Jim Cornette on The WWF World Title During The Bob Backlund Years

From Episode 71 of Jim Cornette's Drive Thru
Artwork by Travis Heckel!
Send in your question for the Drive-Thru to: [e-mail]
Follow Jim and Brian on Twitter: @TheJimCornette @GreatBrianLast
Visit Jim's official site at www.JimCornette.com for merch, live dates, commentaries and more!
You can listen to Brian each week on the 6:05 Superpodcast at 605pod.com.

[@marcleon1513]

Bob’s second run was legit. I used to believe this guy was crazy for real. I hated how he got smashed 8 seconds by Nash. There was NO REASON for that.

[@pimpchez]

It is a reason (not to justify it). Bob was 105 years old 🤷🏿‍♂️

[@gatchywatchyentertainmentb2090]

Uh yeah there was a reason! It was to push Diesel as the main star of the business! Look I didn't say it was a good reason

[@grantchilders6029]

I legit believed he was crazy too. Was a really good angle looking back at it. “I’m still the champion!”

[@rubenarriaga3029]

@@pimpchez actually he was like 45 or mid 40s just like Christian or Styles or Orton etc

[@chrismorgan7494]

That really sucked. I hated that too. Diesel went on to put us to sleep wearing the belt.

[@al5306]

Bob Backlund's "second act" in WWF was very underrated. The All-American boy had grown into a bitter, psychotic old man who wanted to hurt the new generation of stars instead of help them. That character was a lot of fun to watch - especially when Backlund was manipulated by Owen Hart. Owen knew that Backlund was nuts and wanted to relive his glory days as WWF champion, so he used to him to get back at his older brother, Bret, since he failed to beat him himself. A lot of people thought he was boring, but I didn't see that. I saw an interesting character who was different than everyone else in the company. Losing the title to Diesel in 8 seconds (or whatever it was) was cool too. It showed that Backlund wasn't sure how to handle an opponent that he had to face in a fair fight. Sometimes I go back and watch some of his matches from his last run in WWF on the Network and it brings back good memories.

[@JohnnyHardCastle1]

From the time he turned on Bret to the time he lost the title to Diesel the "Mr. Backlund" character was great. Watching him slap the chichenwing on just about anyone who came into arm reach while raving like a loon was very effective. However, after he lost the I Quit match to Bret an Wrestlemania they turned hi into a comedy act.

[@al5306]

@@JohnnyHardCastle1 And I understand why they turned him into a comedy character. He had lost his steam. It's tough to be a scary, raving lunatic when everyone knows how to beat you now. Very fun and VERY underrated character. Glad someone else enjoyed him too!

[@m.keeganoconnells4365]

@@al5306 at that time nash was so shitty at wrestling that was rhe only way for him to get him the belt it was a house show and diesel did 1 move...well 2 with the hairflip.backlund woulda hurt nash in a fight.

[@cwatson42785]

Plus the cross faced chicken wing was absolutely awesome! I remember putting it on my friend and he passed out and I dropped him and he hit his head and died. It was so cool!! Police thought it was a shoot but it was obviously a work that went wrong.

[@rosss623]

94 backlund was incredible

[@Am0ment0fB]

"How to not acquire AIDS? By applying a condominium." -Mr. Bob Backlund. Ha.

[@memorydrain7806]

No Bob Backlund, no Shamrock, no Kurt Angle. I say that because Bob was legit in every way. Tough as nails, athletic as hell, dependable, and will straight up hook a dude if you try him.

[@soawkwardshow]

Before his big return to the WWF as Mr Bob Backlund, he spent a few years as the wrestling coach at my brother's high school in Glastonbury, CT. Absolutely beloved guy around town. I never heard a bad word about him.

[@dominicomegon4714]

Psycho Bob was and still is one of my favorite heels in wrestling. Just legit terrifying.. I'm still not even sure if that was a work.

[@mereanochheart7050]

Work based in reality. Bob hated what wwf became

[@chadalpha7983]

He never ate marijuana!

[@glenwoods9081]

@@mereanochheart7050 Bob backlund was everything that they made hulk Hogan out to be in real life and that's what bothered him yeah he was borning on the microphone but he had some good matches and Bob could go the the distance like Ric flair And Bob was not a steroid user the guy 65 years old in 2019 doing reverse crunches standing on his head a true athlete compared to the pot smoking burnout steroid using hulk Hogan and Billy Graham would have that spot if there was a shortened bob backlund rain and gavethe title back to Billy Graham as an assist to turn good from Bob backlund

[@Nostalgicguy2242]

@@mereanochheart7050 that's why Backlund's and Hogan's heel turns worked so damn good. They were really projecting their real bitterness into the air... Hogan had just had it with the Hulkamaniacs betraying him to cheer for Big Sid at the Royal Rumble 92 and showering him with boos at every WCW arena and Backlund just couldn't digest that speedy high flyers were now the "it" wrestlers and that people would much rather throw insults and bad mouth everyone rather than help old ladies across the street

[@jginger245]

@@chadalpha7983 get this man a can of coke a winner is you

[@wethriveIn425]

I was there, at the Garden on Monday nights during Backlunds reign. He was OVER. When he came through that curtain, it was thunderous. Yeah, a small crowd did the “Howdy Doody” thing, but they booed all the “good guys”. I don’t understand how any wrestlers of that time who were there could deny the reception Backlund got.

