Author: It’s not uncommon for wrestlers to be harassed by the general public when they are off the clock. In this shocking instance on the road, things ended sourly for an overly confident truck driver after he took the kindness of Bob Backlund as a weakness!
Bob Backlund Stands Up to an Uncivil Truck Driver
Bob Backlund is a legendary professional wrestler who has had an incredible career both in and out of the ring. He has inspired many, as his determination and dedication to his craft have made him one of the greatest wrestlers of all time.
Bob Backlund is known to be a respectful, even-keel man outside of the ring who likes keeping his nose clean and staying out of trouble.
That said, being a professional wrestler has its way of putting an invisible target on your back.
It is not uncommon for wrestlers to be heckled by the general public during their time off, especially when drinks are involved! "Oh, you’re a tough guy wrestler from TV, are ya? How about you try me for size!"
In a shoot interview with High Spots, Rick Martel tells this memorable story involving Bob Backlund and an overconfident truck driver. Things did not end so well for the heckler!
"Bob Backlund is a great guy; never had an ego about him or a big head or whatever. I worked with him, and I remember how strong he was.
"In 1975, we were in this bar in Florida. The name of the bar was ‘Deep South.’ It was kind of rough, with topless dancers. Truck drivers used to go there.
"We’re talking…this guy comes over, this big trucker. He says [aggressively] ‘Hey! You guys are wrestlers, huh? You wanna arm wrestle?’
"Bob goes [very politely] ‘Oh, no thank you, no. Sorry,…’
"A little while later, the guy comes back.
"‘Hey, come ONNN – you guys are fuckin’ SCARED or somethin’? Come ONNN!!’
"Bob’s like, ‘No, no sir, please… we’re just having a beer…’
"Very respectful, you know, never losing his temper.
"Then after the third time, the guy comes back, finally Bob says, ‘Well, okay… we’ll arm wrestle you ONE time. And then after that, you’ll leave us alone, okay?’
"The guy is like, ‘YEAH! Come ONN…’
"This guy’s a pretty big guy.
"He puts his arm down, they set up to arm wrestle and man, like nothing, Bob goes like this – BOOM! [wins easily] Then repeatedly keeps banging the guy’s knuckles back on the table – BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
“‘You gonna leave us alone now? Huh?? You gonna leave us alone???’
"The guy’s going, ‘Okay! Okay! Please! I’m sorry..!’
"And man, that was the end of it.
“Bob was so strong, and yet, he never let on, never came on like a bully or nothing.
"He’s a guy I have total respect for."
Bob Backlund’s impressive display of poise in the face of adversity is an example for us all.
And as the above story illustrates, these situations don’t always end well for hecklers. Take a look at the following recommended stories to see what we mean!
- Meng: Tales of Wrestling’s Toughest S.O.B.
- Mad Dog Vachon Shoot Fight Stories – An Animal in and Out of the Ring
- Harley Race – Tales of His Tenacity and Strength
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