One poll ranked him as the most hated wrestler in the United RELATED: 10 Performers Who Were Great As Both A Wrestler & Manager. In that storyline, he is menaced by Eric Bischoff and his henchmen, before calling on the Dudley Brothers to "Get the tables!" Backstage, Jilly Rizzo club owner, Frank Sinatra's bodyguard, and . * 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! As a result he has wrought something of a revolution in the unmanly art of exhibition wrestling.. 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. That year, Blassie was forced to retire from in-ring competition, as a California by-law forbade wrestling licenses for anyone upon reaching 55 years old. 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. 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. Blassie died of heart failure Monday He claimed to file his teeth to draw blood from opponents, and among his nicknames was the Vampire. On top of that, hed take on English legend Billy Robinson, WWE Champion Superstar Billy Graham, and legendary masked heel wrestler Destroyer. Blassie Hogan would return in late 1983, turning face almost immediately after and thus separating from Freddie Blassie. Managed by "Loud" Lou Albano, Blassie continued his winning ways, but never won the WWWF's championship. *The 100 deaths claim was an exaggerated myth that Blassie used. 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. This story has been shared 104,709 times. [6] On July 7, Blassie successfully defended his title against the former NWA World Heavyweight Champion Lou Thesz. Lanny was only 12 or 13-years-old at the time. (1965 - 1968)( divorced), Nettie Needles (September 1942 - 1964)( divorced)( 3 children). What did Disney actually lose from its Florida battle with DeSantis? The closest I ever saw him to loosing the mask was against Cowboy Bob Ellis, I believe in the mid 60's. I can still remember old Dick Lane calling the action. His career began in earnest after his service in the United States Navy during World War II. Born Fred Blassman in St. Louis, Blassie played baseball and football in high school. The Genius Cast with Lanny Poffo (2018-19), HOMAGE.com Our favorite in retro wrestling attire! 'The Destroyer' Dick Beyer story archive | Slam Wrestling "Classy" Freddie Blassie with Keith Elliot Greenberg, NWA Georgia Southern Heavyweight Championship, WWWF United States Heavyweight Championship, NWA North American Heavyweight Championship, NWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship, North American Wrestling Alliance/Worldwide Wrestling Associates/ NWA Hollywood Wrestling, WWA International Television Tag Team Championship, NWA Southern Junior Heavyweight Championship, Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum, Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame, "Classy Freddie Blassie was pro wrestling's 'Fashion Plate', "Before The Client List: "Classy" Freddie Blassie", "Blassie toast of Cauliflower Alley Club", "WWF WrestleMania XV Results - 3/28/99 (Stone Cold vs. His heels were always a bit more exotic and meaner than most. His wife is Miyako Morozumi (30 September 1968 - 2 June 2003) ( his death), ? [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. Freddie Blassie Biography, Age, Height, Wife, Net Worth, Family 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. For Freddie Blassie, there was no question why he took on a villian's persona - he loved it. He heard Blassie say that and whipped out a gun saying, "Ill kill that sonuvabitch! Blassie wrestled as a dark-haired good guy until he found out that the "heels" (bad guys) got better pay. Inducted into the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2004. 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. This story has been shared 143,593 times. When Gene Okerlund confronted Blassie in an interview after the match, Blassie said, "what cane, I didn't have no cane!". Fred Blassie was born and raised in the St. Louis, Missouri, area. Ironically, during his WWWF stint, he was managed by another former wrestler who had recently become a manager, in the form of Captain Lou Albano. Blassies father was a heavy alcoholic and was abusive towards his beloved mother. 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. Classy car for a class act | WWE (Use code PWS for a nice surprise). Frederick Kenneth Blassie (Classy Freddy Blassie, The Vampire, Sailor Fred Blassie, The Hollywood Fashion Plate, The Fashion Plate of Professional Wrestling) was born on 8 February, 1918 in St. Louis, Missouri, USA, is an Actor. Blassie would continue to make his titles make history in 1963, he lost to Bearcat Wright, making Wright the first African-American to hold a World title in the United States. He joined the Navy at the start of World War II and started wrestling initially under the name of Sailor Fred Blassie while stationed at Port Hueneme. [8] He teamed with Billy McDaniel as the McDaniel Brothers, but when they went east, they were known as the Blassie Brothers. . Blassie retired from active wrestling in 1974, due to a California law that prohibited anyone over 55 from getting a wrestling license. Freddie Blassie was one of the most hated heels of his time. Death Despite being a 7-year pro before his duty in World War II, Blassie was still a journeyman. The Legends of Wrestling - "Classy" Freddie Blassie: Listen, You Pencil After being pounded by a longer-limbed opponent, he switched to professional wrestling. 