[@GetBenched2010]

Bob's title defences were some of the best of the era in any promotion.

[@PhillyCYOSports]

Bob never made me embarrassed to be a pro wrestling fan. And that means more to me than almost anything.

[@lautheimpaler4686]

And now we have Joey Ryan and Orange Cassidy.

[@RocaDeearCenjar]

@@lautheimpaler4686 An Orange Cassidy sounds really refreshing right about now.

[@WZ912]

yawn!

[@finch45lear]

Bob was a great champion. I was there at the Spectrum on Saturday nights. Enough of revisionist history. Do your research. Bob was over. He had tremendous strength and skills His matches were awesome!

[@NevrSilent]

@@finch45lear He was a tremendous technical worker, and I think McMahon Sr. wanted to prove he could get that type over--in spite of the fact that was not typical for main events in the northeast. He just didn't have all that much charisma (also not typical for a main eventer...pretty much anywhere--MAYBE you could get away with that in the AWA? lol). Pushing the "Squeaky Clean" vibe was known to work against champs in the long run--see Ricky Steamboat's NWA world title run, and how his "Family Unit" image to run counter to Flair's "Stylin' and Profilin'" wound up grating on some fans. Bruno was able to do it because there was also a very hard-scrabble immigrant thing along with his "American Dream" image (and he also tended to UNDERSTATE both those elements--you didn't hear him bring up "When I was 7 years old, I almost starved to death during the war. Then I came to America...." even though he could have; the fact that he was enigmatic about some of that, however, made him MORE identifiable in northeast markets). Dusty did it, because it was inherent in his promos it wasn't all that squeaky clean (and he was a heel beforehand)! His American Dream thing was a John-Wayne-get-your-hands-dirty-go-kick-some-ass portrayal. The lines of succeeding as the "All-American" are very fine.

[@CaptainTunnel]

I legit thought the crossface chicken wing was the most devastating submission possible as a kid. I know hindsight is 20/20, but damn I wish his second WWF run would've been a little longer.

[@philipdefibaugh7127]

"Dusty was still black" classic line Corny!

[@codyfriesser8807]

Is that a wrestling term cause I've never heard someone say that someone is black. I know what a green wrestler is.

[@philipdefibaugh7127]

@@codyfriesser8807 no it isn't. The character of Dusty Rhodes talked stereotypically "black" he was sorta like a one man minstrel show without the blackface. Think Akeem from the 80's and you'll get it.

[@DeadKoby]

Ridin' his motor scooter through Ethiopia.

[@Filmation77]

And Akeem actually was a Rib on Dusty Rhodes

[@darrengordon-hill]

@@Filmation77 Akeem was one of his actual ribs 😂🍿🍻

[@mikes.4136]

Bob Backlund is one of the best WWWF/WWF Champions to ever hold a world title belt. He was an amazing and legit amateur wrestler, and his physical conditioning was second to none. His matches against Don Muraco (another legit amateur wrestler) are legendary.

[@tonyh1718]

My favorite baklund match was his boot camp match with sgt slaughter Muraco is very underrated

[@connerhuston2613]

I very young. However I remember he did have some good matches some that I like were the msg matches with Jimmy "super fly" snuka, Ken patera, Greg Valentine and Don Muraco. He had a few other good matches but those are the ones that stick out in my mind. Also had a match with Harley Race at MSG.

[@BrandanTheBroker]

Backlund earlier runs yes he was amazing, that last run geesh but I'd rather him keeping it than Diesel getting it

[@justmythoughts2786]

Backlund is by far the greatest wrestler of all time

[@richierich8292]

@@justmythoughts2786 agree.. ask Stan Hansen, says one of the best that has ever been in wrestling

[@jpwjr1199]

I know I'm late to the party, but you don't wear any strap for 6 years (February 78'-December 83' or for all intents and purposes: 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, and 83) unless you're over, and Bob was over. Period. End of fucking story.

