6 Wrestling Screwjobs Other Than THAT One
2. Antonio Inoki vs. Bob Backlund
In 1979, two wrestling icons collided in the ring in a talent-sharing arrangement between New Japan Pro Wrestling and the WWF, negotiated by then-WWF figurehead Hisashi Shinma. (He preceded Jack Tunney in the role.)
Bob Backlund had lost the WWF title to Antonio Inoki, but was scheduled to regain the it at the end of the Japan tour, with no intention of ever acknowledging the title loss in the United States. But Shinma overruled the decision, declaring that Inoki was still the champion.
Shinma and Inoki's plan was apparently for Inoki to hold the title for seven weeks and then drop it back to Backlund at MSG. But Vince McMahon Sr. already had Bobby Duncum Sr. slotted as Backlund's next title defense.
McMahon's solution? He ignored everything that happened in Japan as planned, and created the WWF World Martial Arts Championship for Inoki to win in a battle with the Iron Sheik.
Backlund's title loss was concealed from American audiences for the next two decades, and Inoki went on to use the World Martial Arts title for many years to come.
It was one of the rare screwjobs where everyone won in the end.