AUDIO: Favorite wrestling managers

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By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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This week, Stride Pro Wrestling manager J. Wellington Beauregard is my guest co-host. We discuss our favorite managers over the years. Who is on your list? Listen HERE.

Be sure to tune in to the My 1-2-3 Cents Facebook page for a live recap of WrestleMania 35 and Raw on Tuesday afternoon. 

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My managerial Mt. Rushmore

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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Before we get into the nuts and bolts of this post, let's address the 600-pound gorilla. My inability to edit photos. I do not know how to do Photoshop, but it is on my list of things to learn sooner rather than later. I made the beautiful pic before you thanks to Snapchat. Now on to my managerial Mt. Rushmore. In my 1-2-3 cents Bobby Heenan, Jim Cornette, Paul Heyman and Jimmy Hart are the creame of the crop when it comes to managers.

Various Heenan Family members
Found on allhiphop.com

Bobby "The Brain" Heenan is not only my favorite manager of all-time, but he's on my top 5 of all-time performers in the wrestling business. His timing was perfect whether it was taking a bump or cutting a promo. Even though he was leading guys into war against Hulk Hogan, I could never boo Heenan himself. Sure I disliked King Kong Bundy, "Big" John Studd and eventually Andre the Giant. But I always loved the man behind the Superstars.

In 1998 I had the great honor of meeting Bobby Heenan when he was with WCW. He was just as amazing in person as he had been on TV all those years. My favorite Heenan memory has to be him unveiling the WCW World Championship on an episode of WWF Wrestling Challenge and teasing that Ric Flair would soon be coming to the World Wrestling Federation. 

Heenan and the big gold belt
Courtesy: WWE

I'm focusing on his work in the WWF, but of course, Heenan was successful long before his arrival in New York. He managed AWA World Heavyweight Champion Nick Bockwinkel. He helped "Ravishing" Rick Rude become Intercontinental Champion. Heenan's Brain Busters (Arn Anderson and Tully Blanchard) and The Colossal Connection (Andre and Haku) won tag team gold. Other standouts include Mr. Perfect, Paul Orndorff and "The King" Harley Race. Bottom line, Bobby was the best.

The Midnight Express
Courtesy: jimcornette.com

Jim Cornette caught my eye when he and the Midnight Express arrived in World Class Championship Wrestling. I had read about him in the Apter magazines before that debut in Texas and despite his antagonizing tendencies, I appreciated the work he was doing. Corny's work on the mic was fantastic and like Heenan, he wasn't afraid to take a bump. The most famous one being (at least that I remember) was at Starrcade '86: The Sky Walkers. Cornette fell from the scaffold and Big Bubba Rogers was supposed to catch the manager but missed. 

Cornette, Yokozuna and Mr. Fuji
Courtesy: WWE

Other memorable Cornette moments for me include the screwing over of the Dynamic Dudes in WCW, the creation of Smoky Mountain Wrestling and his tenure in WWE with Yokozuna, Vader, Owen Hart, Davey Boy Smith and the NWA gang. I liked the idea, however, it was crushed out of the gates, no fault to the players involved. I love the fact that I can listen to Cornette twice a week now on his podcasts as he shares memories and a plethora of wrestling knowledge. 

The Dangerous Alliance
Courtesy: WWE

I'm definitely a Paul Heyman guy. Even when Paul E. Dangerously was walking around with a Zack Morris-style cell phone, I liked the guy. But not at first. I didn't like his time in the AWA, but once he arrived in WCW and built the Dangerous Alliance I was on board. Rick Rude, "Stunning" Steve Austin, Madusa, Arn Anderson, Larry Zybysko and Bobby Eaton were the best thing going in the company after Ric Flair left and the Four Horsemen dissolved. 

Paul and Brock
Courtesy: WWE

Of course to be a good manager one has to be good on the mic. Heyman demonstrated that through the years, eventually creating ECW. I popped like crazy when CM Punk dropped Heyman's name on Monday Night Raw in 2011 and then a short time later the advocate arrived back on the scene. He's done many great things and has added some flavor to Brock Lesnar. Heyman's presence when Brock isn't around is exactly what wrestling fans need.

The Mouth of the South
Courtesy: WWE

"The Mouth of the South" Jimmy Hart rounds out my Mt. Rushmore. Hart is another manager I had seen in the Apter mags. But when he showed up in the WWF in 1984 I became a fan of his. The megaphone and the loud suits set him apart from the other managers in the company. He lived up to that Mouth of the South moniker and drove fans insane.

