freddie blassie wife

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. In 1976 he managed Muhammad Ali during his shoot match. 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). 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 . [6] Blassie described this performer as "having a neck like a stack of dimes and a real pencil-neck geek". This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. The Legends of Wrestling - "Classy" Freddie Blassie: Listen, You Pencil His career began in earnest after his service in the United States Navy during World War II. 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. [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. Many people close to him actually had no idea that he had children in the first place. 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". News on all your favorite celebs, reality TV, and movies. [3], In 1964, Blassie feuded with Bruno Sammartino and Bobo Brazil. In March of 1962, Blassie lost the WWA World title to Rikidozan, and for the next four months, Blassie competed in Japan, determined to regain his title from the Japanese wrestling innovator. [8] They received acclaim on the Dr. Demento Radio Show, and the latter song was featured on several albums, including Dr. Demento's 20th anniversary collection, The Very Best of Dr. Demento, and Dr. Demento Presents the Greatest Novelty CDs of All Time. In addition to his pro wrestling notoriety, Classy Freddie Blassie also has some amusing notability in wider pop culture. In that storyline, he is menaced by Eric Bischoff and his henchmen, before calling on the Dudley Brothers to "Get the tables!" 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. "Classy" Freddie Blassie WWE Hall of Fame Induction Speech [1994] Freddie Blassie Biography, Age, Height, Wife, Net Worth, Family A fierce competitor in the ring known for unorthodox methods and a penchant for bloodletting, Blassie was verbose and boastful. 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. 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. Stats: 6' 0" 220 lbs. At the age of 13, after Jacob had beaten Anna again, Frederick threatened his father with a baseball bat; instead he lived with his aunt for six months until his mother asked him to return home. Greenbergs memoir on Freddie Blassie was released just three weeks before he died in 2003. [15] Blassie led Shiek to the WWF World Heavyweight Championship over Bob Backlund on December 26, 1983, in Madison Square Garden. 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"). It was in the latter that he decided to embrace his villainous side, bleaching his hair blonde like Gorgeous George. He triggered heart attack-related deaths in Japan, was stabbed by angry fans 21 times and was once doused with acid! 500,000+ HD Wallpapers & Freddie Blassie Wallpaper 100% Free to Use High Quality Wallpapers Personalise for all Screen & Devices. Bruno had gotten so famous that he couldnt always pick the boneheads from the rest. 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. 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. All the while, he reveled in his role as being one of professional wrestlings most despised villains. 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. * 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! Blassie. Freddie Blassie - Biography - IMDb [spoken to the WWF wrestlers during Invasion 2001] Gentleman, there Learn how and when to remove this template message, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=My_Breakfast_with_Blassie&oldid=1107033235, Articles needing additional references from June 2021, All articles needing additional references, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 27 August 2022, at 19:43. WrestlingEpicenter.com - RIP Rest in Peace Obituaries Of course, these mobsters thought he was putting them down for real. 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. His father was an abusive alcoholic, prompting Frederick to stay with his grandparents whenever Jacob beat Anna. 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. book. 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. (1965 - 1968) ( divorced), Nettie Needles (September 1942 - 1964) ( divorced) ( 3 children) Freddie Blassie Net Worth His net worth has been growing significantly in 2021-2022. 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. ", Bruno kayfabed him. However, later that year Blassie suffered from kidney stones and had surgery to remove them. Why FREDDIE BLASSIE Was So Great f/ WRESTLINGBIOS - YouTube DAVE KNOWS that Classy Freddie Blassie is a Pro Wrestling legend. [2] He was given a commentary tryout in 1986 and 1987 for WWF Wrestling Challenge, calling a few matches with Gorilla Monsoon. Despite being a 7-year pro before his duty in World War II, Blassie was still a journeyman. 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. World Wrestling Entertainment WWE)). [8] His final wrestling appearance was May 12, 2003 in Philadelphia on Raw, three weeks before his death. Blassie later challenged Morales for the WWWF Championship, but came up short. egomaniac then known as Cassius Clay. [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. [6] His cousin John Frank Holaus often refereed his matches. Without further ado, lets do an overview of Blassies career for fans who may not know much about him. (Use code PWS for a nice surprise). 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). 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. . In the early 1970s, Blassie "turned face", or became a good guy, since so many fans were cheering his famous antics. As a result he has wrought something of a revolution in the unmanly art of exhibition wrestling.. Unique lists featuring pop culture, entertainment and crazy facts. He grabs his balls!" 