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. "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. His parents repeatedly separated, only to reconcile. He spent his time in the Missouri territory, working mainly in St. Louis and Kansas City, but when the U.S. entered the Second World War, he enlisted in 1942 and joined the U.S. Navy, where he spent four years (42 months) in combat in the U.S. battles in the Pacific. . His net worth has been growing significantly in 2021-2022. 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. Blassie is survived by his wife, Miyako, and three children. Classy Freddie Blassie knew how to get heat and anger fans. 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. 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. Pro Wrestling Stories - Your daily source of nostalgia and a peek behind the curtain wall of wrestlings past! 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. He delivered a rousing speech, dramatically standing up from his wheelchair to get the WWE-loyal wrestlers pumped up for the next battle. [9] However, they eventually consented and Miyako returned with Blassie to the United States; they were married on September 30, 1968. 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). Vampire". The rematches were held at Madison Square Garden in New York, with Sammartino winning out. [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. One poll ranked him as the most hated wrestler in the United States. Many people close to him actually had no idea that he had children in the first place. 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 kept track of all of his matches during his career, including personal anecdotes. His last name is slightly easier to pronounce than it looks. Freddie Blassie Wrestlers Database CAGEMATCH - The Internet Freddie Blassie decided to stop being a fixture of wrestling in 1986 but was no stranger to making the odd guest appearance. He bleached his hair and quickly became a 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. On an episode of WWF Championship Wrestling, Blassie barged into the announcer booth to proclaim that he had sold half of the contracts of Sheik and Volkoff to a mysterious benefactor for a large sum of money. His penchant for biting opponents earned him the nickname "The Vampire". 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. Freddie had been estranged from his children for the majority of their lives. One of the 100 Greatest Wrestlers of the 20th Century (Inside Wrestling Presents, Summer 2000). The defendants had a duty to provide reasonably safe conditions for its customers, the suit charges. He liked to use a variety of names but had trouble gaining the affection of fans who gravitated toward the likes of Lou Thesz and Gorgeous George. Freddie accomplished that goal and did so in grand style, as only he could. 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!". John Tolos: Wrestler celebrated as one of the finest ring villains Free Freddie Blassie Wallpaper Downloads, [100+] Freddie Blassie Recommended:The Time WWE Hall of Famer DR. JERRY GRAHAM Kidnapped His Mothers Dead Body. "Classy" Freddie Blassie appeared in a live-action segment of the cartoon "Hulk Hogan's Rock 'n' Wrestling." 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. 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. Blassie also resented "Superstar" Billy Graham, at first, due to his association with Dr. Jerry Graham, who in kayfabe was Billys older brother. His wife is Miyako Morozumi (30 September1968 - 2 June2003)( his death), ? By using this site, you agree to the legal terms set out in ourDisclaimer, Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, and Disclosure. Greenberg would add that Jerry Grahams drinking issues may have been combined with mental illness. Of course, these mobsters thought he was putting them down for real. 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. )[8] The movies title and premise are parodies of the 1981 art-house classic My Dinner with Andre.