[@17donhol]

Loved Bruno , but did he ever have anything nice to say about anyone ?? Comes off as bitter at times...Bob always had nice things to say about Sammartino

[@eatpigsnot]

Bob Backlund's autobiography is a must read if you grew up on W(W)WF

[@Mvile1]

judas brute I have the Book and, YES, IT A MUST READ

[@egyptian316]

I still hold up Backlund's heel turn promo as an all-time great, "I loved you people, but you CHANGED!"

[@rdogg222]

Say what you want about Backlund, but he fought some great matches against Ken Patera, The Iron Shiek and others.

[@84Terminator]

Jim is a “ behind the scene “ encyclopedia

[@earlycuyler5029]

Jim's imitation of Vince McMahon and The great Dusty is absolutely right there 🤣

[@Marc_Araujo]

Bob Backlund is one of the toughest sobs in the history of the business.

[@FritziSchnitzel]

I grew up in the Backlund era. Ok so he was not the best promo but he was excellent in the ring. He grounded the crazy world of wrestling in reality with his athleticism and technique. I think the hardest thing to do in wrestling is be a babyface on top for any length of time and Backlund had a long run. And yes Senior stacked those early cards but so what? Vince Jr gets lauded for being a visionary but his forte was really marketing. Vince Sr was the real pro wrestling genius. Love Backlund, love the elder Mr McMahon, dislike Vince Jr and what wrestling has become.

[@Mvile1]

FritziSchnitzel BINGO👍 EXACTLY. YOU NAILED IT👍

[@dedfoker]

FritziSchnitzel Vince jr wasn't a booking genius, he had pat patterson and others during the hulkamania era and latet on the idiotic asshole russo in the attitude era; however russo was a writer who thought and still does that wrestling is just for ratings.

[@christopherorlando206]

I'm guessing you've read Backlund's bio.. Terry Funk and Race had nothing but the most positive comments to say about Bob's ability and talent. Bob was the correct champ at the time..Unfortunately times were changing come the mid-80's.

[@insupportofjunhado]

Does anyone actually prefer Vince Jr to Vince Sr? Even Cornette said in this video sample that Jr. had a part in devaluing Backlund.

[@tafariali-alkebulan3325]

I grew up during Bob's first title run, he was great, he was my wrestling hero, the guy who could really wrestle and did promos that made it seem like his title reign was in jeopardy every week right before tying these monster heels in a knot and then moving on to the next big threat. He was the right guy for the times, think of it like this: Bob was good guy President Jimmy Carter, the Iron Sheik was his iran hostage crisis and Hogan was Ronald Reagan "the great communicator" fit perfectly for the late 70s era and then its change to the 80s.

[@mr.mirchenstein6549]

I really like Backlund's 90s run. The story line with him returning, snapping on Arnold Skaalnd, and feuding with Bret Hart to recapture the title was awesome. Very underrated in my opinion. I love their submission match from Survivor Series...with Owen Hart talking Stu and Helen into throwin in the towel. All great stuff, coming full circle.

[@Ya_Saarallah]

Cornette is recalling WWF-WWWF history according to Superstar Billy Graham. I went to several WWF shows at the Capital Center, and Backlund was legit in the ring. And the place erupted when Backlund won. As World Champion, Backlund gave the WWF a legitimacy in Sports. No one tried to double-cross Vince Sr., Backlund made sure of it.

[@Jim-Tuner]

What Destroyed Superstar Billy Graham was heavy drug use. I don't know why....all these years later... we have to listen to "mark" stories about how his heartbreak over losing the world title ruined his career.

[@MrAitraining]

Yes and people saying graham should have been the Hogan before Hogan is ridiculous too. Billy's body and mind was shot by roids and other drugs within 2 yrs of his title loss. He never would have held up and was already missing shots in late 70's

[@bulldogbrower6732]

The only problem with your theory is the fans would have never accepted Billy Graham as a baby faced champion because he “cheated” when he put his feet on the top rope in his defeat of Sammartino. People keep saying that Graham filled the Garden and every other WWWF arenas in the year he had the belt. The reason he was filling the arenas was because the fans wanted Bruno to retake the belt in one of their numerous return matches. The fans were hoping somebody wrestled that belt away from the Superstar.

[@VolumedMusicMan]

I’m sure Junior and Gorilla Monsoon were pissed that they couldn’t get SBG as a face champion. The old man called the shots!

[@marksingletary8309]

There's a legendary story from here at the Tampa Sportatorium that Bob chicken wing cross faced Buzz Sawyer and made him pass out from pain in a training session for being a cutie pie by shooting on Backlund in the 70s. Bob could go.

