Synopses & Reviews
"Classy" Freddie Blassie was universally acknowledged as one of the most hated heels in wrestling history. Freddie really knew how to antagonize the fans -- how to "get heat." Death threats were frequent, enraged fans stabbed him twenty-one times, and he was even doused with acid. Undeterred, Blassie just took the action up a level. He reveled in being the heel. It was commonplace to see him biting his opponents and then spitting out their blood. Blassie would routinely "file" his teeth during interviews. His matches in Los Angeles' Olympic Stadium brought him to the attention of Hollywood. Freddie's style and unpredictability made him a natural for the medium, and he became one of the biggest draws in the wrestling business. In the early '60s, he was invited to wrestle in Japan. Blassie both horrified and mesmerized sedate Japanese society. andlt;BRandgt; At seventeen, Freddie made his wrestling debut in a carnival. Unhappy with his choice of occupation, his family persuaded him to get a "real" job, and for a while he worked as a meatcutter. But after serving in the Navy in World War II, Freddie returned to wrestling. Here he picked up his catch phrase: "pencil neck geek." andlt;BRandgt; Early in his career, Blassie wrestled for Jess McMahon, and would later work for both his son, Vincent James McMahon, and his grandson, Vincent Kennedy McMahon, the current owner of World Wrestling Entertainment. and#153; When his days in the ring ended, "Classy" Freddie Blassie became the manager of heels, transferring to a whole new generation of wrestlers the style, moves, and ring knowledge that had made him a legend of wrestling. andlt;BRandgt; Released just prior to his death, andlt;Iandgt;Legends of Wrestling: "Classy" Freddie Blassieandlt;/Iandgt; contains vibrant tales of his days in wrestling with the likes of Hulk Hogan, Killer Kowalski, and the Iron Sheik. He frankly chronicles his dealings with the wrestling fraternity and the promoters, even recounting the infamous "boxer vs. wrestler" match with Muhammad Ali, who was managed by Blassie. andlt;BRandgt; His out-of-the-ring stories are equally compelling. Freddie details his countless sexual exploits, and his three marriages. He reflects on the cult status that he gained after his song "Pencil Neck Geek" rocketed to the top of the Dr. Demento Show play list. He recounts his touching relationship with comedian Andy Kaufman, who cast him in andlt;Iandgt;Breakfast with Blassieandlt;/Iandgt; -- an underground classic in which Blassie uttered: "What the hell ever happened to the human race?" andlt;BRandgt; Added to this edition is an epilogue, recounting Freddie's last days and his unforgettable funeral.
Synopsis
Now in paperback: A wrestling icon with a career that spanned more than forty years, "Classy" Freddie Blassie raised the bar--and the ropes--for today's wrestling superstars. "Classy" Freddie Blassie won countless wrestling titles, but he will best be remembered as the first crossover superstar--as recognized on the streets of Los Angeles as any movie star. With a forty-year career spanning the very early days of television to the consolidation of all the local wrestling leagues under the World Wrestling banner, Blassie had the unique perspective of actually having been there and done all of that. During his wrestling days, he won every major wrestling championship. When injuries forced his retirement from the ring, he managed many new wrestling stars, including Hollywood Hulk Hogan and Jessie "The Body" Ventura. It was Blassie's larger-than-life persona that created the lifestyle every wrestler pursues today. Now readers can discover the story of the legend behind the man and understand the man behind the legend. A special epilogue celebrates Freddie's last wrestling appearance and the memories of his peers.
Synopsis
With a forty-year career spanning the very early days of television to the consolidation of all the local wrestling leagues under the World Wrestling banner, Freddie Blassie had the unique perspective of actually having been there and done all of that. Now readers can discover the legendary story of a man who will never be forgotten.
About the Author
andlt;Bandgt;Keith Elliot Greenbergandlt;/Bandgt; coauthored andlt;Iandgt;Legends of Wrestling: Freddie Blassie -- Listen, You Pencil Neck Geeksandlt;/Iandgt; with wrestling icon "Classy" Freddie Blassie shortly before his death in 2003. A third-generation wrestling fan and senior writer for World Wrestling Entertainment publications, Greenberg is the author of more than thirty nonfiction children's books, and has written for andlt;Iandgt;The New York Observer, USA Todayandlt;/Iandgt; and andlt;Iandgt;The European,andlt;/Iandgt; among others. He's also an award-winning television producer whose credits include andlt;Iandgt;48 Hours, America's Most Wanted,andlt;/Iandgt; Court TV, VH-1, PBS, and The History Channel. He and his family live in Brooklyn, New York.