Backlund was a strong SOB. Look at his thighs. They're thicker than than Pateras! Seriously - Backlund in shoots could dispose of most of these guys....and fast. A well trained amateur and strong as shit.
I remember seeing Ivan Putski wrestling Ken for the Intercontinental Title at Twin Rinks (local hockey rink) in Mass back in 1980. I was 11 years old watching the match from the rink's penalty box with the Wild Somoans who decided to drop by. A fan asked for Afa's autograph on a styrofoam cup and Afa just wrote an X on it..When the fan asked for Sika to sign the cup too, Sika took the cup and ate it. I kept watching for him to spit out the pieces but he never did. That was just awesome.
i was thinking how he was the hero in the 79 up to 83 because his body not huge as the athor wrestler ,, but in his matches he brave and fast ( this tom important ) the wrestler dont use it
Patera was obviously powerful, being an olympic weightlifter. But Backlund's conditioning was legendary. I remember one show where Backlund was ringside doing an abdominal wheel workout, rolling back and forth, nonstop for the entire 1 hour show.
@CadillacL When he came back in the early 90's he was still the same as he was in the 70's and 80's. At the time,it was actually quite refreshing(after the McMahon circus) to have him back. Of course it didn't pan out and they had the whole Bret Hart incident and that was it. Backlund was the worst heel ever. A complete fiasco. I felt BAD for the guy.
Bob Backlund may have remained champion longer than any modern day champion. One of the best wrestling fundamentalist in the business. Patera was a world class athelete and a beast.
@bobbyBMC You're absolutely right! Bob Backlund was a well respected wrestler and athlete, he was a proud champion and took pride in what he represents and as a role model for children. And then Vince McMahon Sr. died and Vince McMahon took over and ruined Bob Backlund's legacy by making him choose to turn into a bad guy or give up his belt cause he wanted to turn the WWF into a circus show and make it "Sports Entertainment" and bring in Hulk Hogan which was good for awhile now it's ridiculous!
I met Bob Backland this summer at a Maine's Portland Seadogs game. We talked for a few minutes, he was very polite, and respectable. We both shared old times with the WWF. He gave me his business card and two tickets to a match he was having in the Portland area. Those were the days when it was fun to watch these guys go at it and you didn't know who was going to win, alot different than today,,,
Happy you are lucky to meet an all time great of professional wrestling Bob backland. I couldnt agree with you more WWE now is more of Soap Opera, its not as exciting as before. My dad is still a die hard fan of Bob backland and he is 68 years old.
Ken Patera was one of the greatest heels of his generation. During the late '70s & early '80s he was at the top of his game. He was never the same after his prision stint though.
Kenny was amazingly powerfull. However, Bob Backland would surprise the heck out of you, He was no slouch in the strength department. And, Bobs endurance was second to none.
Backlund sucked so bad! The territory was kept alive by the likes of Andre, Bruno, Snuka, Atlas and the greatest heels in wrestling history like Muraco, Patrea, Valintine, Adonis and Orton. Backlund was stiff moving, his selling ability was very unrealistic and he couldn't talk to save his life.
He did become a very entertaining heel in the 90's, almost redeeming himself for having bored the entire Northeast for 5 years & 10 months!
V.M. Jr. is so superior to his old man it's not funny.
actually you suck. I was 10 when backlund came out and he was clean entertainment for a market that catered to kids. He wasnt muscle bound, loud mouth, just clean wrestling entertainment. So you suck
Ken Patera could wrestle as well as brawl and in effect create the classic wrestling match. Especially with Bob backlund of whom knew each other well from the AWA days in Minnesota and so forth.
Ken Patera was a great act along with Playboy Buddy Rose, Terry Funk, Angelo Moscow, Blackjack Mulligan, Stan Hanson, Killer Khan, Superstar Billy Graham, Greg Valentine..what memories
...I almost forgot why I worshipped Backlund. He was amazing then. I heard he started wrestling again in TNA and he was able to give Alex Shelley a double underhook suplex. Holy shit. Ok, he's 56...I'd love to see Ric Flair at 58 try that. Backlund is a god.
this is the only match ive ever seen between the two ,alot of people have commented on how they clicked in the ring and made clissic matches ,may be part of it was that they were both legit athletes before they wrestled ,petera obviously an olympic wieght/powerlifter ,and bob backlund was also an ncaa wrestling champion from minnisota ,i dont think either of them had alot of time for the b.s. that goes on today,they were probably to busy keeping in shape
Bobby Backland was the greatest wrestling champion of all time. He beat the greatest wrestlers of all time"Ric Flair,Hulk Hogan, Superstar Billy Grahm, Snuka, Mask Superstar, Greg Valentine,Adrian Adonis, Jessy The Body Ventura and countless other pencil neck geeks!!!
backlund never beat Flair man. They wrestled wwf vs nwa back in 82 to weak double-countout in order to save face for both champions. then I believed they wrestled again in 1993 when bob returned to wwf prior to Flair's departure shortly thereafter but Backlund did not beat Flair.
