Top 10 wrestling managers
WWE has a feature up on its Web site in which it ranks the top 25 managers of all time. It reminded me that I had been intending to compile such a list for a while, ever since someone made a comment to me about how managers have become all but extinct.
Managers – mostly of the heel variety – had been a staple of the business for decades, but their roles have gradually diminished since the late ’90s. When I think back to wrestling in the ’70s and ’80s, managers delivered some of the best promos and were involved in some of the most memorable angles.
Here’s my top 10. The list reflects my personal favorites and is not intended to be a definitive list of the greatest managers of all time. You can check out WWE’s list here. All I can say about WWE’s rankings is that any list that includes Frenchy Martin, Jason, James Dudley and Harvey Wippleman but not Jim Cornette and Paul E. Dangerously is highly suspect.
1. Capt. Lou Albano: I know that Bobby Heenan will probably be at the top of most people’s lists, but I grew up watching Albano and he is the first person that comes to mind when I think of great managers. With his wild eyes, ample belly, loud mouth and rubber band facial piercings, Albano truly was one of a kind, or as he would say, “often imitated but never duplicated.” Throughout the 1970s, Albano was the most hated man in the WWWF, and he transferred his heat to his charges. He usually ranted like a madman on his promos, but sometimes he would start off by speaking softly and intelligently and then suddenly begin yelling and screaming. Albano, a mediocre mid-card wrestler before he turned to managing, routinely interfered in his men’s matches and took his share of bumps. Anytime a babyface got his hands on Albano, it always drew a huge pop. Amazingly, he became a babyface in the mid-1980s and was a key figure in WWE’s rock and wrestling era.
2. Bobby Heenan: “The Brain” was the man you loved to hate. Thanks to his quick wit, he could make fans laugh while simultaneously getting them to jeer him. A former wrestler, Heenan was a tremendous bump-taker as a manager. He rose to prominence in the AWA, where he managed world champion Nick Bockwinkel, who won the title three times and held it for more than seven years between 1975 and 1984. Heenan, of course, is most known for his run in the WWF, where he managed a number of challengers to Hulk Hogan’s world title, including King Kong Bundy at WrestleMania 2 (1986) and Andre The Giant at WrestleMania III (1987).
3. Jim Cornette: He was – and still is – one of the best promo guys in the history of the business. Thanks in large part to the tennis racket-wielding Cornette, The Midnight Express (Dennis Condrey and Bobby Eaton and later Eaton and Stan Lane) are regarded as one of wrestling’s greatest tag teams. All three wrestlers were accomplished workers, but it was Cornette’s antics and incredible gift of gab that really got the act over. Like Bobby Heenan, Cornette was able to entertain the fans while also getting under their skin so much that they would buy a ticket in the hopes of seeing him get his comeuppance.
4. The Grand Wizard: Unlike fellow 1970s-era WWF heel managers Lou Albano and Freddie Blassie, the diminutive Wizard never physically interfered in his men’s matches. He didn’t need to. His obnoxious promos and garish getup – which consisted of loud, mismatched jackets and pants, a turban and gaudy sunglasses –were more than enough to incite fans. During a period when heel world champions were rare in the WWWF, the Wizard managed two – Stan “The Man” Stasiak and Superstar Billy Graham. Before coming to work for Vince McMahon Sr. in the early ’70s, the Wizard had a successful stint in Detroit, where he managed The Sheik under the name Abdullah Farouk.
5. J.J. Dillon: He managed mostly mid-card heels until being paired with Tully Blanchard while working for Jim Crockett Promotions in the mid-1980s. That eventually led to Dillon becoming the manager of the infamous Four Horsemen – Blanchard, Ric Flair, Ole Anderson and Arn Anderson. Even though all four guys could cut great promos and didn’t need a mouthpiece, the cunning Dillon was a valuable member of the faction. He was the brains behind the brawn, always coming up with a devious plan to stay one step ahead of the babyfaces, but he also wasn’t above interfering in matches (his shoe was a deadly weapon). Dillon also managed the Horsemen when Lex Luger and Barry Windham part of the group.
