On this date in WWF history: Iron Sheik bridges the gap between Bob Backlund and Hulk Hogan
by Jesse Holland on Dec 26, 2011 10:00 AM EST
in History
Email
Print
On December 26, 1983, World Wrestling Federation (WWF) Heavyweight Champion Bob Backlund lost his strap to the Iron Sheik after falling victim to the dreaded Camel Clutch submission hold.
What he really fell victim to, was the rise of Hulkamania.
WWF Chairman Vince McMahon was ready to push Hulk Hogan into the promotion's top spot, but Backlund refused to turn heel (despite his fading star) and surrender the belt to the green giant, so Ol' Sheik was brought in as a transitional champion.
Backlund also refused to go over clean for the Iron man, losing the title as part of an injury angle when his corner threw in the towel. That injury, which would carry over into the new year, helped bring the Hulkster in to stymie a Bobby beatdown and solidify his face status.
Less than a month later, he was wearing gold and Backlund was merely an afterthought.
Video after the jump.
Any Cagesiders out there (besides myself) old enough to remember when this all went down?
3 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Where did you hear that the original plan was for Hogan to come in and beat Backlund for the title, but Backlund refused? That sounds made up.
Hogan coming in and beating Sheik for the title is a pretty iconic moment. I don’t think him beating fellow face Backlund would have been nearly as memorable.
And Hogan had been wrestling for six years up to that point, so he wasn’t green at all.
That’s because it wasn’t supposed to be a babyface vs. babyface match. Vince wanted to turn Backlund heel because he wasn’t getting over as a face anymore. Not only was his shtick old, he wasn’t wrestling in any marquee match-ups.
When Backlund balked at going heel, they gave him Sheik and created the injury angle before the title change to once again save face for Bobby.
And Hogan was green, especially when compared to Backlund who was a NCAA Division II champion and used that technical approach in the ring.
It is not enough to succeed. Others must fail.
by Jesse Holland on Dec 26, 2011 11:41 AM EST up reply actions
The squeaky-clean face gimmick does get old
Backlund should’ve turned, I thought “MR. Backlund” was a good character, all psycho and whatnot. Kurt Angle was basically a Backlund clone at the beginning, I remember thinking it wouldn’t last long. Fortunately, I was right.
I’m thinking Steamboat is the only major name that went his whole career as a pure face. I remember reading where he wanted to turn heel, but the promoter (possibly Vince?) said nobody would buy Steamboat as a bad guy.
Gillberg...Gillberg...Gillberg...
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Cageside Seats
Related FanShots on Cageside Seats
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