Talk to any old school wrestler and he'll tell you Bobby was the strongest and most in shape wrestler for that time. Guys like Warlord and Steiner were just big juicers but Backlund was naturally strong and never took steroids or any of that crap.
Not to take anything away from Backlund as I'm a big fan too, but if you look closely right before the 6:00 minute mark, you'll see Patera's legs are bigger and Ken Patera also had massive calves. Ken Patera was an Olympic Weight Lifter, which is much more demanding than bodybuilding or power lifting and he was the 1st American to Military Press 500 pounds.
ken patera BEEEEATCH!!! OL SKOOL at its finest. i didnt appreciate backlund until the hogan er got to about 85 then i was crying 4 backlund to be champion again. fuck u vince
great footage. these two had a texas death match around this same time period that was a true classic, without question the greatest match of patera's career.
I think Patera would have been a great world champion.He would have been the "bad guy " version of Bob Backlund with the scientific style. Not for nothing Backlund was a pretty big guy! He was thin but huge!
Well, for his time he was the strongest. But there is no question in my mind that the Road Warriors in the early years and then later Scott Steiner were the strongest and baddest. Warlord and Barbarian weren't bad either. Hawk was the greatest though because he was so agressive and loved to beat guys up.
Not to take anything away from any of these guys as they were all great, but Ken Patera was the 1st American and the 2nd Person on Earth to Military Press 500 pounds. That's pick up 500 pounds off the floor and get it to shoulder level, then push it overhead and lock the arms out and hold it. All before the modern day steroids and enhancers of the 1980's, 90's and today.
GET REAL! Steroids has been around since the 1950's Wrestlers Superstar Billy Graham were already on them. Alexeev ( Greatest SHW Lifter EVER!) who beat Patera in 1972 Olympics for the Gold was on them as well the competion and Ken himself. Mitary Press was turning into a joke because of the use of the Knee to press that kinda of weight up! So it was taken out of Competion for good.
Well I didn't come here to argue with the EXPERTS, but steroids just like everything thing else have evolved over the last 50, 40, 30, 20 even 10 years and the steroids and enhancers around today are far superior to the primitive stuff. And Yes, You're correct the Military Press was replaced with the Clean and Jerk. GET REAL!
I agree, Ken Patera was an Olympic Weight Lifter and that is where his incredible power came from. Even Superstar Billy Graham said it was scary being in the ring with someone as powerful as Ken Patera.
Ken was beast I remember when he threw Hercules high across the ring. From one turn buckle to the other and that was in 1987-I think. He was a face. It was a comeback after a 2 year layoff he was feuding with the Heenan Family He was allot older and he stopped bleaching his hair but the superpower was still there
Until watching this match, I had forgotten how the fans used to whistle at Patera when he took off his pants. In the weekly TV squash matches, Patera would really play up being upset at the whistling and often pull his pants back up. Of course, when he tried to disrobe a second time, the whistling would be even louder.
Backlund was a strong SOB. Look at his thighs. They're thicker than than Pateras! Seriously - Backlund in shoots could dispose of most of these guys....and fast. A well trained amateur and strong as shit.
aitraining 8 months ago
Comment removed
aitraining 8 months ago
I remember seeing Ivan Putski wrestling Ken for the Intercontinental Title at Twin Rinks (local hockey rink) in Mass back in 1980. I was 11 years old watching the match from the rink's penalty box with the Wild Somoans who decided to drop by. A fan asked for Afa's autograph on a styrofoam cup and Afa just wrote an X on it..When the fan asked for Sika to sign the cup too, Sika took the cup and ate it. I kept watching for him to spit out the pieces but he never did. That was just awesome.
jimk619 9 months ago
i was thinking how he was the hero in the 79 up to 83 because his body not huge as the athor wrestler ,, but in his matches he brave and fast ( this tom important ) the wrestler dont use it
backlund my favoriate wrestler
alfares20111 1 year ago
Patera and backlund were both trained by verne gagne
JessiHeflin 1 year ago
Yep, the days of the ten-minute long submission hold. I don't miss them.
mastermold2009 1 year ago
Patera was obviously powerful, being an olympic weightlifter. But Backlund's conditioning was legendary. I remember one show where Backlund was ringside doing an abdominal wheel workout, rolling back and forth, nonstop for the entire 1 hour show.
dowhatthouwilt911 1 year ago
It looks to me like strong man Ken Patera was the superior athlete in this match up. Its only a matter of time before Howdee dudees luck runs out!
