Ric Flair & Bob Backlund Interview [1982-07-03]
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- Опубліковано 30 вер 2024
- An Interview before their NWA World Heavyweight Championship & WWF World Heavyweight Championship 'Champion vs. Champion - Title vs. Title' Unification match a day later on July 4th 1982 at the Omni in Atlanta, Georgia.
Needless to say it ended without an actual winner, as the official result was a Double-Count-Out.
Backlund did many Belt vs belt matches in the 70s and 80s. His very first title defense after beating Graham he wrestled Harley Race. They did it 3 times. Flair once. He wrestled AWA champ Bockwinkle title vs title. NWF Japan title vs WWF title Backlund vs Inoki. They wrestled 3 times belt vs belt! Inoki won the wwf title. Little to no press about that loss in the States. Backlund vs the original sheik wwf title vs NWA Detroit US title. Backlund won the US title. And Canadian title vs wwf title Backlund vs Mosca! Bob gets a bunch of trash talk from “fans” because he was boring. The guy respected the title, and the “Sport” of professional wrestling, he defended the title all over! He cared about kids and wanted to be a roll model unlike these actors today in the ring. Was he my fav? No! But the guy could tie anyone up in a shoot, he had legit natural strength and could go for 60 mins..
Know what's odd, the title histories site doesn't list Bob in the Detroit US title history. But there is a pic of Bob wearing BOTH the WWWF belt AND the Detroit US belt.
@@MrNWA4Life
I've never seen that picture do you know where I can see it?
Backlund & Flair were two of my favorites right from when I was a kid. I loved Backlund, being in New England we mostly only got WWF so that's what I knew. But then we got a different cable service that offered TBS & I saw Ric Flair, he then became my favorite! I always liked the heels more than the "good guys" but even though Backlund was a goody two shoes I liked that he could legit take almost anyone at anytime. His matches against Don Muraco, Sgt. Slaughter, & Jimmy Snuka were the stuff of legends!
In a real fight, my money is on Backlund.
Backlund would eat him alive in a fight.
In a real fight..... I'll take flair
@@mosesgladstone8274 Why? Backlund was a real shooter. I don't think Flair was. Backlund would eat him up in an actual fight.
BOB BACKLUND WAS A TRUE WORLD CHAMPION ! FLAIR COULD NEVER BEAT BOB BACKLUND !
Rumors before the match was that Flair would shoot on Backlund and unite the titles under the NWA banner. In fact Backlund states in his autobiography that he heard the rumors and called Vince Sr. for advice on what to do. But the rumors were just that, rumors and they fought to a double countout. Flair later said there was no conspiracy because he couldn't beat Backlund on his best day.
Holy cow, I’ve never seen the nwa/wwf titles together on tv before!
Except when Ric Flair went to the WWF for the first time, yeah.
@@32alltheway and they shouldn't have because this was 1982. At least Backlund gets it right, but then it was his title.
There was also Race vs Backlund in 1979, Backlund vs AWA World Champion Nick Bockwinkel in 1980 and Flair vs AWA champ Rick Martel in 1984. In summer 1985 there were The Russians vs The Road Warriors NWA vs AWA World Tag Team championships.
@@kurtvanderbogarde8402 you're forgetting Superstar Graham vs. Harley Race in 1978 at the SuperBowl of Wrestling in Florida!
@@MrJon76 User 32alltheway had already mentioned that one.
At times, I love the low key Flair too. He's so understated that his over the top moments are enhanced, if that's even possible.
You know, the thing is. Flair was always like that during his first to third NWA world title reigns except if he was angry ( kayfabe). It wasn't until 1985 when Crockett kept him from traveling and defend it from different regions is when Flair started doing all the over the time interviews on the regular basis while losing his low key side. I felt like, during his title runs from 1981 to 85, he held that belt with up most respect during those periods. After that, he started treating it like a joke.
That's why he's the promo GOAT. Even into the 90s he could still cut a lower key promo that captured you with his words.
