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Bob Backlund's credentials as a
wrestler are without question. In 1971, he won the NCAA
Division II title and he went on to enter the professional
ranks in 1973 after being trained by Eddie Sharkey and the
Funk Brothers. Backlund's strong amateur background
coupled with his amazing strength and endurance made his rise
to fame only a matter of time. In 1976 he defeated
former National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) World Heavyweight
Champion Harley Race for the Missouri Heavyweight Title (then
a stepping stone to the NWA World Heavyweight Title).
Then in a surprising move, Backlund entered the World Wide
Wrestling Federation (WWWF). In 1978 Backlund defeated
Superstar Billy Graham for the WWWF Heavyweight
Championship.
Graham fought Backlund in a series
of brutal and bloody rematches. One of the more
interesting rematches was a bout called a Sicilian Stretcher
Match in which the participants battled each other until their
opponent was so battered that they were placed on a stretcher
and carried out. Both men fought hard and there were
several instances when it looked like Graham would win but in
the end, Backlund was able to finish Graham off.
Backlund was a tremendously popular
champion with many sellouts in Madison Square Garden. He
wrestled a variety of contenders including Stan Hansen, Greg "the Hammer" Valentine, "The
Magnificent" Muraco, Sgt. Slaughter,
Pat Patterson, the Masked Superstar, and Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka. Backlund
also battled NWA Heavyweight champion Harley Race in an interpromotional bout
which saw neither man being able to defeat the other.
It wasn't until 1983 that Backlund
lost his WWF championship to the Iron
Sheik in an extremely controversial match. Shortly
before the match, Backlund had taken theIron Sheik's Persian
Club Challenge which involved Backlund lifting two
(purportedly) 75 pound clubs. During the challenge, the
Sheik attacked Backlund, injuring his shoulder. As a
result, Backlund went into the title defense at a serious
disadvantage. The Iron Sheik had Backlund in his Camel
Clutch submission hold but Backlund refused to submit.
Finally, Backlund's manager Arnold Skaaland threw in the
towel, fearing permanent injury for Backlund.
After a falling out with Vince
McMahon Jr. (he had asked Bob Backlund to turn heel) Backlund
joined the short-lived Pro Wrestling USA
promotion. Backlund left pro wrestling for several
years before returning to the WWF during the early
1990's. Backlund challenged then champion Bret "the
Hitman" Hart to a WWF Title match but was unable to defeat
Hart. After losing to Hart, something in Backlund
snapped. He turned heel and began calling himself Mr.
Backlund, lecturing fans on morality and how they could
improve themselves.
While Backlund was unable to defeat
Hart in his first match, he found success in a rematch at the
Survivor Series pay-per-view. There, Backlund
defeated Hart for the WWF Title but his title reign was
short-lived. Diesel met Backlund at Madison Square
Garden and defeated him in a matter of seconds, becoming the
new WWF champion.
Backlund continued to wrestle for a
while before leaving the WWF to pursue a political
career. | 
