Wrestling Managers
There had been brilliant managers that had been able to guide the careers of some the greatest wrestlers of all time. Some of these managers were Ex Wrestlers turn managers which kind of added an advantage. Others were non-wrestlers that still had a lot to offer to the stars they were managing. Here's a list of some the Greatest Managers in Wrestling.
1. Bobby "The Brain" Heenan
When you think about great managers over the years the first name that comes to mind is Bobby Heenan. He had it all he could talk, he could think like a manager, and he was entertaining. He was so entertaining as a manager that it was hard for fans to hate him. However he found different ways to keep him the most hated man in wrestling. Bobby Heenan was the manager and leader of the Heenan Family faction and they dominated the AWA and the WWE. It included guys like Nick Bockwinkel, Ray Stevens, Rick Rude, Paul Orndorff, and most notably Andre the Giant. Bobby's alliance with Andre the Giant really set the parameters for the match Andre had with Hogan at WrestleMania 3. Heenan really played a big role for the build up to match by manipulating Andre to turn on Hogan. Which made Heenan the most despised manager. Bobby would go on to manage tons of World Champions and he was definitely "The Brain".
2. Paul Heyman
Whether he was Paul Heyman or Paul E. Dangerously Heyman had a brilliant and devious mind just like Bobby Heenan. Paul started his career as a photographer for live wrestling events. It wasn't until he became a manager that he was noticed. Paul started managing guys like Austin Idol, Bob Orton, Adrian Adonis, and Tommy Rich. He even managed his version of the Midnight Express which at one point feuded with Jim Cornette's version of the Midnight Express. Paul's biggest managing highlight came when he formed the Dangerous Alliance which included Rick Rude, Arn Anderson, Larry Zbyszko, Bobby Eaton, and Steve Austin. The group feuded with guys like Sting, Ricky Steamboat, Dustin Rhodes, and Barry Windham. It helped Steve Austin gain some notoriety. Their most memorable match as a group is when they faced Sting's team in the Wargames match which was awesome. From that point the Dangerous Alliance disbanded and Paul was fired from WCW. He would then go on to run ECW from 1993- 2001 and after this he came to WWE. He began managing his most notable client Brock Lesnar. With Paul's mentorship Brock destroyed everybody on the roster and won the WWE Championship from the Rock. Paul would also manage guys like Kurt Angle, Big Show, and Hardcore Holly. When he returned in 2012 he manage his real life best friend CM Punk and helped him become one the longest reigning champions in WWE History. Paul is still apart of the company and he still manages Brock Lesnar.
3. "Playboy" Gary Hart
When there is talk about great managers the late Gary Hart gets overlooked. He managed a lot of Legendary Wrestlers like Roddy Piper, Jerry Lawler, Abdullah the Butcher, the Great Kabuki, Mark Lewin, Bruiser Brody, The Great Muta, Terry Funk, and many more. What made Gary great as a manager was that he was a former wrestler which had a lot to offer for the guys he manage. Gary's success didn't just stop with managing but he also played a big part as the booker for World Class Championship. He was responsible with the start of the Von Erichs and Freebirds feud.
4. Jimmy Hart
Jimmy Hart was a very colorful and flashy manager during the 80s and 90s. He was known for his high pitch voice, his outfits, and his trademark Mega Phone which effected the outcome of a lot matches. He manage guys like the Honky Tonk Man, Greg the Hammer Valentine, The Hart Foundation, The Rougeau Brothers, and even Hulk Hogan. Hart was a very classy manager and he was the guy that everybody wanted to get there hands on.
5. Jim Cornette
Much like Jimmy Hart Jim Cornette had a very colorful and brass personality. He was definitely entertaining but he still found ways to be the most hated manager in wrestling. His best time as a manager came when he manage the Midnight Express. It was the combination of Bobby Eaton and Dennis Condrey later adding Stan Lane to the team. He was known for his outfits, his trademark Tennis Racket, and for always talking about his mom in interviews.
5. Paul Bearer
Where would the Undertaker be without Paul Bearer? He was absolutely an important ingredient to the character. However before he was Paul Bearer he was Percy Pringle III and he manage other guys like Rick Rude, Eric Embry, the Missing Link, and the Simpson Brothers. What made him unique as Paul Bearer was the fact that he was a Certified Mortician in real life. He was known for his suit and his haunting high pitch voice. He was also known for managing the Undertaker's storyline brother Kane. Percy Pringle may be gone but he will never be forgotten.
When there is talk about great managers the late Gary Hart gets overlooked. He managed a lot of Legendary Wrestlers like Roddy Piper, Jerry Lawler, Abdullah the Butcher, the Great Kabuki, Mark Lewin, Bruiser Brody, The Great Muta, Terry Funk, and many more. What made Gary great as a manager was that he was a former wrestler which had a lot to offer for the guys he manage. Gary's success didn't just stop with managing but he also played a big part as the booker for World Class Championship. He was responsible with the start of the Von Erichs and Freebirds feud.
4. Jimmy Hart
Jimmy Hart was a very colorful and flashy manager during the 80s and 90s. He was known for his high pitch voice, his outfits, and his trademark Mega Phone which effected the outcome of a lot matches. He manage guys like the Honky Tonk Man, Greg the Hammer Valentine, The Hart Foundation, The Rougeau Brothers, and even Hulk Hogan. Hart was a very classy manager and he was the guy that everybody wanted to get there hands on.
5. Jim Cornette
Much like Jimmy Hart Jim Cornette had a very colorful and brass personality. He was definitely entertaining but he still found ways to be the most hated manager in wrestling. His best time as a manager came when he manage the Midnight Express. It was the combination of Bobby Eaton and Dennis Condrey later adding Stan Lane to the team. He was known for his outfits, his trademark Tennis Racket, and for always talking about his mom in interviews.
5. Paul Bearer
Where would the Undertaker be without Paul Bearer? He was absolutely an important ingredient to the character. However before he was Paul Bearer he was Percy Pringle III and he manage other guys like Rick Rude, Eric Embry, the Missing Link, and the Simpson Brothers. What made him unique as Paul Bearer was the fact that he was a Certified Mortician in real life. He was known for his suit and his haunting high pitch voice. He was also known for managing the Undertaker's storyline brother Kane. Percy Pringle may be gone but he will never be forgotten.
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