"Classy" Freddie Blassie

Wrestler/Manager: "Classy" Freddie Blassie
Real Name: Frederick Blassman
Birthday: February 8, 1918
Hometown: Missouri
Marital Status: Married
Height & Weight: 5' 10" - 220 lbs
Trained by: Billy Hanson
Debut: 1935
Previous Gimmicks: Fred "Butcher Boy" Blassie
Sailor Fred Blassie
The Vampire
El Rubio
Masked Marvel
"Classy"Freddie Blassie
Loverboy Freddy Blassie
"The Hollywood Fashion Plate"
IATOLA Blassie
Finishing Move: Stomach Claw
Favorite Moves: The Bite
Southern Neckbreaker
Multiple Knee Lift To The Neck
Nerve Pinch

Notable Feuds:

Rikidozan
Eduard Carpentier
The Destroyer
Haystack Calhoun The Sheik
Bobo Brazil
John Tolos
Ray Gunkel Bruno Sammartino
Pedro Morales
Steve Casey
Dick Steinborn Babe Sharkey
Bill Longson
Killer Kowalski
Buddy Rogers
Gorgeous George
Don McIntyre

Wrestlers Who Blassie Managed:

The Wolfman
Strong Kobayashi
The Sheik of Baghdad
Waldo von Erich
Blackjack Mulligan
Ivan Koloff Mohammad Ali
Baron Scicluna
Skandor Akbar
Crusher Blackwell
Louis Cyr
Hercules Hernandez
Baron von Raschke
Swede Hanson
Bad News Allen
Peter Maivia
George Steele
The Polish Prince Tor Kamata
Mr. Saito
Peter Maivia
Adrian Adonis
Ray Stevens
Tiger Chung Lee Spiros Arion
Victor Rivera
Jesse Ventura
Killer Khan
Mr. Fuji
George Steele
Nikolai Volkoff
The Iron Sheik
Dick Murdoch
Lou Albano
Hulk Hogan
Stan Hansen

Titles Held:

