Freddie Blassie, famed pro wrestler, has died

Wrestling Observer ^ | June 2, 2003 | Dave Meltzer

[EveningStar]

Fred Blassie, who would be right as the top of any list of the greatest wrestling heels and most charismatic performers of all-time, passed away earlier today, it was announced on Raw. Blassie was 85.

Blassie had been hospitalized for a few weeks with kidney and heart problems and his condition had been grave for the past week.

[EveningStar]

Thanks for the ping. Please keep me on your list. I was racking my brain last night, trying to remember who had the wrestling ping list. Thanks again! :)

[agitator]

Freddie Blassie was great entertainment. Freddie Blassie, The Grand Wizard, and Lou Albano provided a lot of laughs in my youth, RIP Freddie.

[tutstar]

ping

[Only1choice____Freedom]

I loved that song the first time I heard it on the radio.

Sorry to se ya go.

[DensaMensa]

Took my Dad to see wrestling in Los Angeles one dark night in the '60s. He was a big TV fan, but after seeing the "real thing" he never mentioned it again.

The first image I ever saw on a TV was Gorgeous George in Minneapolis, sometime in the late '40s or early 50s.

[EveningStar]

A good article in Slam/Canoe about Blassie's passing. Includes several good links.

[Axelsrd]

I believe it was The Butcher and Mad Dog Vashon.

[zbogwan2]

Back in 1986 I was about to have knee surgery on my left knee. I was watching Freddie Blassie on TV and he was illustrating how both of his knees had been rebuilt. That scared the hell out of me. Anyway all went well with me, but I'll always remember old Freddie whenever I think of knee surgery.

Rest in peace Freddie B.!

[archy]

Whats really sad, is the only time we ever have any news about wrestling on free republic, it has to do with a wrestler who died.

Memphis wrassler Jerry *The King* Lawler's run for mayor a couple of years back was a pleasant exception to your sad but true generalization. Though defeated, most wrestlers are pretty good about accepting defeat, then trying again in a laterb bout. We may get some good news from that source yet.

-archy-/-

[GreenHornet]

Philadelphia Warriors, with Judy Arnold, Big Jim Trotter, Little Richard, the despised coach and GM Dave Pound, Elmer Anderson, the voice of the Warriors and the world famous Vinny Gondolfo for all you Philly guys Texas Outlaws, with Judy Sowinski New York Bombers. Remember, you heard it here first on Roller Derby.

I remember them all! The Warriors also faced the Australian Kangaroos, coached by "Gooch" Giteri (who was supposed to be Australian, but I think he was from South Philly), also the Brooklyn Devils, Western Renegades, New York Chiefs, Baltimore-Washington Cats, and the Tri-City Bucks.

A couple of years ago, I saw Elmer Andeson's broadcast partner, Ed Darien, working as a ring announcer for the boxing matches at one of the Atlantic City casinos. I assume Elmer is no longer with us.

[GreenHornet]

I remember when Blassie first came to the East Coast in the early 1970s, wrestling for the then-WWWF. He had quite a feud going with Bruno Sammartino in those days.

Rest in Peace, Classy one.

[breakem]

Wednesday night Wrestling from the Olympic Auditorium brought to you by Hub Furniture on channel 5.

Every wednesday during the summer we would go to a friend's house and watch wrestling and have in-and-out burgers.

In 65 or so there was a big grudge match between Blassie and a black wrestler, forget his name. We went and actually sat in the last row. Blassie was bleeding during the match (later found out it was from a razor which was secreted and used during the matches).

During the middle 60s, there was a tag team of two guys from Mexico with masks. They were in great shape. No gut. Can't remember their names.

[archy]

During the middle 60s, there was a tag team of two guys from Mexico with masks. They were in great shape. No gut. Can't remember their names.

Go here, order a pair, and peel off their tiny little masks....

Or, check this out...

-archy-/-

[breakem]

LOL. I should have known masked and Mexican wrestler was redundant. But in the middle 60s these guys were number 1, at least in LA, for awhile.

Thanx for the links.

[archy]

...But in the middle 60s these guys were number 1, at least in LA, for awhile. ...

Their fame spread much farther than that, to my own Florida and south of Chicago residences in my teenage years, at least. The Cubans in our community who had fled Castros prisons and walls sometimes needed a good laugh, and from their masked Mexican cousins, sometimes found a little cheer. All they'd have needed to do would take a JaiAlai pelote into the ring with them to have become an instant hit with the Cubanos

You're welcome for the links. I always figured the present-day band Santos took it's name from a religious reference, but perhaps not. And come to think of it, I think some masked machos appear in at least one of their videos.

-archy-/-

[breakem]

These guys were hot in LA at a time when there weren't too many Latinos around in sports or on TV. But the main thing I remember was they were in shape. As opposed to many wrestlers of that era. C-YA

[GreenHornet]

In 65 or so there was a big grudge match between Blassie and a black wrestler, forget his name.

Could it have been Bobo Brazil? Back then, there were very few Black wrestlers in the various territories. Bobo was a huge fan favorite for many years. He carried on a legendary feud with the original Sheik (who just passed away a few months ago). The feud lasted a couple of decades. Bobo died about 2-3 years ago. The last time he and the Sheik met in the ring, both men were well into their seventies!

[breakem]

Exactly. Thanx. The build up for his match with Blassie was tremendous and it was the match of the century. Of course there was a rematch soon after.

[VOA]

I guess all of the pencil-necked geeks out there can now breathe a sigh of relief.

Not really.
Now they can spend the rest of their time here worrying about what's
waiting for them "on the other side".

[Cheapskate]

yeah, i saw a couple of those in the mid 80's
amazing stuff. you would be dead dog tired after watching those guys for an hour. those were great matches.