As a kid, that version of Backlund creeped me out. He wasn’t the typical “cool bad guy” or monster heel. He felt completely unhinged. The bow tie, the forced politeness, snapping from calm old-school gentleman into someone trying to rip your arm off with the Crossface Chickenwing. I mean, he was shelving guys left and right with it. It worked because you believed this was a guy who had mentally cracked after the business passed him by.

The best part was that it actually made sense with his history. Here was a former champion who represented a different era, came back, realized nobody respected him anymore, and completely lost it. His obsession with being called “Mr. Backlund” and demanding respect was such a simple but believable motivation.

Then WWE finally pulls the trigger, has him beat Bret Hart for the title… and basically uses him as a quick transitional champion for Diesel. Diesel beating him in seconds definitely made Diesel look huge, but it also killed off a character they spent months building.

I always felt there was way more they could’ve done with crazy heel Backlund. Even if he wasn’t going to carry the company long-term, he was such a unique villain. He didn’t need to be the guy forever, but the character deserved more than just being used as a bridge to the next era.

I know many look back at it as lame, but to me that run was way better than it gets credit for.

I actually think Bob Backlund’s heel turn was one of the most underrated character changes WWF/WWE ever did.