6. Jimmy Hart: Just when it seemed that the motor-mouthed manager with the loud clothes and high-pitched voice couldn’t be any more annoying, he began carrying around a megaphone shortly after he signed with the WWF in the mid-1980s. The aptly named “Mouth of the South” used the prop as a foreign object to aid his men, and also to get on fans’ nerves with his constant chattering. Before coming to the WWF, Hart had a lengthy run in Memphis as the archrival of Jerry Lawler. Hart managed Andy Kaufman in the comedian’s infamous match against Lawler in 1982, and at various times, he served as the babyface manager of Hulk Hogan.
7. Paul E. Dangerously: He made a big impact in the business under his real name (Paul Heyman) as the promoter and creative force of ECW, but Dangerously first made his mark as a heel manager. The fast-talking Dangerously’s promo style was a combination of Jim Cornette (his longtime rival) and Roddy Piper. He worked as a manager in several territories in the late ’80s before getting national exposure with Jim Crockett Promotions. His most high-profile run was in WCW as the leader of The Dangerous Alliance, a heel stable that featured Rick Rude, “Stunning” Steve Austin, Arn Anderson, Larry Zbyszko, Bobby Eaton and Madusa. Using his real name in 2002, he served as the mouthpiece for Brock Lesnar, who went on to become WWE champion with Heyman by his side.
8. Paul Bearer/Percy Pringle: Before gaining fame as the ghoulish manager of The Undertaker, he was a manger in territories such as Texas and Florida as the blonde-haired Pringle. He managed Rick Rude when Rude was a rising star, as well as a young Steve Austin and Ultimate Warrior. Pringle, who worked as both a heel and a babyface during his run in Texas, could talk and had great bug-eyed facial expressions. Those mannerisms, as well as a high-pitched voice, served him well in his role as Bearer. He did most of the talking for The Undertaker throughout the ’90s and also feuded with “The Dead Man” at times. Bearer managed Kane and Mankind, as well.
9. Fred Blassie: The gravely voiced Blassie made the term “pencil-neck geek” famous. After a long and highly successful career as a wrestler, Blassie became a manager in the WWWF in the early ’70s. “The Hollywood Fashion Plate” was known for managing mostly foreign heels, wild men and turncoats, and he had a real knack for raising the ire of fans. Blassie always carried a cane, which often found its way into a babyface’s ribs or back. In 1979, he managed a big, blond newcomer by the name of Hulk Hogan, and he was the manager of The Iron Sheik when the Sheik ended Bob Backlund’s WWF title reign of nearly six years in 1983.
10. Sensational Sherri: She was the first woman to become a main-event level heel manager, as she walked down the aisle with the likes of Ric Flair, Randy Savage, Ted DiBiase and Shawn Michaels. Long before it was fashionable for women to take bumps from men, Sherri, an accomplished wrestler and a tough lady, was a bump-taking manager who got tossed around the ring by the likes of Hulk Hogan and The Ultimate Warrior. She is probably best remembered as Savage’s “queen” while he was doing his “Macho King” gimmick. Sherri also managed Harlem Heat (Booker T. and Stevie Ray) in WCW and had stints as a manager in the AWA and ECW.
Comments
What? No love for Mr. Fuji?
Posted by: Sean | January 19, 2009 1:21 PM
I think you nailed your list (except not putting The Brain at the top, but you explained why).
The only one that might be missing would be Precious Paul Ellering with the Road Warriors.
I agree that managers really made a positive impact back in the day. I think the "valet" has evolved with these beautiful women able to get involved in matches and create some of the same situations the managers used to. They are also much nicer to look at than most of the managers from back in the day. Not saying it is right, just an observation.
Jim Cornette was fantastic. I hated him back then, but looking back now he wanted you to hate him and he was incredible at it. You always knew someone was getting hit with that tennis racket.
