WWE announces the induction of Bob Backlund in the Hall of Fame

Bob Backlund (left)

WWE on Thursday announced that Bob Backlund will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame on Saturday, April 6, 2013 by Maria Menounos, who has worked with the legendary wrestler.

The WWE press release contained the following:

WWE announced today that Extra Host Maria Menounos will induct Bob Backlund into the WWE Hall of Fame. The ceremony will take place at Madison Square Garden on Saturday as part of WrestleMania week.

Maria Menounos who competed at WrestleMania 28 in Miami will induct Bob Backlund into the WWE Hall Of Fame Class of 2013. Menounos who claims to be a life-long WWE fan has idolized Backlund while growing up and met him through partner Keven Undergaro.

Maria Menounos said: “It is an honour to induct my good friend Bob Backlund into the WWE Hall of Fame, watching him carry the title for a since unmatched five years and then stage such an incredible comeback with a reinvented persona puts him in a class all his own. Add in his incredible work ethic and high moral calibre, and you have everything that defines the word champion. And astonishingly, he can still wrestle with guys a third his age! He’s my hero and my friend. I can’t wait for the ceremony on April 6.”

“I am truly humbled to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame,” responded Bob Backlund. “Maria has been a friend for years and I can’t think of someone I would rather have induct me at Madison Square Garden.”

Meanwhile, WrestleMania 29 airs live on pay-per-view Sunday, April 7 at 7:00 pm ET from MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.