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. "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. Blassie died in Hartsdale, N.Y., Jeff Walton, a former wrestling publicist, told The Los Angeles Times. Frederick was an only child. Many of the viewers were horrified by Blassie's treatment of their hero. Despite that, Blassie ended the year by leaving WWWF and returning to Los Angeles and the WWA. You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times. 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), ? Blassie, who became a cult figure outside the ring and starred with comedian Andy Kaufman in My Breakfast With Blassie, died of heart failure June 2 in Hartsdale, N.Y., according to Jeff Walton, a onetime wrestling publicist in Los Angeles who knew Blassie well. Because of his close relationship with Vince McMahon, Sr. and his family, Blassie remained on the WWF payroll until the day he died. In the 1970s, Blassie recorded a number of novelty songs, including Pencil Neck Geek, which became a cult favorite via Dr. Dementos radio show, which specializes in sharing wacky tracks. Blassie's interference at Wrestlemania 2 cost Volkoff his match with Kirchner, when the cane was grabbed by Kirchner instead of Volkoff. [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. And more wrestling fans definite need to know about the. It made Japanese wrestling a commodity on the West Coast and had given Rikidozan the credibility of conquering America. [8] In 2001, Blassie appeared in a special July 16, 2001 Raw is War segment for the Invasion storyline, wherein he exhorted a gathering of WWF wrestlers to stand tall against The Alliance and later got mocked by Alliance leaders Shane and Stephanie McMahon. Freddie Blassie, the silver-maned . By the 1970s, Blassie had relocated to the East Coast where he successfully pursued his mat career. Credited with bringing a young Hulk Hogan into the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) in late 1979. The nastier he was in the ring, the more popular he became to fans on the other side of the ropes. "Bruno always had a huge entourage hanging around him," Greenberg wrote in "Classy" Freddie Blassie The Legends of Wrestling. 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. , money, salary, income, and assets. In 1950, he had his first challenge for the NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship, facing championLou Theszin Kentucky. 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. 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thanks for contacting us. Since his retirement, he has occasionally worked as a "goodwill ambassador" (!) 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. However, he became increasingly interested in wrestling. Towards the end of Freddie Blassies life, he began to realize that it all may be coming to an end soon. [22] In the demonstration of the dance, Blassie picked up Rob Petrie and twirled him over his head. This resulted in a weak relationship between the two. [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. John Tolos: Wrestler celebrated as one of the finest ring villains 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). He also reportedly excelled as a boxer. *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! [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. 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. 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. [8] He was often billed as "The Vampire" during this time for biting his opponents and filing his teeth during interviews and promos. 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. Replying to. [9] The sight of the Japanese legend covered in his own blood gave several viewers heart attacks, and some reportedly died. 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. [10] He was so hated there that uniformed police officers were regularly brought in to protect him as he made his way to and from the ring. Blassie continued to interfere from ringside in matches, especially during Volkoff's feud with Corporal Kirchner. [4] In 1998, Blassie was the winner at the fourth annual Cauliflower Alley Club East Coast Banquet. 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. As a German descent American, he was often faced with questions of loyalty, despite marrying a Jewish woman. The Dudleyz get the tables with "Classy" Freddie Blassie's help: Raw Freddie had been estranged from his children for the majority of their lives. 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. Lanny stated that though Freddie Blassie never knew how to save his money well, he always had enough since he was never a drinker and saved a lot of money in that regard. He was 85. Occasionally, he would get too close to the action and get beaten up himself, much to the crowd's delight. [3] Blassie also publicly represented Ali for media events and interviews for a period in the mid-1970s. [3][23] (The film was referenced by American rock band R.E.M. [4] He is regarded as one of the greatest wrestling heels, or villains, of all time. My Breakfast with Blassie (1983) - IMDb In the summer of 1986, Blassie started to slowly phase himself out of the WWF and into retirement. [21] The segment featured Blassie, his wife, and Raw co-General Manager Eric Bischoff, who was about to allow 3 Minute Warning to attack him, until Stone Cold Steve Austin and The Dudley Boyz stepped in. He, Albano, and "The Grand Wizard of Wrestling" (Ernie Roth) formed the WWWF's "Evil Trinity" of heel managers. Danny Djeljosevic is a writer based in San Diego, CA. Some NFL teams dont make the grade, players say, New era of football begins at Mater Dei under coach Frank McManus. He was popular in Japan as well. [9] However, they eventually consented and Miyako returned with Blassie to the United States; they were married on September 30, 1968. "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. However, sadly, Freddie passed away before he could ever speak to his son again. [8], Blassie appeared in an episode of The Dick Van Dyke Show that featured a new dance craze called The Twizzle. Blassie wrestled as a dark-haired good guy until he found out that the "heels" (bad guys) got better pay. 