Blassie, whose late hubby [inset] was known for his gravel-voiced put-down pencil-neck geek, claims to have suffered excruciating pain in the January 2011 tumble, which broke her right wrist, and permanent scarring from a cut eyebrow. After four decades, trainer Ed Moger gets his first Triple Crown starter, An exclusive look at details of Chip Kellys two-year contract extension from UCLA, His shoe game is pretty tight. Why Dodgers hope Miguel Rojas play matches his swag, Rats in the laundry? Frederick was an only child. [4] He is regarded as one of the greatest wrestling heels, or villains, of all time. "That's why he was 'Classy' Freddie Blassie." 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. Hear Keith Elliot Greenbergs share stories about "Classy" Freddie Blassie on The Genius Cast below: Over his 22-year wrestling career, Freddie Blassie had many notable feuds. Vince McMahon interviews "Classy" Freddie Blassie & Nikolai Volkoff | WWE "Classy" Freddie Blassie appeared in a live-action segment of the cartoon "Hulk Hogan's Rock 'n' Wrestling." [12], In 1962, Blassie had a feud with Japanese wrestling icon Rikidzan that established his reputation in Japan. Inducted into the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2004. Managed by "Loud", Countless World Wrestling Federation TV and Pay Per View Ads. 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. He, Albano, and "The Grand Wizard of Wrestling" (Ernie Roth) formed the WWWF's "Evil Trinity" of heel managers. Blassie was inducted into the WWF Hall of Fame in 1994 by Shane McMahon. RELATED: 10 Managers With The Best Claim To Be On A Wrestling Mount Rushmore. It was not until he moved to the West Coast that fans began supporting him. 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. He also reportedly excelled as a boxer. Miyako Blassie, 68, says in court papers that she was shopping for groceries. Blassie wrestled as a dark-haired good guy until he found out that the "heels" (bad guys) got better pay. Download 100+ Free Freddie Blassie Wallpaper Images & 500,000+ Wallpapers for Free. 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." Deiveson Figueiredo Tattoo Wallpaper. His parents repeatedly separated, only to reconcile. After regaining the WWA Championship from Rikidzan on July 25, 1962, Blassie lost the title two days later to the "Masked Destroyer" Dick Beyer. JP Zarka created Pro Wrestling Stories in May 2015. You pencil neck geek! For those who were brought up on pro wrestling in the 1980s and 1990s, one of the most colorful managers of the day was WWF stalwart, Classy Freddie Blassie. 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. His net worth has been growing significantly in 2021-2022. 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. Keith Elliot Greenberg has been doing his part to preserve professional wrestling history for the past few decades. Freddie never held a true world title but he was still one of the greatest of the 50s through the 60s". [7] As the wrestlers became familiar with him, they began teaching him holds. [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. Over the course of his in-ring career, Classy Freddie Blassie would wrestle a number of legends, many of whom have either become legendary wrestlers or became famous in the following decades for non-competitive roles. Blassie got involved when he threw his cane into the ring, with Sheik and Volkoff using it to their advantage to gain the victory. Poffo, at first, played it small and declined. He graduated from McKinley High School and began work at a meatpacking plant. Backstage, Jilly Rizzo club owner, Frank Sinatra's bodyguard, and . Freddie never held a true world title but he was still one of the greatest of the 50s through the 60s". [21] His book, Listen You Pencil Neck Geeks, was released on May 13, 2003. [8] Blassie also appeared in a segment at the Vengeance pay-per-view event in December 2001, where an "undisputed" champion would be crowned. [2][14] Blassie also managed Muhammad Ali in his boxer vs. wrestler match in 1976 against Antonio Inoki. His parents, Anna (ne Sind) and Jacob Blassman, were German immigrants who arrived in the United States prior to World War I.