Figured that all you pencil-necked geeks (you know who you are
) would want to know.
http://www.liveaudiowrestling.com/wo/news/headlines/default.asp?aID=7553
6/2/2003 11:01:00 PM
Fred Blassie passes away
by Dave Meltzer
Dave@wrestlingobserver.com
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.
Blassie was best known in Georgia as a top heel, and Los Angeles, as the city's biggest drawing card from 1960 through his retirement as a full-time wrestler in 1973. He began wrestling in 1935 as a contemporary of Lou Thesz in St. Louis
He worked as a manager for WWWF and later WWF for both Vince McMahon Sr. and Jr. and was still employed by the company at his death. His 67 years of almost consecutive employment in the industry may be a record. He only left the business once, after losing his kidney, but returned for the best box office run of his career doing huge business against the likes of John Tolos and Pedro Morales.
His August 27, 1971 match with John Tolos at the Los Angeles Coliseum, which drew 25,781 fans, remains the largest live crowd in the history of pro wrestling in California. At the time, it was also the largest money gate in U.S. wrestling history.
Bart
http://www.liveaudiowrestling.com/wo/news/headlines/default.asp?aID=7553
6/2/2003 11:01:00 PM
Fred Blassie passes away
by Dave Meltzer
Dave@wrestlingobserver.com
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.
Blassie was best known in Georgia as a top heel, and Los Angeles, as the city's biggest drawing card from 1960 through his retirement as a full-time wrestler in 1973. He began wrestling in 1935 as a contemporary of Lou Thesz in St. Louis
He worked as a manager for WWWF and later WWF for both Vince McMahon Sr. and Jr. and was still employed by the company at his death. His 67 years of almost consecutive employment in the industry may be a record. He only left the business once, after losing his kidney, but returned for the best box office run of his career doing huge business against the likes of John Tolos and Pedro Morales.
His August 27, 1971 match with John Tolos at the Los Angeles Coliseum, which drew 25,781 fans, remains the largest live crowd in the history of pro wrestling in California. At the time, it was also the largest money gate in U.S. wrestling history.
Bart
