The Last Match: Wrestlers turned Manager

In this edition of The Last Match I take a look at a group of men who I first knew as successful managers that were wrestlers when they first broke into wrestling.

"Classy" Freddie Blassie
September 20, 1985 WWE House Show Nassau Coliseum, Long Island, NY
was defeated by "Captain" Lou Albano in a Steel Cage

The Hollywood Fashion Plate made his debut in 1935 before serving his country in World War II.  When the war was over he continued wrestling first making it big in California with the World Wrestling Association, spent some time in Georgia then returned to the WWA winning their version of the World Championship four times.

Traveling to Japan Blassie had a violent and bloody feud with Japanese legend Rikidozan.  Blassie would file his teeth during interview sharpening them then bite his opponents drawing blood reportedly causing viewers on Japanese TV to have heart attacks, some even died.

Blassie began managing in 1974 later becoming a full time manager in what is currently known as the WWE.  Even after is retirement from managing Blassie would continue to make appearances in the promotion even doing voice overs for promotion packages.  He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 1994.  He died June 2, 2003 at the age of 85.

"Precious" Paul Ellering
November 7, 1998 WWE House Show Skydome, Toronto, Canada
with Skull defeated LOD 2000: Droz & Animal

Precious Paul was trained to wrestle by Verne Gagne and Eddie Sharkey debuting Christmas nigh 1977.  Traveling to Mid-South Wrestling he injured his knee in a match with Robert Gibson that essentially ended his full time in ring career.  Ole Anderson made him a manager based on his talking ability.

In early 1984 Ellering became the manager of The Road Warriors: Hawk & Animal and for the next 8 years the trio dominated the tag team division everywhere they went.  Georgia Championship Wrestling, the AWA, Japan, Jim Crockett Promotions, WCW, and the WWE.

Most recently Ellering returned to the WWE on NXT as the manager of current tag team champions the Authors of Pain.

"Captain" Lou Albano
June 7, 1997 PCW (Pennsylvania Championship Wrestling) Wind Gap, PA
was defeated by Judd the Stud

Albano debuted in 1953 in the New York area.  In 1961 he formed a tag team with Tony Altomare dubbing themselves The Sicilians complete with mafioso gimmick.  After ten years together, and at the urging of Bruno Sammartino & Vince McMahon Sr., Albano broke up the team and moved into managing becoming a top heel manager in the WWE for over 15 years.

Albano managed Ivan Koloff in his victory over Bruno for the championship.  He also managed Intercontinental champions Don Muraco & Greg "The Hammer" Valentine and fifteen different teams to the tag team championships earning him the nickname "The Guilding Light".

I also remember watching Albano play Mario Mario in the live action wrap arounds on the Super Mario Brother Super Show as well as providing the voice for his animated counterpart.

Albano died on October 14, 2009 at the age of 76.

"Mr. Number One" Paul Jones
June 21, 1991 SAPW Ricky Mount, North Carolina
defeated The Storm Trooper

Jones debuted in 1961 after being trained by Paul Boesch and Morris Sigel.  Jones toured the territories primarily staying in the Mid-Atlantic area.  He held several regional titles along the way.

In 1982 he became a manger forming Paul Jones Army in Mid-Atlantic Wrestling.  Leading such men as Ivan Koloff, The Warlord, Barbarian, Manny Fernandez, Rick Rude, and others.  He left the territory in 1989 and returned to wrestling on the independents until retiring in 1991.

Mr. Fuji
August 4, 2004 BWCW Chesaning, Michigan
with Demolition Krash was defeated by Timmy & Tommy Titus

Fuji debuted in December 1965 in his native Hawaii.  He toured the territories including Oregon, Georgia, Toronto, and several stints in the WWE.  During his multiple runs in the WWE he formed two formidable tag teams with Toru Tanaka and Mr. Saito for a combined five tag team championships holding the title a record combined 932 days.

 In 1985 Mr. Fuji became a heel manager in the WWF wrestling occasionally.  his three famous charges including Intercontinental Champion Magnificent Muraco, Tag Team Champions Demoltion, and World Champion Yokozuna.  He ended his career as a babyface managing now good guy Yokozua, Ahmed Johnson, & Jake "The Snake" Roberts in a losing effort against Vader, Owen Hart, & The British Bulldog.

At the time of his last match Fuji hadn't stepped in the ring in 12 years.  He died Augusta 28, 2016 at the age of 82.

Thanks for reading, please leave a comment, read my other posts, and like my blogs Facebook page.

Later Readers!