The History Of WWE's New Generation Era In 10 Matches
6. Diesel Vs. Bob Backlund (26 November 1994)
That's when Vince McMahon decided to change things yet again. Still looking for that babyface champion who had the size and marketability that he greatly understood, the boss chose the monstrous Diesel as his new champ. To facilitate the switch, the ageing Bob Backlund was handed the belt at the 1994 Survivor Series.
Defeating Bret Hart in an "I Quit" bout, Backlund then dropped the strap to Diesel in short order days later on a house show. To cement the firmness of his decision, McMahon had Diesel beat Backlund in seconds at Madison Square Garden. The message was clear; size once again mattered in the World Wrestling Federation.
Ever since his impressive performance in the 1994 Royal Rumble, Diesel had been steadily moving up the card. No longer was he just a bodyguard to Shawn Michaels, he became a fully-fledged babyface act in his own right.
Pinning his hopes on Diesel, Vince McMahon hoped that fans would embrace the new WWF Champion. As high as he was on his new charge, the boss decided not to let Diesel headline WrestleMania XI.