From allamerican boy to professional wrestlings world champion is a fascinating and inspiring journey into the life of pro wrestling legend, bob backlund. Backlund was the champ back when i started watching wrestling. Bob covered most of his career in the 78 minutes of time we had together. Backlund holds the record for the second longest wwe world heavyweight championship reign, behind bruno sammartinos first. Join andy malnoske from wrestlecon in manhattan as part of wrestlemania. Bio as american as apple pie, bob backlund experienced success as both an adored hero and a loathed villain in a wwe career that spanned across three decades. Notably, roddy piper wrote the foreword to the book prior to his death. Professional wrestler bob backlund unveils book about his. Wrestling great bob backlund makes stop in delco news. Crazy bob backlund was a sight to see while it lasted, but after his feud with bret hart ended in an underwhelming wrestlemania xi match, he started a goofy storyline where he ran for president, and more or less played a harmless nutjob ever since hilarious in hindsight.
Bob backlund added burmans health shop on edgemont avenue to his list of tour stops this week. Dusty rhodes may 27, 1980 wwf title match bob backlund vs. Robert lee backlund princeton minnesota, 14 augustus 1949, beter bekend onder zijn worstelnaam bob backlund, is een amerikaans professioneel worstelaar en acteur. Robert lee bob backlund born august 14, 1949 is an american professional wrestler. Here are some exclusive excerpts to pro wrestling radio. I remember bob backlunds career well under the vince mcmahan organization. Isnt this a perfect opportunity to spend a whole sound of music day in and around the city the movie was set. The 63yearold from princeton, minnesota was an allamerican in both football and wrestling but it was the latter that he pursued a career in. The former threetime world champion began a fulltime schedule.
On may 11, 1994, he beat rick martel by pinfall in hokkaido, japan. Bob backlund simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Dradition back to the new york tour in tokyo events database cagematch. Robert lee bob backlund august 14, 1949 is an american professional wrestler and actor with an in ring career that spanned over 30 years. 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. Today, we look back on that heel run, a run which culminated in grabbing the wwe title. Bob backlund was a heel alarmed by the deterioration of standards and morals in and out of wrestling.
Wwf, 1983 wrestlecrap the very worst of pro wrestling. Bob backlund the professional wrestler is highly skilled in a wide variety of holds and has held myriad championships in a career spanning three decades. View bob backlunds profile on linkedin, the worlds largest professional community. Watch howdy doody struggle to find the live camera, disclose his personal history of recreational drug use, offer parenting advice and challenge a fan. Bob backlund was one of the biggest names in professional wrestling, especially in the late 1970s and early 1980s, and area fans can get the chance to meet the former wwe star in person this sunday. Steve backlund is an encourager, leader developer, joy activist, and a revivalist teacher. Bob backlund and bret hart were part of a heated feud on television that culminated in an i quit match at wrestlemania 11 on april 2nd, 1995.
According to the official wwe title history, bob backlund defeated superstar billy graham for the world wide wrestling federation championship in february of 1978, and lost it to the iron sheik in december of 1983. While the idea of their final match at wrestlemania 11 may have sounded good in theory, according to bret hart, this match with bob backlund was his least. Lessons and stories on life from wrestling legend bob backlund, was released on september 18, 2015. The i feel like god promo at survivor series 1994, where he discussed as only bob backlund can that he. Brian damage although a babyface for much of his time as a wrestler, during the 1990s, bob backlund had a short, and relatively successful, stint in the wwe as a heel. Bob backlund feat hus kingpin by westsidegunn west side. But still to this day, he does 30 minutes of step ups everyday on a 15. Met bob backlund at an allentown book signing for this.
Plus i always thought bob only made one tour in mexico. Wwe hall of famer bob backlund joins me to discuss his new book, his legendary career, triple h, john cena, hulk hogan, his family values and so much more. Wrestling hall of famer bob backlund makes surprise visit. Jul 16, 2012 bob backlund wins wwf title bob backlund is an american professional wrestler with an inring career that spanned over 30 years. The hart family got involved, and backlund s mental state was in question throughout.
Bob backlund was born on august 14, 1950 in princeton, minnesota, usa as robert lee backlund. 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. He is an actor, known for pro wrestling usa 1984, wwe smackdown. This is explained pretty well in the book, but i had a daughter that was six years old about to start school. This longtime wwwf champion has a fantastic new book out which you can pick up at. Bob backlund and the time he humbled a heckling truck. If you dont keep up with wrestling these days, 66yearold backlund is back on tv, playing the role of a coach to current wwe wrestler darren young. He was a twotime wwwfwwf world heavyweight champion. Aug 31, 2016 bob backlund is taking his lifestyle of clean living and never capitulating and utilizing it to tour the country, in an effort to drive enthusiasm for physical fitness and maintaining positivity.
From allamerican boy to professional wrestlings world champion and the inspirational story of his journey to the top of professional wrestling. He is known for holding the record for the second longest reign as wwe champion in history which is ahead of hulk hogans first reign and behind bruno sammartinos first. He travels extensively throughout the world encouraging churches, leaders, and organizations into catalytic levels of hope. Backlund made his wwf return on july 1, 1992 in white plains, new york and defeated skinner by pinfall. Robert lee bob backlund born august 14, 1949 is an american professional wrestler with an inring career spanning over 30 years. Bob backlund advocates never capitulating and living clean in. But, some big guy named hulk hogan was coming so they had him lose manager threw in the towel to a camel clutch from the iron sheik, who then feuded with the hulkster.
