Mr. Backlund, as I knew him in his '90s run, is recognized by the Fed as a two-time champion (although he's been credited elsewhere with four title reigns).
He won his first WWWF Championship from Superstar Billy Graham on February 20, 1978. He'd famously drop it to the Iron Sheik at Madison Square Garden on December 26, 1983.
The Sheik locked Backlund in the dreaded Camel Clutch. Backlund's manager, Arnold Skaaland, threw in the towel, ending the match and Backlund's five-plus-year reign (*depending on which history you choose to follow).
Backlund wouldn't hold the gold again until November 23, 1994. Eschewing his all-American image, Backlund became a crazed maniac, locking his opponents (and just about anyone else) in the crossface chickenwing. Among Mr. Backlund's victims: Bret "Hitman" Hart at the Survivor Series.
Of course, Backlund had a little help from Owen Hart, who tricked his mother into throwing in the towel when Bret was locked in the dreaded submission hold.
Backlund held the title for a mere three days, dropping it to "Diesel" Kevin Nash at Madison Square Garden.
It's only fitting that Backlund would be inducted at MSG.
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