Same thing with Jimmy Hart and his megaphone. Or Classie Freddie Blassie and his cane.
The 4 Horsemen would not have been the same with out James J. Dillon in the corner.
Capt. Lou became so big he ended up in that Cyndi Lauper music video and on the WWF Wrestling cartoon.
One of the worst I remember was "Slick" who was in the WWF back in the late 80s-early 90s. Bad stereotype.
Bobby the Brain was always my most hated and that is what makes him #1 on my list. Whether it was way back in the AWA or in the WWF or later as a commentator. He took being a "manager" to an art form.
Thanks for the great list and trip down memory lane. Most wrestling fans of today probably don't realize how important these guys were in making wrestling what it is today. It is a shame. I think we should start a campaign to get more managers back at ringside in the future.
Posted by: OldSchool | January 19, 2009 2:09 PM
Nice list compiled there Kev . All were great and it
would be hard to say one was better than the other in their time period .
With the inclusion of Scary Sherri though , I have to ask , was she a manager or a valet ?
Maybe an upcoming list for us of only the women manager/valets . Most of my favorites are definitely from a different era , in no particular order :
Missy Hyatt
Babby Doll
Precious
Miss Elizabeth
Ms. Brooks (ya ,baby)
Maybe my overall choice would be "Woman".
Posted by: the artist formerly known as jack in hebron | January 19, 2009 3:05 PM
Kevin, I know you are way too young to remember him but, in my opinion, the greatest manager of all time was Bobby Davis. He managed Nature Boy Buddy Rodgers, the Grahams, Dr. Bill Miller and others, in the WWWF. I'm very surprised that he wasn't listed on the WWE list. But, I guess an organization that omits Bruno Sammartino from its Hall of Fame would forget about Bobby Davis.
Posted by: Magnificent Mark | January 19, 2009 4:01 PM
Still patiently waiting on your Top 10 Feuds of all-time. Thanks.
Posted by: Bradley | January 19, 2009 4:01 PM
I know there isn't room for all the managers, but Gary Hart made you want to beat him up every time he spoke. And when he had The Great Kabuki...good stuff.
Posted by: Walter Hollman | January 19, 2009 4:06 PM
What, no love for Jameson? :)
I agree with most of your list, although I might move some around. By the time I started watching wrestling around '85, Albano was firmly entrenched in the whole Cyndi Lauper thing, so I didn't see much of him as a heel. My favorite ever was Jim Cornette. He was the first heel who I absolutely loved. Amazingly, I thought his schtick worked well as a babyface too in 1989.
I might bump Sherri off my list and replace her with Missy Hyatt. Her run with Hyatt and Hot Stuff International really was a precursor to everything Sunny would do a decade later. She looked great, drew huge heat along with Eddie Gilbert, and had a voice that made me want to put my fist through the television - but for the fact that I wouldn't be able to see her anymore.
Posted by: luhrm | January 19, 2009 4:20 PM
What?! No Miss Elizabeth?! She was the classiest--and best looking manager of all time. I know that she didn't do much, but then she didn't have to.
Posted by: Austin | January 19, 2009 4:30 PM
The Sinister Minister is/was way better then Paul Bearer.
Posted by: Elevation | January 19, 2009 4:32 PM
Good list Kevin,
but you are right, many think Bobby Heenan should be #1, including me. I heard he was very unwell a while back... Has he recovered?
I can't remember Percy Pringle.... was he on WCW before coming to WWE as Paul Bearer?
What.... No Brother Love in your list? : )
RESPONSE FROM KEVIN ECK: Pringle was never in WCW. He was most known for his time in World Class (later renamed the USWA) in Texas.
