Freddie Blassies income source is mostly from being a successful Actor. RELATED: 10 Performers Who Were Great As Both A Wrestler & Manager. 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. Stats: 6' 0" 220 lbs. 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. Blassie. [6] His cousin John Frank Holaus often refereed his matches. His matches with Freddie Blassie were legendary. 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. Born Fred Blassman in St. Louis, Blassie played baseball and football in high school. The series began at Roosevelt Stadium, Jersey City, New Jersey in 1964, with Blassie winning on a technicality, but not a pin. And more wrestling fans definite need to know about the. With Andy Kaufman, Freddie Blassie, Laurie Burton, Linda Hirsch. in their 1992 song about Kaufman, "Man on the Moon". Accounts about his early athletic career do not quite agree, but he [8] He teamed with Billy McDaniel as the McDaniel Brothers, but when they went east, they were known as the Blassie Brothers. Sportswriter Jim Murray called him the worst villain since Hitler in a 1961 column in The Times. [9] While recuperating in 1966, he worked as a car salesman and married a second time to a woman whose name Blassie later claimed not to remember. Freddie Blassie's net worth [6] On July 7, Blassie successfully defended his title against the former NWA World Heavyweight Champion Lou Thesz. switched to professional wrestling. His net worth has been growing significantly in 2021-2022. The two spoke the same dialect of German, their parents had mutual friends, and . Blassie got involved when he threw his cane into the ring, with Sheik and Volkoff using it to their advantage to gain the victory. [4] In 1998, Blassie was the winner at the fourth annual Cauliflower Alley Club East Coast Banquet. 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 . 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. "Bruno always had a huge entourage hanging around him," Greenberg wrote in "Classy" Freddie Blassie The Legends of Wrestling. Learn How rich is He in this year and how He spends money? After Sheik lost the belt to Blassie's former managed wrestler Hulk Hogan, Blassie managed Sheik in various rematches around the country throughout the first half of 1984, culminating into another major televised rematch on December 28, 1984, once again in Madison Square Garden. He felt this was his chance to tell his life story before moving on. 10 Things Fans Should Know About Classy Freddie Blassie, 10 Managers With The Best Claim To Be On A Wrestling Mount Rushmore, 10 Performers Who Were Great As Both A Wrestler & Manager, 10 All-Time Greats You Forgot Had Managers. He bleached his hair and quickly became a [21] His book, Listen You Pencil Neck Geeks, was released on May 13, 2003. 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 Also known as Fred Blassie, Fred McDaniel Overview Career Career highlights Titles Matches Match Statistics Matchguide Feuds Promos Tournaments Tag Teams & Stables Entourage Awards Books Wrestling Games Movies Commentary Career Ratings Comments Matches Displaying items 1 to 100 of total 1631 items that match the search parameters. She . [2] He sporadically returned to make brief appearances following his retirement in 1986, mostly in produced video packages hyping the "new generation" of wrestling. News on all your favorite celebs, reality TV, and movies. One poll ranked him as the most hated wrestler in the United States. He won the WWA World Heavyweight Wrestling Championship from French star Edouard Carpentier at the L.A. Sports Arena in 1961. He became less the focal point of WWA, and soon began working more NWA territories, as he spread his wings into enemy territory. 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. Managed by "Loud", Countless World Wrestling Federation TV and Pay Per View Ads. comes a time when every man must fight for that he believes in. Zach Eflin And Wife On Yacht Wallpaper. . [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. Fred Blassie was born and raised in the St. Louis, Missouri, area. At 85 years old, Freddie Blassie height [4] He is regarded as one of the greatest wrestling heels, or villains, of all time. Freddie Blassie. ", Bruno kayfabed him. This film article about a 1980s comedy is a stub. 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). Greenberg would add that Jerry Grahams drinking issues may have been combined with mental illness. Blassies father was a heavy alcoholic and was abusive towards his beloved mother. He was popular in Japan as well. You hit a guy in the neck. Managed by "Loud" Lou Albano, Blassie continued his winning ways, but never won the WWWF's championship. 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. Blassie also resented "Superstar" Billy Graham, at first, due to his association with Dr. Jerry Graham, who in kayfabe was Billys older brother. From there, he moved on to become a regular writer, contributor, and reporter for WWE. 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. [8] The fans consistently booed him because he was considered a "Yankee". Even more important than that, Blassie would make a change that would make him an icon. 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. He graduated from McKinley High School and began work at a meatpacking plant. 