10 Most Shocking Pro Wrestling Title Changes Of The 1980s
9. Arnold Skaaland Throws In The Towel On Bob Backlund
Bob Backlund held the WWE Championship from 1978 to 1983. Backlund was able to defend the gold against some of the best villains in pro wrestling such as ‘Superstar’ Billy Graham, ‘Superfly’ Jimmy Snuka, and Greg ‘The Hammer’ Valentine. However, Backlund finally met his match against The Iron Sheik and a changing pro wrestling landscape.
The Sheik was granted the title shot because Backlund refused to turn heel and drop the title to Hulk Hogan. The match was shocking and controversial. While locked in the Sheik’s Camel Clutch finisher, Backlund’s manager Arnold Skaaland threw in the towel. Backlund was phased out to make way for Hulkamania and Rock 'n' Wrestling.
Hogan winning the title from The Sheik made fans quickly forget about Backlund. These events unraveled because behind the scenes Vince McMahon Jr. had taken control of WWE and was starting to implement his plan for national expansion.