[@evanabbott2737]

I love his unassuming, terrifying, natural, STRENGTH, he’s always had.👍

[@bilklein]

Graham did a face turn in the AWA and the fans loved him. He and Dusty even teamed up to take on Bockwinkel and Stevens, wished Verne would have given them the belts.

[@philaman1972]

Bob was the first wrestler I gravitated towards as a kid in 1981 when I first started to watch the product every Saturday morning on a regular basis. The man was an in-ring technician and a superbly conditioned athlete as well. Fans definitely got their hard-earned money's worth when they purchased a ticket to see him compete!

[@melvincunningham5660]

Backlund's fanbase liked amateur wrestling and found him to be credible as a professional.

[@AndyBruinewoud]

Wasn't one of the reasons he stayed champion for so long was because Vince Sr. wanted a shooter in case somebody decided to try to take liberties with their world champion. There were a handful of champion vs. champion matches during his reign and even though the WWWF was cooperating with the NWA, they could never fully trust them either.

[@mereanochheart7050]

This. 100%

[@mereanochheart7050]

Bob could have stretched anyone. Or at least not gotten stretched himself.

[@chriskoucouthakis9069]

This is the same thing I heard

[@mkl62]

On February 18, 1978, Superstar Billy Graham and Bruno Sammartino fought each other in Philadelphia. Before the match, Graham told Bruno that this would be the last time they would face each other for the title. He said that he was dropping the strap at MSG that Monday (2-20-78). When Graham told Bruno that it was to Backlund, Bruno was stunned. "Backlund? Are you serious, Billy? Backlund?" That all he said for a few minutes. "Backlund?" SBG won the belt on April 30, 1977 in Baltimore.

[@mikestrollo2428]

I was there too!

[@johnepants]

You don’t hold the title in NY for 6 years if you aren’t over. Backlund was able to get over and have great matches in his time. I do think it’s funny though, for as big as his career is, like Jim says here, he has stuck with the Mr Backlund character for so long now, I bet he wishes he came back earlier to get more mileage out of being the crazy heel.

[@A_real_Ha_So]

I don't see a Dusty run being as great as folks think. On paper, sure but Dusty was always better at being in the Hunter or Chaser role. Most of his success had been getting back at an Ole Anderson or Terry Funk. Having those almost winning the titles angles and wanting to get behind him to provide that little extra push to see him win the big one from a Harley Race and Ric Flair finally is what made him great. He pulled you in with those promos, asking you to believe and to give him that love and energy to get him over that hurdle. And in my view, the only time an angle with him as the current Champ was really over was when he lost it to Race because Funk had broke his arm before the match. If there's another where he didn't end up losing it, I haven't seen it. I mean other than the one with the Assassin, I'm hard pressed to find footage on KZbin.

[@kbuselmeier69]

Tuco Benedicto Ramirez Good Point on Dusty. That is probably one of the reasons why Rhodes NWA reigns were so short.

[@jlmartinez8482]

Agree . Dusty was special ! The real people's champion ! He didn't need a belt . Sort of like Andre. He was a special attraction fans flocked to see. He needed to move around different territories at that time.

[@granvillewilson3560]

I remember going to the garden and Backlund was over so I have no clue what You’re talking about that Backlund needed help.

[@granvillewilson3560]

Jim is so wrong I was at the Garden and Bob was over. Jim is mad wrong

[@Phuck_Yew]

I absolutely love the artwork good job. One of the first photoshops I ever did was Bob Backlands head on Howdy Doody's body.

[@DMS-pq8]

If nothing else Bob is part of one of the most iconic moments in wrestling history when Superfly Snuka climbed to the top of the cage in the Garden

[@JasonSum1979]

I was never impressed by the “American Good guy” Bob Backlund but, the man was a legit wrestler When he came back in the 90’s then snapped and became a flaming lunatic i loved him (the match he had with Bret Hart where he beat Bret is super underrated it’s a shame he had to drop the belt to Kevin Nash in such a insulting way (History doesn’t lie Big Daddy Cool being the world champion didn’t do nothing for the WWF) Why he was given such a huge push at that time is strange but, it also points out the Kliq using power behind the scenes

[@AnsticePalo]

Kliq didn't have power when Nash got the belt. Nash himself has said why he got it. He didn't get it because of skill, he got it because of size. He was off the gas when he got to WWF, and he was still jacked up compared to people who were deflating due to the steroid ban. Then they shat all over what made him good and his reign was trash (They made him a babyface when he should have been a tweener at best. Or you know.. everything they did with Steve Austin, including using Nash's glass break entrance). If they had left him a heel, and let him battle with the myriad of good babyfaces they had for him to work with his reign probably doesn't suck as bad as it does.

[@manuelper]

@@AnsticePalo 100%. I've been rewatching those 94-95 raws and the minute Nash became the champ, he turned into a smiling babyface goof with cringy promos. Basically, Vince changed everything that made Diesel cool in the first place.

