Robert Lee "Bob" Backlund (born August 14, 1949)is an American professional wrestler with an in-ring career that spanned over 30 years. Over that time, he was a two-time WWWF/WWF Champion. Backlund holds the record for the second longest reign as WWE Champion in history, ahead of Hulk Hogan's first reign and behind Bruno Sammartino's first. On January 21, 2013, he was announced as a member of the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2013.
Backlund was also an accomplished amateur wrestler wrestling for the North Dakota State University Bison in the late 1960s to early 1970s. Backlund continues to work in the pro wrestling business in various capacities. In 2000, Backlund unsuccessfully ran for a Connecticut seat in Congress on a Republican ticket.
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| Bob Backlund |
In 1969 during his freshman year, Backlund was an All-American in both football and wrestling (191 lbs finishing 3rd) while at Waldorf Junior College in Forest City, IA. During his sophomore campaign, Backlund focused on wrestling and once again earned All American Honors (190 lbs and National Runner Up). Backlund was an amateur wrestler at North Dakota State University, winning the Division II NCAA Championship at 190 pounds in 1971. In 1972 Backlund moved up to the Heavyweight class and finished 5th at the NCAA DII Nationals.[1] Graduate of Princeton, MN High School where he was a state finalist in wrestling. He graduated from North Dakota State University with a degree in physical education.
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| Bob Backlund |
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (2007)...
After many references to Bob Backlund were made by Kevin Nash, he officially debuted in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling in January 2007, at the Final Resolution pay-per-view, judging the finals of the Paparazzi Championship Series (PCS) between Alex Shelley and Austin Starr. Given the tie breaking vote, Backlund launched a long explanation before declaring his decision a draw, and the match was restarted by PCS director Kevin Nash. After Shelley won the match, Starr pie-faced Backlund because he believed Backlund had cost him the match. Backlund responded by putting Starr in the crossface chickenwing.
Backlund then began to make regular appearances on TNA Impact! During this time, he was described as crazy and weird by announcers Don West and Mike Tenay, somewhat similar to the "Mr. Backlund" gimmick of his second WWF tenure.
Backlund made his in-ring return at Slammiversary, defeating Alex Shelley. He then teamed with Jerry Lynn to lose to Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin (managed by Kevin Nash) at Victory Road. When TNA redesigned their website, Backlund's profile was removed, signaling the end of his run with the company.
World Wrestling Entertainment (2007, 2012-2013)...
On the 15th Anniversary episode of Raw on December 10, 2007, Backlund participated in the "15th Anniversary Battle Royal", along with 14 other wrestlers from Raw's 15 year history. Backlund was eliminated from the match by Skinner.
On the July 9, 2012 episode of WWE Raw, Backlund attacked Heath Slater after Slater's match with Sin Cara as part of a weekly series of Legend appearances. He later appeared at Raw 1000 with all of the other Legends who had faced Slater over the weeks, helping chase Slater back into the ring when he tried to run away from Lita and the APA.
He was inducted into the WWE Hall Of Fame on April 6, 2013 by friend Maria Menounos, and was acknowledged onstage with the year's other inductees at WrestleMania 29.
Bob Backlund Returns vs Heath Slater:
Acting career:
Backlund was a guest on MTV's Singled Out, where he acted in sketches with hosts Jenny McCarthy and Chris Hardwick. The work caught the eye[citation needed] of director Keven Undergaro and producer Maria Menounos. He was subsequently cast to play the role of "Friar Chuck", alongside Menounos and John Waters, in the feature film comedy In the Land of Merry Misfits. The film played at the 2007 Tribeca Film Festival, where Backlund appeared and signed autographs.
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Personal life :
Backlund and his wife, Corki (a high school physical education teacher) have a daughter named Carrie. They live in Glastonbury, Connecticut.
In 2000, Backlund unsuccessfully ran for a Congress seat from Connecticut. He later operated a bail bond company in Connecticut.
Bob Backlund Returns - RAW :
Congratulations to Mr. Bob Backlund on receiving his well earned, and long over due Hall of Fame call. Very few, if any, deserve it more than Mr. Backlund. Still, he is remembered differently by 2 different generations; first as a serious mat technician with boyish looks who always tried to play by the rules, and later, as a bitter, out of touch former champion who would procure his famed cross-faced chicken wing on anyone not seeing things his way. Both were over in their time
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