YJWoadWarrior 1 year ago
Nice Bearhug 5:33
bhug3996 1 year ago
Shame that Backlund decided to come back & use the Mr. Backlund gimmick. This was TRUE wrestling. Kids could actually sit & watch.
CadillacL 1 year ago
@CadillacL When he came back in the early 90's he was still the same as he was in the 70's and 80's. At the time,it was actually quite refreshing(after the McMahon circus) to have him back. Of course it didn't pan out and they had the whole Bret Hart incident and that was it. Backlund was the worst heel ever. A complete fiasco. I felt BAD for the guy.
Chrisdrumz 1 year ago
@Chrisdrumz Unfortunately, I remember that.
CadillacL 1 year ago
Bob Backlund may have remained champion longer than any modern day champion. One of the best wrestling fundamentalist in the business. Patera was a world class athelete and a beast.
bobbyBMC 1 year ago
@bobbyBMC You're absolutely right! Bob Backlund was a well respected wrestler and athlete, he was a proud champion and took pride in what he represents and as a role model for children. And then Vince McMahon Sr. died and Vince McMahon took over and ruined Bob Backlund's legacy by making him choose to turn into a bad guy or give up his belt cause he wanted to turn the WWF into a circus show and make it "Sports Entertainment" and bring in Hulk Hogan which was good for awhile now it's ridiculous!
kdemonde 1 year ago
Ken patera is my great uncle
CAEStudios 1 year ago
love these 2.patera was scary
diagreen 2 years ago
Awesome !!!
Djteedoe420 2 years ago
total "CLASSIC" yes in deed..
Djteedoe420 2 years ago
Classic.
MrFrenchHeritage 2 years ago
I met Bob Backland this summer at a Maine's Portland Seadogs game. We talked for a few minutes, he was very polite, and respectable. We both shared old times with the WWF. He gave me his business card and two tickets to a match he was having in the Portland area. Those were the days when it was fun to watch these guys go at it and you didn't know who was going to win, alot different than today,,,
happy04346 2 years ago 2
Happy you are lucky to meet an all time great of professional wrestling Bob backland. I couldnt agree with you more WWE now is more of Soap Opera, its not as exciting as before. My dad is still a die hard fan of Bob backland and he is 68 years old.
volcanictruth 2 years ago
Ken Patera was one of the greatest heels of his generation. During the late '70s & early '80s he was at the top of his game. He was never the same after his prision stint though.
Lfdjake91 2 years ago 3
Bearhugs are boring. They Just make for a terribly boring spot. Glad you don't see them much anymore.
Lfdjake91 2 years ago
Look at Kenny Petaras gorilla like arms !! A gorilla is seven times stronger than a man of the same weight.
MrJohnnyrace 2 years ago
Kenny was amazingly powerfull. However, Bob Backland would surprise the heck out of you, He was no slouch in the strength department. And, Bobs endurance was second to none.
MrJohnnyrace 2 years ago
I slayed MC's back in the rec room era
My style broke motherfuckin backs like Ken Patera
mercus151 2 years ago
Backlunds face is the dumbest of all time. 5:40 for example
oHarryTimbercranko 2 years ago
Do the people of Mexico ever contemplate the Universe?
heartsofspace 2 years ago
Too bad he came back to wrestling when he got older as a total nut, Look it up.
mynamesjimmy 3 years ago
Backlund sucked so bad! The territory was kept alive by the likes of Andre, Bruno, Snuka, Atlas and the greatest heels in wrestling history like Muraco, Patrea, Valintine, Adonis and Orton. Backlund was stiff moving, his selling ability was very unrealistic and he couldn't talk to save his life.
He did become a very entertaining heel in the 90's, almost redeeming himself for having bored the entire Northeast for 5 years & 10 months!
V.M. Jr. is so superior to his old man it's not funny.
mikebryson 3 years ago
actually you suck. I was 10 when backlund came out and he was clean entertainment for a market that catered to kids. He wasnt muscle bound, loud mouth, just clean wrestling entertainment. So you suck
tikkunsoulam 3 years ago 3
You were 10? That must be your i.q. as well. Am I supposed to cry because you say I suck.
Idiot.
mikebryson 3 years ago
Augh both big queers cant get enough of each other.. augh this is hot jo material
ronvonhesse 3 years ago
Backlund was WWF Champion during "six years"
How did he do that?