[@matthillegas3099]

I've heard a similar story from Kevin Sullivan. I believe he said that Eddie Graham suggested Steve Keirn instead of Backlund, and Vince Sr. was adamant on Backlund. Something like that.

[@petes9158]

Yes. He said Vince Sr called asking about Backlund and he said Keirn would be better. But Vince Sr wouldn't change his mind

[@A_real_Ha_So]

I've heard the same things plus the NWA was thinking about putting their belt on Backlund. I'm thinking a part of it was Vince Sr. possibly thinking they were trying to use reverse psychology on him, even if on a subconscious level.

[@ATBart-yx9ub]

Imagine an alternate universe where Kiern wins the WWWF title and Backlund becomes a Fabulous One 😳

[@119Agent]

Skinner as WWWF champion?

[@landismithCOJ]

"I have never, EVER, eaten marijuana!!!"

[@mydogslikeboiledeggs7094]

Lame.

[@landismithCOJ]

@@mydogslikeboiledeggs7094 and here you are.

[@mydogslikeboiledeggs7094]

@Solomon Kelsie McQueen it was just a goof

[@undergaro]

another underrated backlund line...so hilarious, so underrated

[@Byzantine41]

Watch on KZbin of the MSG shows with Backlund on. He was over with the crowd far more than people realize. Though the 5th and final year the act was getting old.

[@melaniel.4269]

He really wasn't, he was still popular and even after that he drew. When Hogan was champion, Backlund was still the nr. 2 babyface and main evented the other House Shows that Hogan didn't appear at and Bob still drew big crowds.

[@MrAitraining]

The WWF got real thin with heel talent in Bob's last year. It wasnt his fault. He was wrestling mr. Fuji and one of the samoans in title matches. They were preparing for the transition.

[@josemuniz4454]

Jim and brian, keep up the great work!!!👍

[@pl5624]

Backlund added a lot of reality to the circus of wwf. Looking at him and how he wrestled really made you think it was legit...very credible.unlike hogan.

[@justmythoughts2786]

Backlund is one of the top 5 wrestlers of all time , he is truly a living legend

[@scottsmartky]

The thing about Backlund that I never understood was how the AWA didn't strap a rocket to him when they got him in the mid-'80s and needed a replacement for the aging Bockwinkel that wasn't going to end up being snatched by Vince. He was the exact type of guy Verne loved as champ. Instead, he brought in Martel and Hansen before Curt Hennig was ready. And Superstar would have needed a Heenan to do the verbal jousting as a face. The Grand Wizard was too old by that point to pull it off. Hogan only worked as well as he did because he had 2 of the Mt. Rushmore of heel talkers to go against for nearly a decade in Piper and Heenan. Graham wouldn't have had that. And by 1990, Hogan looked exactly like Superstar Graham which is why everyone started thinking Vince Sr. missed his chance not turning him face. That was why it started then.

[@Michael_Chandler_Keaton]

Yes! Backlund was a no brainer! How the hell did he not end up AWA champion? Talk about missed opportunities.

[@bigdrew565]

​@Michael Chandler Keaton Why did Verne Gagne do a lot of the things he did? Even Greg doesn't have an answer for some of it.

[@TerryKeefeMedia]

Backlund could put on very entertaining matches, that would have likely appealed to the core AWA audience, fighting off heels every month. Verne could have replicated what worked in the WWF for years, of bringing in a monster heel to face Backlund every few months. It would not have beaten Vince and Hogan, and would have appealed to a more traditional wrestling audience of the time, but the AWA might have kept going that way.

[@17donhol]

I'd love to see Jim call Bob "Howdy Doody" to his face..Jim would have the guts as Backlund would break him in half...

[@clainecowdrick8558]

I loved the crazy Bob Backlund. He was the closest thing they ever had to a "bell tower shooter" gimmick they could ever pull off.

[@WZ912]

Never was a fan of Bob's 5 year WWWF run............Loved his comeback in the 90's SuperStar would;ve been a better Hogan than Hogan.

[@terryryan4733]

I just LOVE the "bad" Bob Buckland persona. He would challenge fans at shows with questions, for an autograph. Who did that? No one but him, I think. He was/is so unique as a wrestler and a human being. Bob's run as a bad guy was fantastic. When he was doing that,i watched every episode. That stuff, from that time period should be made into a one hour show.

[@MrAitraining]

The big events during Bob's reign were almost always very successful because of the heels. Back then they fed big time heels to backlund and he could work with anyone. Heels had the promo pressure and charisma and by the time the big show came, the bad guy had done so much dirty shit for a few weeks and squashing everyone that they just wanted to backlund to kill these guys already. Watch those MSG Matches. They were Red Hot and Bob was very "over".