Jimmy Hart and I in 2006
Courtesy: My 1-2-3 Cents

Hart's successes include leading the Hart Foundation to tag team gold. The world was shocked when his charge, the Honky Tonk Man pinned Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat for the IC Title. Not only did Honky win, he went on to become the longest reigning IC champ ever. That's a record that holds up some 30 years later. The Nasty Boys, The Natural Disasters, Money, Inc., Greg Valentine, The Mountie and the Funk Brothers are just some of the notables he managed. His face turn and run with Hogan and Brutus Beefcake was less desirable to me as a fan, but I never stopped liking what Hart was doing. I also had a chance to meet Hart in 2006 at a WrestleMania Axxess event. I'm also working to get him the My 1-2-3 Cents Podcast. And don't discount his work behind the scenes, creating and composing theme songs through the years.

This is just the tip of the iceberg on each of these incredible managers. I appreciate what they've done through the decades to make pro wrestling even more enjoyable. Without them, the business would not have been the same.

Today's Superstars matched with 80s managers

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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A big thing missing from wrestling today that was prevalent when I was a young fan watching is the role of a manager. It's a relationship that started crumbling many years ago. I'd love to see more managers or even valets second WWE Superstars to the ring. I get that most Superstars today don't need a mouthpiece, but I miss managers at ringside. So flashing back to Survivor Series 1987, I'm going to pair up managers from that era with Superstars of today. There were seven managers on the roster at that time so I've split them up and put them on separate rosters and paired them like this.

Bobby Heenan (Raw) 
Kevin Owens, Chris Jericho, Charlotte Flair, The Shooting Stars, Bo Dallas, The Brian Kendrick and Sheamus

Slick (Raw) 
Rusev, Braun Strowman, The Club, Titus O'Neal and Nia Jax

Jimmy Hart (SmackDown Live) 
AJ Styles, Randy Orton, Natalya, Curt Hawkins and Breezango

Johnny V (SmackDown Live) 
The Vaudevillians 

Mr. Fuji (SmackDown Live)
Baron Corbin and The Ascension

Oliver Humperdink (Raw) 
Golden Truth (Goldust & R-Truth)

Elizabeth (SmackDown Live) 
Dolph Ziggler

Most of the choices are based on the similarities the Superstars of today had with the men that were managed years ago. I tried to stick with the same number of Superstars that the managers had in 1987. Obviously, this time around there are more women wrestling.

Also, not everyone on today's roster is represented as I don't think everyone needs a mouthpiece. That's not to say Kevin Owens and Chris Jericho do, but I think Heenan with those two would be amazing. It was a bit more challenging keeping managers on one show instead of sharing the entire roster.

The precious art of managing

"Precious" Paul Ellering is back
Courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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One of the big surprise appears at NXT Takeover: The End of the Beginning was the appearance of WWE Hall of Famer "Precious" Paul Ellering. He of course rose to fame as the manager of the Road Warriors during their runs in the AWA, NWA and WWF. One can only assume Ellering is back to manage the two men who attacked American Alpha after the tag 
team title match.

The Road Warriors & Ellering
Courtesy: WWE

For long time I've wanted more managerial presence in wrestling. Zeb Colter has been released, Ric Flair isn't with Charolette anymore and Paul Heyman only appears occasionally. So bringing in someone the caliber of Ellering is perfect. But WWE shouldn't stop with the Hall of Famer. Let this be the start of a manager revolution. 

WrestleMania IV
Courtesy: WWE

Look back at WrestleMania IV. There were seven different managers on that show (not counting Virgil and Peggy Sue).  I'm not suggesting we need that many, but three or four along with the development of a couple of stables would be great. During our recent Facebook Live chat and previous conversations, Chad and I agreed Roman Reigns could benefit greatly from having someone else doing the talking for him.

WWE doesn't have to bring back former managers to accomplish this, although I'd love to see Jim Cornette back too. The company needs to start developing a new generation of managers and allow them to learn from Heyman and Ellering now.

My one & only managerial experience

The ball was dropped years ago with Armando Estrada. It's time to pick it up and score big. We're off to a great start. I'd love to be in that class. Remember I once managed Velvet Sky at TNA house show. It's always been a dream of mine to be a wrestling manager. 

Our Tribute to Greatness

"Classy" Freddie Blassie & The Grand Wizard

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

Each year, Chad and I come up with what we think is a fun costume theme for Wrestlemania.  The very first year, we went as the Spirit Squad (they were around at the time) and people actually thought we were members of the cheerleading team as we walked around the parking lot of the All State Arena and the neighboring Target store.  I'd like to think I was mistaken for Nicky who is now known as Dolph Ziggler.  I kid, I kid.