[3]. Accounts about his early athletic career do not quite agree, but he Had some great matches with Rikidozan & even back in the late 60s he was over bigtime as a heel. Blassie also resented "Superstar" Billy Graham, at first, due to his association with Dr. Jerry Graham, who in kayfabe was Billys older brother. Fred Blassie would meet his wife, a Japanese actress.. November 15, 1968: Fred Blassie defeated Buddy Austin in a "Stretcher" match in the Olympic Stadium.. You can check out an almost unlimited array of WWE content on theWWE NetworkandPeacock. They had no connecting hallways, so he was stuck with a bunch of these people, kayfabing his gimmick as Bruno was being hauled in on a stretcher. All the while, he reveled in his role as being one of professional wrestlings most despised villains. 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. The widow of pro-wrestling villain "Classy" Freddie Blassie got thrown for a fall by a supermarket floor mat. [15] Blassie led Shiek to the WWF World Heavyweight Championship over Bob Backlund on December 26, 1983, in Madison Square Garden. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. The two spoke the same dialect of German, their parents had mutual friends, and . . 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 using this site, you agree to the legal terms set out in ourDisclaimer, Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, and Disclosure. [20] Because of this, Blassie is one of, if not the only man to have worked with all four generations of the McMahon family. RELATED: 10 Performers Who Were Great As Both A Wrestler & Manager. In 1964, the legendary "Classy" Freddie Blassie was still an in-ring competitor when he took on local hero Bruno Sammartino in front of a hostile New Jersey crowd, where he cheated for a cheap countout victory over the champ. By 1952, Blassie was getting disillusioned by the East Coast and headed for California, although he did still work for various NWA territories in the South, particularly Georgia Championship Wrestling (GCW). [10] He had main event-level feuds against stars such as The Destroyer. My Breakfast with Blassie is a 1983 film starring Andy Kaufman and professional wrestler "Classy" Freddie Blassie.[1]. For a brief period of time after World War Two, he was billed as "Sailor" Freddie Blassie in matches, a gimmick that did not prove successful. After being pounded by a longer-limbed opponent, he switched to professional wrestling. But for nearly 40 years, Fred Blassie was an in-ring talent who ruled the West Coast, a multi-time World Champion, and one of the most feared villains in pro wrestling history. switched to professional wrestling. Originally from Chicago, he has called London home since 2008. 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved, Three injured in shooting outside Bronx funeral home, Canadian teacher with size-Z prosthetic breasts placed on paid leave, What's next for Buster Murdaugh after dad's murder conviction, life sentence, US home prices just did something they haven't done since 2012, How a retired detective snared his seventh 'Torso Killer' confession, It's insane that NYers can use but not buy pepper spray for self-defense: Change this now, Celeb-loved jewelry brand Dorsey drops dazzling new styles, White Lotus actor jokes about being hit on following shows success, Is this the couple behind the Worst Art Job Listing Ever?, Undertaker transforms coffin into barbecue grill, Kellyanne Conway and George Conway to divorce. He retired from competition in the late 1970s to manage a new generation of gladiators such as Hulk Hogan. . 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. Had some great matches with Rikidozan & even back in the late 60s he was over bigtime as a heel. He won the WWA World Heavyweight Wrestling Championship from French star Edouard Carpentier at the L.A. Sports Arena in 1961. 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 held his WWA World title for 289 days and thanks to WWAs alliance with Japan, in particular the Japan Wrestling Alliance (JWA) headed by puroresu icon Rikidozan, Blassie would not only help introduce Japanese pro wrestling to the U.S. market but help validate it in Japan as well. He bleached his hair and quickly became a heel's heel, outraging crowds by gleefully breaking every rule in the book. Managed by "Loud" Lou Albano, Blassie continued his winning ways, but never won the WWWF's championship. 