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[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. Blassie retired from wrestling in 1986, turning over his stable of heels to another manager called Slick. For Freddie Blassie, there was no question why he took on a villian's persona - he loved it. In the segment he is interviewed by "Mean" Gene Okerlund when the two are interrupted by a little old lady in a housekeeper outfit that Blassie claims to be his own mother. [8] He worked for Jack Pfefer, who he claimed would only employ people who looked like sideshow freaks at his shows, and whose wrestlers included Tor Johnson, who made movies with director Ed Wood, and Lillian Ellison, the Fabulous Moolah. [24], In the early 1990s, the wrestler starred in a documentary directed by Jeff Krulik, titled Mr. Blassie Goes To Washington. His parents, Anna (ne Sind) and Jacob Blassman, were German immigrants who arrived in the United States prior to World War I.[3]. He was 85. 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. 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). were too short. 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. He even managed Muhammad Ali going into his legendary match with Antonio Inoki. 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. The nastier he was in the ring, the more popular he became to fans. After a move to the West Coast, he tried a different promotional scheme -- that of a villain. In 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. 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. After being pounded by a longer-limbed opponent, he switched to professional wrestling. Fred Blassie was born and raised in the St. Louis, Missouri, area. RELATED: 10 All-Time Greats You Forgot Had Managers. 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. However, Blassie said he would toss his drink in the sand if he didnt drink it, so Lanny took the offer. Freddie Blassie, 85, died of heart failure on June 2, 2003. 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. Between matches, he gave loud and boastful interviews, making . Blassie, Murray wrote, has dedicated his life to wrapping up as much hate as one man can safely carry in a lifetime. He, Albano, and "The Grand Wizard of Wrestling" (Ernie Roth) formed the WWWF's "Evil Trinity" of heel managers. He was 85.Mr. Occasionally, he would get too close to the action and get beaten up himself, much to the crowd's delight. Freddie Blassie's net worth 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. heel's heel, outraging crowds by gleefully breaking every rule in the 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. At the age of 13, after Jacob had beaten Anna again, Frederick threatened his father with a baseball bat; instead he lived with his aunt for six months until his mother asked him to return home. You can check out an almost unlimited array of WWE content on theWWE NetworkandPeacock. His career began in earnest after Blassie died of heart failure Monday , money, salary, income, and assets. On top of that, hed take on English legend Billy Robinson, WWE Champion Superstar Billy Graham, and legendary masked heel wrestler Destroyer. The evocative turn of phrase stuck and became Blassies catchphrase to the point where it inspired the name of his autobiography and a novelty single (see below). [8] His death was announced by Jim Ross, 20 minutes into that same day's episode of Raw. (1965 - 1968)( divorced), Nettie Needles (September 1942 - 1964)( divorced)( 3 children). After handing over ME duties to Alex Richards, he remains a frequent contributor to the site. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thanks for contacting us. Gross tubs? 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. He achieved the rank of Petty Officer (Second Class) before he was discharged. That revolution -- making the villain the hero -- put fans in the seats and money in Blassies pocket. 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. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Lakers playoff hopes take another hit after comeback fades vs. Minnesota, Ducks strike with a pair of late power-play goals to defeat Canadiens, With Norman Powell out, Clippers are edged at Sacramento for fifth loss in a row, Desperate mountain residents trapped by snow beg for help; We are coming, sheriff says, Newsom, IRS give Californians until October to file tax returns, 15 arrested across L.A. County in crackdown on fraudulent benefit cards, UCLAs senior trio has persevered in restoring the Bruins to national prominence, UCLA stuns top-seeded Stanford in Pac-12 womens basketball tournament semifinals, Harvard-Westlakes Bryce Rainer fires out 92-mph fastballs in first start since 2021, Hes taken the next step: How Boogie Ellis found his game as USCs point guard, Even after Gavin Lux injury, Andrew Friedman hints at patient approach with roster, Elliott: After trading away Jonathan Quick, Kings make more deals ahead of trade deadline, Hidden, illegal casinos are booming in L.A., with organized crime reaping big profits, Look up: The 32 most spectacular ceilings in Los Angeles, Elliott: Kings use their heads over hearts in trading Jonathan Quick, This fabled orchid breeder loves to chat just not about Trader Joes orchids. 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. 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. Also learn how He earned most of Freddie Blassie networth? [7], After the US entered World War II, Blassie enlisted in the Navy and served in the Pacific Theater for 42 months. *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! Comedian Andy Kaufman & professional wrestler Classy Freddie Blassie eat breakfast & discuss life. If you're not from the midwest you're not allowed to have an opinion on this. [2][14] Blassie also managed Muhammad Ali in his boxer vs. wrestler match in 1976 against Antonio Inoki. Lynne Margulies, who would later become Kaufman's girlfriend, plays a role; in fact, she and Kaufman met for the first time on camera. But while his US in-ring career ended (while still working for WWWF), he remained employed by WWWF and became a manager instead. 