He began wrestling professionally in 1935 and it was soon after that he came up with his famous pencil neck geek insult. After being pounded by a longer-limbed opponent, he switched to professional wrestling. This is in reference . 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. He is a member of famous Actor with the age 85 years old group. [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. . Originally from Chicago, he has called London home since 2008. "CLASSY" FRED BLASSIE on Twitter: "Your trad wife, sir. https://t.co Freddie never held a true world title but he was still one of the greatest of the 50s through the 60s". By doing this, he saved Freddie Blassies life. Freddie Blassie, Pro Wrestler Popular as Villain, Dies at 85 Credited with bringing a young Hulk Hogan into the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) in late 1979. One poll ranked him as the most hated wrestler in the United States. Poffo, at first, played it small and declined. Danny Djeljosevic is a writer based in San Diego, CA. wrestled as a dark-haired good guy until he found out that the "heels" It was not until he moved to the West Coast that fans began supporting him. 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. From there, he moved on to become a regular writer, contributor, and reporter for WWE. 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 . 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. Wrestler's widow goes to the mat - New York Post 10 Backstage Stories About Bruno Sammartino WWE Fans Should Know It made Japanese wrestling a commodity on the West Coast and had given Rikidozan the credibility of conquering America. Freddie Blassie was one of the most hated heels of his time. Death In 1972, ten years after his last match in Japan with Rikidozans JWA, he returned to Japan and began working for Giant Babas All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW). Using a variety of names, he wrestled the top performers of the day including Lou Thesz and Gorgeous George, but did not reach their level of popularity. He heard Blassie say that and whipped out a gun saying, "Ill kill that sonuvabitch! 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). The Legends of Wrestling - "Classy" Freddie Blassie: Listen, You Pencil Freddie Blassie Wrestlers Database CAGEMATCH - The Internet 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)). But while his US in-ring career ended (while still working for WWWF), he remained employed by WWWF and became a manager instead. [3], Blassie returned to WWA in 1968 just as promoter Mike LeBell decided to rejoin the NWA. The nastier he was in the ring, the more popular he became to fans. The Legends of Wrestling - "Classy" Freddie Blassie 1 One of the great legends of pro wrestling albeit one whose in-ring career predated the 1980s Golden Era wrestling boom Classy Freddie Blassie was a successful heel who wrestled all over. This resulted in a weak relationship between the two. As a wrestling manager, wore shirts and trousers of the exact same color, sometimes with a matching jacket. One of Blassies most notable clients during his run with WWE, however, was Hulk Hogan, who he managed as soon as Hogan debuted in the company in 1979. For example, in the 1970s, he took on Cowboy Bill Watts, whod become a promoter and booker for Mid-South Wrestling and WCW. Born Fred Blassman in St. Louis, Blassie played baseball and football in high school. After Blassie lost the WWA World Heavyweight Championship to Rikidzan in Los Angeles, the two had a rematch on live Japanese television. 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. Now is Even more important than that, Blassie would make a change that would make him an icon. He bleached his hair and quickly became a heel's heel, outraging crowds by gleefully breaking every rule in the book. You can watch him on Autopsy: The Last Hours of on Reelz in the United States and Channel 5 in Great Britain. Let me take care of him in the ring.". Freddie Blassie - Online World of Wrestling Classy car for a class act | WWE 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. 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. Why FREDDIE BLASSIE Was So Great f/ WRESTLINGBIOS - YouTube DAVE KNOWS that Classy Freddie Blassie is a Pro Wrestling legend. Miyako Blassie, 68, says in court papers that she was shopping for groceries when she tripped near the entrance to a Pathmark in Westchester. 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. Matches Freddie Blassie Wrestlers Database - CAGEMATCH mainly in the Southeast and West Coast, winning many titles in both. 10 Things Fans Should Know About Classy Freddie Blassie - TheSportster If you're not from the midwest you're not allowed to have an opinion on this. He won the WWA World Heavyweight Wrestling Championship from French star Edouard Carpentier at the L.A. Sports Arena in 1961. 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). (bad guys) got better pay. He was 85. [8], Blassie appeared in an episode of The Dick Van Dyke Show that featured a new dance craze called The Twizzle. [6] On July 7, Blassie successfully defended his title against the former NWA World Heavyweight Champion Lou Thesz. Stats: 6' 0" 220 lbs. Lanny was only 12 or 13-years-old at the time. G&K did not respond to calls for comment. Also learn how He earned most of Freddie Blassie networth? 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. The evocative turn of phrase stuck and became Blassies catchphrase to the point where it inspired the name of his autobiography and a novelty single (see below). Classy Freddie Blassie knew how to get heat and anger fans. He won the World Wrestling Association world heavyweight championship from the Frenchman douard Carpentier at the Los Angeles Sports Arena in 1961. [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. 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. 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. Feb 27. 