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)). Freddie Blassie managed many heels to success, including the team of The Iron Sheik and Nikolai Volkoff, who would win the World Tag Team Titles from US Express thanks to Blassies delivering a strategic shot with his cane. (and of course, Bubba Ray and D-Von take care of Bischoff and his cronies). In this series, we will look at some of pro wrestlings greatest and most well-known managers and/or valets, but explore their prior career as an in-ring professional wrestler. 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. Blassie also was seen with the comedian Andy Kaufman in ''My Breakfast With Blassie,'' a 1983 spoof of ''My Dinner With Andre.''. [9][6], On June 2, 2003, Blassie died of heart and kidney failure at the age of 85. Fred Blassie was born and raised in the St. Louis, Missouri, area. Funeral services will be held at noon Friday at Hitchcock Presbyterian Church in Scarsdale, N.Y. Prep Rally is devoted to the SoCal high school sports experience, bringing you scores, stories and a behind-the-scenes look at what makes prep sports so popular. for the WWF. When meeting someone, he would ask where they were from, and no matter their response, he would reply with, "Oh, that's God's country!". On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Blassies father was a heavy alcoholic and was abusive towards his beloved mother. [9] During this stint with the company, Blassie was managed by his future nemesis, "Captain" Lou Albano.[3]. June 8, 2003 The professional wrestler Freddie Blassie, who became a cult figure to fans by playing the villain inside the ring during the 1950's and 1960's, died Monday. A fierce competitor in the ring known for unorthodox methods and a penchant for bloodletting, Blassie was verbose and boastful. As much as governing body politics held back minorities, the wrestlers themselves had even more power. Blassie originally wrestled Sadly, the gimmick was a bomb, and Blassie jumped around territories, including working in New York City for Jess McMahon (grandfather of Vince McMahon Jr.). Between matches, he gave loud and boastful interviews, making him a favorite of talk shows and reportedly influencing a fellow egomaniac then known as Cassius Clay. As a result he has wrought something of a revolution in the unmanly art of exhibition wrestling.. Fred Blassie had a shocking heel turn during his stint in Georgia, which led to him becoming an extremely hated wrestler! [9] The sight of the Japanese legend covered in his own blood gave several viewers heart attacks, and some reportedly died. Bruno had gotten so famous that he couldnt always pick the boneheads from the rest. [3], Upon Blassie's return from the war, he was billed as "Sailor" Fred Blassie to capitalize on the wave of war-time patriotism sweeping the country, but that gimmick was unsuccessful. 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. News on all your favorite celebs, reality TV, and movies. Zach Eflin And Wife On Yacht Wallpaper. egomaniac then known as Cassius Clay. He, Albano, and "The Grand Wizard of Wrestling" (Ernie Roth) formed the WWWF's "Evil Trinity" of heel managers. By the 1970s, Blassie had relocated to the East Coast where he successfully pursued his mat career. Let's learn more about this classic heel! On a mid-July 2001 episode of Raw, the Invasion storyline was in full swing, and Blassie was brought in to motivate the WWE in the face of their ongoing war with the WCW/ECW Alliance. [6] His knees were also in terrible condition, which also contributed to his retirement. Let me take care of him in the ring.". In 1960, he became a regular with World Wrestling Associates (WWA) in Los Angeles, a move that would cement his legacy in pro wrestling, long before he became a manager. heel's heel, outraging crowds by gleefully breaking every rule in the [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. He returned to AJPW again in 1973, but the following year in 1974, he jumped to New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) for his final tour of Japan. Lanny was only 12 or 13-years-old at the time. (1965 - 1968)( divorced), Nettie Needles (September 1942 - 1964)( divorced)( 3 children). [22], Filmed in 1982, My Breakfast with Blassie featured Andy Kaufman and Freddie Blassie eating at a Sambo's in Los Angeles. [3] Blassie also publicly represented Ali for media events and interviews for a period in the mid-1970s. Stats: 6' 0" 220 lbs. *Blassie also told Greenberg that women used to come up to him on the street and gawk at him because he was Gods gift to women! World Wrestling Entertainment