Vince told Backlund he was going to have a 1 year run as champ after winning the belt in 1994...

[Ricky Jackson]

But then told him he was going to drop the strap to Diesel a few days later because, with Randy Savage leaving for WCW, Vince had no choice but to create a new star ASAP.

This comes from Backlund's wonderful autobiography that I just finished. Of course, Savage wasn't being used as a draw anymore in the WWF at the time he left, and Diesel was being groomed for a big run for all of 94 before getting the strap. Backlund doesn't question the sincerity of Vince's excuse in the book and just moves on from there. Just thought I'd share that since I've never come across it anywhere else

[WingedEagle]

I can't wait to read the book and hope to get to it shortly. From what I've heard its no-nonsense with no reason to question his integrity or recall. That being said, if he believed Vince's promise of a one year reign I've got a bridge he might want to purchase.

[Ricky Jackson]

Oh it's a great read. That's one of the few instances where he comes across a bit naive. The other significant one involves a car ride with Dusty and the Brisco brothers...

[sek69]

The funny thing I can easily believe both that Vince said that and that Bob believed it. His interview with Dave and Bryan was telling in the sense that the Mr. Backlund deal really was him turned up to 11.

[WingedEagle]

Yeah I definitely buy it. I met him once and he was very much Mr. Backlund, but soft spoken.

[Loss]

Mr. Bob Backlund was really an amazing gimmick, and his title win remains one of my favorite wrestling moments.

 

I do laugh at Backlund being told that, because I don't doubt for a second that Vince told him that with no intentions to honor his word.

[Johnny Sorrow]

Oh, and the Mr. Bob thing is something he likes to stick with kayfabe when meeting fans. The book is pretty fantastic,

[Strummer]

Vince also told Kevin Nash he'd have the belt for 5 years

[flyonthewall2983]

He told Bad News Brown he'd beat Hogan and push him as a face champ to get a bigger black audience.

[khawk20]

I need to get this book, but buying it for my ereader was still pretty pricy the last time I checked.

I have heard and read nothing but good things from old school fans about how it is written and the level of detail. Sounds amazing.

[Sidebottom]

I have ordered the book so I'm hoping it arrives in time for my Christmas trip away to make the flight more bearable. For those who have read it, does he cover the time he showed up unannounced at an ECW show and started campaigning?

[Ricky Jackson]

No. 95% of the book is on his career up to 1984. The rest is quickly covered in the last 20 or so pages.

[Ricky Jackson]

But what's the story with ECW exactly?

[Sidebottom]

Bob showed up in Poughkeepsie in 2000 at an ECW event trying to raise money and security chucked him out. Steve Corino referenced it in a promo on the following PPV (Massacre in Dec 2000 I think).The incident is partly seen on one of the RF fancams I have in my loft, haven't gotten around to converting ECW post 1999 yet.

[artDDP]

This week on one of the mailbag segments of Dave's podcast he talked about this. He said Backlund was used to transition from Bret to Diesel because wanted to drop the title to someone he respected. So, whatever Vince may have told Bob it would appear his plan all along was the three-day reign.

[Sidebottom]

This week on one of the mailbag segments of Dave's podcast he talked about this. He said Backlund was used to transition from Bret to Diesel because wanted to drop the title to someone he respected. So, whatever Vince may have told Bob it would appear his plan all along was the three-day reign.

 

As in Vince respected Bob you mean?

 

I always liked the full circle nature of Bob losing the belt to Iron Sheik for a transition, then so many years later him filling that role himself.

[thebrainfollower]

Exactly WHEN does Dave say the Diesel world title reign was decided and decided to start when it did? And why the match was not on Raw. I know world title matches on Raw were very rare at this point but it would have at least made some sense.

[flyonthewall2983]

They wanted him to win the belt there because the shows at the Garden were still a big deal for the company.

[Ricky Jackson]

It was supposed to be a reprise of Hogan beating the Sheik at MSG in 84, down to Diesel being a substitute for the original challenger (Bret) just like Hogan was (Backlund)

[artDDP]

 

This week on one of the mailbag segments of Dave's podcast he talked about this. He said Backlund was used to transition from Bret to Diesel because wanted to drop the title to someone he respected. So, whatever Vince may have told Bob it would appear his plan all along was the three-day reign.

 

As in Vince respected Bob you mean?

 

I always liked the full circle nature of Bob losing the belt to Iron Sheik for a transition, then so many years later him filling that role himself.

 

 

Sorry; someone Bret respected.

[Slasher]

The fact Vince doesn't generally have babyfaces drop the titles to babyfaces aside, why would Vince care what Bret thought? If his guy was Diesel, then his guy is Diesel. Why would he even worry about who Bret respected enough to drop the belt to?

[Beast]

Why not? Who else did they really have as heels at the time? Tatanka? Jeff Jarrett?

[Slasher]

Why not? Who else did they really have as heels at the time? Tatanka? Jeff Jarrett?

If that was directed to me, that doesn't really...address anything I asked.

[Loss]

Because sometimes, people do things that are nice even if they aren't necessarily the best option.

[Eduardo]

Wasn't the world different back then in the sense that company champions either had a lot more say, and/or bookers put more thought and nuance into who they lost to, as opposed to today? It was a pretty different world back then. Rey Mysterio Jr. not wanting to drop the Intercontinental title a few years back, due to the company promising him a long reign but then going back on their word, is the closest thing to stories you would hear about champions in previous decades.