[23]. In the 1950s, Fred Blassie was hands down the most hated wrestler in the southeastern territory. [7] Later, he received regular work wrestling at local carnivals. He did an advice segment on the Tuesday Night Titans TV program, made personal appearances and did radio interviews. Let me take care of him in the ring.". Andy Kaufman on Letterman w/ "Classy" Freddie Blassie 02/23/1983 [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. Gross tubs? 500,000+ HD Wallpapers & Freddie Blassie Wallpaper 100% Free to Use High Quality Wallpapers Personalise for all Screen & Devices. As a German descent American, he was often faced with questions of loyalty, despite marrying a Jewish woman. After being pounded by a longer-limbed opponent, he switched to professional wrestling. One poll ranked him as the most hated wrestler in the United States. Replying to. wrestled as a dark-haired good guy until he found out that the "heels" "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. 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. Fred Blassie was born and raised in the St. Louis, Missouri, area. A nice man, with a lovely wife and it was great having him there to cut a wonderful promo during my show. It was also during this period of his career when he dropped his babyface gimmick and became a full-fledged heel. 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. He was popular in Japan as well. (1965 - 1968)( divorced), Nettie Needles (September 1942 - 1964)( divorced)( 3 children). Around 1980, he adopted a new moniker: "Ayatollah Blassie." He hated his father for it. for the WWF. Looking to talk wrestling, pro football, or any number of sports? Most recently, he co-authored the 2016 edition of the WWE Encyclopedia of Sports Entertainment. [8] Blassie also appeared in a segment at the Vengeance pay-per-view event in December 2001, where an "undisputed" champion would be crowned. 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. His career began in earnest after At 85 years old, Freddie Blassie height He began wrestling professionally in 1935 and it was soon after that he came up with his famous pencil neck geek insult. After the war, he continued to wrestle professionally in the Midwest. Freddie Blassie, 85, died of heart failure on June 2, 2003. 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. WWE Confidential: The life and times of "Classy" Freddie Blassie He started a second career as a manager in the WWWF. 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. 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. Blassie was a contemporary of six-time NWA world champion Thesz, who died in 2002 at the age of 86. [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. "Typical Italian stunt! 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? Had some great matches with Rikidozan & even back in the late 60s he was over bigtime as a heel. After being pounded by a longer-limbed opponent, he Around 1980, he adopted a new moniker: "Ayatollah Blassie. The terminology would follow him for the rest of his career. He is a member of famous Actor with the age 85 years old group. Blassie originally wrestled [3], One of Blassie's most famous proteges was The Iron Sheik. Without further ado, lets do an overview of Blassies career for fans who may not know much about him. 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. 10 Backstage Stories About Bruno Sammartino WWE Fans Should Know 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. 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. He felt this was his chance to tell his life story before moving on. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Managed by "Loud", Countless World Wrestling Federation TV and Pay Per View Ads. Take Linda McMahon, for instance. Before The Client List is an extension of our ongoing series, Before They Were Famous, which looks at wrestlers before they became internationally famous. [20] Because of this, Blassie is one of, if not the only man to have worked with all four generations of the McMahon family. 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. 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. If you're not from the midwest you're not allowed to have an opinion on this. 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. 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. 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. Occasionally, he would get too close to the action and get beaten up himself, much to the crowd's delight. Frederick Kenneth Blassie (February 8, 1918 - June 2, 2003), better known as "Classy" Freddie Blassie, was an American professional wrestling villain and manager born in St. Louis, Missouri. Freddie Blassie retired as an active wrestler in 1974 in part because of the difficulty of securing a wrestling license . [3][8] In 1983, Rhino Records released a 14-track album by Blassie, titled I Bite the Songs. While there, he feuded with Soulman Rocky Johnson, The Sheik, and "The Golden Greek" John Tolos. 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. "Classy" Freddie Blassie is a legendary wrestling personality, both as a wrestler and a manager. Matches Freddie Blassie Wrestlers Database - CAGEMATCH [8] He married a girl in California while on shore leave. His penchant for biting opponents earned him the nickname "The 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.
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