Name: - “Classy” Freddie Blassie
Height: - 5'10” (178cm)
Weight: - 220lb (100kg)
Born: - February 8, 1918
From: - St. Louis, Missouri
Trained by: - Billy Hanson
Debut: - 1935
Retired: - 1974 / 1986
Died: - June 2, 2003 (Heart and kidney failure)
Finisher: - Swinging neckbreaker
Also known as: - Fred McDaniel

Toured Australia: - 1969

One of the greatest stars of all time. Began wrestling in carnivals around Missouri until enlisting in the Navy during World War 2. During the 50s, wrestled in California, Texas and Georgia, winning major titles in each. On return to California (for the WWA) in 1960, he split his time between Los Angeles and Japan. His feud with Rikidozan is legendary, and spread over both areas.

Wrestled his first stint in WWWF in 1964, feuding with Bruno Sammartino. Came to Australia for his only visit in 1969, and featured in a rare heel-v-heel matchup against IWA World champion, Killer Karl Kox. Returned to Los Angeles and partnered, then feuded with, Buddy Austin. Returned to WWWF in 1971 and 1973 to feud with champ Pedro Morales. He retired from active wrestling in 1974, and took up managing in WWWF. Was known as a 'foreign wrestler' manager, with charges such as Nikolai Volkoff, Iron Sheik, Killer Khan and the Russian Wolfman in his care. Also managed a heel Hulk Hogan in 1979-80. Blassie was the cornerman of Muhammad Ali against Antonio Inoki in their infamous 1976 fight.

Starred in the 1982 movie 'My Breakfast With Blassie' alongside Andy Kaufman. Blassie and the film were referenced in REM's 1992 song 'Man on the Moon'.

His last public appearance was on WWE Raw, 3 weeks before he died, in a segment involving Eric Bischoff, the Dudleys, Steve Austin and 3-Minute Warning. Inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 1994.

Titles held: - WWA (LA) World Hwt (3), Americas Hwt (5), NWA Southern Hwt (17), Georgia Hwt, North American Hwt (Ha), NWA Southern Jr Hwt, NWA World Tag (Florida) (w/ Tarzan Tyler), NA World Tag (Georgia) (w/ Bill Blassie [McDaniel]), WWA World Tag (2, w/ Mr. Moto, w/ Buddy Austin), Americas Tag (w/ Don Carson), WWA International TV Tag (3, [2 / Mr. Moto], [w/ Don Leo Jonathan]), NWA International Tag (3, w/ Kurt von Brauner, w/ Bob Schipp, w/ Eric Pederson)

Fred Blassie v Bruno Sammartino, WWWF 1964

Credit: Mark Dalgleish, Chris Dalgleish, Wikipedia, Fred Blassie's (w/Keith Elliott Greenberg) Listen, You Pencil Neck Geeks
Photo credit:slam.canoe.ca