I was 12 years old living in New Jersey. We had WWF wrestling but a year earlier we got cable TV and Georgia Championship Wrestling along with it. Vince McMahon never acknowledge the other promotions even way back in 82'. And McMahon never even mentioned this historic event was taking place. So that Saturday when I turned on TBS and saw Backlund on GCW I was amazed. I always felt that the WWF's and McMahon's silence made them look stupid and out of touch. But 1982 was a great year to be a wrestling fan. Mid-South had Ted DiBiase's heel turn. Florida saw the transformation of Kevin Sullivan. Memphis had Terry Funk vs Jerry Lawler. Mid-Atlantic saw Sgt. Slaughter win the U.S. Title from Wahoo McDaniel and the NWA world tag team tournament. Georgia had Flair vs Backlund, Rich vs Sawyer, and Roddy Piper joining Gordon Solie at the podium, plus the Piper vs Bob Armstrong feud. In NJ, the WWF ramped up the action with Blackjack Mulligan, Cowboy Bob Orton Jr., Adrian Adonis, and the return of Superstar Graham. Plus the Jimmy Snuka/Ray Stevens/Buddy Rogers/Lou Albano angle. And the AWA had the start of Hogan vs Bockwinkle. 1982 was truly a fantastic year for wrestling!!!!!!!!
Oh yes your absolutely right, I had just discovered pro wrestling at 10 yrs old there was so much going on I loved every minute of it.
@@30907bng ha. Me too. Was 10 in 1982 and started watching wwf then.
This match happened July 4th 1982 in the Omni, 6 days after the infamous Snuka vs Backlund cage match in MSG
.....anyone care?........
Probably your mother...wasn't that how she paid for her beer and cigarettes back then?
I remember the “steel cage” match between Bob Backlund and Jimmy “SuperFly” Snuka at MSG on June 29, 1982.
@@pulsarlights2825 Haha... What happens when u try to be a smart ass
@@HBKStyles considering it's the match that convinced Mick Foley to be a wrestler so yeah.
This was an amazing time to watch Wrestling!
The BEST time, era to 📺 watch wrestling 😮
Only Gordon Solie could handle
That interview
Flair, himself even admitted on his best day, he wasn't half the Wrestler that Backlund was.
We're that cilp at call bs
@@nicolekestner185Just search Ric Flair/Bob Backlund. It’s an interview that Flair did in the last year or so.
Uh...just different personalities but Bob Backlund a decent man 🤗
40 years ago today Bob Backlund and Ric Flair clashed at The Omni in Atlanta Georgia !!!!
This is how wrestling should be . With promotions crossing over . Been to several cross over events and they were really great . Unfortunately they stopped and things changed in wrestling and NOT for the better .
michael cooper, no
That’s true, now WWE couldn’t fathom a cross promotion, heaven forbid “acknowledging” any other wrestling organization.
It was Vince McMahon. He didn't respect the territories, but times were changing as cable tv came in, wrestling entered the mainstream and somebody was bound to break the fiefdoms, if not him.
Triple aaa /impact/and NJPW still have crossovers
ROH and NJPW have been swapping talent and doing shows together since 2014. Corgan's NWA has had a relationship with ROH, NJPW and CMLL; and their World Women's Champion will be facing AEW's Women's World Champion. It's almost like the territory days, except now these promotions are national/international.
Backlund talks about this match in his book. They didn't have a finish, and he smelled a rat. He called Vince Sr and Vince Sr spent a lot of time trying to finalize a finish. Backlund told Vince Sr that he would protect the title, and Backlund was a serious shoot-fighter and in a shoot he would have absolutely KILLED Flair and Flair knew it. Supposedly, there's no film of this match because Vince Sr was afraid of a double-cross and Jim Crockett was afraid that Backlund would shoot and destroy Flair and neither one wanted evidence in case it happened.
My God that's outstanding,now who killed biggie and Tupac.
Dude that goes without saying. Backlund was and still a legit wrestler.
