For many, the WWE began with Hulk Hogan and it’s easy to understand why given how enormously popular he was during the 1980s, but before he became champion, the Iron Sheik was one of the best around, and he got a well deserved bite of the apple on this day in wrestling history.
On December 26, 1983, the Iron Sheik got his opportunity to carve his name into the annals of the WWE when he faced Bob Backlund and defeated him by technical submission at Madison Square Garden to begin his championship reign.
Because the Iron Sheik was such a popular and dominant heel, his run helped set up Hulk Hogan for greatness. His contribution can’t be underestimated and it’s always great to see someone be rewarded for their work.
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We all know professional wrestling is predetermined, but there was a time in the WWE where the championship was respected instead of being used as a prop, and having the support of the locker room went a long way.
The Iron Sheik spoke a little about this in a Cult of Whatever interview on August 11, 2013. Special thanks to @awrestlinghistorian for the following excerpts.
The Iron Sheik said: “Beating Bob Backlund after nobody beat him for six years was the greatest moment of my career. Bob told me, ‘I only want to lose to you Sheikie baby, because you are the real deal and you are the hottest thing in wrestling.’ I love him forever for that and he respected the legend.”
While the Iron Sheik was elated, there was another side to the title that really shows how big a person Bob Backlund is and it captures the mindset of many champions.
This day in wrestling history loves that we can capture both sides of it behind the scenes
For the fans and company
“A lot of you are probably reading this and thinking to yourselves, ‘If the whole thing is predetermined anyway, what’s the big deal to simply pass the world title to another guy in the group?’
“Think of it like playing the lead role in a play or a musical on Broadway that closes. For years, you have the lead role, basking in the cheers of the crowd, living in the spotlight, and of course, enjoying the financial rewards that come with it. Then, all of a sudden and largely without warning, the play closes, the lights go out, and the dream is over.
“Instead of being an instantly recognizable face all around the country and in many parts of the world, you start to fade back into anonymity. Instead of receiving a bag full of fan mail every three weeks, the volume dwindles, until eventually, the people stop writing.
“It had been a great run, and one in which I tried every day to give the very best of myself to the people, to carry the championship with the honor and dignity that it deserved, to serve as a role model for my fans and to do myself and the company proud. In those aspirations, I think I succeeded. All that remained, then, was to do my very best to execute this match, and make the transition a good and memorable one.” – Bob Backlund, All American Boy book.
Being the champion means they’re the face of the company and where they go the company’s fortunes often follow.
Even with the titles being more of a prop than not anymore, it’s apparent the wrestlers still consider it an honor and respect the titles they win and defend.
It adds a sense of realism and layers we may not understand, but it’s pretty cool and obvious when we peel back and the layers and look deeper.
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