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We rank 'em. You react. That's how the Daily List rolls.8/01/2007 12:18:00 PM Best wrestling managers of all time
By Jimmy Traina, SI.com
Captain Lou Albano went mainstream in the '80s when he played Cyndi Lauper's father in one of her videos.Photo by Ron Galella/WireImage.com
Last Wednesday's list on the most ridiculous wrestling gimmicks drew many outstanding responses. Let's see if we can match that today. Here are my favorite wrestling managers of all time. Who are yours?
1. Bobby "The Brain" Heenan: No manager was funnier. Whether he was at ringside helping the "heel" providing color commentary on matches or co-hosting Primetime Wrestling or Tuesday Night Titans, he always entertained.
2. Captain Lou Albano: As a kid, I was fascinated by Albano because he had piercings and wore rubber bands in his beard. Then he appeared in Cyndi Lauper's Girls Just Wanna Have Fun video and his legend only grew.
3. Jim Cornette: He was probably the best manager on the mic. And his gimmick of using the tennis racket to help hit his guys' opponents was a classic.
4. Slick: Whether he was playing the charcter of Slick or Reverened Slick, when he spoke, I was mesmerized. And the WWF always put him in these surreal situations and skits, that just added to the outrageousness of the character.
5. Miss Elizabeth: She was the first lady of wrestling. Fans waited every week to see her walk Randy "Macho Man" Savage to the ring. And that's all she did. She never spoke, which was unusual for managers, but viewers didn't care. Unlike today's wrestling that's filled with good-looking women, back in the mid '80s, Elizabeth clearly stood out in the crowd.posted by SI.com | View comments |
Comments:
Who the hell is Slick? And how can you leave off "The Mouth of the South" Jimmy Hart?You can't leave out guys like "The Mouth Of The South" Jimmy Hart and "Classy" Freddie Blassy who coined the phrase "pencil neck geek".Don't forget the Mouth of the South Jimmy Hart and Paul Bearer.
What about Classy Freddy Blassy?Good List! I would have to give honorable mention to Paul Bearer and Brother Love. Jason - ClevelandOne word "SUNNY". Smokin HOT!Slick? Are you kidding? Paul E. Dangerously (or Paul Heyman, if you prefer) absolutely deserves to be on this list. While he certainly didn't obscure Jim Cornette, Dangerously's "Psycho Yuppie" character was a perfect counterpoint to the Louisville Lip.How could you not include "The Mouth of the South",Jimmy Hart?1) Clarence Mason
2) Col. Bob Parker
3) Kim Chee
4) Rick Rude - with DX and NWO
5) General AdnanHonorable Mentions:
"The Mouth of the South" Jimmy Hart
Percy Pringle/Paul Bearer
Mr. Fuji
J.J. DillonAre you kidding me??? The Grand Wizard is the greatest of them all!Dude...how do you leave out Jimmy Hart???Don't forget:
1. Jimmy Valentine
2. Paul BearerNo "Mouth of the South" or Mr. Fuji?Dunno if I'd call Ms. Elizabeth a manager as much as I'd call her a valet.Paul Bearer. That high-pitched scream of "Dead man!" still haunts my sleep.
Well, until Kurt Angle showed up on TNA wearing a thong. Now that's creepy.The Wizard, Classy Freddy Blassy, Mr. Fuji, Sensational Sherri....I don't know how "The mouth of the South" didnt make the list! When I saw the title, before I looked at the list him and Miss Elizabeth were the two I always remember growing up watching.BROTHER LOVE,= BROUGHT US THE UNDERTAKER NOT PAUL BEARER AS THOUGHT.
PAUL ELLERING. THE ROAD WARRIORS
SHANE DOUGLAS.. IN WCW AND TNA
TEDDY LONG. MANAGED BUTCH REED AND RON SIMMONS.
MR FUJI..
VINCE MCMAHAN.who doesn't know Slick? he was the "doctor of style" great list man.How about Paul Ellering. Long time manager of the Road Warriors. RIP Hawk.Another vote for The Grand Wizard of Wrestling -- absolutely the best. A travesty he's not even mentioned.Without the "Mouth of the South" this list has no credibilityhow can you forget the late great GRAND WIZARD OF WRESTLING??!!Where is Jimmy Hart and Paul Ellering.Paul Ellering managed the greatest tag team of all-time.How can you leave out
"The Grand Wizard of Wrestling"
Mr Ernie RothBobby Heenan had the family. Stud, Bundy, Perfect, Rude and the crown jewel Andre. He came a long three count from winning the belt from Hogan in Mania 3. He's my pick!What about Mr. Fuji and the mouth of the south, horrible oversights in this category.How do you leave off Chyna and Lita? Chyna helped Triple H win so many matches when he was with the original DX. Not to mention she became the first woman to hold a major belt (Intercontinental Title).