NWA (Georgia) Southern Heavyweight title defeating Mr. Moto (Febuary 8, 1954);
NWA (Georgia) Southern Heavyweight title defeating Don McIntyre (September 16, 1955);
NWA (Georgia) Southern Heavyweight title defeating Don McIntyre (November 25, 1955);
NWA (Georgia) World Tag Team titles w/Bill Blassie defeating ??????? (December ??, 1955);
NWA (Georgia) World Tag Team titles w/Bill Blassie defeating Jerry Graham & Don McIntyre (December 23, 1955);
NWA (Georgia) Southern Heavyweight title defeating Bull Curry (October 19, 1956);
NWA (Georgia) International Tag Team titles w/Kurt Von Brauner defeating ?????? (June ??, 1957);
NWA (Tennessee) Southern Junior Heavyweight title defeating ??????? (May ??, 1958);
NWA (Georgia) Southern Heavyweight title defeating Don McIntyre (June 13, 1958);
NWA (Georgia) Southern Heavyweight title defeating Don McIntyre (August 8, 1958);
NWA (Georgia) Southern Heavyweight title defeating Ray Gunkel (September 5, 1958);
NWA (Georgia) International Tag Team titles w/Bob Shipp defeating Nick Roberts & Ray Gunkel (October 10, 1958);
NWA (Georgia) Southern Heavyweight title defeating Ray Gunkel (January 2, 1959);
NWA (Georgia) Southern Heavyweight title defeating Dick Gunkel (June 19, 1959);
NWA (Georgia) Southern Heavyweight title defeating Dick Gunkel (August 7, 1959);
NWA (Georgia) Southern Heavyweight title defeating Dick Gunkel (December 11, 1959);
NWA (Georgia) Southern Heavyweight title defeating Dick Gunkel (April 15, 1960);
NWA (Georgia) International Tag Team titles w/Eric Pederson defeating ?????? (May 3, 1960);
NWA (Georgia) Southern Heavyweight title defeating Eric Pederson for vacant title (May 20, 1960);
NWA (Georgia) Southern Heavyweight title defeating Don McIntyre (October 21, 1960);
NWA (Georgia) Southern Heavyweight title defeating Tiny Evanson for vacant title (November 11, 1960);
NWA (Georgia) Southern Heavyweight title defeating Tiny Evans (December 20, 1960);
WWA (Los Angeles) World Heavyweight title defeating Edouard Carpentier (June 12, 1961);
WWA (Los Angeles) International TV Tag Team titles w/Mr. Moto defeating Ramon & Alberto Torres (September ??, 1961);
WWA (Los Angeles) International TV Tag Team titles w/Mr. Moto defeating Jess Ortega & Hans Herman (January ??, 1962);
(Georgia) World Heavyweight title Recongized as champion (June ??, 1962);
WWA (Los Angeles) World Heavyweight title defeating Rikidozen (July 25, 1962);
(Georgia) World Heavyweight title defeating Jake Smith (November 9, 1962);
WWA (Los Angeles) World Heavyweight title defeating The Destroyer (May 10, 1963);
WWA (Los Angeles) International TV Tag Team titles w/Don Leo Jonathan defeating Mr. Moto & Bearcat Wright (August 3, 1963);
WWA (Los Angeles) World Heavyweight title defeating Edouard Carpentier (January 30, 1964);
NWA (Florida) World Tag Team titles w/Tarzan Tyler defeating Sam Steamboat & Eddie Graham (January 27, 1965);
WWA (Los Angeles) World Tag Team titles w/Buddy Austin defeating Victor Rivera & Pedro Morales (????, 1967);
WWA (Los Angeles) Americas Heavyweight title defeating Mark Lewin (August 25, 1967);
NWA (Los Angeles) Americas Heavyweight title defeating Bobo Brazil (January 10, 1969);
NWA (Los Angeles) Brass Knuckles title defeating ??????? (Febuary ??, 1969);
NWA (Los Angeles) Americas Tag Team titles w/Don Carson defeating Pepe Lopez & El Medico (January 16, 1970);
NWA (Los Angeles) Americas Heavyweight title defeating Rocky Johnson (March 6, 1970);
NWA (Los Angeles) Americas Heavyweight title defeating Rocky Johnson (June 10, 1970);
NWA (Los Angeles) Americas Heavyweight title defeating Kinji Shibuya (April 23, 1971);
NWA (Los Angeles) Brass Knuckles title defeating ??????? (????, 1972);
NWA (Hawaii) North American Heavyweight title defeating Johnny Barend (July 26, 1972);
WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) Hall of Fame Inductee (1994);

Career Highlights:

In The Beginning:

Fred Blassman was born in St. Louis, MO and raised in near by Normandy..
Fred Blassie was an all-around athlete in High School, playing baseball and football while excelling as a boxer..
Fred Blassie started his wrestling career in 1935 at the ripe ol' age of 17 after training with Billy Hanson!
Fred Blassie literally started at the bottom and struggled his way up the ladder..
Fred Blassie worked a second job as a Butcher, which he would use as one of his ring names later in his career..

Freddy Blassie, the Rookie 1935:

Fred Blassie started in St. Louis but migrated south looking for a push in a less competitive city..
Fred Blassie joined the Navy as World War II was starting, and began wrestling under the name "Sailor" Fred Blassie..
Fred Blassie won the 7th Naval District Championship in boxing and wrestling, while in the service..
Fred Blassie was discharged in 1946 and began wrestling full time..

Freddy Blassie, the Midwest 1950:

Fred Blassie was hands down the most hated wrestler in the southeastern territory..
August 29, 1950: Fred Blassie lost his 1st world title match to Lou Thesz in Louisville..

Freddy Blassie, Los Angeles I 1952:

Feb.1952: After conquering the southeast, the controversial Fred Blassie headed to Los Angeles and the World Wrestling Alliance..
Fred Blassie began teaming with Billy McDaniels, using the name Fred McDaniels, a "fictional" brother tag team..

