Bob Backlund announced as WWE Hall of Fame 2013 inductee

Bob Backlund announced as WWE Hall of Fame 2013 inductee

A special look at 2013 WWE Hall of Fame Inductee Bob Backlund: Raw, Jan 21, 2013

Former WWE Champion Bob Backlund is announced as the second inductee for the 2013 Hall of Fame.

Stand at attention: Mr. Bob Backlund is going to the WWE Hall of Fame.

The two-time WWE Champion and sports-entertainment icon was announced Monday as the second inductee for the Hall's 2013, joining Mick Foley as the WWE Legends who will be enshrined in sports-entertainment's most hallowed hall on April 6, 2013. (TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW) The Princeton, Minn., native achieved the highest honors in both amateur and professional wrestling over a storied, decades-long career, earning collegiate all-American honors at North Dakota State University as well as an NCAA Championship at 190 pounds. He was also an all-American football player before turning professional and pursuing a career in WWE.

Backlund cemented himself firmly in sports-entertainment lore when he defeated "Superstar" Billy Graham for the WWE Title and held the prize for six years, a reign second only to Bruno Sammartino's in WWE history. ( WATCH BACKLUND'S CAREER HIGHLIGHTS) The old-school grappler quietly left WWE in the '80s after losing the title to The Iron Sheik, but returned in 1992 and later defeated Bret Hart for his second WWE Championship at Survivor Series 1994. Backlund's appearances throughout the 2000s have been sporadic but memorable, and his influence remains strewn across the sports-entertainment landscape to this day. So please join us in congratulating this true wrestling legend, and remember: Bob Backlund for President. ( MORE ABOUT BACKLUND)

The legendary former WWE Champion will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame by a lifelong fan – "Extra" host Maria Menounos.

See Mr. Backlund go into the Hall in person. Tickets for the Induction Ceremony are on sale NOW and available at the MSG box office, online at Ticketmaster.com and various Ticketmaster outlets, or charge by phone at 800-745-3000. Ticket prices range from $50 to $150.

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