Lita was just awesome to look at and was a huge help to the Hardy Brothers. She is also one of the only women to the death defying stunts that the Hardy's performed.
PS - Who the hell is slick?Paul Ellering for the Road Warriors and J.J. Dillon for the 4 Horsemen were the two best. While some of the others were good at running their mouths, these two were all about intelligence and class.The Grand Wizard was the greatest! As Sgt. Slaughter would say, "YES, GENERAL!!!!"how can you leave out JJ Dillon ? he only managed the greatest group of "heels" in the history of the sport....The Four Horsemen....WHOOOOOO2 words - Skandar Akbar!ANTONINO ROCCA!! ( Not a Mgr. but I had to get him in...)How can you leave off the leader of 4HORSEMAN:
JJ DILLONHULK HOGAN, HE MANAGED HILLBILLY JIM.
VINCE MCMAHAN MANAGED THE CORPERATE CHAMP(ROCK) AND THE CORPORATION
WOMEN IN WCW
DEBRA-You CAN'T omit;
1)"Classy Fredie Blassie
2) Jimmy Hart
3) here's an old one; Lord Alfred Hayes
4) Mr Fuji
Slick does not belong on the same list with these legends of sports entertainment, you pencil neck geek.Joel " She'll marvel at my size while I'm in between her thighs" Gertner.
Manager for the Dudley Boys in ECW...... had so many classic lines.What about Precious Paul Ellering or Playboy Gary Hart? Those guys were magic on the microphone.JJ Dillon
Percy Pringle
Jimmy Hart
and for God's sake SIR OLIVER HUMPERDINK!
This list is a disgrace! At least make it a top ten!c'mon no jimmy hart? i mean he only managed countless tag team champions and hulk hogan himself. or classy freddie blassie? or mr. fuji? fuji should be on this list alone for the awesomeness of fuji vice.Ernie "the Grand Wizard" Roth is the one and only. He started it all - at least from the 70's on.How 'bout the late Miss Elizabeth who managed Macho Man Randy Savage, Dusty Rhodes and even Hulk Hogan for a short time.
What a tragic death by the way, she was a hottie well into her 40's. (Autopsy showed she OD'd while at Lex Luger's home.)-Classy Freddie Blassy
-Alfonso from ECW. blowing that whistle..
-slick Rick, the slickster!
-Virgil..he really wasn't a manager but man did he take beatings ringside..Your list is a disgrace to all real professional wrestling fans. Any list of managers that does not include The King Of Men Classy Freddie Blassie or The Imperial Grand Wizard is a joke. To make matters worse, you put Elizabeth on the list. You must be a pencil neck geek! Here is what the list should be:
1. The Classy One
2. The Captain
3. The Brain
4. Mr. Cornette
5. The Wizard
honorable mention The Mouth.I would have to add Arnold Skoaland and The Grand Wizard of Wrestling to the list."Dunno if I'd call Ms. Elizabeth a manager as much as I'd call her a valet."
Elizabeth was considered a manager during her time in the WWF. The commentators made it clear that she helped Savage (and for a time, Hogan) strategize behind the scenes. She was even featured in the WWF home video focusing on managers entitled "The Brains Behind the Brawn."This list begins and end with the Grand Wizard.Only the true SUPER FAN would recognize these names ... how about:
From Calgary's Stampede Wrestling (The TRUE 'grandfather', Stu Hart's legendary training ground for almost all future wrestling giants)
1). Stu Hart - Are you kidding? Look at the roster of men and women who came out of that Prominence Point Dungeon! Is there a better "manager" of wrestling talent in history? Sorry, Vince: Daddy was a legend, it's true ... but Stu Hart ... is a GOD ...
2). J.R. Foley - A super sweet man in "real" life, but a real bastard just outside the squared circle. Articulate - and just down right evil ...
3). Katsuji Adachi (Mr. Hito) - "NO CHANCIE, MISTER WHALEN!" goes down in wrestling
history. Ever people who didn't know the late Mr. Hito or the late wrestling pioneer announcer Ed Whalen (also the voice of the Calgary Flames) have been heard screaming "NO CHANCIE!" at ringsides across American and Canada ...
3). Luna Vachon - Another grossly misunderstood individual. But always managed to look just crazed enough to make wrestling completely believable - even as a manager ...
