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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. Freddie Blassie retired as an active wrestler in 1974 in part because of the difficulty of securing a wrestling license . . [18][19] Blassie also appeared in the SummerSlam opening video. 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. He became less the focal point of WWA, and soon began working more NWA territories, as he spread his wings into enemy territory. [3], In 1953, he worked in the Atlanta, territory for Paul Jones (the wrestler of the 1930s, not the wrestler/manager of the 1980s). During this time, he went to New York City to work for promoter Jess McMahon. After the war, Blassie returned to the Midwest and continued wrestling professionally. Lanny would state that Jerry Graham "had no business living the last 15 years of his life" due to his drinking problems. in their 1992 song about Kaufman, "Man on the Moon". the late 1960s, he moved to the East Coast and the World-Wide Wrestling Originally from Chicago, he has called London home since 2008. From there, he moved on to become a regular writer, contributor, and reporter for WWE. Because of his close relationship with Vince McMahon, Sr. and his family, Blassie remained on the WWF payroll until the day he died. It was a wonderful look back at "old-school" wrestling as told by one of the masters, both as a wrestler and as a talker. "I want you to get four Orange Juliuses for me, the girls, and you.". Linda's dual role (as director and actress) was scripted as an irritating fan who requests Andy's autograph after he washes his hands. This story has been shared 143,593 times. 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. The terminology would follow him for the rest of his career. 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! Lanny approached Blassie, who always had three girls with him, saying he "needed some relief. Recommended:The Time WWE Hall of Famer DR. JERRY GRAHAM Kidnapped His Mothers Dead Body. In The Life and Times of Classy Freddie Blassie Quiz 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. Freddie Blassie Wrestlers Database CAGEMATCH - The Internet Some of the guys were businessmen, some were political types, and some others Im sure were mobsters. were too short. [22] In the demonstration of the dance, Blassie picked up Rob Petrie and twirled him over his head. Linda Lautrec and Andy Kaufman loosely scripted the film over several months late at night on the telephone. Federation (WWWF, later the World Wresting Federation (WWF) and now The nastier he was in the ring, the more popular he became to fans. Keith Elliot Greenberg has been doing his part to preserve professional wrestling history for the past few decades. Blassie came into the WWWF with his own world title belt, claiming to be the Pacific World Champion, and was coming to Sammartino's "back yard" to unify the world title. is 6'(1.83m) . WWE Confidential: The life and times of "Classy" Freddie Blassie 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). And more wrestling fans definite need to know about the. This movie got together because the man who produced wrestling manager and former wrestling champion Fred Blassie's novelty song, "Pencil-Neck Geek", Johnny Legend, wanted to film a very cheap parody of the awful art movie My Dinner with Andre, and decided that Blassie's young friend and protege, the eccentric comedian Andy Kaufman would be the . [17] In 2000, Blassie made an appearance at the Royal Rumble as a judge in the Miss Rumble 2000 Swimsuit contest, which was won by Mae Young. He, Albano, and "The Grand Wizard of Wrestling" (Ernie Roth) formed the WWWF's "Evil Trinity" of heel managers. Before The Client List: "Classy" Freddie Blassie - Last Word on Pro It made Japanese wrestling a commodity on the West Coast and had given Rikidozan the credibility of conquering America. Freddie Blassie's net worth [8] He teamed with Billy McDaniel as the McDaniel Brothers, but when they went east, they were known as the Blassie Brothers. He heard Blassie say that and whipped out a gun saying, "Ill kill that sonuvabitch! 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. Blassie was inducted into the WWF Hall of Fame in 1994 by Shane McMahon. Occasionally, he would get too close to the action and get beaten up himself, much to the crowd's delight. Pro Wrestling Stories - Your daily source of nostalgia and a peek behind the curtain wall of wrestlings past! He did an advice segment on the Tuesday Night Titans TV program, made personal appearances and did radio interviews. For example, in the 1970s, he took on Cowboy Bill Watts, whod become a promoter and booker for Mid-South Wrestling and WCW. A child of two German immigrants, Freddie Blassie was born in St. Louis, Missouri in 1918. 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. Classy car for a class act | WWE Freddie never held a true world title but he was still one of the greatest of the 50s through the 60s". 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." By this time, Blassie has acquired a cult following, leading to appearances in several feature films. Freddie Blassie, 85; Became a Cult Figure in Professional Wrestling by Freddie never held a true world title but he was still one of the greatest of the 50s through the 60s". Backstage, Jilly Rizzo club owner, Frank Sinatra's bodyguard, and . This benefactor was later revealed to be Slick. [21] The segment featured Blassie, his wife, and Raw co-General Manager Eric Bischoff, who was about to allow 3 Minute Warning to attack him, until Stone Cold Steve Austin and The Dudley Boyz stepped in. "Classy" Freddie Blassie WWE Hall of Fame Induction Speech [1994]June 9, 1994 Lanny was only 12 or 13-years-old at the time. "Typical Italian stunt! 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. 