Sarah Bäckman (born 8 December 1991) is a Swedish real estate broker and former professional wrestler and arm wrestler. She is a former eight-time World Arm Wrestling Champion.[2] 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 | Sarah Bäckman 8 December 1991 Stockholm, Sweden |
| Other names | Spirit |
| Occupations | |
| Spouses | |
| Ring name(s) | Shara[1] |
| Billed height | 5 ft 8 in (173 cm) |
| Billed weight | 178 lb (81 kg) |
| Trained by | NXT |
Arm wrestling career
editBäckman began arm wrestling at age 14.[2][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.
Sarah has resumed professional arm wrestling after the release of her contract from WWE in 2014. She has won several championships and titles since and is still current and better than ever.
Gladiatorerna
editBäckman portrayed 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
editIn 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.[1]
Bäckman requested and was granted her release from her contract on 30 April 2014.[10]
Personal life
editBäckman was born in Stockholm on 8 December 1991.[2]
Bäckman was married to American professional wrestler Taylor Rotunda, better known as Bo Dallas, from 2014 until their divorce in 2019.[11][12] She married fitness instructor Mikey Oliva in 2019.
As of 2015, Bäckman works as a real estate broker.[13][14]
References
edit- ^ a b "NXT Diva Sarah Backman Reveals New Name". diva-dirt.com/. Retrieved 10 February 2014.
- ^ a b c "Sarah Backman Ultimate Arm Wrestling League bio". theual.com. Retrieved 12 March 2013.
- ^ a b "The gladiator Sarah "Spirit" Bäckman second most viewed in Sweden's biggest newspaper Aftonbladet". www.worldofarmwrestling.com. Retrieved 11 March 2013.
- ^ a b Meltzer, Dave. "Thurs. update: Tonight's TV preview, GSP vs. Diaz explodes, WWE creative change..." www.f4wonline.com. Retrieved 12 March 2013.
- ^ Braun, Lori. "Sarah Backman: Beauty Queen of Arm Wrestling". femalemuscle.com. Archived from the original on 11 March 2013. Retrieved 12 March 2013.
- ^ "WWE Signs New Diva, Champion Arm Wrestler". www.diva-dirt.com. Retrieved 11 March 2013.
- ^ "Gladiator Sarah Bäckman". 11 June 2012. Retrieved 11 March 2013.
- ^ "Swedish newspaper article, Aftonbladet". www.aftonbladet.se. Retrieved 11 March 2013.
- ^ "Ryback News, WWE Signs Swedish Arm Wrestling Diva, Vince Quote & More". rajah.com. Retrieved 11 March 2013.
- ^ Meltzer, Dave (30 April 2014). "WWE makes developmental cuts". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved 1 May 2014.
- ^ "Bo Dallas Marries Recently Released NXT Diva". 28 June 2014. Retrieved 23 February 2017.
- ^ "Sarah Bäckman Married Taylor Rotunda". Retrieved 8 February 2023.
- ^ "Sarahrotunda.com". Retrieved 23 February 2016.
- ^ "Sarah Rotunda - White Diamond Realty". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 23 February 2016.
External links
edit- Sarah Bäckman on Facebook
- Sarah Bäckman's profile at Wrestlingdata.com, Internet Wrestling Database