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). This resulted in a weak relationship between the two. [2] He was given a commentary tryout in 1986 and 1987 for WWF Wrestling Challenge, calling a few matches with Gorilla Monsoon. According to Greenberg, Gorgeous George, towards the end of his career, wanted to form a tag team with Blassie. 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. Blassie also mastered the television interview, boasting his superiority over other wrestlers he liked to call ''pencil-neck geeks.'' Looking to talk wrestling, pro football, or any number of sports? In 1976 he managed Muhammad Ali during his shoot match. Back in the dressing room, Blassie realized he was in the wrong one. WWE Confidential presents a feature on the life and times of the fashion plate of professional wrestling, "Classy" Freddie Blassie. Download 100+ Free Freddie Blassie Wallpaper Images & 500,000+ Wallpapers for Free. His career began in earnest after his service in the United States Navy during World War II. 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. Learn How rich is He in this year and how He spends money? Despite being a 7-year pro before his duty in World War II, Blassie was still a journeyman. The nastier he was in the ring, the more popular he became to fans on the other side of the ropes. Before The Client List is an extension of our ongoing series, Before They Were Famous, which looks at wrestlers before they became internationally famous. [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. 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 retired from competition in the late 1970's to manage a new generation of wrestlers, including Hulk Hogan and Jesse Ventura, the future governor of Minnesota. Had some great matches with Rikidozan & even back in the late 60s he was over bigtime as a heel. He bleached his hair and quickly became a 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. However, sadly, Freddie passed away before he could ever speak to his son again. According to Dave Meltzer, "legitimately there were three [deaths] in Japan from elderly men watching a match with Togo in Japan, and it became this myth that [Freddie Blassie] exaggerated.". He was now hooked, and he decided that pro wrestling was his destiny and not his backbreaking work in the meatpacking plant. He delivered a rousing speech, dramatically standing up from his wheelchair to get the WWE-loyal wrestlers pumped up for the next battle. 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. 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. Blassie held various regional titles, Walton said, including the WWA World Title on five separate occasions, the Americas Heavyweight Title nine times and tag team belts with various partners over the years. Head on over to theLWOS Boardsto engage in conversation with fellow fans! [6] His cousin John Frank Holaus often refereed his matches. [spoken to the WWF wrestlers during Invasion 2001] Gentleman, there Anyone can read what you share. 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. The rematches were held at Madison Square Garden in New York, with Sammartino winning out. In the 1970s, Blassie recorded a number of novelty songs, including Pencil Neck Geek, which became a cult favorite via Dr. Dementos radio show, which specializes in sharing wacky tracks. [10] He had main event-level feuds against stars such as The Destroyer. Around 1980, he adopted a new moniker: "Ayatollah Blassie. 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. [8] In 2001, Blassie appeared in a special July 16, 2001 Raw is War segment for the Invasion storyline, wherein he exhorted a gathering of WWF wrestlers to stand tall against The Alliance and later got mocked by Alliance leaders Shane and Stephanie McMahon. 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. Miyako Blassie, 68, says in court papers that she was shopping for groceries when she tripped near the entrance to a Pathmark in Westchester. Lanny was only 12 or 13-years-old at the time. 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. The defendants had a duty to provide reasonably safe conditions for its customers, the suit charges. It was also during this period of his career when he dropped his babyface gimmick and became a full-fledged heel. In that storyline, he is menaced by Eric Bischoff and his henchmen, before calling on the Dudley Brothers to "Get the tables!" As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. As a German descent American, he was often faced with questions of loyalty, despite marrying a Jewish woman. He won the WWA World Heavyweight Wrestling Championship from French star Edouard Carpentier at the L.A. Sports Arena in 1961. Linda Lautrec and Andy Kaufman loosely scripted the film over several months late at night on the telephone. I think Dick Lane was as good as Gordon Solie in his day. It made Japanese wrestling a commodity on the West Coast and had given Rikidozan the credibility of conquering America. mainly in the Southeast and West Coast, winning many titles in both. [7] Later, he received regular work wrestling at local carnivals. [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. [7] As the wrestlers became familiar with him, they began teaching him holds. He kept track of all of his matches during his career, including personal anecdotes. [9][6], On June 2, 2003, Blassie died of heart and kidney failure at the age of 85. Linda's dual role (as director and actress) was scripted as an irritating fan who requests Andy's autograph after he washes his hands. Real Name: Fred Blassie. The two of them had a great relationship off-camera, but because kayfabe was well and truly protected during this time in the business unless you were on the inside, you never were to know that a heel and face got along in real life. Blassie would eventually come to be known as a manager (see below) in WWE, but in the 1960s and 1970s, he actually wrestled for the promotion, back then known as the World Wide Wrestling Federation. However, he became increasingly interested in wrestling. 