In real life, Backlund would wrestle circles around Flair
They were both trained by Verne Gagne!
@Greg Bailey Flair has experience in collegiate wrestling as well!
@@MrJon76 But even Flair has said he wouldn't be able to beat Backlund in a shoot.
@Greg Bailey That's a Fact.
@Greg Bailey I mean hell, who was tougher than Handsone Harley Race at the time though? 😀
"Mr. Backlund" would (much) later prove he could cut some great promos. I wonder if he was secretly dying to cut loose on the mike back in his first run as champ here. Does any video of this match exist?
I think this is the match that Backlund talks about in his book. He thought something was up and called Vince Sr. The behind the scenes compromise was no footage of the match in case the NWA tried to pull a swerve.
@@jimm5461 Bob's book was great too. He really documents everything. Loved it.
He never proved he could cut great promos. Never. He was a total bore on the mic.
The good old days when major promotions worked together
So true
Vince Sr was the real genius in that family.
The WWF was part of the NWA back then
@@TL2354 no
@@waldomack7735 Actually they were NWA members at the time this match occurred. Vince Jr pulled the WWF out of the NWA for good in 1983. The WWF being in the NWA allowed them to trade talent with the other NWA territories.(And the AWA as well who despite not being an NWA member worked with them)
Bob backlund was not that good on the Mic.I seened some great title defenses from him.Bob backlund could bench press over 500lbs second best natural to Bruno
Mr BACKLUND is going to bring you MORALITY!!!
I never eatin marijuana
I know Superstar Billy Graham and Harley Race wrestled each other when they were both champs.
That is true, and Harley also fought Backlund in title vs title matches before he lost the belt to Dusty.
They did it like real in my day, nothing luke the1980's. They actually wrestled, title versus title. It ended in a dq.
Notice how Falir did not cut a wild promo? That's respect and mostly FEAR!
@White Knight Sort of... More generally outlined. Especially back in the day.
I did. He's matching the energy level. It's smart. It makes it serious.
@White Knight you're scripted
No t the firt time NWA & WWF champions wrestled!
@P Jeffery Ouch!🤣
Backlund told me Flair was "not a tough guy", but he admitted he would not have been able to beat Harley Race in a shoot....
Always a Bob Backlund fan. Flair was a
Tad too full of self. Just my $.02
Bob Backlund was the original Kurt Angel & WWE SHOULD GO BACK INTERPROMTIONAL TO BRING MORE ORIGINAL MATCHES AND SITUATIONS
The Real World's Champion! People have Shark Week,Sharks have Ric Flair Week !
Woooooooooooooooooooopp!!!
I grew up on HBK vs HART
I can see the same parallels between these two.
MR. BOB BACKLUND HAD THE NICER BELT AND THE NICER SUIT !
The last unification match between an NWA & a WWF Champ. Vince Jr. pulled out of the NWA not long after this I'm sure against his fathers wishes. Vince destroyed the territories and pro wrestling forever! :(
Remember, WWWF was only 19 years old then as it's own promotion.
A class announcer in Gordon Solie with two champions.
Classic interview with 2 world champions NWA and WWF
I am thankful for this footage. Wooo Nature Boy vs All American Boy Bob Backlund
Weird, this is after the name change to WWF yet Solie and Flair both called him the World Wide Wrestling Federation Champion.
Bob Backlund could still probably legitimately kick most wrestlers' asses today. He might be pound-for-pound the best athlete in wrestling ever.
And the most Boring Champ ever ..worse belt change in the History of Wrestling
@@CP-kb1du No way. I was a kid and went to see a bunch of his title defenses at the Capital Centre. Backlund was over and put on great matches.
Once he gets his hands on you, it’s over. I totally agree, best athlete in wrestling ever.👍
Are you insane?
