WWE: "Classy" Freddie Blassie

In the world of sports entertainment there are heels and then there is "Classy" Freddie Blassie. While the heels of today may experience the boo-birds, some name calling, and the occasional sign to mock him, none of them will ever experience the repercussions that Blassie experienced thanks to his heel status. While one would think that frequent death threats, 21 stab wounds, and an acid dousing by irate fans would encourage an individual to change vocations, for Blassie the experiences did not deter him from his passion competing in the ring and gaining incredible attention for doing so.

In short, "Classy" Freddie Blassie was the heel. Often, he would bite his opponents and then spit out their blood for all of the fans to see. He would "file" his teeth during interviews. And there are even reports of fans suffering fatal heart attacks after seeing Blassie bloody an opponent in the ring.

Blassie developed his toughness from growing up in a working-class neighborhood in south St, Louis. While he was pushed towards all sorts of different careers, it was wrestling for which Blassie developed a passion and from the age of 17 on, Blassie was almost always in the ring. He worked on cards promoted by all three generations of McMahons Jess, Vincent James, and Vincent Kennedy, the current Chairman of World Wrestling Entertainment and was always considered one of the top heels in the company.

After Blassie's in-ring career ended, he remained active with WWE as he became the successful manager of heels. "The Hollywood Fashion Plate," Blassie was renowned for going to ringside dressed in the loudest of outfits and using his equally loud voice to mock others as "pencil neck geeks." He managed the Iron Shiek to a victory over Bob Backlund for the WWE Championship in 1984 and managed several top tag teams as well.

Sadly, "Classy" Freddie Blassie died on June 2, 2003 at the age of 85, but not before leaving behind a legacy that will never be forgotten in World Wrestling Entertainment. His Autobiography, "Listen, You Pencil Neck Geeks" released shortly before his death was an instant best-seller, a tribute to a true legend of sports entertainment.

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