10 Things Fans Should Know About Classy Freddie Blassie, 10 Managers With The Best Claim To Be On A Wrestling Mount Rushmore, 10 Performers Who Were Great As Both A Wrestler & Manager, 10 All-Time Greats You Forgot Had Managers. Hed also regularly tag with Gorilla Monsoon, another wrestler better known for his non-wrestling roles. Why FREDDIE BLASSIE Was So Great f/ WRESTLINGBIOS - YouTube DAVE KNOWS that Classy Freddie Blassie is a Pro Wrestling legend. He grabs his balls!" "Classy" Freddie Blassie WWE Hall of Fame Induction Speech [1994]June 9, 1994 (Use code PWS for a nice surprise). He was 85. 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. 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. . Blassie would turn heel during this period, developing a lot of the characteristics that hed become known for. wrestled as a dark-haired good guy until he found out that the "heels" However, Blassie wanted nothing to do with him because he too had a massive drinking problem and felt that it would "hit too close to home." 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. Blassie 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. 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. He's also written for Pro Wrestling Illustrated, WrestleZone, The Windsor Star, and other publications. 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. After being pounded by a longer-limbed opponent, he switched to professional wrestling. His first public wrestling match was a shoot fight which he accepted hoping to impress a girl he brought to the show. "Bruno always had a huge entourage hanging around him," Greenberg wrote in "Classy" Freddie Blassie The Legends of Wrestling. 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. [9] During this stint with the company, Blassie was managed by his future nemesis, "Captain" Lou Albano.[3]. "Classy" Freddie Blassie appeared in a live-action segment of the cartoon "Hulk Hogan's Rock 'n' Wrestling." Born Fred Blassman in St. Louis, Blassie played baseball and football in high school. You can watch him on Autopsy: The Last Hours of on Reelz in the United States and Channel 5 in Great Britain. Born: 1921. Vince McMahon interviews "Classy" Freddie Blassie & Nikolai Volkoff | WWE This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. His penchant for biting opponents earned him the nickname "The He won the World Wrestling Association world heavyweight championship from the Frenchman douard Carpentier at the Los Angeles Sports Arena in 1961. This benefactor was later revealed to be Slick. And more wrestling fans definite need to know about the. One of the men was Jilly Rizzo, Frank Sinatras number one sidekick and the owner of his own saloon. He came up with it back in his carnival days, when describing a literal carnival geek -- as in, a performer who bites the heads off of chickens -- who had a slender neck. Miyako Blassie, 68, says in court papers that she was shopping for groceries. In this match Hogan was once again victorious. He claimed to file his teeth to draw blood from opponents, and among his nicknames was the Vampire. Following his 1986 on-camera retirement (he remained an executive for the WWE), still made occasional on-camera appearances since then, and his last came on "WWE Raw" in May, just a few weeks before his death (to promote his newly-released biography, "Listen, You Pencil Neck Geeks"). Those colorful interviews helped make him a celebrity in the newly expanding medium of television. [16] In 1999, he was shown making the opening narration of WrestleMania XV. 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. 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. 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. [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. 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). Im not implying that Bruno would ever have any dealings with the mafia on his own. is 6'(1.83m) . News on all your favorite celebs, reality TV, and movies. "When hed go to a town, the most powerful Italians would latch themselves onto him and decided they were his protectors, whether Bruno liked it or not. Lanny said that if a wrestler had a bottle of cologne in their bag, or even rubbing alcohol, Jerry Graham would take it out and drink it. He started a second career as a manager in the WWWF. ", 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. His wife is Miyako Morozumi (30 September1968 - 2 June2003)( his death), ? The Genius Cast with Lanny Poffo (2018-19), HOMAGE.com Our favorite in retro wrestling attire! RELATED: 10 Managers With The Best Claim To Be On A Wrestling Mount Rushmore. Blassie, well-known for exaggerating a story or two, stated that when he was wrestling Rikidozan in Japan, 100 Japanese wrestling fans dropped dead of heart attacks because the matches were so gory. By using this site, you agree to the legal terms set out in ourDisclaimer, Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, and Disclosure. Had some great matches with Rikidozan & even back in the late 60s he was over bigtime as a heel. Unique lists featuring pop culture, entertainment and crazy facts. Some wrestlers choose to play a villain as a way of promoting their career, while others are forced to by their promoters. One that stands out was his rivalry with Bruno Sammartino in the early 1960s. [3][23] (The film was referenced by American rock band R.E.M. Blassie's interference at Wrestlemania 2 cost Volkoff his match with Kirchner, when the cane was grabbed by Kirchner instead of Volkoff. him a favorite of talk shows and reportedly influencing a fellow For the first installment, we look at one of the most iconic villains in pro wrestling history as both a wrestler and a manager in Classy Freddie Blassie. [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. Blassie also was seen with the comedian Andy Kaufman in ''My Breakfast With Blassie,'' a 1983 spoof of ''My Dinner With Andre.''.