Most recently, he co-authored the 2016 edition of the WWE Encyclopedia of Sports Entertainment. [9], In 1968, Blassie returned to Japan and was reunited with Miyako. Using a variety of names, he wrestled the top performers of the day including Lou Thesz and Gorgeous George, but did not reach their level of popularity. Blassie unsuccessfully campaigned along with the other managers to manage "Macho Man" Randy Savage when Savage first entered the WWF in June 1985. Lynne Margulies, who would later become Kaufman's girlfriend, plays a role; in fact, she and Kaufman met for the first time on camera. Now is Freddie Blassie - Biography - IMDb Fred McDaniel "Ayatollah" Blassie The Vampire The Hollywood Fashion Plate Height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) Weight 220 lbs (100 kg) Born February 8, 1918 Birth Place St. Louis, Missouri Died June 2, 2003 (aged 85) Death Place Hartsdale, New York Trainer Billy Longson Everett Marshall Warren Bockwinkle Billy Hanson Debut 1935 Retired 1986 Keith Elliot Greenberg coauthored Legends of Wrestling: Freddie Blassie -- Listen, You Pencil Neck Geeks with wrestling icon "Classy" Freddie Blassie shortly before his death in 2003. He returned to the company in 1971, reaching the final of a tournament in January for the vacant WWWF United States Heavyweight Championship before losing to Pedro Morales. Looking to talk wrestling, pro football, or any number of sports? One of Blassies most notable clients during his run with WWE, however, was Hulk Hogan, who he managed as soon as Hogan debuted in the company in 1979. Classy Freddie Blassie was pro wrestling's 'Fashion Plate' Freddie Blassie, 85; Became a Cult Figure in Professional Wrestling by Head on over to theLWOS Boardsto engage in conversation with fellow fans! Stats: 6' 0" 220 lbs. [6] The final match of their series took place in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, and set new California records for both attendance and gate. 304K views 6 years ago The Dudley Boyz put Rico through a table after getting the call from WWE Hall of Famer "Classy" Freddie Blassie at ringside. Blassie also was seen with the comedian Andy Kaufman in ''My Breakfast With Blassie,'' a 1983 spoof of ''My Dinner With Andre.''. [16] In 1999, he was shown making the opening narration of WrestleMania XV. [6] His cousin John Frank Holaus often refereed his matches. When he asked for her parents' blessing, they were hesitant because of his reputation with Rikidzan and because he was 28 years older than she. At an early age, Blassie was enamored with pro wrestling, particularly the shooters of the early era of pro wrestling in the 1930s, and would often sneak into a local gym to watch the technical masters stretch and submit their opponents. [2][14] Blassie also managed Muhammad Ali in his boxer vs. wrestler match in 1976 against Antonio Inoki. Freddie Blassie Height 5'10" Weight 220 lbs Hometown St. Louis Signature Move Stomach Claw Career Highlights 1994 WWE Hall of Fame Inductee Freddie Blassie: Bio "Classy" Freddie Blassie is one of the most memorable Superstars to ever set foot inside the squared circle. [3] Blassie also publicly represented Ali for media events and interviews for a period in the mid-1970s. The phrase pencil neck geek is such a common bit of North American English idiom that likely few are aware that it actually comes from pro wrestling, let alone from the mouth of Freddie Blassie. It was not until he moved to the West Coast that fans began supporting him. "Classy" Freddie Blassie lead an interesting life as one of . His penchant for biting opponents earned him the nickname "The Vampire". He delivered a rousing speech, dramatically standing up from his wheelchair to get the WWE-loyal wrestlers pumped up for the next battle. Around 1980, he adopted a new moniker: "Ayatollah Blassie." Blassie did not just fade away after he left the ring. He even managed Muhammad Ali going into his legendary match with Antonio Inoki. Frederick Kenneth Blassie (Classy Freddy Blassie, The Vampire, Sailor Fred Blassie, The Hollywood Fashion Plate, The Fashion Plate of Professional Wrestling), Miyako Morozumi (30 September1968 - 2 June2003)( his death), ? This resulted in a weak relationship between the two. [6] His knees were also in terrible condition, which also contributed to his retirement. Returning to the WWA, Blassie began feuding with the likes of Bobo Brazil, Mil Mascaras, and others, as well as teaming with another known violent savage, Mad