12 Super Weird Quirks Unique To ONE Wrestler
9. Bob Backlund’s ‘Oh No’ Selling
Federation fans didn't know what to make of Bobby Backlund when the 1970s-80s relic started appearing on television again in 1992. Bob had only been out of the spotlight for around 8 years, which sounds like nothing now (it'd be like a wrestler showing up in 2026 having last been seen in 2018). You'd think people would remember him.
They didn't. Well, the younger demographic reared on Hulkamania and nothing else sure didn't. Bob stood out, and not really for positive reasons. Many on the roster found his style hard to mesh with, his pasty, retro look didn't exactly scream 'WWF Superstar', and then there was his unique brand of selling.
Go back and watch pretty much any Backlund match from this era and you'll surely hear him tumbling around the ring saying things like, "OH NO" and, "OH WOE NO". It's impossible to miss. Yes, other wrestlers did make sounds occasionally when selling moves, but Bob did it with practically every punch, kick and move he sustained.
This is just something he'd always done as a babyface. It was his way of garnering sympathy and putting heat on the heels, but it didn't really fit with the 'New Generation' era. Backlund's vocals may have gone down well when he was working primarily house shows in MSG as champ, but they actually came across as kinda irritating with so many TV cameras and mics around the place from '92 onwards.
Even so, nothing could stop Bobby from becoming one of the least likely champions of the 90s. He had the last laugh (then tripped over something backstage and yelled "OH WOE NO").