WWE)). You can always count on LWOPW to be on top of the major news in the wrestling world, as well as to provide you with analysis, previews, videos, interviews, and editorials on the wrestling world. Also featured is Bob Zmuda, who plays a nosy fan. Fred Blassie was born and raised in the St. Louis, Missouri, area. Tolos moved first to Vancouver, where he married his wife Ingrid in 1967 (they later divorced), then worked his way south until he reached Los Angeles. Still claiming to be the West Coast Champion, entered into a feud with Bruno Sammartino to unify the titles. Recommended:The Night Bruno Sammartino Saved Freddie Blassies Life, Lanny Poffo, speaking to his friend Keith Elliot Greenberg on The Genius Cast, shared the story of the time he and Freddie Blassie were in Hawaii in 1968. wrestled as a dark-haired good guy until he found out that the "heels" [8] His final wrestling appearance was May 12, 2003 in Philadelphia on Raw, three weeks before his death. 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). Freddie Blassie decided to stop being a fixture of wrestling in 1986 but was no stranger to making the odd guest appearance. He started a second career as a manager in the WWWF. In 1972, ten years after his last match in Japan with Rikidozans JWA, he returned to Japan and began working for Giant Babas All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW). Born: 1921. Blassie originally wrestled mainly in the Southeast and West Coast, winning many titles in both. Even more important than that, Blassie would make a change that would make him an icon. The film My Breakfast With Blassie, which came out in 1983, was a spoof of My Dinner With Andre. The camera followed Blassie and Kaufman as they ate and discussed life at a local restaurant that looked like a Dennys. [3], Blassie returned to WWA in 1968 just as promoter Mike LeBell decided to rejoin the NWA. Of course, these mobsters thought he was putting them down for real. If you're not from the midwest you're not allowed to have an opinion on this. Also learn how He earned most of Freddie Blassie networth? He grabs his balls!" Freddie accomplished that goal and did so in grand style, as only he could. According to Walton, Blassies biggest achievement came Aug. 27, 1971, when he met and defeated Canadian wrestler Golden Greek John Tolos at the Coliseum before 25,000 wrestling fans. His wife is Miyako Morozumi (30 September 1968 - 2 June 2003) ( his death), ? (1965 - 1968)( divorced), Nettie Needles (September 1942 - 1964)( divorced)( 3 children). "I want you to get four Orange Juliuses for me, the girls, and you.". Notable Title Wins Include: NWA Southern Heavyweight title (14); WWA (Los Angeles) World Heavyweight title (4); WWA World Tag Team title (2 times w/Mr. After being pounded by a longer-limbed opponent, he switched to professional wrestling. Lynne Margulies, who would later become Kaufman's girlfriend, plays a role; in fact, she and Kaufman met for the first time on camera. ", to a monstrous applause. Many people close to him actually had no idea that he had children in the first place. Looking to talk wrestling, pro football, or any number of sports? Hogan would return in late 1983, turning face almost immediately after and thus separating from Freddie Blassie. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Managed by "Loud" Lou Albano, Blassie continued his winning ways, but never won the WWWF's championship. comes a time when every man must fight for that he believes in. Real Name: Fred Blassie. [6] He performed for that promotion until his full retirement from professional wrestling in 1986. Blassie, who became a cult figure outside the ring and starred with comedian Andy Kaufman in My Breakfast With Blassie, died of heart failure June 2 in Hartsdale, N.Y., according to Jeff Walton, a onetime wrestling publicist in Los Angeles who knew Blassie well. [5], Blassie was born Frederick Kenneth Blassman in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1918. Hed continue being a heel, managing a number of bad guys like George The Animal Steele, Hercules, and Blackjack Mulligan. He bleached his hair and quickly became a heel's heel, outraging crowds by gleefully breaking every rule in the book. My Breakfast with Blassie: Directed by Linda Lautrec, Johnny Legend, Mark Shepard. [20] Images from his WrestleMania XV promo were also included in the opening of the 2001 Survivor Series. In 1964, Blassie once again captured the WWA World title for the third time (again from Carpentier), but upon losing to Dick The Bruiser in April, he headed to the newly minted World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF). 