[@kurtvanderbogarde8402]

Bill Apter photoshoot with Superstar Graham was in the summer of '75, two years before Graham's title run.

[@joemamaluke]

God damned, Cornette ALWAYS over rates everywhere he was or loved...Dusty was 10x more over in Florida than he was in Crockett. Jim is such a biased homer.

[@joemamaluke]

.

[@christopheroliver4757]

Calm your tits...

[@keithbarbaro7590]

Keep in mind WWF flagship station in NYC was WNJU 47 for longest time. Relationship with WOR 9 did not improve until 1982. Being on WNJU 47 kind of forced Sr to cater to ethnics. When Graham won WWWF belt in Baltimore guess what NY fans knew? That Graham would lose at MSG. That is part of the reason why he drew so well. MSG fans wanted to see title change. If Ivan Koloff did the 1977 transition tour he would have drawn as well. I also think Graham did not defend against Pedro out of fear something would go wrong and jeopardize the kids 14 and under ruling. Drawing a crowd to MSG on a Monday at 830p with work and school the next day, crime out of control, subway breakdowns the norm and poor timeslot on WNJU made it a challenge to draw at MSG.

[@dgb7984]

They were on channel 9 at midnight on Sat/Sun before '82. Because I remember watching Bruno vs Zbyszko play out on WOR and that was a few years before.

[@philipdefibaugh7127]

Bob Backlund kicked ass as a Heel, I LOVED IT! In 94 especially when he teamed with Owen to hurt Bret. He put the chickenwing on Arnold Scalind (I know I spelled it wrong). This man was meant to be heel, but as a Face he sucked and I was happy Shieky baby won the belt.

[@tonyh1718]

Skaaland?

[@philipdefibaugh7127]

@@tonyh1718 yes

[@Mvile1]

Philip Defibaugh Yet as heel, Did he technically ever break a WRESTLING RULE?? He threw more Punches and Kicks to combat the heels as a fan favorite, then as the heel he played the Pure Wrestler with a Nasty edge. Backlunds Book is a Great read👍👍

[@philipdefibaugh7127]

@@Mvile1 that is what made heel Backlund so cool. He got over because he could outwrestle anyone with the exception of Bret Hart.

[@Mvile1]

Philip Defibaugh You are 100% Absolutely right and I did enjoy his Heel turn. He played a character different far more different and made it work. Your point is Well Taken!!

[@riding4beers889]

Backlund was a legit tough guy

[@brianlewis7978]

He was the embodiment of the NWA wearing the WWF Championship!

[@cjnovack]

Open-faced chicken wing sandwiches in his old Minnesota hometown was the origin of his finisher, a nod to the old days.

[@Toxicplyer]

Early 90s Bob was my favorite. Wish he was around the attitude era.

[@Sargebri]

One of the interesting things I heard was that they almost put the belt on Steve Keirn. When Vince Sr. was looking for the non-ethnic champion Graham not only recommended Backlund, but Keirn as well. In fact, he would have been an interesting choice due to the fact that he could not only work, but because he was a good looking dude that the women would swoon over and the guys could respect. He also might have become the first real crossover star because of his looks.

[@Dakatari]

Bob Backlund definitely was quite different than every champion WWF/WWE he created his on nitch

[@cameochris]

I love Corny talking about Superstar Billy Graham I wish I got my question about him answered

[@gregdufour3955]

Woooo my question haha!

[@therealevilgenius7482]

I would have loved to have seen a Billy Graham vs Hulk Hogan feud for the WWF belt.

[@MrRaydennis1980]

January 1996. My family and I go to WWF at the Westchester County Center in White Plains, NY. There was a blizzard and the wrestlers were all late getting to the building. We were all waiting around in the lobby well past the advertised time, but the one guy who was already there was Backlund and to keep us entertained he burst through the lobby doors and cut a Mr. Backlund promo on us. Even when they finally let us inside he came to the ring and got on the mic to keep us entertained

[@cannibalaaron1222]

I love how Jim pauses before he speaks and takes a second to think about what he is saying

Backlund won the title off Graham using an atomic drop. Times have changed.

[@royce1041]

Superstar leg was on the ropes

[@johnchapiewski2947]

Back then a suplex was a finishing move. Now a DDT is just another move so to speak.

[@johnnythekid4601]

@@royce1041 that was superstar beating bruno i think

[@SuperDevolution]

Now people kick out after 75 superkicks while idiots chant about how awesome it is.