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. If you're not from the midwest you're not allowed to have an opinion on this. [7], After the US entered World War II, Blassie enlisted in the Navy and served in the Pacific Theater for 42 months. Blassie would show Greenberg dozens of notebooks with "beautiful cursive handwriting." RELATED: 10 Performers Who Were Great As Both A Wrestler & Manager. Outside of being an award-winning television producer, the New York Times best-selling author began writing about professional wrestling for several newspapers and magazines in the 90s. 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? 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. His career began in earnest after "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. "Classy" Freddie Blassie lead an interesting life as one of . You can watch him on Autopsy: The Last Hours of on Reelz in the United States and Channel 5 in Great Britain. His net worth has been growing significantly in 2021-2022. For Freddie Blassie, there was no question why he took on a villian's persona - he loved it. 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. 500,000+ HD Wallpapers & Freddie Blassie Wallpaper 100% Free to Use High Quality Wallpapers Personalise for all Screen & Devices. He even managed Muhammad Ali going into his legendary match with Antonio Inoki. One poll ranked him as the most hated wrestler in the United States. 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. 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. The Legends of Wrestling - "Classy" Freddie Blassie His wife is Miyako Morozumi (30 September1968 - 2 June2003)( his death), ? 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. 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 has written several wrestling biographies including Freddie Blassies The Legends of Wrestling, Ric Flairs To Be The Man, "Superstar" Billy Grahams Tangled Ropes,and the unreleased biography of The Iron Sheik which, despite being chockful of stories that would be sure to make your jaw drop, will never see the light of day. [9] However, they eventually consented and Miyako returned with Blassie to the United States; they were married on September 30, 1968. Blassie wrestled as a dark-haired good guy until he found out that the "heels" (bad guys) got better pay. heel's heel, outraging crowds by gleefully breaking every rule in the As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. Accounts about his early athletic career do not quite agree, but he [6] On July 7, Blassie successfully defended his title against the former NWA World Heavyweight Champion Lou Thesz. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Had some great matches with Rikidozan & even back in the late 60s he was over bigtime as a heel. 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. [4] He is regarded as one of the greatest wrestling heels, or villains, of all time. wrestled as a dark-haired good guy until he found out that the "heels" His parents, Anna (ne Sind) and Jacob Blassman, were German immigrants who arrived in the United States prior to World War I.[3]. He also began filing his teeth, transitioning from Sailor to The Vampire, as his spiked teeth became effective tools in biting his opponents, creating a macabre presentation and early influence on the hardcore side of pro-wrestling. [4] [8] Blassie also appeared in a segment at the Vengeance pay-per-view event in December 2001, where an "undisputed" champion would be crowned. 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.). [21] His book, Listen You Pencil Neck Geeks, was released on May 13, 2003. In 1950, he had his first challenge for the NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship, facing championLou Theszin Kentucky. Fred Blassie was born and raised in the St. Louis, Missouri, area. Blassie got involved when he threw his cane into the ring, with Sheik and Volkoff using it to their advantage to gain the victory. [3][8] In 1983, Rhino Records released a 14-track album by Blassie, titled I Bite the Songs. As Greenberg shares it, Bruno used to have many people follow him around in the back, many of which were purported to be in the mob. This helps us provide free content for you to enjoy! Frederick was an only child. [22][2] Rose Marie's character Sally Rogers brought him on at the end of the episode claiming to have discovered another new dance sensation. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. 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). 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. Worldwide star. [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. Learn how and when to remove this template message, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=My_Breakfast_with_Blassie&oldid=1107033235, Articles needing additional references from June 2021, All articles needing additional references, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 27 August 2022, at 19:43. "The Fashion Plate of Wrestling" Freddie Blassie calls his interviewer and the fans "pencil neck geeks" and shows why he will always be remembered as one of the greatest managers in WWE history. 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. 'The Destroyer' Dick Beyer story archive | Slam Wrestling the time, get up, stand up and fight. 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. Let's learn more about this classic heel! Let me take care of him in the ring.". One of the 100 Greatest Wrestlers of the 20th Century (Inside Wrestling Presents, Summer 2000). 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. [3][23] (The film was referenced by American rock band R.E.M. Blassie retired from active wrestling in 1974, due to a California law that prohibited anyone over 55 from getting a wrestling license. 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. He also reportedly excelled as a boxer. Greenbergs memoir on Freddie Blassie was released just three weeks before he died in 2003. My Breakfast with Blassie was conceived of by Linda Lautrec and Johnny Legend as a satire on My Dinner with Andre. RELATED: 10 All-Time Greats You Forgot Had Managers. [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. 