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. Some NFL teams dont make the grade, players say, New era of football begins at Mater Dei under coach Frank McManus. He did an advice segment on the Tuesday Night Titans TV program, made personal appearances and did radio interviews. He even managed Muhammad Ali going into his legendary match with Antonio Inoki. 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. Blassie's interference at Wrestlemania 2 cost Volkoff his match with Kirchner, when the cane was grabbed by Kirchner instead of Volkoff. A child of two German immigrants, Freddie Blassie was born in St. Louis, Missouri in 1918. Jamie Greer joined LWOPW in 2015 and was the site's Managing Editor from 2016 through 2020. That revolution -- making the villain the hero -- put fans in the seats and money in Blassies pocket. 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. Between matches, he gave loud and boastful interviews, making However, Blassie said he would toss his drink in the sand if he didnt drink it, so Lanny took the offer. With Andy Kaufman, Freddie Blassie, Laurie Burton, Linda Hirsch. Blassie would gain even more gold when Volkoff and Sheik defeated The US Express for the WWF Tag Team Championship at the first ever Wrestlemania. However, later that year Blassie suffered from kidney stones and had surgery to remove them. 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. Hell, the article is entitled "Freddie Blassie - The Truth (and Somewhere In-Between)" for crying out loud. book. You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times. Miyako Blassie, 68, says in court papers that she was shopping for groceries when she tripped near the entrance to a Pathmark in Westchester. He is a writer and editor-in-chief here on the site, a podcast producer, the chief graphic designer of the cover art for the sites articles, the former host of The Genius Cast with Lanny Poffo, and an elementary school teacher and assistant principal who enjoys playing guitar and spending time with his lively daughters! You hit a guy in the neck. During these runs, hed take part in a couple of title feuds for the WWE Championship, challenging Bruno Sammartino in the 1960s and Pedro Morales in the 1970s, not to mention coming after Bobo Brazils US Heavyweight Title. He briefly turned face in 1989, making an appearance on Prime Time Wrestling angry with Bobby Heenan over money Heenan hadn't paid him back. 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. [9] However, they eventually consented and Miyako returned with Blassie to the United States; they were married on September 30, 1968. 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. [2] He sporadically returned to make brief appearances following his retirement in 1986, mostly in produced video packages hyping the "new generation" of wrestling. [6] His cousin John Frank Holaus often refereed his matches. In the 1950s, Fred Blassie was hands down the most hated wrestler in the southeastern territory. He was 85. Replying to. Linda's dual role (as director and actress) was scripted as an irritating fan who requests Andy's autograph after he washes his hands. [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. Head on over to theLWOS Boardsto engage in conversation with fellow fans! However, he became increasingly interested in wrestling. Blassie is survived by his wife, Miyako, and three children. He also starred in a 1983 movie called My Breakfast With Blassie, where he sat down for a meal with Andy Kaufman as a parody of the 1981 critically acclaimed film My Dinner With Andre. While there, he feuded with Soulman Rocky Johnson, The Sheik, and "The Golden Greek" John Tolos. In March of 1962, Blassie lost the WWA World title to Rikidozan, and for the next four months, Blassie competed in Japan, determined to regain his title from the Japanese wrestling innovator. PWSTees.com Your favorite Pro Wrestling Stories, on a tee! He married his first wife Nettie Needles while on shore leave during the war. mainly in the Southeast and West Coast, winning many titles in both. [7], His career continued as he was hired by more established promoters, including Tom Packs in St. Louis and George