Dog Vachon. Blassie originally wrestled mainly in the Southeast and West Coast, winning many titles in both. Blassie was inducted into the WWF Hall of Fame in 1994 by Shane McMahon. His penchant for biting opponents earned him the nickname "The Ironically, during his WWWF stint, he was managed by another former wrestler who had recently become a manager, in the form of Captain Lou Albano. His father was an abusive alcoholic, prompting Frederick to stay with his grandparents whenever Jacob beat Anna. Fred Blassie had a shocking heel turn during his stint in Georgia, which led to him becoming an extremely hated wrestler! Blassie was more than willing to let the talented Bearcat Wright take the gold and make history. He was popular in Japan as well. Freddie Blassie Wrestlers Database CAGEMATCH - The Internet ROH Best in the World (7/11/21) Preview and Predictions, Preview: Ice Ribbon 1133 in 176Box (7/11/21), first African-American to hold a World title. If they refused to drop a title, it didnt matter what the bookers thought. It was also during this period of his career when he dropped his babyface gimmick and became a full-fledged heel. Freddie Blassie, 85, died of heart failure on June 2, 2003. Stay tuned to theLast Word on Pro Wrestlingfor more on this and other stories from around the world of wrestling, as they develop. Discover today's celebrity birthdays and explore famous people who share your birthday. He became less the focal point of WWA, and soon began working more NWA territories, as he spread his wings into enemy territory. So when I saw this book I had to get it and read it. He started a second career as a manager in the WWWF. He continued to outrage crowds by distracting referees so that his men could cheat and by getting in his own cheap shots when the refs weren't looking. him a favorite of talk shows and reportedly influencing a fellow Freddie never held a true world title but he was still one of the greatest of the 50s through the 60s". Frederick Kenneth Blassman[2] (February 8, 1918 June 2, 2003) was an American professional wrestler and manager, known by the ring name "Classy" Freddie Blassie. But while his US in-ring career ended (while still working for WWWF), he remained employed by WWWF and became a manager instead. Hed also regularly tag with Gorilla Monsoon, another wrestler better known for his non-wrestling roles. Even more important than that, Blassie would make a change that would make him an icon. During his time on the West Coast, he was a frequent guest and/or interruption on a local show hosted by Regis Philben, and Blassies appearances thanks to his massive appeal as a wrestling draw helped push Philben into a national celebrity. While there, he feuded with Soulman Rocky Johnson, The Sheik, and "The Golden Greek" John Tolos. Vince McMahon interviews "Classy" Freddie Blassie & Nikolai Volkoff | WWE Managed by "Loud" Lou Albano, Blassie continued his winning ways, but never won the WWWF's championship. Pro Wrestling Stories - Your daily source of nostalgia and a peek behind the curtain wall of wrestlings past! For example, in the 1970s, he took on Cowboy Bill Watts, whod become a promoter and booker for Mid-South Wrestling and WCW. [10] He was so hated there that uniformed police officers were regularly brought in to protect him as he made his way to and from the ring. [6] He also began boxing at a local community center and won a heavyweight championship title. 2018 Remaster of Andy Kaufman on The Late Show w/ David Letterman w/ "Classy" Fred Blassie on February 23rd, 1983.More remastered Andy Kaufman - https://goo.. Fred Blassie was born and raised in the St. Louis, Missouri, area. Upon his return to the U.S. and the pro-wrestling circuit full time in 1946, he was repackaged by promoters as Sailor Freddie Blassie, as promoters looked to capitalize on U.S. patriotism following the war. 10 Things Fans Should Know About Classy Freddie Blassie - TheSportster However, Miyako Blassie, surviving wife of the legendary "Classy" Freddie Blassie, is offering that chance as the WWE Hall of Famer's Lincoln Town Car becomes available on WWE Auction. [22], Filmed in 1982, My Breakfast with Blassie featured Andy Kaufman and Freddie Blassie eating at a Sambo's in Los Angeles. He bleached his hair and quickly became a heel's heel, outraging crowds by gleefully breaking every rule in the book. Freddie Blassie Also known as Fred Blassie, Fred McDaniel Overview Career Career highlights Titles Matches Match Statistics