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. 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" 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. 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. Released just prior to his death, Legends of Wrestling: "Classy" Freddie Blassie 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
| ||||||||||||||||||
Did you know you can trade in your old books for an Amazon.co.uk Gift Card to spend on the things you want? Visit the Books Trade-In Store for more details. Learn more. |
Book Description
Product details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
More About the Author
Discover books, learn about writers, and more.
Product Description
About the Author
Keith Elliot Greenberg is a third-generation wrestling fan, and senior writer for World Wrestling Entertainment#153; publications. He's also an award-winning television producer, whose credits include working for 48 Hours, MSNBC Investigates, America's Most Wanted, VH-1 and The History Channel. He is the author of more than thirty nonfiction children's books. He and his family live in Brooklyn, New York.
Inside This Book
(Learn More)
First Sentence
"Blassie, you ain't worth a bucket of cold piss!" Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
"Blassie, you ain't worth a bucket of cold piss!" Read the first page
Explore More
Concordance
Browse Sample PagesConcordance
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Juan McGuinness
VINE™ VOICE
Format:Paperback
I had never really heard of Freddie Blassie before getting this book, other than in passing name dropping from other wrestling biographies, having grown up watching wrestling in the late 90's to any real degree. However this is of no real matter and quite frankly I would reccomend this book to anyone - not just a wrestling fan.
Unlike many auto-biographries these days where they are written annually and read more like a 12 year olds diary this is a true life story - and what a life! It's a really honest tale with frank accounts of the highs and lows and very colourful.
You won't regret buying this.
Unlike many auto-biographries these days where they are written annually and read more like a 12 year olds diary this is a true life story - and what a life! It's a really honest tale with frank accounts of the highs and lows and very colourful.
You won't regret buying this.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By WCW Fan
VINE™ VOICE
Format:Paperback
Classy Freddie Blassie was one of the most colourful and over-the-top wrestling personalities of all time. While he enjoyed a storied in-ring career, many fans remember his days as a heel manager for wrestlers such as Hulk Hogan and The Iron Sheik.
Blassie's autobiography was a long time coming, but it was well worth the wait. Sadly, Freddie passed away upon the book's release, although his fans can take great pride in thinking that he left them all with something great to remember him by.
Throughout, Freddie keeps his notorious quick-wit and sarcasm, whilst truly being blunt about certain subjects. He compares the business from his day to the present, and although he shows great support to WWE and the McMahon's, his loyalty is justified and isn't overbearing.
Freddie also talks about the darker aspects of pro wrestling (i.e. the toll it takes on families). He admits that he's been through three marriages, and is estranged from most of his children. While it was his own doing (Freddie "lived" his gimmick, if you know what I mean), he expresses great regret about the fact that he wasn't really there to see them grow up and move on.
For once, it was nice to see a legend like Blassie talk about the old days of wrestling and show respect to the current product. Freddie Blassie died in 2003, but he'd been in poor health for quite a while. It was as if he wanted to wait to get his story out before he passed on. Freddie accomplished that goal did so in grand style, as only he could.
A Kid's Review
Format:Paperback
In this day and age too many biographies are for a guy still in his prime and you know there will be another 3 or 4 boring books to come.
In wrestling every book out there seems to be obsessed with the monday night wars and putting themselves over and burying some other guy in the business.
This book breaks all these moulds and is a real insight into how wrestling developed from someone who lived it.
Fascinating book.
In wrestling every book out there seems to be obsessed with the monday night wars and putting themselves over and burying some other guy in the business.
This book breaks all these moulds and is a real insight into how wrestling developed from someone who lived it.
Fascinating book.
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
›
Go to Amazon.com to see all 34 reviews
4.8 out of 5 stars
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
2.0 out of 5 stars
A must for fans
I wasn't goingout to buy this but i spotted it and needed a read for my holiday and thought i would give it a go and was glad I did. Read more
Published on 22 Sep 2004 by Mr. C. R. Durrant
4.0 out of 5 stars
Classy book!
I'm biased as I'm a wrestling fan but then again - who else is gonna be reading a book like this anyway? Read more
Published on 29 Feb 2004 by "undertaker_uk"
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent Book Written By A True Ledgend
I have just finished book, I wasnt going to but it originally but I was sure glad that I did. This is one of the first of the recent speight of wrestling autobiographies that is... Read more
Published on 1 Aug 2003 by "davieb_uk"
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
- I am the Author, and I want to comment on my book.
- I am the Publisher, and I want to comment on this book.
|