Bob Backlands was nothing more than Howdy Doody V2.0
Watching his matches were like watching paint dry
Vincent McMahon made a yuge mistake in taking the strap off Superstar Billy Graham and putting it on Bob Howdy Doody Backlund
@@ant1slam Were you a fan during Backlund's first title reign? Did you go to his matches?
wheres the fuckin footage of the match??
One word.Classic.
I miss the old WWWF.
This is amazing. The WWF tended to act as if it were the only Pro-wrestling outfit.
How straight is Gordon?
Ric really kept himself in check. And Bob, does he have any personality?
To legends of professional wrestling
I was there in Atlanta at The Omni on July 4, 1982 and saw the match between Flair and Backlund. I had saw one other unification match; Race and Graham and that was great. However Flair and Backlund was kind of underwhelming. On paper it should have been a great match however and it is going to sound crazy it seem that they were both to me not willing to work with each other. The crowd was for Flair mostly and he should have played more of the face role and that thought had some validity because Ric had "hometown advantage"... Georgia was then NWA country. Backlund did do some great holds including a wheelbarrow tombstone piledriver variation that was impressive and he had phenomenal strength but he was the defacto "baby" when he should have been the "heel"; as he was throwing Flair around he had that smile of his and I heard for the first time the "Howdy Dowdy" chant from a few guys in the rows behind us. It didn't spread through out the Onmi but I was aware that the chant was popular "up North". Backlund even recently summed up his thoughts on the match when asked if he had any great memories of the "classic match"; he responded "No" and ended the interview.
Flair has stated it was a poor match as well, and seems both sides were suspicious of a screw job.
Amazingly interesting to hearing all this (detailed) background information!
Great and thanks a lot!
Bachlund was in the 90s. i didnt know he was at the top back then.
I think the world of both of these guys, but Bob Backlund was such a legitimate beast! He wasn’t the most colorful, and his by-the-book, polite promos were easy to dismiss, but man could he wrestle.
Even Flair admitted that he will lose to Backlund in a shoot match.
@@abrahmanharun2154 Backlund would eat for lunch in a shoot fight
Backlund was also freakishly STRONG in his prime that's what the guys from his era would talk about as consistently as his "American Boy Scout" persona!
There is a distinct difference in Flair's demeanor and tone prior to this unification match. Flair took off the entertainer's robe. None of his usual antics are on display. He was much more intense and serious. I have no doubt that Flair entertained some concerns that Bob might shoot and was probably prepared in the event that he might. Of course, professionalism won the day and they made the best out of a difficult situation for the both of them.
Interestingly, Backlund was worried this would happen to him, and stated recently that he contacted McMahon Sr to tell him he thought the promoters were up to no good. He really did not have to worry about this except for a fast count or a bogus submission, as Flair has stated multiple times he could not beat Backlund in a real shoot.
In reality Bob would mop the floor with Flair and Flair would be the first to admit that. Flair is the better pro wrestler. He does much better promos and is a better entertainer.
Flair had some amateur credentials too and he was good at brawling!
WHO GIVES A FUCK
Backlund's genius as a communicator was in the ring, against big bad foes. In that setting, you saw a passionate, determined and very skillful guy defending the people's belt against the forces of mayhem. He was anything but boring; his title defenses were exhilarating. In that context, the understated interview persona makes a little more sense.
He rarely wrestled on tv during his reign, and we never saw highlights of the house shows. The WWF tv shows were excruciatingly dull. There was no Fort Hesterly Armory. If I hadn't persuaded my mother to take me to the Garden a few times, Backlund would've remained a mystery to me.
😳Bob Backlund! and
Ric Flair! They know Wrestling Very Well !
😳 But you want to know what I think!?
I'll tell you!
I think they're Afraid of the Greatest Wrestler of all Times Dr David Schultz!
The most Dangerous Wrestler of all Times!
😳 It's Dr David Schultz!
10 year later Slick Ric would win the WWF title
Figure 4 vs Crossface Chickenwing
It was the figure four vs the atomic drop back then. Backlund would pin his challengers with an atomic drop or a bridging roll-up.