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)). [13][6][dubious discuss], While touring Japan in 1965, and by this point divorced, Blassie met the woman who would eventually become his third wife, Miyako Morozumi, at a train station. (bad guys) got better pay. Lynne Margulies, who would later become Kaufman's girlfriend, plays a role; in fact, she and Kaufman met for the first time on camera. In 1964, Dick the Bruiser defeated Blassie to become champion, and Blassie headed east to work for the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF). 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), ? 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. He started a second career as a manager in the WWWF. Some NFL teams dont make the grade, players say, New era of football begins at Mater Dei under coach Frank McManus. Vince McMahon interviews "Classy" Freddie Blassie & Nikolai Volkoff | WWE He was 85. [8] He was often billed as "The Vampire" during this time for biting his opponents and filing his teeth during interviews and promos. 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. News on all your favorite celebs, reality TV, and movies. Fans might recall his interviews with local announcer Dick Lane in which he would proclaim his vast superiority over a number of lesser opponents, branding them all pencil-neck geeks. Those colorful interviews helped make him a celebrity in the newly expanding medium of television. Many people close to him actually had no idea that he had children in the first place. Blassie's interference at Wrestlemania 2 cost Volkoff his match with Kirchner, when the cane was grabbed by Kirchner instead of Volkoff. As time goes on, many older wrestlers begin to fade out of the collective memory of wrestling, especially if their primary in-ring work happened before WWE began its takeover of the sport in the 1980s. Towards the end of Freddie Blassies life, he began to realize that it all may be coming to an end soon. 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. 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. However, sadly, Freddie passed away before he could ever speak to his son again. . His penchant for biting opponents earned him the nickname "The Vampire". 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. Listen, You Pencil Neck Geeks by Classy Freddie Blassie - Goodreads [20] Because of this, Blassie is one of, if not the only man to have worked with all four generations of the McMahon family. 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. Blassie continued to manage Sheik and Volkoff even after they lost the tag team titles. Fred Blassie was born and raised in the St. Louis, Missouri, area. As a wrestling manager, wore shirts and trousers of the exact same color, sometimes with a matching jacket. He kept track of all of his matches during his career, including personal anecdotes. This film article about a 1980s comedy is a stub. Why FREDDIE BLASSIE Was So Great f/ WRESTLINGBIOS - YouTube . RELATED: 10 Managers With The Best Claim To Be On A Wrestling Mount Rushmore. Around 1980, he adopted a new moniker: "Ayatollah Blassie. 10 Wrestling Book Must Reads and 5 You Dont Want To Waste Your Time On, Classy" Freddie Blassie The Legends of Wrestling, The Night Bruno Sammartino Saved Freddie Blassies Life, The Time WWE Hall of Famer DR. JERRY GRAHAM Kidnapped His Mothers Dead Body, Freddie Blassie, Lou Albano, and "The Fossil Jostle" Atrocity in 85, Roddy Piper: From The Streets to the Big Time, Bruno Sammartino and Buddy Rogers The 1963 WWWF Title Screwjob, Disclaimer, Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, and Disclosure. Blassie also mastered the television interview, boasting his superiority over other wrestlers he liked to call ''pencil-neck geeks.'' Jamie Greer joined LWOPW in 2015 and was the site's Managing Editor from 2016 through 2020. Around 1980, he adopted a new moniker: "Ayatollah Blassie." He had been in poor health for quite a while, and it was as if he wanted to wait to get his story out before he passed on. The Rock for the WWF Title)", "TJR Retro: WWE Royal Rumble 2000 Review (The Rock wins Rumble, Triple H vs. Cactus Jack)", "Freddie Blassie - Dick Van Dyke Show - 1962", "My Breakfast with Blassie: An appreciation", NWA North American Heavyweight Title (Hawaii version) history, NWA Southern Heavyweight Title (Florida) history, NWA World Tag Team Title (Florida) history, NWA International Tag Team Title (Georgia) history, NWA Southern Heavyweight Title (Georgia) history, NWA World Tag Team Title (Georgia) history, "NWA Hall of Fame Class for 2011 announced", WWA International Television Tag Team Title history, NWA Southern Junior Heavyweight Title history, Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum Inductees, 1853 Shepherd Circle SW, Blassie's Atlanta home (1960), 1950 Campbellton Road SW, Blassies Atlanta home (1966), WWE Hall of Fame Profile of Freddie Blassie, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Freddie_Blassie&oldid=1142698000, NWA World Tag Team Champions (Florida version), Professional wrestling managers and valets, United States Navy personnel of World War II, Short description is different from Wikidata, All Wikipedia articles written in American English, Pages using infobox military person with embed, Articles with disputed statements from February 2023, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, The Mysterious Medics (Mysterious Medic #1 and Mysterious Medic #2), This page was last edited on 3 March 2023, at 22:16. 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. . 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. 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. [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. Download 100+ Free Freddie Blassie Wallpaper Images & 500,000+ Wallpapers for Free. His first match with Blassie had actually.
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