[@shonmoody1706]

Exactly and nobody would win with a leg drop except maybe Yokuzuna. Now that was a great leg drop lol

[@ebonykaleidoscope]

I wish they could have developed that Backlund/Flair rivalry a bit more. It’s a shame, the story behind their match in 1982 seems kind of strange. No one wants to talk about what really happened now...

[@Mvile1]

nockanoo62 Vinnie Jr probably would not let that happen. Jr would never let it be known of anything other than WWF.

[@dquanissavage6287]

Awesome Shoot Jim!!😎🐐🐐

[@17donhol]

Graham would have sold out for years but Backlund sold out MSG , Philly, Boston , Pittsburgh... Jim is nuts...No way Vince Sr would have kept him Champ for nearly 6 years if he wasn't selling out those buildings...

[@nycinstyle]

Bob Backlund told people to take care of themselves, he told them how to act to become better people. It is just that people don't listen to Bob Backlund. They sit home smoking Marijuana and rolling doobies with their kids and cursing. Swearing left and right. Thanks for trying to help the fans, Bob Backlund. You did the best you can. Shame that people don't listen to Bob Backlund.

[@gothchicksbongrips5712]

Backlund wouldve made a great Intercontinental Champion when it was the workers' championship.

[@Amzingred]

prime bob vs prime angle would have been fantastic

[@mikemccoy5092]

Or prime Bob vs prime brock

[@moxon80]

I remember watching a royal rumble as a kid (i’m from England btw) and seeing a pastie old man in burgundy trunks kicking everyone’s arse and thinking wtf is going on! This guy’s brilliant 🤣🤣

[@fmthebaron]

In 94, Loved Backlund's vocabulary calling people plebeians and acting very truculent. Using those fancy words that nobody ever heard of and telling people to look it up in the dictionary if you don't know.

[@kenworthNH]

That picture LOL

[@davestuddaman8127]

Bruno had stated in his RF shoot interview that Graham was a draw in MSG. But around the territory the houses were down. The WWWF couldn't survive that way

[@chrismorgan7494]

Backlund really came into his own at this period. Imagine how he could've been turning heel back in his first run. Plus, Bob was and is legit AF.

[@richmiller8615]

After Backlund dropped the title to the Sheik in 1983, Vince Jr. wanted Backlund to turn heel and chase Hogan for the title after Hogan got it from the Sheik in 1984. Backlund refused because he didn't want to disappoint all of his fans. Would've been interesting to see for sure!

[@johnlindsay4310]

Backlund's 1978-1983 reign was sort of divided into three parts: 1978-late 1979/early 1980: fans were against him for several reasons. Bruno was practically a mythical figure, Bob looked like a howdy-doody child, and fans really liked Superstar Billy Graham as champion. He was basically Roman Reigns before Roman Reigns. 1980-mid 1982: Bob wrestles a bunch of great matches and eventually gets over with fans as a legitimate champion. Sells out MSG almost as often as Bruno did. Mid 1982-1983: Vince Jr. takes over and pretty much does everything he can do undermine Backlund and get fans to turn on him so he could bring in his own guy. Feuded against Jimmy Snuka as he turned face, comically overreacted to Superstar Billy Graham destroying his title belt, shaved his head, did increasingly heelish things, and Vince used the entire first episode of WWF All-American in 1983 to bury him.

[@realrecfake8966]

Bob Backlund cut a good fucking promo on his first appearance on Shawn Michaels Heart Break Hotel segment

[@michaelspoopinscoopin8599]

Dusty gonna go to Ethopia and Get some of Jim's Famous Fried Chicken.

[@Asokagirl]

Funny that JR did something worse on Wednesday an not a damn thing was said about it.

[@grabbity]

@shaunyboy lol he keeps calling Asian people Oriental

[@Sixbucks_on_pump3]

Funny that this just came back up in recent episodes

[@themysticalmountainpodcast351]

Bob Backlund is the MAN

[@DonnyBlacc_]

Dr. D cut the funniest promo ever on Bob Backlund🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@MichaelSmith-ss6mi]

The steakhouse Jim mentions that Vince Sr. frequented was called Ben Bensons it closed for good several years ago

[@lennyaugello2652]

I love these stories....

[@maodijong3661]

It's so sad that Vince Sr wasn't ready for Graham, cos Graham could easily have been a Hogan type champion and draw. Maybe the industry wasn't ready for him and his type of star. It's weird how things work at times.

[@tahcria]

Travis Heckel-Artist of the year!

[@monoburgos9913]

What about Banksy

[@kwmusic4560]

From the moment Backlund won the title until he went to the crew cut and singlet, he was as over as anyone has ever been in wrestling. Just watch his matches on KZbin and listen to the pop when he wins. It's insane. And Superstar was not fit to be a longterm champion because, in spite of how good he looked and talked, he was absolute shit in the ring. This was a time when in ring ability meant more than looks.