3 Saving Freddie Blassie Thanks To Kayfabe. His father was an abusive alcoholic, prompting Frederick to stay with his grandparents whenever Jacob beat Anna. The World's Most Entertaining Car Website. His penchant for biting opponents earned him the nickname "The Vampire". G&K did not respond to calls for comment. "Classy" Freddie Blassie is a legendary wrestling personality, both as a wrestler and a manager. Blassie died in Hartsdale, N.Y., Jeff Walton, a former wrestling publicist, told The Los Angeles Times. 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. 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. "That's why he was 'Classy' Freddie Blassie." His career began in earnest after In the summer of 1986, Blassie started to slowly phase himself out of the WWF and into retirement. His heels were always a bit more exotic and meaner than most. 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.. Blassie also mastered the television interview, boasting his superiority over other wrestlers he liked to call ''pencil-neck geeks.'' 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. The film My Breakfast With Blassie, which came out in 1983, was a spoof of My Dinner With Andre. The camera followed Blassie and Kaufman as they ate and discussed life at a local restaurant that looked like a Dennys. In He, Albano, and "The Grand Wizard of Wrestling" (Ernie Roth) formed the WWWF's "Evil Trinity" of heel managers. 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. (1965 - 1968)( divorced), Nettie Needles (September 1942 - 1964)( divorced)( 3 children). ", 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. Despite being a 7-year pro before his duty in World War II, Blassie was still a journeyman. As a result, fans may be aware of Classy Freddie Blassie for his appearances during WWEs Golden Era and beyond but that only scratches the surface of his career. However, sadly, Freddie passed away before he could ever speak to his son again. heel's heel, outraging crowds by gleefully breaking every rule in the He finally defeated Rikidozan and won back his title at a WWA event in Los Angeles but it had served his purpose. It was also during this period of his career when he dropped his babyface gimmick and became a full-fledged heel. 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. 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. Originally from Chicago, he has called London home since 2008. This helps us provide free content for you to enjoy! Worldwide star. When Gene Okerlund confronted Blassie in an interview after the match, Blassie said, "what cane, I didn't have no cane!". June 8, 2003 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. Born Fred Blassman in St. Louis, Blassie played baseball and football in high school. 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. Blassie is survived by his wife, Miyako, and three children. [9][6], On June 2, 2003, Blassie died of heart and kidney failure at the age of 85. Pro Wrestling Stories - Your daily source of nostalgia and a peek behind the curtain wall of wrestlings past! 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 His parents, Anna (ne Sind) and Jacob Blassman, were German immigrants who arrived in the United States prior to World War I.[3]. Recommended:10 Wrestling Book Must Reads and 5 You Dont Want To Waste Your Time On. Blassie, whose late hubby [inset] was known for his gravel-voiced put-down pencil-neck geek, claims to have suffered excruciating pain in the January 2011 tumble, which broke her right wrist, and permanent scarring from a cut eyebrow. [7] Later, he received regular work wrestling at local carnivals. the late 1960s, he moved to the East Coast and the World-Wide Wrestling He did an advice segment on the ''Tuesday Night Titans'' TV program, made personal appearances and did radio interviews. 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. 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. It made Japanese wrestling a commodity on the West Coast and had given Rikidozan the credibility of conquering America. 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. This story has been shared 104,709 times. 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. Patrick Stewart In A Checkered Coat Wallpaper. Blassie originally wrestled He bleached his hair and quickly became a heel's heel, outraging crowds by gleefully breaking every rule in the book. [7], His career continued as he was hired by more established promoters, including Tom Packs in St. Louis and George Simpson in Kansas City. "Classy" Freddie Blassie lead an interesting life as one of . "Classy" Freddie Blassie appeared in a live-action segment of the cartoon "Hulk Hogan's Rock 'n' Wrestling." He, Albano, and "The Grand Wizard of Wrestling" (Ernie Roth) formed the WWWF's "Evil Trinity" of heel managers. The rematches were held at Madison Square Garden in New York, with Sammartino winning out. 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. Blassie would show Greenberg dozens of notebooks with "beautiful cursive handwriting." 