Bob Backlund's first title reign may be......

correct

plus dont forget his title loss to greg valentine

Where did you get this information? I have never heard this, and I don't think you're right.

Off the top of my head, I think Backlund held the tag straps with Pedro Morales during his world title reign. They defeated the Samoans, Afa and Sika.

Yes? No?

It was due to the "dazed" ref giving him the belt by mistake. I don't think that counts at all.

As for Backlund being tag champ, yes that is true he did hold those belts with Morales.

so who won the match, Backlund or Valentine? if it's just a case of a ref being dazed and temporarily having blurred vision, how is that a title change?

Which begs the question: if the Federation indeed had a rule preventing a wrestler from holding more than one title at the time, why did they even book the match in the first place? Hello, logic, are you there?

Anyway...the Backlund thing goes like this: He won the WWWF title from Superstar Billy Graham on 2/20/78. He lost the title to Antonio Inoki on 11/30/79 in Tokushima, Japan. A rematch was held the following week in Tokyo, but ended with a lot of controversy. Tiger Jeet Singh, one of Inoki's biggest rivals of the era, interfered and cost Inoki the match and the title. Then-Federation President Hisashi Shinma declared the match a no-contest due to Singh's interference, but Inoki refused to accept the title back in this manner, leaving the title vacant.

A Texas Death match between Backlund and the other leading contender, Big Bob Duncum, took place at MSG on 12/17/79 to determine the new champion (this was not announced to the live crowd however, nor was it ever acknowledged on Federation programming). Backlund won the match and thus began his second title reign, though most U.S. fans had no idea Backlund had even lost the title in the first place (as for Inoki, he wrestled on this same card, successfully defending his World Wrestling Federation Martial Arts title against the Great Hussein, aka the Iron Sheik. No mention was made at all of Inoki having held the Federation title).

Fast forward to October 19, 1981 in MSG. A match between Backlund and Greg Valentine ended in controversy. Backlund scored the pin when Valentine fell over after putting Backlund in an airplane spin but referee John Stanley, still dazed after being knocked out, gave the title to Valentine and raised his hand as the winner after Backlund's leg knocked Stanley out during the airplane spin. Stanley thought Valentine had scored the pin, since both wore black trunks. After the match, representatives of the New York State Athletic Commission came out and announced that no decision would be rendered. The World Wrestling Federation Championship would be held up pending an investigation. Backlund was allowed to continue to defend the title while the investigation was underway, and no mention of this was made anywhere outside New York State.

The following month at MSG (11/23/81), Backlund defeated Valentine in a Texas Death match to start his third reign as World Wrestling Federation Champion, but again, most fans had no idea Backlund had even lost the title (in this case, most fans outside of New York State, anyway).

From there, things continue as we all know it. Backlund lost the title to the Iron Sheik on December 26. 1983 in MSG thanks to his manager Arnold Skaaland throwing in the towel. He'd regain the title a fourth time at the 1994 Survivor Series against Bret Hart, then lost it for the final time three days later, an eight-second loss to Diesel.

In short; the WWE version is Backlund is a two-time champ, with one reign lasting almost six years. In the real world, Backlund is a four-time champ, his third reign being the longest at two years, one month, three days.

Backlund is the most under rated champ ever, why isnt he in the hall of fame is beyond me.