[@gordonbelle1375]

Those pops were as large as any Hogan, Rock, or Austin ever got. His cage match against Slaughter at the Spectrum that is on KZbin has the most consistently loud crowd that WWF or WWE ever had, and the pop when he exits the cage is deafening.

[@ButWhatIfItIs]

I know him as crazy Mr Backlund. Ive enjoyed pretty much any brief returns he's made including in TNA back in the day lol.

[@russsnyder2026]

Bob Backlund was tremendous.

[@jadakid6942]

Backlund was “boring” but he had great heels to play off his good ol American boy persona. Graham, Snuka, Sheik, Slaughter, Valentine, Adonis. As long as the heels wound up losing in the end it was all good.

[@TomTom-rh5gk]

Bob Backlund was a great wrestler. I liked his work. Others had a problem because he didn't have a gimmick. But a year was enough. I did stop watching after a while.

[@HhhHhhh-nu4lm]

people have to bare mind before golden era there was more focus on the in ring matches then the entertainment aspect. there were some colorful wrestlers like billy graham those were rare then. back then no cared he did not have gimmick or personality. it like how people complain about ultimate warrior being a bad wrestler. the demographic of golden era was younger kids who cared about flashy gimmicks and charisma and did not notice and cared he could not wrestle . warrior and bob were perfect for their era

[@denisemitchell8477]

Gday luv Rasslin fan 62 years Rocca Bruno Pedro(ready for any kind of action) And we loved Bobby he was naturally strong and a mat techincian. NYC loved Bobby.period Wasn't it Peter Luger's Met him about 5 years ago going to a convention perfect gentleman Same on Vince for putting him in HOF so late he made millions Chicken Wing okay During his ERA sold out MSG faster than the Knicks Class act...

[@drewstar8611]

Insane Backlund in 1994 was pure gold! Should’ve made him have a short run till Mania and let either Diesel or Bret Hart beat him at WM11, much better than losing the belt 3 days later at a house show!

[@leeberry689]

To be honest, Bob Backlund was just way too squeaky clean for me when he was champion. Bob Backlund version 2 was absolutely must see t.v.

[@meekrob]

There is not now, nor has there ever been, a wrestling promoter named "Vince McMahon Junior."

[@newyorkjukebox9209]

I'm going to testify: I saw Backlund during his first run, and his intensity was real, as was the fans' connection with him. People mock his promos, but I think he played his character perfectly. He didn't sound like a pro wrestler because he sounded like a wrestler wrestler-- serious, determined, and defending virtue as well as the belt.

[@atomtension5645]

Graham had NO chance as a babyface hero in WWF. He had no skills in the ring. Way worse than Hogan. Far worse than Sammartino. Slow punches , lame clotheslines, no legs, and he looked 45 at age 30. Keep in mind, also, that over half of Graham's offense was cheating. Wrist tape, chokes, eye rakes, manager interference, foreign objects...make him a babyface, and what does he do ? Punch ? Bearhug ?

[@FantadiRienzo]

"Slow punches , lame clotheslines, [...] and he looked 45 at age 30. Keep in mind, also, that over half of [his] offense was cheating. Wrist tape, chokes, eye rakes, manager interference, foreign objects" So, basically like Hogan. Watch Hogan vs Sgt. Slaughter at Wrestlemania, Hogan uses more heel moves than Slaughter

[@gilfredohernandez5048]

Mike Graham had told Vince Sr he should have taken Steve Kern instead of Backlund. Kern had a military background as did his father amd was more polished

[@darcyvachon7700]

Not so sure Keirn was more polished.

[@richiebrooklyn3796]

He lost the belt in a house show in 8 seconds to diesel aka kevin nash power bomb .. I remmber on superstars he came out as champ i was like whencdid this happen that was before internet days

[@GTV-Japan]

Richie Brooklyn I remember that. Saw the backlund hart match on survivor series and then on raw “we have a new champion” what diesel?! What happened?! How!! I felt backlund got screwed! He could have had one day on free tv with the belt then drop it

[@normcaudell6644]

Backlund wrote a book and it’s one of the best wrestling books out there

[@daleva187goligo]

"all american boy" lol bob backlund always looked extremely british to me

[@1882Stu]

What do the British look like?

[@1882Stu]

Shlutty Mc'Shlutface whose Bob backlund?

[@chrizardthewizard5931]

@@1882StuA British look like

[@melaniel.4269]

Funny, considering his heritage is swedish, as the name Backlund obviously implies

[@L2DaK2Dap]

Doesn't All American refer to proper Greco-Roman/amateur wrestling?