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. [2] He was given a commentary tryout in 1986 and 1987 for WWF Wrestling Challenge, calling a few matches with Gorilla Monsoon. Greenbergs memoir on Freddie Blassie was released just three weeks before he died in 2003. Fred Blassie was born and raised in the St. Louis, Missouri, area. His first public wrestling match was a shoot fight which he accepted hoping to impress a girl he brought to the show. Since his retirement, he has occasionally worked as a "goodwill ambassador" (!) 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. [3] As an adult, Frederick was a teetotaler. In that storyline, he is menaced by Eric Bischoff and his henchmen, before calling on the Dudley Brothers to "Get the tables!" Fred Blassie had a shocking heel turn during his stint in Georgia, which led to him becoming an extremely hated wrestler! 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. So, how much is Freddie Blassie worth at the age of 85 years old? Blassie was more than willing to let the talented Bearcat Wright take the gold and make history. Miyako Blassie, 68, says in court papers that she was shopping for groceries when she tripped near the entrance to a Pathmark in Westchester. [22] In the demonstration of the dance, Blassie picked up Rob Petrie and twirled him over his head. (bad guys) got better pay. In 1964, Dick the Bruiser defeated Blassie to become champion, and Blassie headed east to work for the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF). "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. This is in reference . [8], Blassie appeared in an episode of The Dick Van Dyke Show that featured a new dance craze called The Twizzle. [20] Images from his WrestleMania XV promo were also included in the opening of the 2001 Survivor Series. [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. In this match Hogan was once again victorious. [3], In 1952, Blassie moved to Los Angeles to work for Jules Strongbow. 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. For Freddie Blassie, there was no question why he took on a villian's persona - he loved it. 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. [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. 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. [6] One of his most famous feuds took place in southern California in 1971, against Tolos. His penchant for biting opponents earned him the nickname "The Blassie was inducted into the WWF Hall of Fame in 1994 by Shane McMahon. Why FREDDIE BLASSIE Was So Great f/ WRESTLINGBIOS - YouTube DAVE KNOWS that Classy Freddie Blassie is a Pro Wrestling legend. [18][19] Blassie also appeared in the SummerSlam opening video. Moto-1964 and w/Buddy Austin-1967); NWA America's Heavyweight championships (5); Georgia Heavyweight title; "Beat The Champ" TV Title; NWA America's Brass Knuckles Title. Blassie worked for the World Wrestling Federation, now known as World Wrestling Entertainment, which presented him with its lifetime achievement award in 1996. Looking to talk wrestling, pro football, or any number of sports? [6] He performed for that promotion until his full retirement from professional wrestling in 1986. Comedian Andy Kaufman & professional wrestler Classy Freddie Blassie eat breakfast & discuss life. Of course, these mobsters thought he was putting them down for real. Recommended:The Time WWE Hall of Famer DR. JERRY GRAHAM Kidnapped His Mothers Dead Body. [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. [3] Blassie also publicly represented Ali for media events and interviews for a period in the mid-1970s. *The 100 deaths claim was an exaggerated myth that Blassie used. the time, get up, stand up and fight. Professional wrestler Freddie Blassie, who became a cult figure for fans by playing the villain inside the ring during the 1950s and 1960s, has died. 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. [22], Filmed in 1982, My Breakfast with Blassie featured Andy Kaufman and Freddie Blassie eating at a Sambo's in Los Angeles. Freddie never held a true world title but he was still one of the greatest of the 50s through the 60s". Lanny approached Blassie, who always had three girls with him, saying he "needed some relief. 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. Federation (WWWF, later the World Wresting Federation (WWF) and now Fred Blassie was born and raised in the St. Louis, Missouri, area. 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. He was 85. Born: 1921. His parents repeatedly separated, only to reconcile. 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. He hated his father for it. His last name is slightly easier to pronounce than it looks. [15] Blassie led Shiek to the WWF World Heavyweight Championship over Bob Backlund on December 26, 1983, in Madison Square Garden. Inducted into the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2004. Classy Freddie Blassie knew how to get heat and anger fans. Occasionally, he would get too close to the action and get beaten up himself, much to the crowd's delight. "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. Around 1980, he adopted a new moniker: "Ayatollah Blassie." After being pounded by a longer-limbed opponent, he switched to professional wrestling. A fierce competitor in the ring known for unorthodox methods and a penchant for bloodletting, Blassie was verbose and boastful.
Brazil Carnival 2022 Cancelled, Articles F