Matchguide Feuds Promos Tournaments Tag Teams & Stables Entourage Awards Books Wrestling Games Movies Commentary Career Ratings Comments Matches Displaying items 1 to 100 of total 1631 items that match the search parameters. After a 39-year in-ring career in the sport, Blassie retired as a wrestler as a 4x WWA World Heavyweight Champion, a 17x NWA Georgia Southern Heavyweight Champion, NWA Junior Heavyweight Champion, as well as dozens more regional titles in multiple NWA territories. Take Linda McMahon, for instance. Born Fred Blassman in St. Louis, Blassie played baseball and football in high school. My Breakfast with Blassie is a 1983 film starring Andy Kaufman and professional wrestler "Classy" Freddie Blassie.[1]. . Blassie claims that he made Regis Philbin into the celebrity he is today. G&K did not respond to calls for comment. Towards the end of Freddie Blassies life, he began to realize that it all may be coming to an end soon. After the war, he continued to wrestle professionally in the Midwest. In one memorable instance, Blassie, playing up the heel character, would berate Brunos followers backstage with promos, calling them derogatory names such as "grease ball" and "spaghetti bender." KyleEnjoysWrestling wrote on 30.07.2019: [ 9.0] "People mostly know Blassie for his manager roles, but he was also a pro in the ring. Sportswriter Jim Murray called him the worst villain since Hitler in a 1961 column in The Times. Danny Djeljosevic is a writer based in San Diego, CA. He bleached his hair and quickly became a As a result he has wrought something of a revolution in the unmanly art of exhibition wrestling.. Blassie continued to interfere from ringside in matches, especially during Volkoff's feud with Corporal Kirchner. He was feuding with a wrestler known as The Geek who had a neck like a stack of dimes, making him a literal pencil neck geek. By the mid-1970s, Freddie Blassie was in his 50s and began to settle into a role as a manager in WWE, though he would still occasionally wrestle a match. He did an advice segment on the Tuesday Night Titans TV program, made personal appearances and did radio interviews. Blassie got involved when he threw his cane into the ring, with Sheik and Volkoff using it to their advantage to gain the victory. Wrestler's widow goes to the mat - New York Post The suit, filed in federal court in White Plains, accuses the supermarket chain of negligence and recklessness and seeks more than $1 million in damages from corporate parent A&P and mat supplier G&K Services. (1965 - 1968)( divorced), Nettie Needles (September 1942 - 1964)( divorced)( 3 children). Vince McMahon interviews "Classy" Freddie Blassie & Nikolai Volkoff . He was 85. His heels were always a bit more exotic and meaner than most. He is from USA. [11], On June 12, 1961, Blassie defeated the "Flying Frenchman" douard Carpentier in a best-of-three-falls match for his first WWA World Heavyweight Championship. in their 1992 song about Kaufman, "Man on the Moon". He returned again in 1990 briefly to do color commentary for Prime Time in April with Vince McMahon, as an emergency fill-in after Tony Schiavone quit, playing a heel once again. After Sheik lost the belt to Blassie's former managed wrestler Hulk Hogan, Blassie managed Sheik in various rematches around the country throughout the first half of 1984, culminating into another major televised rematch on December 28, 1984, once again in Madison Square Garden. WWE Confidential: The life and times of "Classy" Freddie Blassie Given that Hogan was the top babyface in the 1980s, this iteration of The Hulkster was actually a heel and would depart in 1981 after a dispute with Vince McMahon Sr. over Hogans taking a role in Rocky III. In reality, Blassie was a major on-screen figure in wrestling, both in competitive and managerial roles, and had a status in overall pop culture. After managing Sheik through a brief feud with Andre the Giant, he also became the manager of Nikolai Volkoff, with Sheik and Volkoff later becoming a tag team. [6] On July 7, Blassie successfully defended his title against the former NWA World Heavyweight Champion Lou Thesz. Linda Lautrec and Andy Kaufman loosely scripted the film over several months late at night on the telephone. ", "Heres some money," Blassie would say. Who Is Freddie Blassie's Wife? You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. In this match Hogan was once again victorious. Some wrestlers choose to play a villain as a way of promoting their