Posted by: Rob | January 19, 2009 4:37 PM
Good call Kevin on Albano and Heenan as #1 and # 2 in the WWF. After the mid-eighties rock and wrestling feud between Capt. Lou with Moolah and Cyndi Lauper with Wendy Richter ended, Albano's popularity was fading. He had managed the Bulldogs to the WWF tag team championship but that was about it. "The Brain" came on the scene in '84 and I really don't think there was enough airtime for both Lou and Bobby. It seemed Heenan took over the Capt's place as the most entertaining heel manager. But they were both great.
But it's also hard to top the "Fashion Plate" managing the Iron Sheik as the "Ayatollah Blassie". I had no choice but to root for Sgt. Slaughter.
Managers are missed. They provided a level of entertainment that got me hooked on watching WWF every Saturday just to see how far they would go. The 3 Stooges had nothing on them.
Posted by: Mr. Eli | January 19, 2009 4:50 PM
Reading this, I couldn't help but think that managers are sorely overdue for a comeback. Listening to other fans, you can usually hear at least a few complaints about how guys who can work don't break into the main event because they can't talk and how guys who can talk get thrust into the main event despite not being able to work. While I think the idea can be overdone, I can't help but think that talented wrestlers who seem to always gravitate back to the mid card might make it as high as World Title challenger or possibly even Champion with the right manager.
P.S. Tough break for your team on Sunday. I was stunned that the Ravens didn't get the ball back plus 15 yards for that hit that got put on McGahee.
Posted by: Mr. E. | January 19, 2009 5:09 PM
The only name forgotten is one of the best, Mr. Fuji.
Posted by: Jeff | January 19, 2009 5:29 PM
They forgot about the most evil manager in pro wrestling Damian Ramirez
Posted by: Damian Ramirez | January 19, 2009 5:55 PM
On a list of managers, I can't see how one could omit one of the best of them all, Wild Red Berry, manager of the Fabulous Kangaroos, Hans Mortier, Gorilla Monsoon and other mat villains from the late 1950's to the mid-1960's. For those of you who never heard the loquacious Mr. Berry, here is a clip I found on YouTube. After enduring five seconds of singing and fifteen seconds of a Bruno Sammartino promo, you will then see and hear vintage Berry on the mike. There was no one quite like him. He also was a memorable contestant on Groucho Marx's You Bet Your life, which you can also find on YouTube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxaC1RDCw2s
Posted by: Jeff | January 19, 2009 7:14 PM
To be honest, it is all about Heenan, though he was at his best as a heel commentator - whatever happened to that idea? Surprised you didn't mention his stint managing The Perfect One or Ric Flair.
Jimmy Hart was classic too, had an amazing array of jackets!
I have to confess myself disappointed that the Doctor of Style Slick didn't make an appearance here!
Great reading as always though Eck
Posted by: Stuart Walton | January 19, 2009 7:43 PM
2 managers that I remember from the 80's were #1 Paul Jones who had success in the Mid-Atlantic territory and a good run for Crocket with the Powers of Pain, Warlord & Barbarian. Also remember Sonny King, who managed the Wild Samoans in Georgia Championship Wrestling as he vowed never to return to GCW until he found a tag team who could win the championship. Cable was just beginning and Vince had not taken over the wrestling world as of yet, so the Samoans were supposed to be "new", even though they had been WWF champs years earlier. If I remember WWF archives, believe Sonny King and Chief Jay Strongbow were Tag Team Champs at some point in the 70's.
Posted by: Matt | January 19, 2009 8:14 PM
Why does the WWE continue to pretend that their creations are the only ones that get over? I mean Frenchy Martin??? You are kidding, right? Gary Hart has to be close to the top ten, and so does Sir Oliver Humperdink for all of us old JCP marks...What about Adnan Al Kasie, and Skandor Akbar?
Posted by: Tyler in Charlotte, Home of the 4 Horsemen | January 19, 2009 8:16 PM
And oh yeah, what about Paul Jones as a manager?