@@1981CrueHead but Backlund was bulkier
Hopefully AEW will be smart enough to bring back this type of quality wrestling while being able to work with other promotions (AAA, NJPW, RoH, Impact etc)
Yes Ive been saying that for a while now.
Ken Khondor boy were you wrong lol
@@wall91nutz what are you talking about?
1st thing you're gonna need is fresh young,dedicated athletes who desire to not just entertain,but be deadly serious to this business like these boys were.that's what made them legends
At one point Kenny Omega held the AEW, AAA, and Impact Titles all at the same time!
I like the WWF but Bob backland was so boring, they should have kept superstar Billy Graham a lot longer.
Wow, this is a dream match that I never knew happened!
I was 12 1/2 when this match happened and I was there! Those 2 men put on a clinic of pure scientific WRESTLING. Unfortunately the match ended in a double count out.
It never happened.Vince took over shortly after this interview and started his takeover.He pulled the WWWF out of NWA and changed the name to WWF.
It was held in japan, 82 i think
New here huh
Dropped the other F in 79
Wee need the Brain here.. "This man is The Real Worlds Heavyweight Champion "
That was so rare...you never ever even heard both companies mention or recognize the other..I remember id watch both promotions every weekend and to see that this happened was awesome
9 and a half years later Flair held the title Backlund was holding in this interview.
The title, just not that belt
I was gonna say the same thing, he held that championship but not that same exact belt.
I think Backland is still wearing the same suit.
😂😂 underrated comment
The real Champion, the only Champion... Bob Backlund!
Was Vince Sr. still the owner at this time? I would have love to seen this match.
I'm pretty sure Vince bought it that May
Yes no contracts, so wrestlers got booked whereever.
Bob B was an ultimate role model. As kids - we looked up to him for his class and skill. And oh yah, in a shoot match - he would wreck anyone in his time - that’s why Vince Sr. backed him for so many years. All Time Great
Harley or funk Jr would've given him run for his money.
Lol just stop. I grew up in NYC and we booed Backlund at MSG. Superstar Billy Graham was super over and should have had the belt alot longer. Backlund was so boring and not a draw that they had to turn Zybyszko, so they could get Bruno out of retirement
Bob would literally kill Rick in real life 🤣
It was a draw in the Omni but apparently no footage exists .
Even better is an episode of Pro Wrestling USA from 1984 that used to be (still is?) on UA-cam which starts with s promo with NWA champ Flair and AWA champ Rick Martel, possibly with Gordon Solie in a setting just like this one, and about half way through Bob Backlund shows up behind them, puts a hand on each of their shoulders and puts them over as the best, while he says he’d love a shot at the world title, since his WWF title was basically stolen from him. Very cool stuff. Episode probably dated to around June 1984?
Backlund just gave no fucks hurrying to his spot
(Superstar Billy) Graham and Race did it first
I was at the Omni that night for that match...I was 12 at the time, still remember it well.
You weren't there so stop lying for attention
@@HBKStyles you are the one screaming for attention troll
I jumped on the ring that nite and knocked out both Flair and Backlund. That's why they never show highlites of this match. Ty
Was this before Race VS SUPERSTAR
Bob Backlund, the only rassler I ever seen escape Jesse 'The Body" Ventura's rack maneuver.
Backlund had no interviewing talent at all, and that's crazy he got to where he was when speaking is 75% of it
Backlund's wrestling ability was enough . They loved him .
This was the pre National Wrestling mentality and the Golden Age Era. Backlund made a comeback in 1990s and showed people he actually was good.
That changed in 1994, lol big time. Now STAND UP STRAIGHT!!!!
The great irony is the evil crazy "Mr. Backland" was genius work.
BOB BACKLUND HAD THE BETTER SUIT AND THE BETTER LOOKING BELT !
Love it when Wrestling had Cross Promotions events. Wouldn't happen today.
I believe also wrestled the a.w.a world champ nick b. Also
Now this is way before the WWF ever exist!