Simpson in Kansas City. [9] While recuperating in 1966, he worked as a car salesman and married a second time to a woman whose name Blassie later claimed not to remember. He delivered a rousing speech, dramatically standing up from his wheelchair to get the WWE-loyal wrestlers pumped up for the next battle. Since his retirement, he has occasionally worked as a "goodwill ambassador" (!) Blassie wrestled as a dark-haired good guy until he found out that the "heels" (bad guys) got better pay. [3], Blassie's famous "pencil-neck geek" catchphrase originated early in his career while describing a fellow carnival performer who appeared in a geek show. The Real Housewives of Atlanta The Bachelor Sister Wives 90 Day Fiance Wife Swap The Amazing Race Australia Married at First Sight The Real Housewives of Dallas My 600-lb Life Last Week Tonight with John Oliver. Blassie was a contemporary of six-time NWA world champion Thesz, who died in 2002 at the age of 86. [18][19] Blassie also appeared in the SummerSlam opening video. Worldwide star. And more wrestling fans definite need to know about the. By doing this, he saved Freddie Blassies life. Comedian Andy Kaufman & professional wrestler Classy Freddie Blassie eat breakfast & discuss life. This film article about a 1980s comedy is a stub. On top of that, hed take on English legend Billy Robinson, WWE Champion Superstar Billy Graham, and legendary masked heel wrestler Destroyer. (bad guys) got better pay. One of the 100 Greatest Wrestlers of the 20th Century (Inside Wrestling Presents, Summer 2000). 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. Blassie later challenged Morales for the WWWF Championship, but came up short. Fred Blassie was born and raised in the St. Louis, Missouri, area. Fred Blassie was born and raised in the St. Louis, Missouri, area. When Gene Okerlund confronted Blassie in an interview after the match, Blassie said, "what cane, I didn't have no cane!". 500,000+ HD Wallpapers & Freddie Blassie Wallpaper 100% Free to Use High Quality Wallpapers Personalise for all Screen & Devices. Stay tuned to theLast Word on Pro Wrestlingfor more on this and other stories from around the world of wrestling, as they develop. Patrick Stewart In A Checkered Coat Wallpaper. "Typical Italian stunt! 1 One of the great legends of pro wrestling albeit one whose in-ring career predated the 1980s Golden Era wrestling boom Classy Freddie Blassie was a successful heel who wrestled all over. RELATED: 10 All-Time Greats You Forgot Had Managers. One of the men was Jilly Rizzo, Frank Sinatras number one sidekick and the owner of his own saloon. In the early 1970s, Blassie "turned face", or became a good guy, since so many fans were cheering his famous antics. In order to impress a girl, he entered a carnival show match in a shoot fight and won. He joined the Navy at the start of World War II and started wrestling under the name of Sailor Fred Blassie while stationed at Port Hueneme in California. [6] He also began boxing at a local community center and won a heavyweight championship title. His eagerness to learn from 1935 to 1942 led to many of the circuits top stars sharing knowledge with Blassie, and when he returned home to the U.S. in 1946, he was determined to make an honest run as a professional wrestler. [6] On July 7, Blassie successfully defended his title against the former NWA World Heavyweight Champion Lou Thesz. This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. After handing over ME duties to Alex Richards, he remains a frequent contributor to the site. In 1973, knee problems largely forced Blassie to stop wrestling personally, though he occasionally donned the tights to tag-team with one of his heels, as he did in Madison Square Garden in June 1974, teaming with the hulking Nikolai Volkoff to face then-champ Bruno Sammartino and Chief Jay Strongbow in a tag team match (Blassie was forced to submit for the final fall by a Bruno bearhug, and the fans almost tore the Garden's roof off). Linda Lautrec and Andy Kaufman loosely scripted the film over several months late at night on the telephone. Hed adopt a bleach-blond look, start biting his opponents in the ring, and would often be seen filing down his teeth to better sink his teeth in his opponent. He began wrestling professionally in 1935 and it was soon after that he came up with his famous pencil neck geek insult.

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