Posted by: Tyler in Charlotte, Home of the 4 Horsemen | January 19, 2009 8:19 PM
I have to include Paul Ellering in the top 10. He was at one time one of the best mouthpieces for any wrestler. He would start the interviews off for the Road Warriors and his look was a good one as well, with the Wall Street Journal in his hand. Also, during the Attitude Era, I was lucky enough to have lunch with Hawk and Animal and they told me that he actually handled their affairs, travel, etc outside the ring. Gary Hart and Oliver Humperdink were important parts of Texas and Florida in their day as well. When the territories were big, those 2 guys were the top heel managers.
Posted by: G | January 19, 2009 8:47 PM
I have to give love to Mr. Fuji.
Posted by: Jimmy Bellamy | January 19, 2009 9:18 PM
Wait wait wait, you put Sensational Sherri there and didn't list her time with Shawn as her top manager accomplishment? She made him solid enough to be a main eventer, and without her he would never have got the heat needed to turn strong face.
RESPONSE FROM KEVIN ECK: Sherri definitely helped Michaels get over. But I think he woud've gotten there eventually even without her.
Posted by: Bob | January 19, 2009 10:38 PM
Are you familiar with Eddie "The Brain" Creatchman? He started out in Detroit and later went to Montreal managing people like Abdullah The Butcher and The Sheik. In the mid-1980s I saw International Wrestling TV program based in Montreal which featured the likes of Dino Bravo, the Rougeau Brothers, Gino Brito, etc. Creatchman had a cane which he loved to use and cut the best promos. Creatchman died in 1994.
RESPONSE FROM KEVIN ECK: I am aware of him, but I never saw much of him.
Posted by: Aaron Goldstein | January 20, 2009 12:00 AM
Kimchee.
Without Kimchee there to get him to roll his opponent over for the pin, Kamala may never have won a match.
Seriously, good list. Have to echo the comments about Mr. Fuji in particular. When I was a kid my father took my brother and I to a WWF house show in Oakland in the 80s and I remember walking past one corner of the fence surrounding the ring, right past Mr. Fuji. I was young enough to be afraid he'd throw salt in my eyes.
I also remember walking past Cowboy Bob Orton, who was watching the current match by the curtain off to one side.
Posted by: James | January 20, 2009 1:26 AM
Great list, but I think that Gen. Skandor Akbar and Precious Paul Ellering should have been included. I think the worst manager I've seen was that big chick that was manager for a polka dot clad wrestler by the name of Dusty Rhodes when he went to the WWF.
Posted by: hynnie | January 20, 2009 9:33 AM
"I was stunned that the Ravens didn't get the ball back plus 15 yards for that hit that got put on McGahee."
Not to go all football on a wrestling blog here, but Mr. E, are you serious? Even if the officials deemed that hit as helmet-to-helmet contact and threw a flag, they couldn't give the ball back to the Ravens b/c McGahee fumbled it. All they could have done is penalized the Steelers 15 yards after the change of possession.
But, both Ryan Clark and McGahee lowered their heads before the collision (which any coach will say that you shouldn't do). Clark did lead with his shoulder, but b/c both of them lowered their heads, their helmets did collide. Since Clark didn't lead with the helmet, there can be no foul.
It was a tough physical game, and for the first time in the playoffs, Flacco looked like a rookie. I have a feeling this will not be his only trip to an AFC title game.
Posted by: Zane | January 20, 2009 10:32 AM
Good point Mr. E on wrestlers who don't move up because they don't interview well. One example is Brutus Beefcake. When he came into the WWF in '84, he didn't speak for months. His manager Luscious Johnny Valiant carried him with the promos until he got comfortable enough to do it himself. And then later he did well with the 'Barbershop' segments. Who know how far he would have gone without a great mouthpiece at the begining like the "Luscious One".
Posted by: Mr. Eli | January 20, 2009 11:01 AM
Jim Cornette should sue agent Drew Rosenhaus for stealing his act.
I also think Boris Malenko belongs on the list.
Someone suggested Paul Jones. As a kid, I loved him as a wrestler, but it was kind of sad when he turned heal and became a manager.
