Sarah Bäckman

Sarah Bäckman (born 8 December 1991) is a Swedish real estate broker, former professional wrestler and arm wrestler. She is a former eight-time World Arm Wrestling Champion.[1] Bäckman also competed as "Spirit" on the Swedish version of MGM Television's Gladiators franchise.[3] From 2013 to 2014, Bäckman was signed to WWE, working in their developmental territory NXT.[4]

Sarah Bäckman
Born (1991-12-08) 8 December 1991
Stockholm, Sweden[1]
Spouse(s)
Bo Dallas (m. 2014)
FamilyMike Rotunda (father-in-law)
Barry Windham (uncle in-law)
Bray Wyatt (brother in-law)
Kendall Windham
(uncle in-law)
Blackjack Mulligan
(grandfather in-law)
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Sarah Bäckman
Shara[2]
Billed height5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Billed weight160 lb (73 kg)
Trained byNXT
Debut2012
Retired2014

Arm wrestling career

Bäckman began arm wrestling at age 14.[1][5] She is one of the most decorated women's arm wrestlers in the world. An eight-time World Arm Wrestling Champion, eight-time European Arm Wrestling Champion and 11-time Swedish Arm Wrestling Champion.[6] She retired from arm wrestling to pursue a wrestling career in May 2013 when she decided to sign with WWE.

Bäckman portrays Gladiator "Spirit" on the Swedish version of Gladiators (or Gladiatorerna as the show, which airs on TV4, is referred to in Sweden). Bäckman replaced “Stinger”, who was portrayed by Cajsa Nilsson.[7] In an article for a Swedish newspaper (Aftonbladet), Bäckman referred to being a Gladiator as "a childhood dream" of hers.[3][8]

Professional wrestling career

In March 2013, it was reported that Bäckman signed a developmental contract with WWE and would report to their developmental territory NXT.[4][9] Bäckman's ring name was revealed as Shara on 10 February 2014.[2]

Bäckman requested and was granted her release from her contract on 30 April 2014.[10]

Personal life

Bäckman married Taylor Rotunda, who performs in the WWE as Bo Dallas, on June 26, 2014.[11][12] In 2015, Bäckman started a career as a real estate broker.[13][14]

References
  1. "Sarah Backman Ultimate Arm Wrestling League bio". theual.com. Retrieved 12 March 2013.
  2. "NXT Diva Sarah Backman Reveals New Name". diva-dirt.com/. Retrieved 10 February 2014.
  3. "The gladiator Sarah "Spirit" Bäckman second most viewed in Sweden's biggest newspaper Aftonbladet". www.worldofarmwrestling.com. Retrieved 11 March 2013.
  4. Meltzer, Dave. "Thurs. update: Tonight's TV preview, GSP vs. Diaz explodes, WWE creative change..." www.f4wonline.com. Retrieved 12 March 2013.
  5. Braun, Lori. "Sarah Backman: Beauty Queen of Arm Wrestling". femalemuscle.com. Archived from the original on 11 March 2013. Retrieved 12 March 2013.
  6. "WWE Signs New Diva, Champion Arm Wrestler". www.diva-dirt.com. Retrieved 11 March 2013.
  7. "Gladiator Sarah Bäckman". Retrieved 11 March 2013.
  8. "Swedish newspaper article, Aftonbladet". www.aftonbladet.se. Retrieved 11 March 2013.
  9. "Ryback News, WWE Signs Swedish Arm Wrestling Diva, Vince Quote & More". rajah.com. Retrieved 11 March 2013.
  10. Meltzer, Dave (30 April 2014). "WWE makes developmental cuts". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved 1 May 2014.
  11. "Bo Dallas Marries Recently Released NXT Diva". 28 June 2014. Retrieved 23 February 2017.
  12. https://www.xsportnews.com/armwrestling/sarah-backman-married-taylor-rotunda/
  13. "Sarahrotunda.com". Retrieved 23 February 2016.
  14. "Sarah Rotunda - White Diamond Realty". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 23 February 2016.
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