In 1964, Dick the Bruiser defeated Blassie to become champion, and Blassie headed east to work for the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF). Fred Blassie was born and raised in the St. Louis, Missouri, area. [9] However, they eventually consented and Miyako returned with Blassie to the United States; they were married on September 30, 1968. He was popular in Japan as well. 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. 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 worked for the World Wrestling Federation, now known as World Wrestling Entertainment, which presented him with its lifetime achievement award in 1996. After handing over ME duties to Alex Richards, he remains a frequent contributor to the site. He also starred in a 1983 movie called My Breakfast With Blassie, where he sat down for a meal with Andy Kaufman as a parody of the 1981 critically acclaimed film My Dinner With Andre. My Breakfast with Blassie - Wikipedia Freddie Blassie. As a wrestling manager, wore shirts and trousers of the exact same color, sometimes with a matching jacket. 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)). This benefactor was later revealed to be Slick. 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. [22], Filmed in 1982, My Breakfast with Blassie featured Andy Kaufman and Freddie Blassie eating at a Sambo's in Los Angeles. Even more important than that, Blassie would make a change that would make him an icon. 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. 500,000+ HD Wallpapers & Freddie Blassie Wallpaper 100% Free to Use High Quality Wallpapers Personalise for all Screen & Devices. Blassie is survived by his wife, Miyako, and three children. Blassie is survived by his wife, Miyako, and three children. 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. "That's why he was 'Classy' Freddie Blassie." My Breakfast with Blassie was conceived of by Linda Lautrec and Johnny Legend as a satire on My Dinner with Andre. This helps us provide free content for you to enjoy! . In the summer of 1986, Blassie started to slowly phase himself out of the WWF and into retirement. [6] On July 7, Blassie successfully defended his title against the former NWA World Heavyweight Champion Lou Thesz. Zach Eflin And Wife On Yacht Wallpaper. 3 Saving Freddie Blassie Thanks To Kayfabe. 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 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. Around 1980, he adopted a new moniker: "Ayatollah Blassie. 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. Around 1980, he adopted a new moniker: "Ayatollah Blassie." 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. "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. 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 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. He worked for Vince McMahon and the World Wrestling Federation, now known as World Wrestling Entertainment. 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. 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 married his first wife Nettie Needles while on shore leave during the war. Now is [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. [24], In the early 1990s, the wrestler starred in a documentary directed by Jeff Krulik, titled Mr. Blassie Goes To Washington. "Classy" Freddie Blassie appeared in a live-action segment of the cartoon "Hulk Hogan's Rock 'n' Wrestling." He was 85. Freddie never held a true world title but he was still one of the greatest of the 50s through the 60s". As a result he has wrought something of a revolution in the unmanly art of exhibition wrestling.. For example, in the 1970s, he took on Cowboy Bill Watts, whod become a promoter and booker for Mid-South Wrestling and WCW. Occasionally, he would get too close to the action and get beaten up himself, much to the crowd's delight. The series began at Roosevelt Stadium, Jersey City, New Jersey in 1964, with Blassie winning on a technicality, but not a pin. The terminology would follow him for the rest of his career. 'The Destroyer' Dick Beyer story archive | Slam Wrestling After being pounded by a longer-limbed opponent, he switched to professional wrestling. His heels were always a bit more exotic and meaner than most. You can watch him on Autopsy: The Last Hours of on Reelz in the United States and Channel 5 in Great Britain. Linda Lautrec and Andy Kaufman loosely scripted the film over several months late at night on the telephone. ", "Heres some money," Blassie would say. [6] Afterwards he became a manager in the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF) and its subsequent incarnation the World Wrestling Federation (WWF). him a favorite of talk shows and reportedly influencing a fellow Some of the guys were businessmen, some were political types, and some others Im sure were mobsters. [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. 