14 WWE Wrestlers With The Longest Gaps Between Title Reigns

Before Hulkamania could be launched in the WWF, Hogan had to defeat the dastardly villain holding the title. Since the reigning champion of nearly six years, Bob Backlund, refused to become a heel, he would have to drop the title to one. Thus, in December 1983, with Backlund locked in the Iron Sheik’s camel clutch, manager Arnold Skaaland threw in the towel, costing Backlund the match and the title. From there, Backlund faded from the Federation and sat out nearly the entire Hulkamania era.

In 1992, Backlund made an unlikely comeback to the Federation, scoring some modest achievements like setting the Royal Rumble longevity record but otherwise making little headway until the summer of 1994, when he challenged WWF champion Bret Hart. Coming up just short in the title match, Backlund snapped and, for the first time in his career, turned heel.

At Survivor Series that November, thanks to some deception by Bret’s brother Owen, Hart’s mother Helen threw in the towel, ceding the Federation title to Backlund. Backlund had at last regained his title after nearly eleven years, setting a then-record for the promotion.

Just don’t tell that to Bob, who maintained that he had never lost the title to begin with.