career, while others are forced to by their promoters. Blassie John Tolos: Wrestler celebrated as one of the finest ring villains Blassie was a regular on the WWWF's "All-Star Wrestling" and "Championship Wrestling" weekly TV shows that were videotaped at small arenas in Pennsylvania and aired throughout the Northeast. Also featured is Bob Zmuda, who plays a nosy fan. Blassie also resented "Superstar" Billy Graham, at first, due to his association with Dr. Jerry Graham, who in kayfabe was Billys older brother. Born in 1918 to German parents who escaped World War I, Blassie took up boxing as a teenager, but found a growing interest in wrestling and actually snuck into matches, eventually befriending catch wrestlers and learning holds from them. In 1950, he had his first challenge for the NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship, facing championLou Theszin Kentucky. A gifted gabber and a splashy dresser, Blassie guided The Iron Shiek to the WWF World Heavyweight title in 1983, Iron Sheik and Nikolai Volkoff to the WWF World Tag Team titles, as well as managing such clients as Adrian Adonis, Jesse The Body Ventura, Kamala, Hercules Hernandez, and even Hulk Hogan during his first stint in the WWF. ", In this particular story, Blassie won a match by count-out in Roosevelt Stadium when he kicked Sammartino in the breadbasket while the referee was distracted. "Everything had to be the best with him," Miyako told WWE.com. This film article about a 1980s comedy is a stub. [9] During this stint with the company, Blassie was managed by his future nemesis, "Captain" Lou Albano.[3]. However, Blassie said he would toss his drink in the sand if he didnt drink it, so Lanny took the offer. the time, get up, stand up and fight. If you're not from the midwest you're not allowed to have an opinion on this. [7] When Philbin had a late-night weekend talk show in San Diego, Blassie would routinely show up to yell at the audience, throw furniture, and threaten Philbin; the confrontations were wholly kayfabe and both of them were friends when the cameras weren't rolling. One poll ranked him as the most hated wrestler in the United States. Because of his close relationship with Vince McMahon, Sr. and his family, Blassie remained on the WWF payroll until the day he died. 10 Backstage Stories About Bruno Sammartino WWE Fans Should Know Real Name: Fred Blassie. Blassie began portraying himself as a villain, and it worked. Blassie also wanted to clarify through his final memoir that he was an absentee father as he was on the road for most of his sons life growing up. The nastier he was in the ring, the more popular he became to fans. While writingThe Legends of Wrestling, Greenberg got to know Freddie Blassie quite well and mentioned in his appearance on The Genius Cast that Blassie really opened up to him. In the late 1960s, he moved to the East Coast and the World-Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF, later the World Wresting Federation (WWF) and now World Wrestling Entertainment WWE)). Moto-1964 and w/Buddy Austin-1967); NWA America's Heavyweight championships (5); Georgia Heavyweight title; "Beat The Champ" TV Title; NWA America's Brass Knuckles Title. He was 85. At Freddie Blassies wake, a family member came up to Keith Elliot Greenberg, saying that Freddies son had read the book and was ready to make peace with his father. Among the men he managed were Nikolai Volkoff,[2] The Iron Sheik,[2] Blackjack Mulligan,[2] High Chief Peter Maivia,[2] "The Crippler" Ray Stevens,[2] Adrian Adonis,[2] Jesse Ventura,[2] Dick Murdoch,[2] Swede Hanson,[2] Killer Khan,[2] George 'The Animal' Steele,[2] Professor Tanaka,[2] Mr. Fuji,[2] Ivan Koloff,[2] Tor Kamata,[2] Masa Saito,[2] Lou Albano,[2] Victor Rivera,[2] Kamala,[2] Hercules Hernandez,[2] and Hulk Hogan. He, Albano, and "The Grand Wizard of Wrestling" (Ernie Roth) formed the WWWF's "Evil Trinity" of heel managers. [6] One of his most famous feuds took place in southern California in 1971, against Tolos. He liked to use a variety of names but had trouble gaining the affection of fans who gravitated toward the likes of Lou Thesz and Gorgeous George. One poll ranked him as the most hated wrestler in the United States. Without further ado, lets do an overview of Blassies career for fans who may not know much about him. This story has been shared 143,593 times. Fred Blassie was born and raised in the St. Louis, Missouri, area. I think Dick Lane was as good as Gordon Solie in his day. This