4). Jack Britton - All dwarfs who wrestle today can thank Captain Jack. His star, Little Beaver, was the main attraction on so many cold, cold prairie nights at the old Victoria Park Agriplex ... And do we even have to mention his biggest star? A meat-cutter who went by the moniker of "Abdullah?"
5). Jean Gagne (Frenchy Martin) - Managed to be lovable - and hateable - for an all-too-brief period of time. Remember the "USA is NOT OK!" signs that used to accompany Dino Bravo to the ring? Great actor and terrifically underused ..."Classy" Freddie Blassie has got to be on this list, along with the Grand Wizard of Wrestling? Am I the only one who remembers "Cry Baby" Cannon?Bobby "The Brain/Weasel" Heenan will always be number 1 in my book.
T.Any list that does not include the Wizard is a no-go from the start. There is a great history of wrestling before the WWF went Hollywood.Most of you aren't old enough to remember, but Wild Red Berry, who managed the Kangaroos. One of the top tag teams of a different era.there is no doubt about Bobby Heenan being the greatest. but i would substitute Slick and Elizabeth for Jimmy Hart, Freddy Blassy, or Mr. Fuji.
As far as women managers were concerned, Sensational SHerri Martel and Chyna were better than Elizabeth..The Grand Wizard of Wrestling was the best of them all. The fans have spoken!ok, where is j.j. dillion, he has to be in the top 3 hands down!!!!! Four Horseman all day!!!!!!!!!!For the young wrestling fans who need to be educated about pro wresting, here's some knowledge for you:
Precious Paul Ellering should never be omitted from the Top 5 list. The original Legion of Doom was more than just the Road Warriors. The likes of Jake "Snake" Roberts, the Spoiler, King Kong Bundy and of course Hawk and Animal, The Road Warriors ruled Georgia Championship Wrestling in the 80s.
J.J. Dillon's contribution of The Four Horsemen will always keep him in my personal Hall of Fame. Although the WWE may never recognize him for his talent, he managed multiple versions of the Four Horsemen to greatness.
Class dimissed.NO Jimmy Hart? When me and my buddies were in high school his interviews and skits were legendary! His one liners and the megaphone were absolute classics!Slick was the funniest manager ever. He wasn't around long, but dude was hilarious. Jimmy Hart was the most annoying manager- he sucked. Sir Oliver Humperdink would be a nice addition though.How can you have a managers list and leave off J J Dillion, the man managed the Four Horseman and also put in the tights a time of two when needed. Ms Elizabeth, give me a break, she just stood there, she couldn't even wash BabyDoll's Thong.These guys are all "pencil-necked geeks" compared to the King of them all...."CLASSY, FREDDY BLASSY!"Who the hell is Slick? Are you kidding me? Why post.What about Precious Paul Ellering? Not only did he lead wrestling's greatest tag team, the Road Warriors, he was a national weightlifting champion in college and an eloquent speaker, to boot.2 words...Mr. Fujij.j dillon .. best of all time. period.
paul ellering ..outstanding !
kevin sullivan .. varsity club
gary hart .. no one else could have controlled great muta and terry funk !I miss Slick. Bobby Heenan is by far the best of them all, Perfect in his role. Jimmy Hart and the Hart Foundation? Come on, he needs to bere along with JJ Dillion and Mr Fuji.No Way you leave Classy Freddie out... That's old school before wresting went to crap...
Wasn't Mr. Fuji a MGR?You forgot Classie Freddie Blassie, Precious Paul Ellering, Baby Doll, Master Fuji, Jimmy Hart, Grand Wizard and Friday .... your list was horrible, only Heenan and Cornette you got right ... Cameron - TorontoYou can't have a top 5 without The Mouth of the South Jimmy Hart or Classy Freddie Blassy.This list is bogus. The best wrestling manager is James Jay Dillion, followed by Classy Fred Blassy. The rest of the kats is straight up scrubsThe Grand Wizard or Abdullah Farouk/The Weasel as he was known in the Detroit Big Time Wrestling Promotion was the Babe Ruth of managers. The tasselled fez and the defiant arms crossed stance was classic as the Sheik squinted and hid his eyes from the studio lights while mumbling some faux Arabic gibberish. Blassie and Heenan also began in roughly the same era and were classics in their own right.How can you all forget Paul E. Dangerously. . .his cell phone won a number of matchesDefinitely can't leave out Jimmy Hart or Freddie Blassie.
