freddie blassie wife
[8], In 1975, Blassie recorded voiceovers for the songs "Blassie, King of Men" and "Pencil Neck Geek", which were performed by Johnny Legend, featuring Billy Zoom on guitar, Jay Phillips on guitar, Lon Osgood on bass and Steve Clark on drums. His penchant for biting opponents earned him the nickname "The Vampire". Blassie would turn heel during this period, developing a lot of the characteristics that hed become known for. Freddie Blassie, Pro Wrestler Popular as Villain, Dies at 85, https://www.nytimes.com/2003/06/08/sports/freddie-blassie-pro-wrestler-popular-as-villain-dies-at-85.html. 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. [2] During that same title reign, in a match against Lord James Blears a fan threw acid on his back, and he had to return immediately to the locker room to wash it off; over the course of his career, he was also stabbed 21 times and lost vision in his right eye after being struck by a thrown hard-boiled egg. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. "No. You can check out an almost unlimited array of WWE content on theWWE NetworkandPeacock. 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. 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American professional wrestler and manager, Worldwide Wrestling Associates (19601968), World Wide Wrestling Federation (1964; 1971). [3][8] In 1983, Rhino Records released a 14-track album by Blassie, titled I Bite the Songs. Blassie was more than willing to let the talented Bearcat Wright take the gold and make history. "Typical Italian stunt! Anyone can read what you share. It was not until he moved to the West Coast that fans began supporting him. He did an advice segment on the ''Tuesday Night Titans'' TV program, made personal appearances and did radio interviews. For Freddie Blassie, there was no question why he took on a villian's persona - he loved it. His penchant for biting opponents earned him the nickname "The 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. Let's learn more about this classic heel! [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. for the WWF. 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. He won the World Wrestling Association world heavyweight championship from the Frenchman douard Carpentier at the Los Angeles Sports Arena in 1961. 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. When the wife of WWEs Chairman and CEOhad heard about this, she accosted Blassie saying, "I didnt even realize you had any kids!". 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)). [2][14] Blassie also managed Muhammad Ali in his boxer vs. wrestler match in 1976 against Antonio Inoki. By doing this, he saved Freddie Blassies life. 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. Despite that, Blassie ended the year by leaving WWWF and returning to Los Angeles and the WWA. The nastier he was in the ring, the more popular he became to fans on the other side of the ropes. Head on over to theLWOS Boardsto engage in conversation with fellow fans! [6] His cousin John Frank Holaus often refereed his matches. 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. 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. After being pounded by a longer-limbed opponent, he switched to professional wrestling. 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 . Linda's dual role (as director and actress) was scripted as an irritating fan who requests Andy's autograph after he washes his hands. Fred Blassie had a shocking heel turn during his stint in Georgia, which led to him becoming an extremely hated wrestler! G&K did not respond to calls for comment. Blassie began portraying himself as a villain, and it worked. He won the WWA World Heavyweight Wrestling Championship from French star Edouard Carpentier at the L.A. Sports Arena in 1961. [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. He finally defeated Rikidozan and won back his title at a WWA event in Los Angeles but it had served his purpose. In order to impress a girl, he entered a carnival show match in a shoot fight and won. 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"). In 1950, he had his first challenge for the NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship, facing championLou Theszin Kentucky. 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). Classy Freddie Blassie knew how to get heat and anger fans. Funeral services will be held at noon Friday at Hitchcock Presbyterian Church in Scarsdale, N.Y. In January 1962, Blassie and Mr. Moto defeated Hans Hermann and Jesus Ortega for the California version of the WWA International TV Tag Team title. [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. mainly in the Southeast and West Coast, winning many titles in both. 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. ", to a monstrous applause. 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. 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. 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. After the war, he continued to wrestle professionally in the Midwest. My Breakfast with Blassie: Directed by Linda Lautrec, Johnny Legend, Mark Shepard. Lanny would state that Jerry Graham "had no business living the last 15 years of his life" due to his drinking problems. [15] Blassie led Shiek to the WWF World Heavyweight Championship over Bob Backlund on December 26, 1983, in Madison Square Garden. "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. Born Fred Blassman in St. Louis, Blassie played baseball and football in high school. This resulted in a weak relationship between the two. If they refused to drop a title, it didnt matter what the bookers thought. 