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 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. 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). RELATED: 10 All-Time Greats You Forgot Had Managers. Heres a look at Classy Freddie Blassies wrestling career, long before he decided to take on clients and become one of the most iconic managers of the 1970s and 1980s. 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. 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. Some NFL teams dont make the grade, players say, New era of football begins at Mater Dei under coach Frank McManus. [7], After the US entered World War II, Blassie enlisted in the Navy and served in the Pacific Theater for 42 months. Fred Blassie had a shocking heel turn during his stint in Georgia, which led to him becoming an extremely hated wrestler! However, Blassie said he would toss his drink in the sand if he didnt drink it, so Lanny took the offer. Take Linda McMahon, for instance. [6] One of his most famous feuds took place in southern California in 1971, against Tolos. the time, get up, stand up and fight. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. 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. Also learn how He earned most of Freddie Blassie networth? [7] As the wrestlers became familiar with him, they began teaching him holds. )[8] The movies title and premise are parodies of the 1981 art-house classic My Dinner with Andre.[23]. We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on 8 February. He, Albano, and "The Grand Wizard of Wrestling" (Ernie Roth) formed the WWWF's "Evil Trinity" of heel managers. 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." "Classy" Freddie Blassie is a legendary wrestling personality, both as a wrestler and a manager. By using this site, you agree to the legal terms set out in ourDisclaimer, Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, and Disclosure. This story has been shared 143,593 times. During this time, he went to New York City to work for promoter Jess McMahon. He lives in Windsor, Ontario, Canada, with his wife and son. 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. Still a motormouth, he gave interviews in which he bragged about himself and his protgs and denounced anybody he didn't like as a "pencil necked geek". were too short. Greenbergs memoir on Freddie Blassie was released just three weeks before he died in 2003. He is from USA. Unique lists featuring pop culture, entertainment and crazy facts. RELATED: 10 Performers Who Were Great As Both A Wrestler & Manager. Blassie died of heart failure Monday The World's Most Entertaining Car Website. As a German descent American, he was often faced with questions of loyalty, despite marrying a Jewish woman. The widow of pro-wrestling villain Classy Freddie Blassie got thrown for a fall by a supermarket floor mat. Since his retirement, he has occasionally worked as a "goodwill ambassador" (!) [20] Images from his WrestleMania XV promo were also included in the opening of the 2001 Survivor Series. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Discover Freddie Blassie's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. [4] [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. While there, he feuded with Soulman Rocky Johnson, The Sheik, and "The Golden Greek" John Tolos. the late 1960s, he moved to the East Coast and the World-Wide Wrestling [8] He teamed with Billy McDaniel as the McDaniel Brothers, but when they went east, they were known as the Blassie Brothers. The defendants had a duty to provide reasonably safe conditions for its customers, the suit charges. 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. According to Greenberg, Gorgeous George, towards the end of his career, wanted to form a tag team with Blassie. The Legends of Wrestling - "Classy" Freddie Blassie In 1950, he had his first challenge for the NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship, facing championLou Theszin Kentucky. View popular celebrities life details, birth signs and real ages. Of course, these mobsters thought he was putting them down for real. 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. Anyone can read what you share. 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. One poll ranked him as the most hated wrestler in the United Freddie Blassie - IMDb *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! My Breakfast with Blassie is a 1983 film starring Andy Kaufman and professional wrestler "Classy" Freddie Blassie. His penchant for biting opponents earned him the nickname "The Vampire". 