Sarah Bäckman

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Sarah Bäckman
Born (1991-12-08) 8 December 1991 (age 29)
Stockholm, Sweden[1]
Spouse(s)
​
​
(m. 2014; div. 2019)​
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Sarah Bäckman
Shara[2]
Billed height5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Billed weight178 lb (81 kg)
Trained byNXT
Debut2012
Retired2014

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]

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 was formerly signed to WWE under the ring name Bo Dallas, on June 26, 2014.[11][12] In 2015, Bäckman started a career as a real estate broker.[13][14] Bäckman and Rotunda divorced in 2019.[citation needed]

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b c "Sarah Backman Ultimate Arm Wrestling League bio". theual.com. Retrieved 12 March 2013.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b "NXT Diva Sarah Backman Reveals New Name". diva-dirt.com/. Retrieved 10 February 2014.
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b "The gladiator Sarah "Spirit" Bäckman second most viewed in Sweden's biggest newspaper Aftonbladet". www.worldofarmwrestling.com. Retrieved 11 March 2013.
  4. ^ Jump up to: a b 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". 11 June 2012. 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.

External links[]

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