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. 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). 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. Some of the guys were businessmen, some were political types, and some others Im sure were mobsters. Freddie Blassies income source is mostly from being a successful Actor. 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. The widow of pro-wrestling villain "Classy" Freddie Blassie got thrown for a fall by a supermarket floor mat. [8] He was often billed as "The Vampire" during this time for biting his opponents and filing his teeth during interviews and promos. [8] His final wrestling appearance was May 12, 2003 in Philadelphia on Raw, three weeks before his death. Blassie wrestled as a dark-haired good guy until he found out that the "heels" (bad guys) got better pay. [4] In 1998, Blassie was the winner at the fourth annual Cauliflower Alley Club East Coast Banquet. 3 Saving Freddie Blassie Thanks To Kayfabe. [3], One of Blassie's most famous proteges was The Iron Sheik. Despite Blassie not actually holding any titles to unify, his feud with Sammartino saw Bruno become a national hero, but in the process, Blassie became lifelong friends with another WWWF employee, Gorilla Monsoon. News on all your favorite celebs, reality TV, and movies. 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. If you're not from the midwest you're not allowed to have an opinion on this. [9] During this stint with the company, Blassie was managed by his future nemesis, "Captain" Lou Albano.[3]. He bleached his hair and quickly became a heel's heel, outraging crowds by gleefully breaking every rule in the book. Despite being a 7-year pro before his duty in World War II, Blassie was still a journeyman. Using his newfound skills, Blassie became a wrestler starting in the carnival circuit, debuting in 1935 but taking a break in the 1940s to fight in World War II. He did an advice segment on the Tuesday Night Titans TV program, made personal appearances and did radio interviews. Freddie never held a true world title but he was still one of the greatest of the 50s through the 60s". After being pounded by a longer-limbed opponent, he switched to professional wrestling. 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. In the summer of 1986, Blassie started to slowly phase himself out of the WWF and into retirement. Sportswriter Jim Murray called him the worst villain since Hitler in a 1961 column in The Times. 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 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. [2] In 1963, Bearcat Wright defeated him to become champion, and it was quite a statement during the fight for civil rights that an African-American had won such a title. Blassie originally wrestled mainly in the Southeast and West Coast, winning many titles in both. "I want you to get four Orange Juliuses for me, the girls, and you.". Blassie originally wrestled [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. [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. He, Albano, and "The Grand Wizard of Wrestling" (Ernie Roth) formed the WWWF's "Evil Trinity" of heel managers. Keith Elliot Greenberg has been doing his part to preserve professional wrestling history for the past few decades. "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. [22] In the demonstration of the dance, Blassie picked up Rob Petrie and twirled him over his head. 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. 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. 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. Poffo, at first, played it small and declined. [9], In 1968, Blassie returned to Japan and was reunited with Miyako. Gross tubs? (and of course, Bubba Ray and D-Von take care of Bischoff and his cronies). In addition to his pro wrestling notoriety, Classy Freddie Blassie also has some amusing notability in wider pop culture. comes a time when every man must fight for that he believes in. JP Zarka created Pro Wrestling Stories in May 2015. The "Shakespeare of WWE" made an appearance on our podcast The Genius Cast in 2018, and he certainly had a few good stories up his sleeves! The Legends of Wrestling - "Classy" Freddie Blassie: Listen, You Pencil Neck Geeks (Wwe S) Paperback - February 1, 2004 by Keith Elliot Greenberg (Author) 115 ratings See all formats and editions Kindle $13.99 Read with Our Free App Hardcover $18.99 13 Used from $4.06 2 New from $38.98 1 Collectible from $15.00 Paperback Looking to talk wrestling, pro football, or any number of sports? As a wrestling manager, wore shirts and trousers of the exact same color, sometimes with a matching jacket. That revolution -- making the villain the hero -- put fans in the seats and money in Blassies pocket. Danny Djeljosevic is a writer based in San Diego, CA. Between matches, he gave loud and boastful interviews, making Since his retirement, he has occasionally worked as a "goodwill ambassador" (!) Comedian Andy Kaufman & professional wrestler Classy Freddie Blassie eat breakfast & discuss life. 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. 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. Around 1980, he adopted a new moniker: "Ayatollah Blassie." 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). 