PetrovMartin1992 3 years ago 2
He was awesome. Wrestling died with his retirement.
JosephXFS 3 years ago 3
These were the days when you kid take a kid to wrestling.
jrobertsapp 3 years ago 8
Bob set a great example but as the mid 80's rolled in and morals became outdated and churches became business's I guess he was no longer in vogue.
okrabay 3 years ago
Good match! Bearhug rest hold is the best time to go to the concession stand.
NYCman530 3 years ago
I remember reading about this in a mag from the 80's
Mbk606 3 years ago
Backlund always looked awkward and girlish in the ring. No wonder Vince McMahon liked him so much.
destronia123 3 years ago
is Vince gay?
okrabay 3 years ago 2
Vince is into ANYTHING.
destronia123 3 years ago
Vince does look a little fruity at times. But do you know for sure he is gay?
okrabay 3 years ago
Patera's brother Jack coached the Seattle Seahawks in the 70's.
fblassie 3 years ago
Ken Patera could wrestle as well as brawl and in effect create the classic wrestling match. Especially with Bob backlund of whom knew each other well from the AWA days in Minnesota and so forth.
erwintommy 3 years ago
No high risk moves in those days.
ojsucksit 3 years ago 2
I love how Backlund's eyes rolled up in his head and how many times he passed out (limp arm) from this long bear hug. Good work!
jakespeed052568 3 years ago 3
Ken came back in '87 with a vacant look in his eyes.
He was a broken man and from there it was affto the AWA where he would drift even further into the abyss.
okrabay 3 years ago
When this match took place?
alx1880 3 years ago
January 21, 1980
JBRAVOS 3 years ago
That bear hug was AWESOME!
mikebryson 3 years ago 2
HIS WRESTLING SHOOT IS FUNNY AS HELL.
BOX5 4 years ago
Ken Patera was a great act along with Playboy Buddy Rose, Terry Funk, Angelo Moscow, Blackjack Mulligan, Stan Hanson, Killer Khan, Superstar Billy Graham, Greg Valentine..what memories
deanpap 4 years ago
What happened to the finish? Wasn't Patera supposed to win?
HipHop24Seven2 4 years ago
Boring bearhug = Time to go to the concession stand.
NYCman530 4 years ago
Wow - Backlund looks like he was totally knocked out. Eyes rolling up and his body going limp!
jakespeed052568 4 years ago
...I almost forgot why I worshipped Backlund. He was amazing then. I heard he started wrestling again in TNA and he was able to give Alex Shelley a double underhook suplex. Holy shit. Ok, he's 56...I'd love to see Ric Flair at 58 try that. Backlund is a god.
mike584 4 years ago
anyone have footage of Backlund winning the title from Superstar? Please post.
poilj1960 4 years ago
i`m woundering about that too if they have that match where backlund won the title
ih1s1bila1n 4 years ago
There's clips of it on the 'Superstar Billy Graham' dvd that WWE put out last year.
stevedrums 3 years ago
wow, the grand wizard!
ke3wh 4 years ago
this is the only match ive ever seen between the two ,alot of people have commented on how they clicked in the ring and made clissic matches ,may be part of it was that they were both legit athletes before they wrestled ,petera obviously an olympic wieght/powerlifter ,and bob backlund was also an ncaa wrestling champion from minnisota ,i dont think either of them had alot of time for the b.s. that goes on today,they were probably to busy keeping in shape
123wwe 4 years ago 8
Ken Patera may have been the best villian of the 70's. He had the charisma, the mic skills, the moves....he had it all it takes. Totally believable.
mfbinc 4 years ago
I used to love it when Ken Patera did his Strong Man Feats in the ring and Vince would always play along so well...
makemoneyonlinehome 3 years ago
When I grwe-up i loved Bob Backlund and to this day can't stand Hulk Hogan.Even though his daughter needs me to inspect her labia.
ojsucksit 4 years ago
Backland was a great champion, so was Bruno Sammartino
edld46 4 years ago
Backlund was a great champion back in tha day he was cool I hope you put some more matches from MSG up here soon
cookst4prez2008 4 years ago
It is a must that someone posts a Backlund vs Hogan match from 1980...
smpanish1 4 years ago
Bobby Backland was the greatest wrestling champion of all time. He beat the greatest wrestlers of all time"Ric Flair,Hulk Hogan, Superstar Billy Grahm, Snuka, Mask Superstar, Greg Valentine,Adrian Adonis, Jessy The Body Ventura and countless other pencil neck geeks!!!
trezuru 4 years ago
But he didnt beat Dennis Stamp!
fblassie 4 years ago
backlund never beat Flair man. They wrestled wwf vs nwa back in 82 to weak double-countout in order to save face for both champions. then I believed they wrestled again in 1993 when bob returned to wwf prior to Flair's departure shortly thereafter but Backlund did not beat Flair.