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. So, how much is Freddie Blassie worth at the age of 85 years old? [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's net worth According to Walton, Blassies biggest achievement came Aug. 27, 1971, when he met and defeated Canadian wrestler Golden Greek John Tolos at the Coliseum before 25,000 wrestling fans. Comedian Andy Kaufman & professional wrestler Classy Freddie Blassie eat breakfast & discuss life. Real Name: Fred Blassie. My Breakfast with Blassie: Directed by Linda Lautrec, Johnny Legend, Mark Shepard. Blassie retired from active wrestling in 1974, due to a California law that prohibited anyone over 55 from getting a wrestling license. He is from USA. Many of the viewers were horrified by Blassie's treatment of their hero. Blassie originally wrestled mainly in the Southeast and West Coast, winning many titles in both. In 1964, Dick the Bruiser defeated Blassie to become champion, and Blassie headed east to work for the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF). One poll ranked him as the most hated wrestler in the United Freddie Blassie, the silver-maned . After handing over ME duties to Alex Richards, he remains a frequent contributor to the site. [21] His book, Listen You Pencil Neck Geeks, was released on May 13, 2003. 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. Greenberg would add that Jerry Grahams drinking issues may have been combined with mental illness. Blassie's interference at Wrestlemania 2 cost Volkoff his match with Kirchner, when the cane was grabbed by Kirchner instead of Volkoff. Freddie Blassie - IMDb 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. However, he became increasingly interested in wrestling. His wife is Miyako Morozumi (30 September 1968 - 2 June 2003) ( his death), ? , money, salary, income, and assets. 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. Blassie got involved when he threw his cane into the ring, with Sheik and Volkoff using it to their advantage to gain the victory. 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. The World's Most Entertaining Car Website. . Blassie continued to manage Sheik and Volkoff even after they lost the tag team titles. The widow of pro-wrestling villain Classy Freddie Blassie got thrown for a fall by a supermarket floor mat. Jamie Greer joined LWOPW in 2015 and was the site's Managing Editor from 2016 through 2020. 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. Accounts about his early athletic career do not quite agree, but he 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.. As Greenberg shares it, Bruno used to have many people follow him around in the back, many of which were purported to be in the mob. The two spoke the same dialect of German, their parents had mutual friends, and . Miyako Blassie, 68, says in court papers that she was shopping for groceries. [4] [24], In the early 1990s, the wrestler starred in a documentary directed by Jeff Krulik, titled Mr. Blassie Goes To Washington. 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. Lanny approached Blassie, who always had three girls with him, saying he "needed some relief. Some NFL teams dont make the grade, players say, New era of football begins at Mater Dei under coach Frank McManus. After regaining the WWA Championship from Rikidzan on July 25, 1962, Blassie lost the title two days later to the "Masked Destroyer" Dick Beyer. When the wife of WWEs Chairman and CEOhad heard about this, she accosted Blassie saying, "I didnt even realize you had any kids!". My Breakfast with Blassie is a 1983 film starring Andy Kaufman and professional wrestler "Classy" Freddie Blassie.[1]. 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. Keith Elliot Greenberg has been doing his part to preserve professional wrestling history for the past few decades. "Typical Italian stunt! In addition to his pro wrestling notoriety, Classy Freddie Blassie also has some amusing notability in wider pop culture. Freddie Blassie, 85, died of heart failure on June 2, 2003. 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. Sadly, the gimmick was a bomb, and Blassie jumped around territories, including working in New York City for Jess McMahon (grandfather of Vince McMahon Jr.). Among the men he managed were Nikolai Volkoff,[2] The Iron Sheik,[2] Blackjack Mulligan,[2] High Chief Peter Maivia,[2] "The Crippler" Ray Stevens,[2] Adrian Adonis,[2] Jesse Ventura,[2] Dick Murdoch,[2] Swede Hanson,[2] Killer Khan,[2] George 'The Animal' Steele,[2] Professor Tanaka,[2] Mr. Fuji,[2] Ivan Koloff,[2] Tor Kamata,[2] Masa Saito,[2] Lou Albano,[2] Victor Rivera,[2] Kamala,[2] Hercules Hernandez,[2] and Hulk Hogan. Lynne Margulies, who would later become Kaufman's girlfriend, plays a role; in fact, she and Kaufman met for the first time on camera. WWE Confidential: The life and times of "Classy" Freddie Blassie [20] Because of this, Blassie is one of, if not the only man to have worked with all four generations of the McMahon family. Anyone can read what you share. Classy Freddie Blassie was pro wrestling's 'Fashion Plate' 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. [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. 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. 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. 10 Wrestlers Managed By Classy Freddie Blassie Fans Should Know About [8] He teamed with Billy McDaniel as the McDaniel Brothers, but when they went east, they were known as the Blassie Brothers. By the 1970s, Blassie had relocated to the East Coast where he successfully pursued his mat career. [22] In the demonstration of the dance, Blassie picked up Rob Petrie and twirled him over his head. 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 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. Blassie retired from wrestling in 1986, turning over his stable of heels to another manager called Slick. The Life and Times of Classy Freddie Blassie Quiz RELATED: 10 Performers Who Were Great As Both A Wrestler & Manager. His matches with Freddie Blassie were legendary. 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. [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. 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. Free Freddie Blassie Wallpaper Downloads, [100+] Freddie Blassie You pencil neck geek! For those who were brought up on pro wrestling in the 1980s and 1990s, one of the most colorful managers of the day was WWF stalwart, Classy Freddie Blassie. After being pounded by a longer-limbed opponent, he switched to professional wrestling. Inducted into the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2004.
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