Bob backlund generally travels from and can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Miller, includes interviews with roddy piper, ric flair, the iron sheik and vince mcmahon. Bob backlund is known to be a respectful, evenkeel man outside of the ring who likes keeping his nose clean and staying out of trouble. Bob backlund on love for fans, his book, working hard in wrestling. 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. Bob backlund record book comments the clawmasters archives. Bob backlund on love for fans, his book, working hard in. Backlund, those laughs were silenced because people found out that i could do a promo, said backlund, who reigned from 197883. I think danny hodge and lou thesz would have been the two toughest competitors for backlund and i believe theyd both have beaten him, possibly quite badly, but only of they had been younger and closer to their primes when backlund became champion. Bob backlund was one of the most technically gifted wrestlers to ever step foot inside the squared circle. Besides sharing wrestling stories, backlunds book is also a selfimprovement novel, one he tried to base off a book that changed his life in the 1980s.
However, in november of 1979, at a crosspromotional show in japan, antonio inoki defeated backlund. 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. Bob backlund is taking his lifestyle of clean living and never capitulating and utilizing it to tour the country, in an effort to drive enthusiasm for physical fitness and maintaining positivity. Professional wrestler bob backlund unveils book about his life and. Dont forget t keep i mind the time period when backlund was champ. Bob backlund began life as a poor farm boy in the little village of prince. Bob backlund added burmans health shop on edgemont avenue to his list of tour stops. This year we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the sound of music, the award winning movie from 1965. He is best known for working for the world wide wrestling federationworld wrestling federation from 1977 to 1984. Backlund holds the record for the second longest reign as wwe champion in history, ahead of hulk hogans first reign and behind bruno sammartinos first. I went around the country talking about amateur wrestlers, hosting bob backlund kids wrestling tournaments, and i always talked to them about things i wouldnt do. Was kinda nervous since he had been a hero to me growing up in the 70s80s, and i was hoping he. Bob backlund says he never took drugs in his career, talks. From allamerican boy to professional wrestlings world champion.
He has been married to corrine gentzkow since october 31, 1974. Bob backlund advocates never capitulating and living clean. Bob backlund talks career and writing his book and why he. 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.
Backlund, who lives in glastonbury, takes every chance he gets to interact with local residents, even making a surprise visit to the newington. And one of the biggest surprises for me of the night was the crowds reaction to former threetime wwf heavyweight champion bob backlund. I was bob backlund her father, not bob backlund the wrestler. His two reigns combined give make him the third longest reigning wwe champion of all time behind bruno sammartino and hulk hogan backlund was also an accomplished amateur wrestler. On february 20, 1978, backlund defeated superstar billy graham to win the biggest prize in wrestling.
He used ten dollar words and railed in indignation against the business. His remarkable abilities took him to north dakota state university where he played football and wrestled, becoming one of the only men to ever win an ncaa championship in both sports. From very humble beginnings, to turbulent teenage years, to finding a passion that spurred years of hard work, to eventual unprecedented success, the book truly encapsulates how. Find bob backlunds phone number, address, and email on spokeo, the leading online directory for contact information. Three years ago his book backlund from allamerican boy to professional wrestlings world champion was published. Backlund was the ultimate good guy and the fans loved everything about bob, and mcmahon realized it. Born in minnesota in 1949, backlund was a natural athlete who excelled in football, wrestling and track. Sports publishing announced tuesday a new autobiography from bob backlund. In the weeks and months that followed, bob backlund began to unfold before the publics eye. A ring oldie who has been wrestling since 1973, robert louis backlund born august 14, 1949 is, officially, a two time wwe world heavyweight champion, and holds the record for second longest possession of the title after bouncing around various leagues, including the awa and nwa, backlund joined the thenwwwf in 1977. It is not uncommon for wrestlers to be heckled by the general public during their time off, especially when drinks are involved. Bob backlund results the clawmasters archives sports and. Find out more about backlund by bob backlund, robert h.
See the complete profile on linkedin and discover bobs connections. Backlund by bob backlund overdrive rakuten overdrive. Backlund quit the world wrestling federation, based in stamford, in 1983, after he had held the championship belt six years. The reason bob backlund was made champion in the late. Singles wrestler 1973 2018 tag team wrestler 1976 manager 1996 1997, 2016 2017 beginning of inring career. Bob backlund speakers bureau and booking agent info. Robert lee bob backlund born august 14, 1949 is an american professional wrestler with an inring career spanning more than 30 years. Bob backlund and bret hart their feud and harts most. Bob backlund remains true to his allamerican roots fox sports. Bob backlund is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics. Join andy malnoske from wrestlecon in manhattan as part of wrestlemania weekend as we discus.
Backlund dropped the wwf title to the iron sheik on december 26 in madison square garden, with bob getting injured by the sheik and his persian clubs. If this show taught us anything, we would not be surprised that backlund was too weak to get back in the ring a month later. Stan hansen september 30, 1980 volume 21 wwf title match bob backlund vs. Over that time, he went on to become a twotime wwwfwwf champion. The estimated speaking fee range to book bob backlund for your event is available upon request. Backlund, bob, miller, robert harrax, piper, roddy 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. Playing the part of a cleancut face with impressive technical ability. Robert louis backlund born august 14, 1949 is an american retired professional wrestler with. From allamerican boy to pro wrestlings world champion, is due out in september. Release date for bob backlunds book, shelly martinez ode to triple h, legends seminar by daniel pena march 26, 2014 wwe live event results from ny 322. Sep 11, 2019 wrestling great bob backlund makes stop in delco.
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