It was the WWF when this promo took place in Georgia Championship Wrestling the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF) was renamed to World Wrestling Federation in 1979 even though it was the WWF when it aired I think Georgia Championship Wrestling and a few other territories still referred it as the WWWF and not the WWF
Vince Sr. still owned the company and tried to work with the other NWA promoters...That would all change a year a two later when his son would purchase the company and try to put all the other territories out of business.
They both were originally from Minnesota.
They began their careers in Minnesota
They began wrestling about the same time
They were both trained by Verne Gagne
A lot of similarities in their careers.
But Verne gagne didn't let ric Flair vquit he made Ric Flair wrestle
Bob Backlund was trained by Eddie Sharkey.
@@iraknobler3509 Ric flair n Verne better than Bob n Eddie
The WWF kept this under wraps up in the northeast. This match was never advertised or even mentioned on WWF Programming whatsoever. I found out thru the old Apter Mags when I saw the photos.
Cracklund holding on to that belt for 6 years was at least 4 too many.
Kurt Van Der Bogarde, you forgot WWF champ Superstar Billy Graham vs NWA champ American Dream Dusty Rhodes
Dusty didn't have the NWA belt when he and Graham fought. Their rivalry was 77 and 78 and Dusty didn't become NWA champion until 1979 and only held it for a few days before losing it back to Harley Race.
20 years later he Lost against undertaker at WrestleMania
6:00 Worldwide when I put that on it's I give up!
i was just starting watching before my teens watched til brett hart. then that was that lost my interest
Two of the best, period. Backlund & Flair we’re workrate machines. Flair brings the promo fire but the look on Backlund’s face when Ric won’t shake his hand says it all: straight flames.
Even back then, Ric Flair looked old.
Looks like Bob Backlund in the drawing behind him
Never knew this took place. It was a great idea.
Flair couldn't hold backland jockstrap.
Who had the better career though?? As far as long as Yeti drawing money relevancy to the sport Etc
stinkin punk rick flair no shake backlunds hand!!!!
Ric Flair Showin' Upmost Respect to Backlund... usual in a Flair interview
Does any footage of the match exist
Love Backlund promos
I don't remember this and I didn't know this ever happened.
Newbie eh
you guys don't know nothing do ya. these matches always ended in a 60 minute time limit draw
or Double Count Out or Double DQ ;-) ... the match hyped in this video ended in a Double Count Out by the way!
Best Broadway finish... 2 count, bell rings, time limit draw or state curfew.
That’s what I was thinking
Bob Backlund your a hell of a man, but your no Ric Flair !
The top members of the IWF clicked thumbs down 19 times - Bob Backlund schooled Mr. Flair on the mic here... back in the 80s the matches were primary, promos secondary; in the attitude era promos were primary and wrestling was secondary.
Couldn't agree more. Everyone talks about how the Attitude Era was so great, it was awful. Ridiculous storylines by Russo, who has admitted to getting ideas from the Jerry Springer show. Matches that lasted four minutes with no ending. I was ashamed to be a Wrestling fan back then, because that's what the mainstream thought Wrestling was.
Man I watched WWF as a kid, saw Backlund, Morales, Muraco, Snuka, all these guys wrestle at the Capital Center in Maryland. Quit watching around high school, then picked it up again around 2000 in the attitude era. A little rediculous yes but it was the best stuff on tv. Miss it.
Can you imagine how much chaos would’ve been created if any of the champion vs champion matches had a clear winner? Not talking any of the matches with Antonio Inoki tho.
Was there ever a match between these two?
The real forbidden door
Backland is a doofus
Instantly subbed
Thank you for Kick ass content
Ric Flair was a great talker, terrific at promoting the business, and drawing money. Bob Backlund was an unbelievable athlete and a true wrestler. These guys were polar opposites. Flair had more charisma than anyone in his day. Backlund could out wrestle 99% of the guys in the business back then.
I met ric flair once , and he told me he was 108 years old....thought I'd share.
Anyone has the match