10 WWE Title Changes That Shocked The World

2. Bob Backlund (Survivor Series 1994)

Bob Backlund's return to the WWF in 1992 would be akin to Vince McMahon sitting behind the Raw announce desk every week in 2017, delivering his trademark guffaw and commentating like it was 1995 again. In other words, Backlund's presentation was completely at odds with the time and he stuck out like a sore thumb as a babyface.

As a heel however, well, he had some serious steam. Fans detested the out-of-touch promos Bob delivered, even more so when he wrestled an old-school style that they had been conditioned to view as dull next to dynamic performers like Bret Hart or Shawn Michaels.

It was Hart that Backlund would beat at the 1994 Survivor Series to become WWF Heavyweight Champion at 45 years and 101 days old.

Bob sold the moment with aplomb, and he must have revelled in the fact that most fans in attendance for the pay-per-view couldn't believe their eyes. Bret, the leader of the 'New Generation', had been beaten by a fossil from before even Hulk Hogan's time. This was a seriously bold move by the WWF during a period when business was struggling.