10 Most Shocking WWE Survivor Series Moments
5. Backlund Defeats Hart (1994)
Bob Backlund underwent one of the most unlikely career revivals in wrestling history during the early '90s. He was WWE Champion for over six years between the Sammartino and Hogan eras, but his saccharine babyface act fell apart towards the end. Fans were yearning for a more charismatic, dynamic figurehead, and they turned on the stale champion, who embarked on an eight-year hiatus shortly after dropping the belt.
Backlund returned in 1992, reviving his old persona. Now in his 40s, Bob's act was even more out of sync with what the audience wanted from the product, and this forced the company into turning him heel two years later. Reborn as a crazy, messianic villain, the 44-year-old surged back to the top of the card, propelling him to a WWE Title shot at Survivor Series '94.
The idea of him toppling a young, hungry Bret Hart was ridiculous, and nobody saw it coming. 'The Hitman' lost his belt when Helen, his mother, threw-in the towel after a eight-minute Chickenwing spot. The New Generation's hottest property had been supplanted by a relic of a bygone era, and while Backlund served only as a transitional champion for Diesel, his first WWE Title win since 1978 was totally unforeseen.