Miller, includes interviews with roddy piper, ric flair, the iron sheik and vince mcmahon. From allamerican boy to professional wrestlings world champion is a fascinating and inspiring journey into the life of pro wrestling legend, bob backlund. Bob backlund defeated wwwf world champion superstar billy graham via countout wwf show results 1978. Over that time, he went on to become a twotime wwwfwwf champion. I went back there to be bob backlund with the mom and dad and apple pie, but people didnt want to hear about it, backlund recalled. The i feel like god promo at survivor series 1994, where he discussed as only bob backlund. Bruno sammartino cor larry zbyszko bob backlund 16.
Backlund holds the record for the second longest wwe world heavyweight championship reign, behind bruno sammartinos first. The idea here is that brad and backlund both coached the us olympic team which ive never heard of but maybe its. I didnt know that the heel turn in 94 was backlunds idea. Larry zbyszko and bruno sammartino would have the fans coming out in droves to watch their grudge matches leading to the showdown at shea. Bruno was the mentor, larry decided he had surpassed the teacher, teacher kept being the star, student attacks the teacher, they go to a baseball stadium and have a wrestling match in front of 36,000 people in a box with no lid on it. At this point, wwe had undergone many changes, and backlunds boynextdoor looks and eartoear grin didnt receive the same reaction they once had.
Danny hodge, ray gunkel, verne gagne, wilbur snyder, the briscos, bob backlund, and later kurt angle and brock lesnar all became household names. Wrestling world april 1985 road warriors, dory funk jr, bob backlund, larry zbyszko, eduard carpentier, hacksaw. Backlund was named the number one contender to larry zbyszko s americas heavyweight title in early 1985, but never could take the belt. When larry zbyszko turned his back on his mentor bruno sammartino. Backlund had left the wwf after being defeated by the iron shiek for the wwf heavyweight title.
Larry zbyszko record book the clawmasters archives. Robert lee bob backlund born august 14, 1949 is an american professional wrestler with an inring career spanning over 30 years. Publication date 20151005 topics bob backlund, wwe, wwf, triple h, john cena. Eb2815 backlund zbyszko mascaras signed historical wrestling. Bob backlund was born on august 14, 1950 in princeton, minnesota, usa as robert lee backlund. He was a twotime wwwfwwf world heavyweight champion. I will personally email you after placing an order.
Wwf champ bob backlund takes on king kong angelo mosca at the old capital centre in landover, md. In february 1985, he challenged rick martel for the awa world heavyweight title. Backlund results the clawmasters archives sports and. Lawrence whistler born december 5, 1951, better known by the ring name larry zbyszko, is an american retired professional wrestler and author perhaps best known for his feud with his mentor, bruno sammartino, during the early 1980s. He is currently appearing on the independent circuit, and is also contracted to wwe under a legends contract. 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.
He is an actor, known for pro wrestling usa 1984, wwe smackdown. Aug 03, 2017 as a matter of fact, wrestling magazines and commentators were still referring to larry zbyszko as brunos protege despite being a wrestler for over seven years. Brookhaven after a career in which he packed arenas in the united states and abroad, former world wrestling federation world heavyweight champion bob backlund added burmans health shop on. Larry zbyszkos book, adventures in larryland, was released on june 1, 2008. Bruno sammartino attacked larry zbyszko and started choking him out until he. Sep 22, 2015 superstar billy graham is out as wwwf champion, and the bob backlund era begins, as cdub takes you back to 1978 for the history of the wwe championship, part 3.
Bob backlund is standing there with his wife and an aide shaking hands, taking photos and talking about his platform to a small crowd that has lined up to get a picture and shake bob backlunds. Backlund revolutionized his character and became one of the oldest champs ever by beating bret at survivor series 94. Wrestling great bob backlund makes stop in delco news. Lessons and stories on life from wrestling legend bob backlund, was released on september 18, 2015. Pre match and post match interviews with larry zbyszko included. Voted rookie of the year in 1974, zbyszko enjoyed 30 glorious years as a top draw in the wild and wacky world of professional wrestling. Bloodbath wrestlings most incredible steel cage matches. Once backlund left the wwf he didnt really do much but this was probably the high point of his nonwwf stuff. Larry zbyszko was always a good talker and psychologist, but it is questionable whether he became the socalled living legend based off his merits alone. He was the transitional champ between bruno and hogan. Whistler would soon adopt the name larry zbyszko and make his debut in 1973. The greatest wrestling angle time forgot ring the damn bell.
I remember bob backlunds career well under the vince mcmahan organization. Miller, includes interviews with roddy piper, ric flair. Match joined in progress from the philadelphia spectrum as bob backlund defends the wwf title against larry zbyszko. Bob backlund discusses what hes most proud of in his career. Wrestling world april 1985 road warriors, dory funk jr, bob backlund, larry zbyszko, eduard carpentier. Larry z was in the thick of things again and not afraid to put over his accomplishments. He returned to wwe in 1993 and started a memorable feud the following year with champ bret hart. Iron sheik talks hulk hogan, bob backlund, and more. 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 payperview, judging the finals of the paparazzi championship series pcs between alex shelley and austin starr. When i had to pass the torch onto backlund, it was very difficult to accept.
