[22], Filmed in 1982, My Breakfast with Blassie featured Andy Kaufman and Freddie Blassie eating at a Sambo's in Los Angeles. One of the 100 Greatest Wrestlers of the 20th Century (Inside Wrestling Presents, Summer 2000). [3], In 1964, Blassie feuded with Bruno Sammartino and Bobo Brazil. 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. World Wrestling Entertainment WWE)). 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. He graduated from McKinley High School and began work at a meatpacking plant. After the war, he continued to wrestle professionally in the Midwest. Funeral services will be held at noon Friday at Hitchcock Presbyterian Church in Scarsdale, N.Y. [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. In that storyline, he is menaced by Eric Bischoff and his henchmen, before calling on the Dudley Brothers to "Get the tables!" He bleached his hair and quickly became a "I want you to get four Orange Juliuses for me, the girls, and you.". [22] In the demonstration of the dance, Blassie picked up Rob Petrie and twirled him over his head. 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. [7] Later, he received regular work wrestling at local carnivals. In this match Hogan was once again victorious. The Legends of Wrestling - "Classy" Freddie Blassie What did Disney actually lose from its Florida battle with DeSantis? Deiveson Figueiredo Tattoo Wallpaper. Some wrestlers choose to play a villain as a way of promoting their career, while others are forced to by their promoters. [6] He performed for that promotion until his full retirement from professional wrestling in 1986. [20] Images from his WrestleMania XV promo were also included in the opening of the 2001 Survivor Series. In 1964, Blassie once again captured the WWA World title for the third time (again from Carpentier), but upon losing to Dick The Bruiser in April, he headed to the newly minted World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF). 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 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). Fred Blassie was born and raised in the St. Louis, Missouri, area. Anyone can read what you share. [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. wrestled as a dark-haired good guy until he found out that the "heels" Sportswriter Jim Murray called him the worst villain since Hitler in a 1961 column in The Times. his service in the United States Navy during World War II. The Genius Cast with Lanny Poffo (2018-19), HOMAGE.com Our favorite in retro wrestling attire! . [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. Hed also regularly tag with Gorilla Monsoon, another wrestler better known for his non-wrestling roles. is 6'(1.83m) . 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. [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. 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. Freddie Blassie - Online World of Wrestling 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. for the WWF. "Everything had to be the best with him," Miyako told WWE.com. [12], In 1962, Blassie had a feud with Japanese wrestling icon Rikidzan that established his reputation in Japan. 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. [spoken to the WWF wrestlers during Invasion 2001] Gentleman, there PWSTees.com Your favorite Pro Wrestling Stories, on a tee! In 1950, he had his first challenge for the NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship, facing championLou Theszin Kentucky. September 30, 1968 - June 2, 2003 (his death), Wrestling's Living Legend Bruno Sammartino. 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. 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. 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. As a result he has wrought something of a revolution in the unmanly art of exhibition wrestling.. His father was an abusive alcoholic, prompting Frederick to stay with his grandparents whenever Jacob beat Anna. We've received your submission. His penchant for biting opponents earned him the nickname "The Vampire". Frederick Kenneth Blassie (Classy Freddy Blassie, The Vampire, Sailor Fred Blassie, The Hollywood Fashion Plate, The Fashion Plate of Professional Wrestling), Miyako Morozumi (30 September1968 - 2 June2003)( his death), ? Freddie never held a true world title but he was still one of the greatest of the 50s through the 60s". With Andy Kaufman, Freddie Blassie, Laurie Burton, Linda Hirsch. 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. He, Albano, and "The Grand Wizard of Wrestling" (Ernie Roth) formed the WWWF's "Evil Trinity" of heel managers. "Classy" Freddie Blassie WWE Hall of Fame Induction Speech [1994] 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. Let me take care of him in the ring.". Classy Freddie Blassie was pro wrestling's 'Fashion Plate' After being pounded by a longer-limbed opponent, he switched to professional wrestling. News on all your favorite celebs, reality TV, and movies. One poll ranked him as the most hated wrestler in the United States. 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! [6] In later years, Blassie also appeared on The Mike Douglas Show when Philbin was a guest host. 