10 Oldest WWE Champions Ever
5. Bob Backlund - 45
Date Last WWE Title Won: November 23rd, 1994
Age: 45 years, 2 months, 30 days
Cast impeccably as a curmudgeon-cum-psychopath amongst the alleged youth and young manhood of WWE's 'New Generation' class of 1994, Bob Backlund's latter day heel run represented some of his finest ever work.
An inspired choice for Bret Hart's Autumn 1994 rival as tensions with between the 'Hitman' and brother Owen appeared to be simmering, Backlund first 'snapped' on the Hitman earlier in the year after losing to the 'Excellence Of Execution' shortly before SummerSlam. In the weeks and months that followed, he became more and more deranged, taking out his frustrations on countless former colleagues and friends with his deadly Cross Face Chicken Wing.
'Mr.' Backlund shockingly dethroned Bret under a cloud of controversy at the 1994 Survivor Series. Grasping the hold for an interminable amount of time, ringside aide Owen tearfully convinced mother Helen to surrender on behalf of Bret for the good her son's health. It was a wicked plot from the 'King Of Harts', but barmy Bob was the main benefactor.
His reign was strictly transitional. He'd lose to Diesel just three days later in a Madison Square Garden squash, but he'll forever have that memorable final victory to his name.