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. He was 85. My wife joined Toastmasters International in October of last year. Freddie had been estranged from his children for the majority of their lives. 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. After a move to the West Coast, he tried a different promotional scheme -- that of a villain. My Breakfast with Blassie was conceived of by Linda Lautrec and Johnny Legend as a satire on My Dinner with Andre. Blassie got involved when he threw his cane into the ring, with Sheik and Volkoff using it to their advantage to gain the victory. ", 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. * Blassie also told Greenberg that women used to come up to him on the street and gawk at him because he was God's gift to women! [7], After the US entered World War II, Blassie enlisted in the Navy and served in the Pacific Theater for 42 months. [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. 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. A child of two German immigrants, Freddie Blassie was born in St. Louis, Missouri in 1918. 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. *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! [18][19] Blassie also appeared in the SummerSlam opening video. Stay tuned to theLast Word on Pro Wrestlingfor more on this and other stories from around the world of wrestling, as they develop. Fred Blassie was born and raised in the St. Louis, Missouri, area. his service in the United States Navy during World War II. Lanny stated that though Freddie Blassie never knew how to save his money well, he always had enough since he was never a drinker and saved a lot of money in that regard. Towards the end of Freddie Blassies life, he began to realize that it all may be coming to an end soon. 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. His heels were always a bit more exotic and meaner than most. Also featured is Bob Zmuda, who plays a nosy fan. His matches with Freddie Blassie were legendary. Freddie Blassie, 85, died of heart failure on June 2, 2003. 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. The defendants had a duty to provide reasonably safe conditions for its customers, the suit charges. 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. Occasionally, he would get too close to the action and get beaten up himself, much to the crowd's delight. Blassie retired from active wrestling in 1974, due to a California law that prohibited anyone over 55 from getting a wrestling license. 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. Feb 27. 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 lives in Windsor, Ontario, Canada, with his wife and son. Now is 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. Hed continue being a heel, managing a number of bad guys like George The Animal Steele, Hercules, and Blackjack Mulligan. Hell, the article is entitled "Freddie Blassie - The Truth (and Somewhere In-Between)" for crying out loud. 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. [8], Blassie appeared in an episode of The Dick Van Dyke Show that featured a new dance craze called The Twizzle. After the war, Blassie returned to the Midwest and continued wrestling professionally. Freddie Blassie's net worth A wildly popular villain in the 1950s, 60s and 70s, he later managed other wrestlers, including then-bad guy Hulk Hogan and the ever-evil Iron Sheik. This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. 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 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. This story has been shared 143,593 times. His penchant for biting opponents earned him the nickname "The Vampire". 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So when I saw this book I had to get it and read it. He, Albano, and "The Grand Wizard of Wrestling" (Ernie Roth) formed the WWWF's "Evil Trinity" of heel managers. 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. 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. [9][6], On June 2, 2003, Blassie died of heart and kidney failure at the age of 85. She . 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. Discover Freddie Blassie's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. Fred Blassie was born and raised in the St. Louis, Missouri, area. 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. Those colorful interviews helped make him a celebrity in the newly expanding medium of television. "Classy" Freddie Blassie also made a cameo appearance as himself, along with "Wrestling's Living Legend" Bruno Sammartino, and Ric Flair in the 1986 film Body Slam starring Dirk Benedict, "Captain" Lou Albano, and "Rowdy" Roddy Piper. He was popular in Japan as well. 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)). He graduated from McKinley High School and began work at a meatpacking plant. He even managed Muhammad Ali going into his legendary match with Antonio Inoki. He delivered a rousing speech, dramatically standing up from his wheelchair to get the WWE-loyal wrestlers pumped up for the next battle. 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. As much as governing body politics held back minorities, the wrestlers themselves had even more power. [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. Greenbergs memoir on Freddie Blassie was released just three weeks before he died in 2003. Originally from Chicago, he has called London home since 2008. Backstage, Jilly Rizzo club owner, Frank Sinatra's bodyguard, and .