Few superstars have held the wwe championship multiple times. Life in professional wrestling is now available from ecw press. Bob backlund held the wwe championship from 1978 to 1983. As reported on may 7, larry zbyszko s autobiography titled adventures in larryland. Bob holly vs mr bob backlund superstars oct 22nd, 1994 by monsoon classic. Books patterson s allergic diseases allergic diseases. Bob backlund madison square garden, february 20, 1978. Table for 3 70s legends larry zbyszko, stan hansen and bob. Facebook gives people the power to share and makes the world more open and connected. You are about to purchase this amazing looking vintage historic very rare wrestling pro wrestling magazine signed by some of the greatest wrestlers of all time former wwwf world heavyweight champion bob backlund vs larry zbyszko on the front cover and the sensational mil mascaras on the poster.
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. Backlund into the park where chris sabin attacked him and stole his book. Robert lee backlund birthday august 14, 1950 hometown princeton, minnesota height 61 weight 241 lbs marital status trained by eddie sharkey debut 1973 previous names the golden boy mr. Beginners guide to new japan pro wrestling book or cook. The wwf was taking on a new face and bob backlund was not in the picture. Wrestling world april 1985 road warriors, dory funk jr.
He has been married to corrine gentzkow since october 31, 1974. Robert louis backlund born august 14, 1949 is an american retired professional wrestler with. Zbyszko was the son in law of verne gagne and would the be last awa world heavyweight champion before the promotion folded in 1991. Butch reed, wild wild samoans, terry gordy, ric flair, abdullah the butcher wwe wwf wcw tna ecw nwo nwa wrestling world on. Robert lee bob backlund august 14, 1949 is an american professional wrestler and actor with an in ring career that spanned over 30 years. Join facebook to connect with bob backlund and others you may know. There mustve been a pretty badass buffet in the locker room, cuz kamata books out of the ring area, immediately. It was an angle that dragged the legend bruno sammartino out of retirement.
Eb2815 backlund zbyszko mascaras signed historical. Larry zbyszko crowd is amped and begins chanting bruno as introductions are underway. Among other accolades, he is a twotime awa world heavyweight champion, and the final titleholder. Bruno blasts larry with 3 armdrags during the intial lockups and works the arm. He was a belowaverage student with a lackluster work ethic and a bad attitude, who hung with the wrong crowd and made a lot of bad choices. Table for 3 70s legends larry zbyszko, stan hansen and bob backlund. Bob backlund pinned wwwf world champion superstar billy graham to win the title at 15. June 27, 1981, from moscas underrated early 80s wwf heel run. He is currently appearing on the independent circuit, and. Backlund won the title again in 1994 by defeating bret hart. The very worst of pro wrestling tna, 2003 the year 2016 was a momentous occasion in that it was the first time in history a wrestlemania was able to take home the coveted gooker award. Kevin nash larry zbyszko randy savage rikishi tatsumi fujinami. Slaughter beat larry zbyszko dq 71185 salt lake city bob backlund beat larry zbyszko 71285 denver bob backlund beat larry zbyszko. In the 90s, the good guys were lying, cheating and swearing.
Discover information about bob backlund and view their match history at the internet wrestling database. Wonderful paul orndorff, rowdy roddy ppper, tully blanchard, the sheepherders, bob backlund, harley race, ricky the dragon steamboat, ravishing rick. According to the book the heels by greg oliver and steven johnson, bruno told pro. Bob backlund finishing moves cross face chicken wing favorite moves bellytoback rolling bridge atomic drop notable feuds larry zbyszko awa jimmy snuka. Superstar billy graham buries bob backlunds run as wwwf champion and reveals how he and bruno sammartino conspired against him. Larry zbyszko def dominic denucci, bobby duncum both last eliminated at the same time, pat patterson, ivan putski, tony atlas, afa, sika, iron mike sharpe, tor kamata, gorilla monsoon, baron mikel scicluna. Many amateurs took that advice and became widely famous and popular in the professional ranks, while still maintaining an air of credibility because of their mat wrestling prowess. 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.
Lawrence whistler december 5, 1953, better known by the ring name larry zbyszko, is an american professional wrestler and author perhaps best known for his feud with his mentor, wrestling legend bruno sammartino during the early 1980s. First match of the night saw bob backlund defeat larry zbyszko by disqualification in 6. Ratings bob backlund wrestlers database cagematch the. Photo courtesy of pro wrestling illustrated the feud started to simmer until reaching a boil when zbyszko would avoid answering sammartinos questions during an interview attempt on television.
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