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. Download 100+ Free Freddie Blassie Wallpaper Images & 500,000+ Wallpapers for Free. )[8] The movies title and premise are parodies of the 1981 art-house classic My Dinner with Andre.[23]. egomaniac then known as Cassius Clay. [8] His final wrestling appearance was May 12, 2003 in Philadelphia on Raw, three weeks before his death. If you're not from the midwest you're not allowed to have an opinion on this. So when I saw this book I had to get it and read it. He worked for Vince McMahon and the World Wrestling Federation, now known as World Wrestling Entertainment. Blassie also was seen with the comedian Andy Kaufman in ''My Breakfast With Blassie,'' a 1983 spoof of ''My Dinner With Andre.''. His parents repeatedly separated, only to reconcile. He triggered heart attack-related deaths in Japan, was stabbed by angry fans 21 times and was once doused with acid! 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. Free Freddie Blassie Wallpaper Downloads, [100+] Freddie Blassie Professional Wrestling Online Museum - Spotlight on Freddie Blassie View popular celebrities life details, birth signs and real ages. It was not until he moved to the West Coast that fans began supporting him. Occasionally, he would get too close to the action and get beaten up himself, much to the crowd's delight. were too short. 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. We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on 8 February. After being pounded by a longer-limbed opponent, he switched to professional wrestling. 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. 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. A nice man, with a lovely wife and it was great having him there to cut a wonderful promo during my show. Poffo, at first, played it small and declined. Now is Freddie Blassie, 85, died of heart failure on June 2, 2003. Many people close to him actually had no idea that he had children in the first place. In addition to his pro wrestling notoriety, Classy Freddie Blassie also has some amusing notability in wider pop culture. 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. If they refused to drop a title, it didnt matter what the bookers thought. 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. You hit a guy in the neck. 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. He achieved the rank of Petty Officer (Second Class) before he was discharged. His wife is Miyako Morozumi (30 September 1968 - 2 June 2003) ( his death), ? This story has been shared 104,709 times. The terminology would follow him for the rest of his career. He also reportedly excelled as a boxer. 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. Blassie was inducted into the WWF Hall of Fame in 1994 by Shane McMahon. He won the WWA World Heavyweight Wrestling Championship from French star Edouard Carpentier at the L.A. Sports Arena in 1961. Freddie Blassie. His career began in earnest after 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. 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. 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. He won the World Wrestling Association world heavyweight championship from the Frenchman douard Carpentier at the Los Angeles Sports Arena in 1961. G&K did not respond to calls for comment. 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. He did an advice segment on the ''Tuesday Night Titans'' TV program, made personal appearances and did radio interviews. Freddie Blassie Wrestlers Database CAGEMATCH - The Internet Feb 27. Freddie Blassie's net worth Worldwide star. 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 . Lanny was only 12 or 13-years-old at the time. . From there, he moved on to become a regular writer, contributor, and reporter for WWE. He married his first wife Nettie Needles while on shore leave during the war. He did an advice segment on the Tuesday Night Titans TV program, made personal appearances and did radio interviews. However, he became increasingly interested in wrestling. 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. Hogan would return in late 1983, turning face almost immediately after and thus separating from Freddie Blassie. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. * 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! Freddie Blassie | WWE Since his retirement, he has occasionally worked as a "goodwill ambassador" (!) A child of two German immigrants, Freddie Blassie was born in St. Louis, Missouri in 1918. This film article about a 1980s comedy is a stub. 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. [18][19] Blassie also appeared in the SummerSlam opening video. He claimed to file his teeth to draw blood from opponents, and among his nicknames was the Vampire. Some NFL teams dont make the grade, players say, New era of football begins at Mater Dei under coach Frank McManus. By the 1970s, Blassie had relocated to the East Coast where he successfully pursued his mat career. [21] His final words on WWE television were "D-Von, get the table! For a brief period of time after World War Two, he was billed as "Sailor" Freddie Blassie in matches, a gimmick that did not prove successful. . Even more important than that, Blassie would make a change that would make him an icon. 