Could Backlund/Hogan worked in 1984?

[brutuscheesecake]

Cutting the Iron Sheik out as the heel placeholder...couldn't it have been the ultimate "passing of the torch" moment. Sure the WWF was super reluctant to do face vs face at that time, but it would've have been such a huge moment to have Hogan pin Backlund, then the both of them could shake hands in the middle of the ring with Bob handing the title over to Hogan.

It would've been a better departure for Backlund as well. Losing the belt to Sheik because of Skaaland throwing the towel in and then gradually fading away in August if 84 just doesn't sit well.

[OGBoardPoster2005]

I would've loved to see Crazy Bob Backlund vs Hogan

[BlackoutCreature]

I think it would've worked so much better for Backlund to drop the title to the Iron Sheik, then have Backlund transition into his crazy 90's gimmick. Meanwhile Hogan beats Sheik for the Title and run with Hogan as babyface champ vs. Backlund as the heel.

[conebone69]

It coulda totally worked. That's the one thing about the sport I love that I hate. I can't believe for so long, a "good guy" just couldn't meet another "good guy" even when it was clear they were the top two contenders.

[Cranjis McBasketball]

Backlund refused to drop the title to Hogan, since Hogan did not have an amateur wrestling background.

This is why the title was passed to the Shiek and then to Hogan.

It would have worked fine if Backlund agreed to do it.

[conebone69]

Wow, if that's how Backlund wanted it, I guess he ended up where he belonged in the annals of pro wrestling.

[nerdinitupagain]

Face vs Face matches didn't really get big with Vince until the 90's. I believe Bret vs Piper for the IC title was the first big one.

[BlackoutCreature]

A Hogan-Backlund face vs. face match would've worked. But come on people, do you really think an 80's face Hogan vs. 90's style crazy heel Backlund wouldn't have worked a million times better?

[lovingway]

Jul 19, 2010 12:38:08 GMT -5 nerdinitupagain said:

Face vs Face matches didn't really get big with Vince until the 90's. I believe Bret vs Piper for the IC title was the first big one.

Don't forget Warrior-Hogan

[lildude8218]

I'm not sure 30 minutes of Backlund kicking out at 1 would have been enjoyable

[unsnipped]

Jul 19, 2010 2:13:46 GMT -5 Cranjis McBasketball said:

Backlund refused to drop the title to Hogan, since Hogan did not have an amateur wrestling background.

This is why the title was passed to the Shiek and then to Hogan.

It would have worked fine if Backlund agreed to do it.

100 percent accurate. i think they wanted to do it but backlund refused.

[BlackoutCreature]

Jul 19, 2010 15:24:57 GMT -5 unsnipped said:

Jul 19, 2010 2:13:46 GMT -5 Cranjis McBasketball said:

Backlund refused to drop the title to Hogan, since Hogan did not have an amateur wrestling background.

This is why the title was passed to the Shiek and then to Hogan.

It would have worked fine if Backlund agreed to do it.

100 percent accurate. i think they wanted to do it but backlund refused.

Actually, according to Hogan's book (which I'll more then grant is dubious in its credibility), the original plan was always Sheik beating Backlund, Hogan beating the Sheik. Backlund though was supposed to play a much bigger role though in passing the torch and naming Hogan as his successor. He refused though because he wasn't a fan of Hogan's skills.

[Deleted]

What was Iran up to in '84? I always thought that having "the Real American" defeat the dastardly foreign title holder was a good plan, especially if Iran was up to no good at this point.

[hassanchop]

Jul 19, 2010 15:42:36 GMT -5 @akeem said:

What was Iran up to in '84?

Iran-Iraq War. A little unrelated, could this guy



The one left been a face back then? Just wondering since Iraq was, you know.

[johnnyk9]

Hogan vs. Crazy Bob Backland would've been awesome

[dav]

Jul 19, 2010 15:42:36 GMT -5 @akeem said:

What was Iran up to in '84? I always thought that having "the Real American" defeat the dastardly foreign title holder was a good plan, especially if Iran was up to no good at this point.

Iran Hostage Crisis was still on everyone's minds. I think the Iran-Contra Scandal was just starting to leak although I might be wrong on that account.

[joeskvorecky]

Jul 19, 2010 2:34:39 GMT -5 conebone69 said:

Wow, if that's how Backlund wanted it, I guess he ended up where he belonged in the annals of pro wrestling.

As one of the all-time greats?

[SAJ Forth]

I get the feeling if how it happened was the original plan that they wanted Hogan to get maximum support.

[Cranjis McBasketball]

Jul 19, 2010 15:35:59 GMT -5 BlackoutCreature said:

Jul 19, 2010 15:24:57 GMT -5 unsnipped said:

100 percent accurate. i think they wanted to do it but backlund refused.

Actually, according to Hogan's book (which I'll more then grant is dubious in its credibility), the original plan was always Sheik beating Backlund, Hogan beating the Sheik. Backlund though was supposed to play a much bigger role though in passing the torch and naming Hogan as his successor. He refused though because he wasn't a fan of Hogan's skills.

I read somewhere, not sure where, Backlund had no idea Skaaland was going to throw the towel in.

[SAJ Forth]

Jul 20, 2010 16:31:38 GMT -5 Cranjis McBasketball said:

Jul 19, 2010 15:35:59 GMT -5 BlackoutCreature said:

Actually, according to Hogan's book (which I'll more then grant is dubious in its credibility), the original plan was always Sheik beating Backlund, Hogan beating the Sheik. Backlund though was supposed to play a much bigger role though in passing the torch and naming Hogan as his successor. He refused though because he wasn't a fan of Hogan's skills.

I read somewhere, not sure where, Backlund had no idea Skaaland was going to throw the towel in.

How long did he stay afterward? Because it could partly explain him not being involved with the promotion for a decade.