Why Did Bob Backlund Disappear After Losing the WWF Title?

Wronged Sports:    / @wrongedsports   The Touchback:    / @thetouchback   When Vince McMahon bought the WWF from his dad in 1982, he inherited Bob Backlund as his world champion. In the months that followed, the narrative around the former amateur wrestler shifted. Heel managers, like The Grand Wizard, would openly make fun of his appearance and good boy attitude, which made him uncool in the eyes of the audience. Bob Backlund became synonymous with Howdy Doody, which was not a compliment. Before long, WWF changed course, embracing a younger, more MTV approach with Hulk Hogan being the face of the company. For Bob Backlund, this meant either turning heel or being demoted. He chose the latter, dropped the WWF Championship to the Iron Sheik and hung around the company for a few more months before leaving in mid-1984. Then, he sort of disappears. Not vanish without a trace, mind you. Bob Backlund spent time in the AWA and Pro Wrestling USA. There were matches against familiar foes. But it felt as if the former WWF champion had fallen off the face of the earth. This is a strange time in his career and a story that has never really been told in full. Even in his book, Backlund doesn't really cover this part of his career. Don't forget to subscribe to Special Guest Referee for more wrestling content.