benefactor was later revealed to be Slick. A child of two German immigrants, Freddie Blassie was born in St. Louis, Missouri in 1918. "CLASSY" FRED BLASSIE on Twitter: "Your trad wife, sir. https://t.co [8], Blassie appeared in an episode of The Dick Van Dyke Show that featured a new dance craze called The Twizzle. The Dudleyz get the tables with "Classy" Freddie Blassie's help: Raw [6] He performed for that promotion until his full retirement from professional wrestling in 1986. He was now hooked, and he decided that pro wrestling was his destiny and not his backbreaking work in the meatpacking plant. At 85 years old, Freddie Blassie height Bruno Sammartino and Vince McMahons Venomous 25-Year Feud, Bob Backlund Humble Beginnings to Championship Gold, World Wrestling Association: WWA Indianapolis Wrestling Territory, Rise and Sad Demise of The Midnight Express, Greatest Challenge Yet for Pro Wrestling Stories Author Jim Phillips, Adrian Street The British Brawler Who Wore Sequins, Ric Flair and Terry Funk: A Feud to Remember, Lou Thesz The Side Business Hustles of a Champion Wrestler, Velvet McIntyre | WWEs Original Irish Lass Kicker, Big Time Wrestling in San Francisco | Wrestling Territories, Wrestlers Who Shouldnt Have Followed Fathers Footsteps, Jack Donovan Deal One of Wrestlings Most Heinous Attacks. While there, he won the NWA Georgia Southern Heavyweight Championship, the holder of which was generally first in line to challenge the NWA World Heavyweight Champion whenever he passed through the territory. By 1968, WWA rejoined the NWA, becoming NWA Hollywood, but in 1971, Blassie returned to WWWF and challenged new WWWF World Champion Pedro Morales, to no avail. His career began in earnest after his service in the United States Navy during World War II. As a wrestling manager, wore shirts and trousers of the exact same color, sometimes with a matching jacket. Blassie died in Hartsdale, N.Y., Jeff Walton, a former wrestling publicist, told The Los Angeles Times. One poll ranked him as the most hated wrestler in the United Funeral services will be held at noon Friday at Hitchcock Presbyterian Church in Scarsdale, N.Y. Freddie Blassie, the silver-maned wrestler with a voice from the depths of the earth who made himself a hero to mat fans in the 1950s and 60s by playing the villain, has died. By the 1970s, Blassie had relocated to the East Coast where he successfully pursued his mat career. [3] As an adult, Frederick was a teetotaler. WrestlingEpicenter.com - RIP Rest in Peace Obituaries Fred Blassie was born and raised in the St. Louis, Missouri, area. With Andy Kaufman, Freddie Blassie, Laurie Burton, Linda Hirsch. Free Freddie Blassie Wallpaper Downloads, [100+] Freddie Blassie Professional Wrestling Online Museum - Spotlight on Freddie Blassie In 1961, he defeated Eduoard Carpentier for the WWA World Heavyweight Championship, a title that held prominence in the pro-wrestling world, since WWA was an outlaw territory outside the realm of the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA). Renowned as "The Hollywood Fashion Plate",[3] he was a one-time NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion, and was inducted into the WWF Hall of Fame in 1994. Accounts about his early athletic career do not quite agree, but he first tried to make his mark as a boxer, despite warnings that his arms were too short. He began wrestling professionally in 1935 and it was soon after that he came up with his famous pencil neck geek insult. Freddie Blassies origins are worth knowing about, especially because they involve much earlier days of the pro wrestling world -- as in, within the first half of the 20th century. Deiveson Figueiredo Tattoo Wallpaper. [1] It is a mostly improvised parody of the art film My Dinner with Andre and is set in a Sambo's restaurant where Kaufman and Blassie have a discussion over breakfast. [3][8][9], In 1960, Blassie returned to Strongbow's promotion in Los Angeles, where he was a big star for Worldwide Wrestling Associates (WWA) of southern California, drawing many fans to the Olympic Auditorium in Los Angeles. [2] He was given a commentary tryout in 1986 and 1987 for WWF Wrestling Challenge, calling a few matches with Gorilla Monsoon. He started a second career as a manager in the WWWF. Worldwide star. Vampire". [3] Blassie, Lou Albano, and The Grand Wizard were named "The Three Wise Men of the East", as the top three heel managers in the company.
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