Miss Elizabeth might have officially been a manager, but come on. She definitely would top the list of hotties in wrestling -- I trust that will be your next wrestling-related list.If you're gonna talk about how great someone is at least spell his name right:
"Classy" Freddie Blassie
And yes, he should be on that list... as should Bill Alfonso and "Playboy" Gary Hart.My list:
1. Paul Ellering
2. Jim Cornette
3. JJ Dillion
4. Jimmy Hart
5. The Grand Wizard
5a. Arnold Skaaland (Bruno Sammartino & Bob Backlund)You can sure tell the age of the original poster!! LOL A list of "Greatest Managers" that ommitted Jimmy Hart, Gary Hart (I loved him in the Sportatorioum in Dallas), Paul Ellering (the Omni in Atlanta days!), Classy Freddy Blassy, and JJ Dillion (Atlanta Wrestling all the way!)how can you leave off Jimmy Hart, who brought us Hulkamania, without those two the WWE would not be what it is today.Slick was a pencil necked geek compared to Classy Freddy BlassySensational Sherri!
\Growing up watching the WWWF, I'd have to say that the Grand Wizard was tremendous. The promos he cut while managing Superstar Billy Graham were classics. And Blassie was excellent in his role. But Lou Albano was the all-time greatest. His promos were really funny but would make you absolutely despise him.
Great Albano moments:
3) Mocking Backlund's Harvard step test on the ring steps while the Moondogs were destroying their opponents in the ring.
2) His line to Roddy Piper in a video shot in Albano's house just before the first Wrestlemania, "Welcome to my humble abode."
1) When Vince McMahonn was a young interviewer/announcer, he used to wear a loud yellow blazer. During an interview, Albano screamed at him, "Ya got that, bumblebee!"The one guy I did not see mentioned anywhere is Ted Dibiase, aka the Millionare. I can't believe no one remembers that he is the one who brought Stone Cold Steve Austin into the WWF.DOn't forget DDP-he managed Bad Company in the old AWA before he started wrestling.
And Shiek Adnan Al Kaissie (sp?) in World Class Championship Wrestling.
And for sure, Mr. Fuji, Arnold Skaaland and Paul E. DangerouslyPAUL BEARER....nuff said.Mr. Fuji and Jimmy Hart HAVE to be there above Slick and Elizabeth.What about j.j. dillon the manager of the original four horsmen? or precious paul ellering? who is ranking these guys a blind deaf guy? Gary Hart? Sunshine? good lord elizabeth was just eye candy!I think Nancy Beniot (Woman) belongs on here as well she was way ahead of her time back in the old NWA/WCW daysThe biggest problem here is that the list is limited to 5. Who posts a top 5? You need a top 10 and here's mine, in no particular order.
1) Bobby "The Brain" Heenan
2) Jimmy "Mouth of the South" Hart
3) Miss Elizabeth
4) Mr. Fuji
5) Classy Freddie Blassie
6) The Grand Wizard
7) Paul Ellering
8) J.J. Dillon
9) Capt. Lou Albano
10)Jim Cornette
Side notes:
-Stu Hart was a great trainer, not a manager, so he's out.
-Another credit for Jimmy Hart was when he was The Honky Tonk Man's manager and was the Colonel.
-Paul Heyman is so annoying and such a bad actor with that greasy, long hair that featured a large bald spot on top, that I often changed the channel.Forgot my honorable mentions:
Slick, Paul Bearer, Sensational SherriMr. Fuji, James J Dillon in the NWA with the Four Horsemen, the Grand Wizard when he was with "SuperStar" Billy Graham and of course Jimmy Hart when he managed "Adorable" Abrian Adonis complete with the Flower Shop. And last but not least "The Ace" Cowboy Bob Orton anyone with two nic-names has to make any list right?I can't believe this many "wrestling fans" do not know who Slick is? He's the DOCTOR of STYLE people!
Regardless, my vote for best manager is Trish Stratus. remember, she "managed" TNA (Test-n-Albert) before she became a wrestler. And she's bea-UTIFUL!This one will be known only to Central and Eastern Canadians, mainly Quebec: Eddie the Brain Creatchman. The synthesis of all great managers: crass, ugly, loud, hateful. Could do it both in English and French.No Jimmy Hart? I agree that this omission is a travesty.What about Skandar Akbar? I mean just because it was World Class Wrestling He managed the Great Kabuki. However everyone should be ashamed that MR> FUJI is not on the list!Show your respects for Classie Freddie Blassie, the Grand Wizard of Wrestling, The Mouth of the South Jimmy Hart, and J.J. Dillon, manager of the greatest "team" to ever be assembled....The 4 HorsemenRecent Posts
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