68-Year-Old Bob Backlund Returns To The Ring In Japan
Far East frivolities for former WWE Champion
Former two-time WWE Champion Bob Backlund made two remarkable appearances in Japan as special guest on Tatsumi Fujinami's 'Dradition' New Japan nostalgia cards in Tokyo and Osaka.
Known within the industry as one of the most well-conditioned athletes ever, Backlund looked in rude health despite his advancing years in a tag team victory alongside Fujinami and Riki Chosu against Kazma Sakamoto and fellow WWE alumni Jinsei 'Hakushi' Shinzki and Yoshihiro Tajiri. The six-man tag drew 1,500 fans to the legendary Korakuen Hall on April 20th, with the Wrestling Observer reporting a possible 2,473 in attendance in Osaka for rejigged rematch featuring Backlund, Fujinami, Riki Choshu and Yoshiaki Fujiwara. The icons paid respectful tribute to late fellow icon Bruno Sammartino on both nights, referring to the 'Living Legend' as "the greatest legend in wrestling history".
Backlund was last featured on WWE television in 2016 as Darren Young's life coach in an angle that ultimately failed to salvage the latter's flailing WWE tenure. Following a lengthy injury layoff, Young was released in 2017 whilst Backlund disappeared from television without explanation. A 2007 'Gimmick Battle Royal' on Monday Night Raw's 15th Anniversary was his last match official match with the organisation.