Credited with bringing a young Hulk Hogan into the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) in late 1979. Those colorful interviews helped make him a celebrity in the newly expanding medium of television. 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. His ex-manager would turn out to be an enemy, representing The Iron Sheik in the match where Hulk Hogan won the WWE Championship and held it for a shade over four years. [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. 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. 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. for the WWF. 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). 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"). Some NFL teams dont make the grade, players say, New era of football begins at Mater Dei under coach Frank McManus. 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." Many of the viewers were horrified by Blassie's treatment of their hero. [3][8] In 1983, Rhino Records released a 14-track album by Blassie, titled I Bite the Songs. Vince McMahon interviews "Classy" Freddie Blassie & Nikolai Volkoff | WWE Freddie Blassie, Pro Wrestler Popular as Villain, Dies at 85 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. Let's learn more about this classic heel! Blassie's interference at Wrestlemania 2 cost Volkoff his match with Kirchner, when the cane was grabbed by Kirchner instead of Volkoff. Returning to the WWA, Blassie began feuding with the likes of Bobo Brazil, Mil Mascaras, and others, as well as teaming with another known violent savage, Mad Dog Vachon. His wife is Miyako Morozumi (30 September1968 - 2 June2003)( his death), ? He was now hooked, and he decided that pro wrestling was his destiny and not his backbreaking work in the meatpacking plant. His penchant for biting opponents earned him the nickname "The WrestlingEpicenter.com - RIP Rest in Peace Obituaries document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thanks for contacting us. Blassie continued to interfere from ringside in matches, especially during Volkoff's feud with Corporal Kirchner. He was 85.Mr. It was not until he moved to the West Coast that fans began supporting him. Freddie Blassie - Online World of Wrestling [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. [8] His death was announced by Jim Ross, 20 minutes into that same day's episode of Raw. He became less the focal point of WWA, and soon began working more NWA territories, as he spread his wings into enemy territory. 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. As a wrestling manager, wore shirts and trousers of the exact same color, sometimes with a matching jacket. Blassie appeared alongside Slick to co-manage Sheik and Volkoff for a few television appearances before finally bowing out in November 1986, with Albano, the final member of the Three Wise Men, retiring a few weeks later. Freddie Blassie - Biography - IMDb 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. Most recently, he co-authored the 2016 edition of the WWE Encyclopedia of Sports Entertainment. him a favorite of talk shows and reportedly influencing a fellow 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. The nastier he was in the ring, the more popular he became to fans. 10 Things Fans Should Know About Classy Freddie Blassie - TheSportster Freddie Blassie Obituary (2003) - San Diego, CA - San Diego Union-Tribune Blassie. Poffo, at first, played it small and declined. [22] In the demonstration of the dance, Blassie picked up Rob Petrie and twirled him over his head. 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. Managed by "Loud" Lou Albano, Blassie continued his winning ways, but never won the WWWF's championship. 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. first tried to make his mark as a boxer, despite warnings that his arms He began wrestling professionally in 1935 and it was soon after that he came up with his famous pencil neck geek insult. His parents, Anna (ne Sind) and Jacob Blassman, were German immigrants who arrived in the United States prior to World War I.[3]. He graduated from McKinley High School and began work at a meatpacking plant. 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. 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. My Breakfast with Blassie (1983) - IMDb 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." 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. [8] He was often billed as "The Vampire" during this time for biting his opponents and filing his teeth during interviews and promos. [18][19] Blassie also appeared in the SummerSlam opening video. 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. Hed continue being a heel, managing a number of bad guys like George The Animal Steele, Hercules, and Blackjack Mulligan. 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. Vampire". 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. Fred Blassie was born and raised in the St. Louis, Missouri, area. [3] Blassie also publicly represented Ali for media events and interviews for a period in the mid-1970s. He was 85. Born Fred Blassman in St. Louis, Blassie played baseball and football in high school. Courtesy of the award-winning WWE Network.. Born Fred Blassman in St. Louis, Blassie played baseball and football in high school. 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. His first match with Blassie had actually. [12], In 1962, Blassie had a feud with Japanese wrestling icon Rikidzan that established his reputation in Japan. Anyone can read what you share. After the war, Blassie returned to the Midwest and continued wrestling professionally. Now is Take Linda McMahon, for instance. Wrestler's widow goes to the mat - New York Post 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. His career began in earnest after his service in the United States Navy during World War II. He triggered heart attack-related deaths in Japan, was stabbed by angry fans 21 times and was once doused with acid! Blassie died in Hartsdale, N.Y., Jeff Walton, a former wrestling publicist, told The Los Angeles Times. [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. My Breakfast with Blassie is a 1983 film starring Andy Kaufman and professional wrestler "Classy" Freddie Blassie. So, how much is Freddie Blassie worth at the age of 85 years old? In the 1950s, Fred Blassie was hands down the most hated wrestler in the southeastern territory. 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. [5], Blassie was born Frederick Kenneth Blassman in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1918. A nice man, with a lovely wife and it was great having him there to cut a wonderful promo during my show. 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.
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