Sheik works over backlunds upper back and neck area before locking on a arm bar. Sheik jumps backlund to start and he uses his robe cord to choke him, then the robe itself. However, just as the iron sheik had been the interim champion that bridged backlund s 1 st reign with hogans, mr. Weeks later, sheik would lose the title to hulk hogan, ushering in a new era in world wrestling entertainment. Robert lee bob backlund is an american professional wrestler with an inring career spanning over 30 years. Jul 06, 2016 bob backlund is a twotime wwe world heavyweight champion. However, just as the iron sheik had been the interim champion that bridged backlunds 1 st reign with hogans, mr. During the match, the sheik applied his finisher, the camel clutch, to backlund in the middle of the ring. Whatever your specialtygrip, olympic lifting, strongman, highland gamesand whether you are world class or mortal, if you like strength, the ironmind forum is for you. A near sixyear title reign for backlund other than a quickie title change back and forth in japan with antonio inoki in 1979 had. Watch brock lesnar beat the hell out of roman reigns with a chair. Don muraco on the iron sheik defeating bob backlund for the wwf title. Robert louis backlund born august 14, 1949 is an american retired professional wrestler with an inring career spanning over 30 years, best known for his tenures in the world wide wrestling federationworld wrestling federation wwwfwwf, later known as world wrestling entertainment and currently simply known as wwe, where he is a twotime.
Bob backlund debut for theamerican wrestling associationawa in 1973. Problem is diesel is a talented guy but fans still supported bret hart and diesel does not have the charisma hogan did. Watch brock lesnar beat the hell out of roman reigns with. Backlund went on to join the wwwf in 1977 and on february 20th 1978 he captured the wwwf championship and went on to hold the title for six years. Backlund accepted, and on the december 24 episode of all american wrestling, also accepted sheik s weekly persian club challenge. If you replace backlund with bret hart, the iron sheik with 1994 backlund, and hogan with diesel you pretty much see vince trying to replicate the rise of hogan as the face of the company. On may 11, 1994, he beat rick martel by pinfall in hokkaido, japan. Robert louis backlund born august 14, 1949 is an american retired professional wrestler with an inring career spanning over 30 years, best known for his tenures in the world wide wrestling federationworld wrestling federation wwwfwwf, later known as world wrestling entertainment and currently simply known as wwe, where he is a twotime wwwfwwf heavyweight championwwf. Beginners guide to new japan pro wrestling book or cook. Miller, includes interviews with roddy piper, ric flair, the iron sheik and vince. He was a belowaverage student with a lackluster work ethic and a bad attitude, who hung with. From allamerican boy to professional wrestlings world champion is a fascinating and inspiring journey into the life of pro wrestling legend, bob backlund. Bob backlund is a twotime wwe world heavyweight champion.
In the weeks and months that followed, bob backlund began to unfold before the publics eye. Sheik works over backlunds upper back and neck area before locking on. Watch brock lesnar beat the hell out of roman reigns with a steel chair video the big dog was handcuffed and arrested on monday and that was just the start of his bad night. I hate when that happens even once in a book and this one just beat all records on the matter.
Please note that ratings are given to the overall match. According to ign, hogan is the most recognized wrestling star worldwide and the most popular wrestler of the 1980s. The iron sheik returned to the wwf in 1983 and challenged bob backlund for wwf world heavyweight championship again. Bob backlund record book comments the clawmasters archives. Robert lee backlund princeton minnesota, 14 augustus 1949, beter bekend onder zijn worstelnaam bob backlund, is een amerikaans professioneel worstelaar en acteur. However, it wasnt solely reserved for opponents as bob backlund, a man that was. That meant that a transitional champion was needed due to this being before a face v face championship match was the norm so that the title could pass to a heel wrestler before hogan would win the title. Iron sheik vs bob backlund 112483 philadelphia spectrum. Backlunds clean cut look and technical approach made him a naturalface, and he quicklygot over with the fans. Tito works a side headlock for an eternity until he breaks the hold to land a kneedrop, which gets two. Backlund went on to join the wwwf in 1977 and on february 20th 1978 he captured the wwwf championship and went on to hold. Bob backlund began life as a poor farm boy in the little village of princeton, minnesota, with a population of just over 2,000 people. As backlund struggled, his manager, arnold skaaland, threw in the towel, signaling a forfeit by backlund, which surprised the crowd. Bob backlund was easily becoming the hottest heel in the wwf at the ripe old age of 45.
The night the iron sheik beat bob backlund msg 12261983. Sheik continued to wrestle on house shows in february and march, beating lanny poffo and ken. Bob backlund remains true to his allamerican roots fox sports. Backlund ended up dropping the title to the iron sheik and then the sheik quickly gave the title off to hogan. Sep 18, 2016 bob backlund iron sheik full wade keller podcast episode. The iron sheik wayatollah blassie to defend his countrys honor, backlund has his stars n stripes jacket on. Backlund holds the record for the secondlongest wwe championship reign, ahead of hulk hogans first reign and behind bruno sammartinos first.