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. This benefactor was later revealed to be Slick. After being pounded by a longer-limbed opponent, he switched to professional wrestling. 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! He finally defeated Rikidozan and won back his title at a WWA event in Los Angeles but it had served his purpose. 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. "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. 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. 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. One of Blassie's gimmicks was to file his teeth, and draw blood from his opponents by biting their foreheads. [8] He teamed with Billy McDaniel as the McDaniel Brothers, but when they went east, they were known as the Blassie Brothers. September 30, 1968 - June 2, 2003 (his death), Wrestling's Living Legend Bruno Sammartino. He, Albano, and "The Grand Wizard of Wrestling" (Ernie Roth) formed the WWWF's "Evil Trinity" of heel managers. 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. (and of course, Bubba Ray and D-Von take care of Bischoff and his cronies). in their 1992 song about Kaufman, "Man on the Moon". 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. He was now hooked, and he decided that pro wrestling was his destiny and not his backbreaking work in the meatpacking plant. Born Fred Blassman in St. Louis, Blassie played baseball and football in high school. States. [2][14] Blassie also managed Muhammad Ali in his boxer vs. wrestler match in 1976 against Antonio Inoki. Managed by "Loud" Lou Albano, Blassie continued his winning ways, but never won the WWWF's championship. [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. His matches with Freddie Blassie were legendary. My Breakfast with Blassie - Wikipedia is 6'(1.83m) . 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 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. [20] Images from his WrestleMania XV promo were also included in the opening of the 2001 Survivor Series. This is in reference . Freddie Blassie - Wikipedia first tried to make his mark as a boxer, despite warnings that his arms 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 did not just fade away after he left the ring. heel's heel, outraging crowds by gleefully breaking every rule in the What did Disney actually lose from its Florida battle with DeSantis? Freddie Blassie's net worth As much as governing body politics held back minorities, the wrestlers themselves had even more power. [10] He had main event-level feuds against stars such as The Destroyer. By this time, Blassie has acquired a cult following, leading to appearances in several feature films. He hated his father for it. Discover Freddie Blassie's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. He started a second career as a manager in the WWWF. One of the 100 Greatest Wrestlers of the 20th Century (Inside Wrestling Presents, Summer 2000). Lynne Margulies, who would later become Kaufman's girlfriend, plays a role; in fact, she and Kaufman met for the first time on camera. 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. After being pounded by a longer-limbed opponent, he Free Freddie Blassie Wallpaper Downloads, [100+] Freddie Blassie Let me take care of him in the ring.". "CLASSY" FRED BLASSIE on Twitter: "Your trad wife, sir. https://t.co Freddie Blassie decided to stop being a fixture of wrestling in 1986 but was no stranger to making the odd guest appearance. 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. [8] The fans consistently booed him because he was considered a "Yankee". In the 1950s, Fred Blassie was hands down the most hated wrestler in the southeastern territory. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. Freddie Blassies income source is mostly from being a successful Actor. Blassies father was a heavy alcoholic and was abusive towards his beloved mother. 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). [24], In the early 1990s, the wrestler starred in a documentary directed by Jeff Krulik, titled Mr. Blassie Goes To Washington. Fred Blassie had a shocking heel turn during his stint in Georgia, which led to him becoming an extremely hated wrestler! He is a member of famous Actor with the age 85 years old group. 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. Andy Kaufman on Letterman w/ "Classy" Freddie Blassie 02/23/1983 The Genius Cast with Lanny Poffo (2018-19), HOMAGE.com Our favorite in retro wrestling attire! It was also during this period of his career when he dropped his babyface gimmick and became a full-fledged heel. . Born: 1921. The terminology would follow him for the rest of his career. The Legends of Wrestling - "Classy" Freddie Blassie: Listen, You Pencil Neck Geeks (Wwe S) Paperback - February 1, 2004 by Keith Elliot Greenberg (Author) 115 ratings See all formats and editions Kindle $13.99 Read with Our Free App Hardcover $18.99 13 Used from $4.06 2 New from $38.98 1 Collectible from $15.00 Paperback Prayer Against Devouring Spirit, Britton Smith Family, Saint Germain En Laye Map, Articles F