- ^
WWWF/WWF/WWE World Tag Team Title history
At wrestling-titles.com
- ^
WAR World 6-Man Tag Team Title history
At wrestling-titles.com
External links
[
edit
]
Links to related articles
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1980s
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1990s
| |
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2000s
| |
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2010s
| |
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2020s
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WAR
(1994–1998)
|
- Fuyuki-Gun
(
Hiromichi Fuyuki
,
Gedo
and
Jado
)
- Bob Backlund
,
Scott Putski
and
The Warlord
- Heisei Ishingun
(
Tatsutoshi Goto
,
Shiro Koshinaka
and
Michiyoshi Ohara
)
- Animal Hamaguchi
,
Koki Kitahara
and
Genichiro Tenryu
- Arashi
, Nobutaka Araya and
Koki Kitahara
- Golden Cups (
Yoji Anjo
,
Yoshihiro Takayama
and
Kenichi Yamamoto
)
- Masahito Kakihara
,
Yuhi Sano
and
Nobuhiko Takada
- Yoji Anjo
,
Bam Bam Bigelow
and
Hiromichi Fuyuki
- Nobutaka Araya,
Genichiro Tenryu
and
Ultimo Dragon
- Nobutaka Araya,
Koki Kitahara
and
Lance Storm
- Nobukazu Hirai
,
Mitsuharu Kitao
and
Masaaki Mochizuki
|
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Tenryu Project
(2010–2022)
| |
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1960s
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1970s
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1980s
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1990s
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2000s
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2010s
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2020s
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1970s
| |
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1980s
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1990s
| |
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2000s
| |
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2010s
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|
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Raw
| Men's division
| |
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Women's division
| |
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Stables and
tag teams
| |
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Other on-air talent
| |
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Referees
| |
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|
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SmackDown
| Men's division
| |
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Women's division
| |
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Stables and
tag teams
| |
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Other on-air talent
| |
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Referees
| |
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|
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Nonexclusive
| Men's division
| |
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Women's division
| |
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|
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NXT
| Men's division
| |
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Women's division
| |
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Other on-air talent
| |
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Stables and
tag teams
| |
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|
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Performance
Center
| Men's trainees
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Women's trainees
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Trainers and staff
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Broadcast
team
| |
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Ambassadors
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Producers
and writers
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Executive
personnel
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See also
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