Augustus212 4 years ago
Talk to any old school wrestler and he'll tell you Bobby was the strongest and most in shape wrestler for that time. Guys like Warlord and Steiner were just big juicers but Backlund was naturally strong and never took steroids or any of that crap.
Chuckernut5 4 years ago
Backlund was very strong. His legs are thicker than Pateras too.
aitraining 4 years ago
Not to take anything away from Backlund as I'm a big fan too, but if you look closely right before the 6:00 minute mark, you'll see Patera's legs are bigger and Ken Patera also had massive calves. Ken Patera was an Olympic Weight Lifter, which is much more demanding than bodybuilding or power lifting and he was the 1st American to Military Press 500 pounds.
makemoneyonlinehome 4 years ago
Ken Patera is one of the all time great american powerlifters!!!
mfbinc 4 years ago
Both these guys were faves of mine. I'd like to see these guys in their prime go up against Goldberg or Warlord.
mentzerfan 5 years ago
Backlund was one of the greatest champs of all time spanning all federations.
wesleymc 5 years ago
ken patera BEEEEATCH!!! OL SKOOL at its finest. i didnt appreciate backlund until the hogan er got to about 85 then i was crying 4 backlund to be champion again. fuck u vince
takauthar 5 years ago
I'm suprised just how big and muscular backlund is.
plake15 5 years ago
Awesome match -- thanks for posting it!
pcolt4 5 years ago
Saw these guys wrestle in Pittsburgh many times!! Always a great match!
mfbinc 5 years ago
great footage. these two had a texas death match around this same time period that was a true classic, without question the greatest match of patera's career.
dennismillerclone 5 years ago
Patera was probably one of the strongest wrestlers ever. A world class power lifter. No doubt could have bodyslammed Andre during the time.
Reg197844 5 years ago
I think Patera would have been a great world champion.He would have been the "bad guy " version of Bob Backlund with the scientific style. Not for nothing Backlund was a pretty big guy! He was thin but huge!
gvader 5 years ago
Patera did slam Andre. I saw him do it in New Haven, CT in 1980.
SWW72 5 years ago
Well, for his time he was the strongest. But there is no question in my mind that the Road Warriors in the early years and then later Scott Steiner were the strongest and baddest. Warlord and Barbarian weren't bad either. Hawk was the greatest though because he was so agressive and loved to beat guys up.
cutlerfan 5 years ago
Not to take anything away from any of these guys as they were all great, but Ken Patera was the 1st American and the 2nd Person on Earth to Military Press 500 pounds. That's pick up 500 pounds off the floor and get it to shoulder level, then push it overhead and lock the arms out and hold it. All before the modern day steroids and enhancers of the 1980's, 90's and today.
makemoneyonlinehome 4 years ago
GET REAL! Steroids has been around since the 1950's Wrestlers Superstar Billy Graham were already on them. Alexeev ( Greatest SHW Lifter EVER!) who beat Patera in 1972 Olympics for the Gold was on them as well the competion and Ken himself. Mitary Press was turning into a joke because of the use of the Knee to press that kinda of weight up! So it was taken out of Competion for good.
WZ912 4 years ago
Well I didn't come here to argue with the EXPERTS, but steroids just like everything thing else have evolved over the last 50, 40, 30, 20 even 10 years and the steroids and enhancers around today are far superior to the primitive stuff. And Yes, You're correct the Military Press was replaced with the Clean and Jerk. GET REAL!
makemoneyonlinehome 4 years ago
I agree, Ken Patera was an Olympic Weight Lifter and that is where his incredible power came from. Even Superstar Billy Graham said it was scary being in the ring with someone as powerful as Ken Patera.
makemoneyonlinehome 4 years ago
Ken was beast I remember when he threw Hercules high across the ring. From one turn buckle to the other and that was in 1987-I think. He was a face. It was a comeback after a 2 year layoff he was feuding with the Heenan Family He was allot older and he stopped bleaching his hair but the superpower was still there
WZ912 3 years ago
Until watching this match, I had forgotten how the fans used to whistle at Patera when he took off his pants. In the weekly TV squash matches, Patera would really play up being upset at the whistling and often pull his pants back up. Of course, when he tried to disrobe a second time, the whistling would be even louder.
DynastyPoker 5 years ago
I remember Roddy Piper doing the same with his kilt.
DiAnno13 5 years ago