Freddy Blassie, Georgia 1954:

Fred Blassie won the very prestigious NWA Southern Heavyweight title a total of 14 times between 1954 and 1960..
Fred Blassie had a shocking heel turn during his stint in Georgia, which led to him becoming an extremely hated wrestler!
The nickname "The Vampire" was often associated with Blassie during his wrestling days because of his incredibly sharp teeth..
~~~Freddie often claimed to have sharpened them with a file - and he often used them to draw blood on his opponents..
April 4, 1959: Fred Blassie lost in a bid for Pat O'Connor's NWA World title..
February 2, 1960: Fred Blassie defeated Joey Maxim at 2:43 of the third round of a Boxer vs Wrestler match (Macon)..

Freddy Blassie, Los Angeles II 1960:

Fred Blassie returned to WWA L.A. and established himself as the territory's most hated wrestler.
Fred Blassie won the WWA (Los Angeles) World Heavyweight title 4 times between 1961-1964..
Fred Blassie won the WWA World Tag Team title twice, winning the belts with Mr. Moto in 1964 and Buddy Austin in 1967..
Fred Blassie coined the phrase "Pencil-neck geek" to intimidate his opponents..
June 6, 1961: Fred Blassie won the WWA and NAWA World Title from Edouard Carpentier..
October 27, 1961: Fred Blassie sold-out the Olympic Auditorium for a win over Argentina Rocca..
March 28, 1962: Fred Blassie lost the WWA World Title to the legendary Rikidozan..
April 23, 1962: Fred Blassie was defeated again by Rikidozan in Japan for the anticipated rematch..
July 25, 1962: Fred Blassie defeated Rikidozan in their third match to recapture the WWA World title in a blood bath!
July 27, 1962: Fred Blassie's reign would last only two day, as he was pinned by The Destroyer for the WWA World title!
Fred Blassie was one of the first crossover wrestlers into Hollywood, appearing on an episode of the Dick van Dyke show!

Freddy Blassie, Georgia 1962:

Fred Blassie would spend the remainder of the year wrestling back in the Georgia territory..
Fred Blassie defeated Eddie Graham to win the Georgia version of the World title, but lost it back later..
Fred Blassie also feuded extensively with Ray Gunkle..

Freddy Blassie, Los Angeles III 1963:

May 10, 1963: Fred Blassie pinned The Destroyer to win the WWA World Heavyweight title..
~~~Fred Blassie and some of his buddies, then ripped the mask off of the Destroyer who covered up with a towel and ran..
August 23, 1963: Fred Blassie lost the WWA World title to Bearcat Wright at Olympic Stadium..
December 13, 1963: Fred Blassie was booked to defeat Bearcat Wright to recapture the WWA World Heavyweight title..
~~~Bearcat didn't see it that was and double-crossed Fred Blassie and the promotors, skipping town..
~~~Bearcat was stripped, and business began to decrease, and the title was awarded to Edouard Carpentier..
January 31, 1964: Fred Blassie defeated Edouard Carpentier for the WWA World Heavyweight title..
April 22, 1964: Fred Blassie dropped the title to Dick the Bruiser..
May 27, 1964: Fred Blassie lost a "loser leaves town" match to Dick the Bruiser and packed his bags and left L.A..

Freddy Blassie, the WWWF 1964:

Fred Blassie headed east to the World Wide Wrestling Federation to work for Vince McMahon Sr...
In the WWWF, Fred Blassie was managed by Lou Albano and established himself as the top heel..
Fred Blassie engaged in an absolute classic series of matches against WWWF World Champion Bruno Sammartino..
~~June 26, 1964: Fred Blassie defeated Bruno Sammartino (WWWF Champion) by DQ after a blantant low-blow on the champ..
~~July 11, 1964: Fred Blassie defeated Bruno Sammartino AGAIN by DQ in New York's Madison Square Garden..
~~August 1, 1964: Fred Blassie was finally defeated by Bruno Sammartino in a sold-out Madison Square Garden event..

Freddy Blassie, In the Meantime 1964:

October 1964: Fred Blassie once again returned to L.A. to reign supreme..
Early 1965: Fred Blassie engaged in a series of matches with Lou Thesz in Florida for the NWA World title..
April 1965: Fred Blassie was defeated by Toyonobori in the finals of the 7th World League Tourniment..
Fred Blassie became sick and was given a blood transfusion in Honolulu..
Fred Blassie was diagnosed with hepatitis and as a result had one of his kidneys removed..
1966: Fred Blassie became a Car salesman in Decatur, GA..