Posted by: Anonymous | January 20, 2009 11:21 AM
Gary Hart and Skandar Akbar get no love? I'm shocked. :(
Posted by: Stephon | January 20, 2009 12:32 PM
How bout WILD RED BERRY....The first to use his cane to bust open heads.
Posted by: JB Lapree | January 20, 2009 3:10 PM
did you know that Percy Pringle had the gastric bypass a few years ago- he was over 500lbs and the WWF helped pay for it because he didn't have insurance- he was doing really bad before hand but now he has some pics on the web and looks great! OHHHHH YESSSSS!!!
Posted by: Brian | January 20, 2009 4:46 PM
how about the million dollar man, ted debiase???!!!- hahahahahahahahahahahaha- everybody got a price!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Brian | January 20, 2009 5:39 PM
Don't forget that Captain Lou had a song written about him by the legendary NRBQ (he was also their "manager")!
"With the man of a thousand faces, I know we'll be going places and he'll be there every step of the way Captain Lou Captain Lou Albano"
It's Psychedelic Pandemonium!
Posted by: jed3d | January 20, 2009 6:07 PM
There was Capt. Lou Albano and then there were the rest.
As a kid, Capt. Lou, up until the whole Cindy Lauper/MTV thing, was the only mgr I ever really cared to see or hear from. Most of the other famous ones since made me mostly just want to just turn the channel.
Posted by: AMC | January 21, 2009 4:30 PM
A bit late to the comment party but the Genius had good poetry or for the Michaels mark in kev, How about the short lived angle with Jose Lothario...
Posted by: Mr. Bronson | January 21, 2009 5:47 PM
Its so easy to tell I'm getting older. Most of the younger folks never heard names like J.C. Dykles manger of the Infernos, Homer O'dell manged Rip Hawk and Big Swede Hanson as well as others. These my friends were Great at their trade and made their tag-teams the most hated of their time.
Posted by: Tommy T | January 22, 2009 1:18 AM
Oliver Humperdink
Posted by: the artist formerly known as jack in hebron | January 22, 2009 1:02 PM
You must be out of your mind not to put Mr. Fuji on the list. He was one of the best managers ever and was easily better than the Grand Wizard, Paul E. Dangerously, Sensational Sherri, Jim Cornette and JJ Dillion. Here is my top 10
1. Bobby Heenan
2. Jimmy Hart
3. Mr. Fuji
4. Captain Lou Albano
5. Classie Freddie Blassie
6. Miss Elizabeth
7. Sensational Sherri
8. Paul Bearer
9. The Grand Wizard
10. Slick
RESPONSE FROM KEVIN ECK: Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but I'm surprised by all the love for Mr. Fuji. Do you know that when The Wrestlling Observer had a category for Worst Manager of the Year that Fuji won it 11 times (1984-85, 87-95)?
Posted by: Ernie | January 23, 2009 9:01 AM
Great list Kevin. I think Sensational Sherri should be in the top five. I would say:
1. Bobby Heenan
2. Mr. Fuji (I'm still upset at him throwing salt in Bret Hart's eyes at Wrestlemania 9)
3. Jimmy Hart (The jackets and megaphone... a lethal combination)
4. Jim Cornette (The tennis racket of doom!)
5. Sensational Sherri (Great as the Macho Queen)
6. Captain Lou Albano
7. Paul Bearer
8. Sunny (Extremely underrated. She added a lot of personality to her character, which separates her from the current female valets)
9. Miss Elizabeth
10. Johnny Polo (Just kidding... wanted to see if you were still reading)
Posted by: Papa Shango | January 23, 2009 12:57 PM
I think Kevin's omission of Mr. Fuji was because Kev thinks of him more as an actor not manager . See - "Fuji Vice" :-)
Posted by: the artist formerly known as jack in hebron | January 23, 2009 2:16 PM
Great List Kevin. But no Paul Ellering, I mean he was a big part of the Road Warriors Success
Posted by: Will | January 24, 2009 4:09 PM