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February 28th, 2021 01:23 GMT |
 
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Post: #1007109
PT: #32/106
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McMahon did hedge his bet with Backlund in 78 by keeping SBG in the territory for most of 78.
When sellouts continued McMahon made the right move as WWWF was a babyface territory
Backlund addressed McMahon with yes sir , no sir , very good sir.
A promoters dream.
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Post: #1007641
PT: #33/106
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I Was never a Bob Backlund Fan he was boring and average to me. Certainly didn't deserve the WWF Title imo .
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Post: #1007651
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This message was edited by louie.d on March 09th, 2021 13:06 GMT
Quoted from: glaz, March 09th, 2021 08:12 GMTQuoted from: wickedmountain, March 09th, 2021 07:51 GMTI Was never a Bob Backlund Fan he was boring and average to me. Certainly didn't deserve the WWF Title imo .
The WWWF/WWF had to get away from the New York City-centric ethnic face champ philosophy that had defined the company since 1963, not only to pave the way for expansion but to strengthen its appeal in the suburbs, which were fueling attendance in newer arenas like Nassau Coliseum and Meadowlands. Pedro Morales' reign showed the limitations of the old approach, and something had to be done once Bruno Sammartino said he'd had enough of the grind.
You are absolutely correct. Bruno was an icon but absent him -- it was time to grab the attention of those outside NYC.
That is a good part of the reason why --
I am puzzled by how much Backlund bashing we see. I will acknowledge he looked a bit like howdy doody and was an aw shucks all American boy on the mic. That being said -- Backlund was the real deal!! He had tremendous mat skills -- in league with Jack Brisco, He was a physical marvel -- he wasn't Bruno strong but he was nevertheless unbelievably strong and had off the charts endurance.
He had all the ability to be an elite travelling NWA champ who could put anyone taking liberties quickly in their place -- he would have been a worthy successor in the line of Thesz, Rogers, Kiniski, Dory Jr, Brisco and Harley.
Flair, who I did enjoy, is the one who should get bashed. He did have substance but nowhere near the level of Backlund and those mentioned above. Flair was a perfect transition to the cartoon era - leading to the abomination of the Sports Entertainment show for 8 year old children led by the awful Jr/Chumpster duo -- which led to so many of us turning away from the sport we loved.
I say -- way past time to acknowledge just how great Backlund was.
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Post: #1007662
PT: #36/106
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Backlund was a great WWWF/WWF Champion in the late 70s and early 80s.
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Post: #1007720
PT: #37/106
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Quoted from: glaz, March 09th, 2021 08:12 GMTQuoted from: wickedmountain, March 09th, 2021 07:51 GMTI Was never a Bob Backlund Fan he was boring and average to me. Certainly didn't deserve the WWF Title imo .
The WWWF/WWF had to get away from the New York City-centric ethnic face champ philosophy that had defined the company since 1963, not only to pave the way for expansion but to strengthen its appeal in the suburbs, which were fueling attendance in newer arenas like Nassau Coliseum and Meadowlands. Pedro Morales' reign showed the limitations of the old approach, and something had to be done once Bruno Sammartino said he'd had enough of the grind.
Great post.
I never really understood just why Vince Sr. decided to get away from the ethnic babyface champion model but this explains it nicely. Thank you.
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Post: #1007777
PT: #38/106
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Don't recall who told me nor where I may have read it, but Vince The Elder supposedly went with Backlund to show all the other promoters around the US that he could draw well in his territory without an ethnic-type (Rocca, Sammartino, Morales) on top.........I would add that the post from glaz also makes sense.......
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Post: #1007791
PT: #39/106
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Great posts everyone. I agree with Louie that Backlund shouldn't be trashed the way he does. He was very Vanilla in a wrestling world full of Ben & Jerry's....but that man was solid as WWF champion.
All of his opponents speak so very highly of him except the jealous Billy Graham.
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Post: #1007793
PT: #40/106
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Bruno the man was loved. Bruno the champion was to wrestling what Ali was to boxing.
Backlund held a belt.
McMahon kept SBG in the territory in 1978 just in case.
It served a dual purpose as it kept SBG fans coming to the natches.
Backlund without the belt was a mid card Tony Garea..
For McMahon it was the best of tines.
He had a wrestler who answered , yes sir or no sir
Obeyed orders and never questioned a payoff.
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Post: #1007798
PT: #41/106
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Backlund mentions in his book that his MSG payouts were $8000-9000.
That’s six figures for 12 dates
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Post: #1007800
PT: #42/106
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This message was edited by Eater of the Dead on March 11th, 2021 19:17 GMT
Was that fair? If you figure 20,000 fans at an average of $10 a ticket that's a $200,000 house. 16% or 32000 of that should go to the main event... backlund should have been paid roughly $16,000 for each MSG match...
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Post: #1007804
PT: #43/106
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Quoted from: Eater of the Dead, March 11th, 2021 19:17 GMTWas that fair? If you figure 20,000 fans at an average of $10 a ticket that's a $200,000 house. 16% or 32000 of that should go to the main event... backlund should have been paid roughly $16,000 for each MSG match...
When Backlund's reign started the most expensive ticket was $8. I don't know how much it went up - if at all - at the end.
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Post: #1007805
PT: #44/106
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It was fair
Backlund never questioned a payoff cause he had complete faith and trust in Vince McMahon Sr.
Vince Sr. was a father figure to Backlund.
Who questions their father
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Post: #1007806
PT: #45/106
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This message was edited by Eater of the Dead on March 12th, 2021 00:35 GMT
Quoted from: luvwwwwfonly, March 12th, 2021 00:19 GMTQuoted from: Eater of the Dead, March 11th, 2021 19:17 GMTWas that fair? If you figure 20,000 fans at an average of $10 a ticket that's a $200,000 house. 16% or 32000 of that should go to the main event... backlund should have been paid roughly $16,000 for each MSG match...
When Backlund's reign started the most expensive ticket was $8. I don't know how much it went up - if at all - at the end.
I think when it ended the most expensive tickets would have been 12 ... so I took an average of 10 and I rounded down to 20,000 ... but let's go with $8 and 20000 on average, cuz they were certainly cheaper tickets at the beginning of his Reign, and more expensive tickets towards the end.... maybe there are records as to what the gates were at Madison Square Garden during this time as well... sounds like Backlund may have been underpaid... 8 or $9,000 seems to be more in line with $100,000 gate... There were possibly 100,000 gates at Madison Square Garden in 1978, but I have to believe that for the most part especially in later years the gates at MSG were much higher
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