Bob Backlund on His Hall of Fame Induction, CM Punk’s Reign and Staying Fit

J. George: What’s going on? It’s J. George for The Sports Courier at the Action Martial Arts Hall of Fame weekend, and I’m joined by soon-to-be WWE Hall of Famer Bob Backlund. How are you doing, sir?

Bob Backlund: I’m doing great, having a great day.

J. George: What brings you here?

Bob Backlund: A long time ago, I met a man who invited me here, and we worked things out. I’m here to market a product, but I’m also here to motivate people to work out on a day-to-day basis, watch their diet and watch their health, to prevent certain diseases and certain things that can happen to you 30 days or years from now.

J. George: You’ve always had a clean-cut image, and you’re being inducted into the Hall of Fame at Madison Square Garden, a place you sold out numerous times. How special is that?

Bob Backlund: That’s where all my history is. That’s where my career blossomed from nothing. That was my goal when I left Princeton, Minnesota, in 1973 in a green Chevrolet Impala with $20 in my pocket. My goal was to get to Madison Square Garden and have things happen for me there, and I think I have more appearances at Madison Square Garden than anybody in the world. It makes me very excited to return to that building and thank the people out there, and that means all of you. I love you, and I love what you did for me. You gave me the energy, the drive, the courage and the adrenaline, and I will never forget you.

J. George: You’re the second-longest-reigning WWE champion in history. Right now, CM Punk has been champion for over 400 days. What do you think of his reign in this modern era?

Bob Backlund: You can never say never to anything. Anything is possible in the right situation. You make goals and focus on them, and if you keep those goals strong enough, anything can happen. But I’m not a watcher. I’m a doer. I don’t sit and watch things. I do them, so I haven’t followed professional wrestling a lot. I know CM Punk is a strong guy and a good guy, and I hope he has the belt for a long, long time. That’s somebody’s goal, and he probably has more goals as far as the belt is concerned. I hope he does the best he can and puts all his energy into it. But you know what the big thing is? There are so many athletes out there. I hope he’s smart enough to plan for the future. Don’t spend all your money partying. Put some away and save for tomorrow, and you’ll be a very successful man no matter when you lose the championship. Take care of your homework as far as your life is concerned.

J. George: The Royal Rumble is tomorrow, and you’ve competed in a number of Rumbles. When you came back to the WWF in 1993, you set the record at the time by lasting more than an hour after entering at No. 2. How did you condition for that, and what advice would you give people preparing for a match like that?

Bob Backlund: In a match like the Royal Rumble, it’s hard to focus on just that, because you never know what’s going to happen with that many people in there. But I started an exercise 30 years ago called the Gym in a Box. I had it made, and I’ve been using it and testing it. I was running a lot and had a lot of knee injuries, so I was trying to find an alternative that would keep the same conditioning or better, and I found the step test was better. This piece folds out into a little bench you can keep in your kitchen or wherever. You unfold it and do the Harvard step test, up and down, up and down. Then there’s a wheel with a handle that’s attached underneath the seat, and you work your upper body and lower body in the same position. It’s one of the safest exercises you can do as far as injuries to your body.

J. George: There you go. I’m supposed to come down and work out with you tonight at the gym at the Tropicana.

Bob Backlund: A lot of people say that, but I’ve never had anybody show up.

J. George: A great man once told me, “I’m not a watcher. I’m a doer,” so I’m going to take your words of wisdom. I’ll be getting active with soon-to-be WWE Hall of Famer Bob Backlund. Do you have any closing words?

Bob Backlund: Thank you, ladies and gentlemen, for everything over the years. I appreciate your comments. You’re very motivating, and we will be back in the ring.

J. George: Mr. Backlund, just one last thing …

Bob Backlund: I’m done. That was my last comment.