Freddy Blassie, Los Angeles IV 1967:

August 25, 1967: Fred Blassie defeated Mark Lewin to win the America title..
1967: Fred Blassie & Buddy Austin won the WWA Tag Team titles..
November 22, 1967: Fred Blassie defeated Karl Gotch by pinfall..
April 1968: Fred Blassie toured Japan teaming with Tarzan Tyler against Antonio Inoki & Giant Baba..
~~~While in Japan, Fred Blassie would meet his wife, a Japanese actress..
November 15, 1968: Fred Blassie defeated Buddy Austin in a "Stretcher" match in the Olympic Stadium..
1969: Fred Blassie began getting cheers and he eventually turned into a good guy..
August 27, 1971 - Los Angeles Coliseum: Fred Blassie vs John Tolos drew 25,781 fans, an unmatched record in California..

Freddy Blassie, the WWWF 1971:

Fred Blassie gave WWWF World Champion Pedro Morales a run for his money..
November 15, 1971: Fred Blassie vs Pedro Morales went to a DRAW in front of packed Madison Square Garden crowd..

Freddy Blassie, Los Angeles V 1972:

Fred Blassie went back to L.A. to feud with Killer Kowalski..
February 11, 1972: Fred Blassie "crippled" Fred Blassie, who took time off for much needed leg surgury..
June 16, 1972: Fred Blassie defeated Killer Kowalski to gain revenge on him..
December 1973: Fred Blassie's knees, which were in terrible condition, forced him to retire from the ring..

The World Wide Wrestling Federation - Manager 1974:

Fred Blassie went on to become one of the premier wrestling managers of all-time..
Fred Blassie was nicknamed "The Hollywood Fashion Plate" for his unique sense of style..
Fred Blassie started a faction of Anti-American wrestlers, including:
~~~Spiros Arion, Victor Rivera, Mr. Saito, Peter Maivia, Killer Khan, Mr. Fuji, Nicolai Volkoff, The Iron Sheik..
Fred Blassie also managed Jesse "The Body" Ventura, Adrian Adonis, Stan Hansen, George Steele, Dick Murdoch, and many others.
1976: Fred Blassie managed Mohammad Ali for his match against Antonio Inoki in Japan..
Fred Blassie is credited for bringing a 'heel' Hulk Hogan to the WWWF in 1979..
Fred Blassie managed Iron Sheik to defeat Bob Backlund for the WWF Heavyweight title..
Fred Blassie retired from the business in the Mid-1980s..

Retirement:

1994: "Classy" Freddy Blassie was inducted into the WWF Hall of Fame after 50 years of involvement in pro wrestling..
Classy Freddy Blassie would remain on WWF payroll to reward him for the decades of loyalty to the McMahon family..
Classy Freddy Blassie occassionally pops up on WWF/E television throughout the 1990s and 2000s, usually in video packages..
Armageddon 2002: Freddy Blassie was featured extensively in the PPV Video Package to hype the event..
May 12, 2003 - RAW: Classy Freddie Blassie appears on RAW to promote his book "Listen, You Pencil Neck Geeks!"
May 26, 2003 - RAW: Jim Ross announces that Freddy Blassie is in the hospital and wishes him all the best in his recovery..
~~~Fred Blassie was admitted into a hospital with kidney and heart problems and his conditioned weakened by the day..
June 2, 2003 - RAW: About 20 minutes into the show, Jim Ross informs the television audience that Fred Blassie had passed away..
June 6, 2003: The funeral for Fred Blassie is held at at the Hitchcock Presbyterian Church in Scarsdale, NY..

Credits:

"Classy" Freddie Blassie is one of the true legends of the industry -- and will be missed -- RIP..
Fred wrestled in St. Louis, Los Angeles, Atlanta, JWA, AJPW, WWWF/WWF, Nashville, Charlotte, Memphis, Florida..
Fred formed teams with Billy McDaniel, Billy Blassie, Mr. Moto, Don Leo Jonathan, Buddy Austin, & Tarzan Tyler..
August 2003: Miyako Blassie is going to be auctioning off much of Freddie's belongings soon on ebay at www.thisaintjunk.com under seller's name sweetza..

credit: onlineworldofwrestling.com