10 Wrestlers Managed By Classy Freddie Blassie Fans Should Know About "Typical Italian stunt! [2] He sporadically returned to make brief appearances following his retirement in 1986, mostly in produced video packages hyping the "new generation" of wrestling. At 85 years old, Freddie Blassie height Freddie Blassie Wrestlers Database CAGEMATCH - The Internet After being pounded by a longer-limbed opponent, he Inducted into the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2004. Lanny approached Blassie, who always had three girls with him, saying he "needed some relief. After being pounded by a longer-limbed opponent, he switched to professional wrestling. If you're not from the midwest you're not allowed to have an opinion on this. 2018 Remaster of Andy Kaufman on The Late Show w/ David Letterman w/ "Classy" Fred Blassie on February 23rd, 1983.More remastered Andy Kaufman - https://goo.. Blassie was a contemporary of six-time NWA world champion Thesz, who died in 2002 at the age of 86. 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. Blassie also resented "Superstar" Billy Graham, at first, due to his association with Dr. Jerry Graham, who in kayfabe was Billys older brother. A child of two German immigrants, Freddie Blassie was born in St. Louis, Missouri in 1918. 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. @megantheevalium. A third-generation wrestling fan and senior writer for World Wrestling Entertainment publications, Greenberg is the author of more than thirty nonfiction children's books, and has written for The New York . 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. "No. Blassie died in Hartsdale, N.Y., Jeff Walton, a former wrestling publicist, told The Los Angeles Times. Wrestler's widow goes to the mat - New York Post 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. As much as governing body politics held back minorities, the wrestlers themselves had even more power. Stay tuned to theLast Word on Pro Wrestlingfor more on this and other stories from around the world of wrestling, as they develop. Still claiming to be the West Coast Champion, entered into a feud with Bruno Sammartino to unify the titles. September 30, 1968 - June 2, 2003 (his death), Wrestling's Living Legend Bruno Sammartino. Fred Blassie was born and raised in the St. Louis, Missouri, area. "I want you to get four Orange Juliuses for me, the girls, and you.". . [5], Blassie was born Frederick Kenneth Blassman in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1918. Why FREDDIE BLASSIE Was So Great f/ WRESTLINGBIOS - YouTube DAVE KNOWS that Classy Freddie Blassie is a Pro Wrestling legend. [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. He also bleached his hair at this time, as many of the other stars of the era did, such as Gorgeous George, Johnny Valentine, and "Nature Boy" Buddy Rogers. He did an advice segment on the ''Tuesday Night Titans'' TV program, made personal appearances and did radio interviews. "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. States. 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). He briefly turned face in 1989, making an appearance on Prime Time Wrestling angry with Bobby Heenan over money Heenan hadn't paid him back. Fred Blassie was born and raised in the St. Louis, Missouri, area. Credited with bringing a young Hulk Hogan into the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) in late 1979. However, sadly, Freddie passed away before he could ever speak to his son again. in their 1992 song about Kaufman, "Man on the Moon". Blassie later challenged Morales for the WWWF Championship, but came up short. He also reportedly excelled as a boxer. Real Name: Fred Blassie. Blassie, Murray wrote, has dedicated his life to wrapping up as much hate as one man can safely carry in a lifetime. Fred Blassie would meet his wife, a Japanese actress.. November 15, 1968: Fred Blassie defeated Buddy Austin in a "Stretcher" match in the Olympic Stadium.. [18][19] Blassie also appeared in the SummerSlam opening video. 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.". Blassie unsuccessfully campaigned along with the other managers to manage "Macho Man" Randy Savage when Savage first entered the WWF in June 1985. Greenberg would add that Jerry Grahams drinking issues may have been combined with mental illness. [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. He achieved the rank of Petty Officer (Second Class) before he was discharged. Replying to. 10 Things Fans Should Know About Classy Freddie Blassie - TheSportster 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. He delivered a rousing speech, dramatically standing up from his wheelchair to get the WWE-loyal wrestlers pumped up for the next battle. 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. Blassie would show Greenberg dozens of notebooks with "beautiful cursive handwriting." [4] He is regarded as one of the greatest wrestling heels, or villains, of all time. 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. Blassie originally wrestled mainly in the Southeast and West Coast, winning many titles in both. Jamie Greer joined LWOPW in 2015 and was the site's Managing Editor from 2016 through 2020. His penchant for biting opponents earned him the nickname "The 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.