The commentators make a big deal out of sheik attacking backlund s neck with his persian clubs, recently. Iron sheik wins the title and beats bob backlund culture crossfire. Backlund bob backlund hardcover from allamerican boy to professional wrestlings world champion. Lessons and stories on life from wrestling legend bob backlund, was released on september 18, 2015. Bob backlund left the world wrestling federation shortly after and disappeared from the spotlight. The iron sheik challenges bob backlund for the wwe championship at madison square garden on the day after christmas of 1983 in a bout. Iron sheik one of backlunds last title defenses before dropping the wwf title to the sheik the following month at madison square garden. Backlund comeback, so i didnt really have much to look into my childhood hero. Bob backlund and former wwe champion and wwe hall of famer the iron sheik discuss. His inring abilities, especially when he was in japan doing shootstyle strong style for uwf, are incredibly underrated by many fans who havent seen his japanese work. Dec 25, 20 30 years ago this week, the iron sheik beat bob backlund i cant believe its been three decades since a moment that until many years later was probably the single most shocking thing i had experienced as a young pro wrestling fan. The infamous match from 1983 the iron sheik challenges backlund for a title match. Bob backlund was born on august 14, 1950 in princeton, minnesota, usa as robert lee backlund.
Hossein khosrow ali vaziri better known by his ring name the iron sheik, is an iranian retired. The commentators make a big deal out of sheik attacking backlunds neck with his persian clubs, recently. The iron sheik defeated bob backlund for the wwf title when arnold scaaland manager threw in the towel. Bob backlund disappeared from wrestling for the most part, and that was a shame because he. Bob backlund was one of the most technically gifted wrestlers to ever step foot inside the squared circle. Diesel winning in the garden was a decisive babyface victory over a transitional champion at the companys home turf. He suggested to backlund that he turn heel but the champion refused. Iron sheik attacks bob backlund while backlund attempts the sheiks persian club challenge. Miller, includes interviews with roddy piper, ric flair, the iron sheik and vince mcmahon. Backlund made his wwf return on july 1, 1992 in white plains, new york and defeated skinner by pinfall.
Weve recently done a major upgrade, so pardon our dust as we get everything in place. Bob backlund remains true to his allamerican roots fox. Bob backlundiron sheik full wade keller podcast episode. In january of 1984, hulk hogan defeated the iron sheik to become the new. I would love to hear more about bob backlund the man vs bob backlund the wrestler. Backlund blamed skaaland for throwing in the towel in his match against the iron sheik back in 1983 and costing him his wwf title. Bob backlund told me the most step ups he ever did at one time was 8 hours with 30 minutes off, that is a long time to do step ups.
Iron sheik the crowd gives backlund a big ovation as they chant usa. Bob backlund vs the iron sheikwwf title video dailymotion. Backlund is, far and away, one of the best wrestling books yet. Sep 15, 2015 bob backlund began life as a poor farm boy in the little village of princeton, minnesota, with a population of just over 2,000 people.
But still to this day, he does 30 minutes of step ups everyday on a 15. However, it soon becomes apparent that backlund s left arm is injured. Backlund by bob backlund overdrive rakuten overdrive. However, it soon becomes apparent that backlunds left arm is injured. Bob backlund has run the gambit in pro wrestling from being the ultimate all american boy to being amongst the most hated bad guys for a time. Introduction below you can see all known star ratings for wrestling matches featuring in dave meltzers wrestling observer newsletter. He was a belowaverage student with a lackluster work ethic and a bad attitude, who hung with the wrong crowd and made a lot of bad choices. The iron sheik challenges bob backlund for the wwe championship at madison square garden on the day after christmas of 1983 in a bout that would change the course of wwe history. Dec 14, 2017 backlund blamed skaaland for throwing in the towel in his match against the iron sheik back in 1983 and costing him his wwf title. Even if the books release was pushed back a few times and. He was successful in his third attempt to swing the clubs, and the sheik immediately attacked him from behind, injuring his neck.
This longtime wwwf champion has a fantastic new book out which you can pick up at. The iron sheik defeated bob backlund to win the wwf world title, when backlunds manager, arnold skaaland, threw in the towel as backlund was trapped in the camel clutch. The iron sheik winning the wwf heavyweight title from bob backlund. Bob backlund in the wwf after he lost the belt the. Wwf world champion bob backlund defeated the sheik via countout. Bob backlund wrestling history legacy of wrestling. Why did bob backlund lose the wwf championship to diesel. The 63yearold from princeton, minnesota was an allamerican in both football and wrestling but it was the latter that he pursued a career in. Why did bob backlund lose the wwf championship to diesel at a.
The idea was that this would help launch diesel as the next major face of the company just like hogans victory over the iron sheik launched hulkamania. The iron sheik returned to the wwf in 1983 and challenged bob backlund for wwf world. Bob backlund and former wwe champion and wwe hall of famer the iron sheik. Marvel at 66yearold bob backlunds latest feat of strength. Gorilla mentions how hulk hogan is subbing for bob backlund against the iron sheik as doctors are prohibiting backlund from wrestling. Scotts blog of doom, a blog about wwe wrestling and comic books. Bob now assumed the role of transition champion himself. There is no reason that anyone who is 66 years old and spent.