The History of the WWE's Raw World Heavyweight Title: 1979 - 1989

In 1980 Vincent Kennedy McMahon founded Titan Sports and purchased his father's wrestling company. Vince McMahon was the first wrestling promoter that would go against the territory systems that would designate a federation to a certain region and would distribute his television show and videos to a national, and eventually, an international audience.

Despite some competition in the 1990's from WCW, the WWE has remained the number one wrestling promotion in the United States, which makes their World Heavyweight Title the most prized possession in pro wrestling. Here is a look back at the history of the WWE World Heavyweight title that currently resides on their Monday Night Raw program.

Bob Backlund's Reign
Ask a WWE fan some of the greatest WWE Champions of all time and they are sure to list Hulk Hogan, The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin, but Bob Backlund was the original dominant force in the Heavyweight Division. During the late 70's Bob Backlund made his debut in the WWE, which at the time was the WWWF. Bob Backlund began a feud with the champion "Superstar" Billy Graham. Each time Backlund fought Graham he would get closer and closer to winning. First Backlund lost by count out, then double count out, then he won by count out. Finally Bob Backlund pinned Billy Graham for the WWWF World Heavyweight Title. While Backlund was holding the title it would change from WWWF to WWF.

According to the WWE Bob Backlund's title reign went from his title win against Billy Graham in 1978 until 1983. However, Bob Backlund actually lost the title to Antonio Inoki in Japan. A week later Backlund would get a rematch against Inoki. Bob Backlund pinned Inoki in the rematch but the match was thrown out because of interference and the belt was given back to Inoki, but he refused to take it. When Bob Backlund returned to the United States he appeared with the title as if the whole thing never happened.