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. Miyako Blassie, 68, says in court papers that she was shopping for groceries when she tripped near the entrance to a Pathmark in Westchester. 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)). After handing over ME duties to Alex Richards, he remains a frequent contributor to the site. Had some great matches with Rikidozan & even back in the late 60s he was over bigtime as a heel. American professional wrestler and manager, Worldwide Wrestling Associates (19601968), World Wide Wrestling Federation (1964; 1971). Blassie began portraying himself as a villain, and it worked. [7], His career continued as he was hired by more established promoters, including Tom Packs in St. Louis and George Simpson in Kansas City. *The 100 deaths claim was an exaggerated myth that Blassie used. [3][8] In 1983, Rhino Records released a 14-track album by Blassie, titled I Bite the Songs. [8] The fans consistently booed him because he was considered a "Yankee". One that stands out was his rivalry with Bruno Sammartino in the early 1960s. [7], After the US entered World War II, Blassie enlisted in the Navy and served in the Pacific Theater for 42 months. [9] During this stint with the company, Blassie was managed by his future nemesis, "Captain" Lou Albano.[3]. Still claiming to be the West Coast Champion, entered into a feud with Bruno Sammartino to unify the titles. Discover today's celebrity birthdays and explore famous people who share your birthday. He heard Blassie say that and whipped out a gun saying, "Ill kill that sonuvabitch! Lanny approached Blassie, who always had three girls with him, saying he "needed some relief. Managed by "Loud", Countless World Wrestling Federation TV and Pay Per View Ads. 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. Real Name: Fred Blassie. book. 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. Blassie's interference at Wrestlemania 2 cost Volkoff his match with Kirchner, when the cane was grabbed by Kirchner instead of Volkoff. The World's Most Entertaining Car Website. [3], Blassie returned to WWA in 1968 just as promoter Mike LeBell decided to rejoin the NWA. 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. Unique lists featuring pop culture, entertainment and crazy facts. 'The Destroyer' Dick Beyer story archive | Slam Wrestling @megantheevalium. 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. 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. Fred Blassie was born and raised in the St. Louis, Missouri, area. 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". 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. He came up with it back in his carnival days, when describing a literal carnival geek -- as in, a performer who bites the heads off of chickens -- who had a slender neck. Why FREDDIE BLASSIE Was So Great f/ WRESTLINGBIOS - YouTube DAVE KNOWS that Classy Freddie Blassie is a Pro Wrestling legend. 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. When the wife of WWEs Chairman and CEOhad heard about this, she accosted Blassie saying, "I didnt even realize you had any kids!". [6] On July 7, Blassie successfully defended his title against the former NWA World Heavyweight Champion Lou Thesz. "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. Freddie Blassie - Biography - IMDb This resulted in a weak relationship between the two. [6] Afterwards he became a manager in the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF) and its subsequent incarnation the World Wrestling Federation (WWF). 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. Blassie retired from wrestling in 1986, turning over his stable of heels to another manager called Slick. 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. Freddie Blassie Obituary (2003) - San Diego, CA - San Diego Union-Tribune 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. Following a stint in the California wrestling scene, Freddie Blassie headed southeast to the Georgia territories in the 1950s, where he would enjoy a whopping 17 reigns with the big title of the region, the NWA Georgia Southern Heavyweight Championship between 1954 and 1960. One of the men was Jilly Rizzo, Frank Sinatras number one sidekick and the owner of his own saloon. [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. [2] He sporadically returned to make brief appearances following his retirement in 1986, mostly in produced video packages hyping the "new generation" of wrestling. "Classy" Freddie Blassie WWE Hall of Fame Induction Speech [1994]June 9, 1994 Blassie His first public wrestling match was a shoot fight which he accepted hoping to impress a girl he brought to the show. Blassie wrestled as a dark-haired good guy until he found out that the "heels" (bad guys) got better pay. [6] Blassie described this performer as "having a neck like a stack of dimes and a real pencil-neck geek". Blassie, Murray wrote, has dedicated his life to wrapping up as much hate as one man can safely carry in a lifetime. JP Zarka created Pro Wrestling Stories in May 2015. 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. 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.