Backlund

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. He was a below-average student with a lackluster work ethic and a bad attitude, who hung with the wrong crowd and made a lot of bad choices. He was a kid whose life was headed for disaster—until a local coach took interest in him, suggested that he take up amateur wrestling, and offered to work with him if he promised to stay out of trouble.

It was in North Dakota that Bob Backlund had the first of several chance encounters that would shape his destiny. While working out at the YMCA gymnasium in Fargo, North Dakota, where he wrestled for North Dakota State, Backlund met a well-known professional wrestler, “Superstar” Billy Graham. The men talked, and at Graham’s suggestion, Backlund was inspired to pursue a career in professional wrestling.

Less than five years from that day, on February 20, 1978, Backlund would find himself halfway across the country, standing in the middle of the ring at Madison Square Garden with his hand raised in victory as the newly crowned World Wide Wrestling Federation Heavyweight Champion. The man Backlund pinned for the championship that night was none other than Superstar Billy Graham.

Featuring contributions from Bruno Sammartino, Harley Race, Terry Funk, Pat Patterson, Ken Patera, Sergeant Slaughter, The Magnificent Muraco, George “The Animal” Steele, “Mr. USA” Tony Atlas, The Iron Sheik, and many others, this book tells the incredible story of the life and nearly forty-year career of one of the most famous men to ever grace the squared circle.

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Robert Lee “Bob” Backlund is the former two-time World Wrestling Federation Heavyweight Champion, with an in-ring career that has spanned nearly 40 years. He has wrestled nearly every big name in the sport, including Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair, “Superfly” Jimmy Snuka, “Rowdy” Roddy Piper, “Macho Man” Randy Savage, and André the Giant. Backlund continues to make occasional appearances for the WWE, teaching amateur wrestling to children and traveling the country as a much-loved motivational speaker. He will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame on April 6, 2013.

Robert H. “Rob” Miller is a trial lawyer, equity partner, and member of the Management Committee at the New England–based law firm of Sheehan, Phinney, Bass & Green. He is also the critically acclaimed author of titles including Law School Confidential. A fan of wrestling since childhood, Miller has always considered Bob Backlund his hero. Miller lives in Hopkinton, New Hampshire, with his wife, Carolyn, and their two sons.

“Rowdy” Roddy Piper was one of the most recognized professional wrestlers in the history of the business. He won thirty-five titles during his illustrious career, and was the author of In the Pit with Piper. He passed away in July of 2015.