Bob Backlund would debut in Toronto in 1978 after beating the seemingly unbeatable Superstar Graham for the WWWF Title. 'The All-American Boy', as he was often called would leave his mark on the area with some great wrestling and a historic bout.
Graham would get a chance to regain the title on three consecutive cards the summer of 1978, but the new champion would earn the respect of the fans by beating his larger opponent in a steel cage in August to seal the feud.
Backlund would make frequent appearances against a vast variety of opponents in Toronto. In addition to his WWWF area feuds (Pat Patterson, Buddy Rose), Backlund would also face the stars of both the AWA and the NWA as a result of Tunney's involvement with all three major groups.
Some interesting matches would entail against opponents such as Ric Flair, The Destroyer (Beyer), and the history making title unification bout versus AWA Champion Nick Bockwinkel.
The young champ would also team up with Dino Bravo for a time and the two complimented each other very well.
In 1979 Tunney would book both Backlund and AWA Champion Nick Bockwinkel on the same cards leading up to their Mar 1979 match-up and the historic Title Unification Bout.
In 1982 Backlund’s feud with Superfly Jimmy Snuka would thrill the fans and end with a cage match to settle the score. Snuka would perform his famous leap off the top of the cage but miss, enabling the champ to cover him for the pin.
Backlund would make his last area appearance with a decisive victory over Playboy Buddy Rose in a Texas Death Match in 1982 and we wouldn't see the WWF Title defended here again until post-84.
Apr 28th 1977 Winnipeg