The originals...
Photo by WWE

Anyway, we've had fun with it each year and always get a lot of compliments (and stares) from fans and even wrestlers.  This year, we decided to pay homage to great wrestling managers.  Chad went for the obscure Grand Wizard.  For those who don't know, the Grand Wizard managed the likes of "Superstar" Billy Graham, Mister Fuji, and Sgt. Slaughter.  He was around in the 1970's, before either of us had even started watching wrestling.  In fact, the Grand Wizard died in 1983, just as I was becoming a fan of the sport.  I went with the more recognizable "Classy" Freddie Blassie.  Of course, he wrestled in the early days of his career, but went on to manage the Iron Sheik and Nikolai Volkoff and George "the Animal" Steele when I really got into wrestling.  It wasn't long after that though that Blassie retired and turned his men over to Slick.

Chad and I both worried that fans would not remember The Grand Wizard, but we were surprised at how any people at Axxess and Wrestlemania got it.  Even before we left the hotel, fans identified both of us.  I'll admit, the white hair spray I used didn't cover my hair like I'd hoped, but I think people still understood who I was trying to be.

Wrestlemania selfy

I need to thank my mom once again for helping create my costume this year.  For the last several Wrestlemanias, I've gone as someone who needs a specific sports coat.  Each year, my search a the thrift stores in town turn up short.  So my mom covers one of my old jackets with the proper material.  This year she did it as she's battling bladder cancer.  That's the kind of woman she is, dedicated to helping her son achieve a high level of dorkiness at Wrestlemania.

Thanks to everyone who "got" us this year and posed for photographs.  We ran into several great costumed fans this year, including the Ultimate Warrior, Doink the Clown, and Paul Bearer.

You Don't Know Jack

Zeb Coulter & Jack Swagger
Photo courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

Jack Swagger is back.  (He's been back on WWE TV for a couple of weeks, I'm finally writing about it.)  The former World Heavyweight and U.S. Champion has a new look and a new mindset.  He's even got a new manager, Zeb Coulter.  Longtime fans know Zeb of course is Dutch Mantell, who worked for the WWE years ago as Uncle Zeb and managed the likes of the Blu Brothers and Justin "Hawk" Bradshaw (JBL).

Personally, I love the addition of Zeb to the roster.  I have long believed that the WWE has needed to add more managers.  It's a throwback to the 70's and 80's when managers were a big part of the product.  This is a side tangent, but I'd like to see others join Paul Heyman and Zeb on the outside of the ring.  During the Attitude Era and beyond managers fell by the wayside in the WWE.  I really hope this is a signal of a resurgence.  (crossing my fingers)

Jack Swagger's Patriot Act

Anyway, back to Jack.  He's gone through some changes in appearance and with his character, but I've noticed he still has the same theme music.  I think in order to complete his change, new music is essential.  It won't make or break the character, but I think it'll definitely help convey the message that this is not the same Swagger we've known for years.

I like his aggression and the mean streak that seems to be pushed by the presence of Coulter.  The WWE is taking a page out of real life to develop these characters, as I feel like Swagger and Coulter represent the feelings that many in this country have.  They've just amped it up a bit.

There's no telling where exactly they're heading with this, but his addition to the Elimination Chamber match is hopefully a good sign for this gifted athlete.  The one big obstacle I see with the chamber match Sunday is three men in it are making big returns, (Swagger, Chris Jericho, and Mark Henry) so unfortunately the wind is going to be removed from the sails of at least two of these guys.  While I don't expect Swagger to win the match, I'm hoping he goes in there and has a chance to shine with the other former champs.  He's the youngest in the match and may have the most to prove against the cream of the WWE crop.

Manager Interference

By Chad Smart

TNA (or Impact Wrestling) is holding one of their Basebrawl shows in Marion, IL on June 10. The local ESPN radion station is holding a contest where the winner will get to "manage" a wrestler during the show.  Anyone who wanted to enter had to email their ideas for how they would interere during the match. The following is what I wrote as my entry. Even if I don't win, I expect to use these tactics during the show.

 

While the art of the wrestling manager has been pretty much gone the way of the dodo, if given the right circumstances managers could become useful once again the the wrestling industry. One of the trademarks of a good manager is the ability to interfere and allow his charge the ability to get the upperhand on his opponent. Bobby "the Brain" Heenan was a master of distracting the referee. Jimmy "Mouth of the South" Hart and "Classy" Freddie Blassie would get the referee's attention allowing their wrestlers to use Jimmy's megaphone and Freddie's cane behind the ref's back. But that was the 80s. What would make for good manager interference today, specifically for the TNA Basebrawl show this week. Here are some ideas.

 

While normally the manager would be escorting a heel wrestler because a heel getting the better of a face due to underhanded tactics, TNA's faces are pretty bland so they'd fall for any generic taunt. In order to really get the crowd riled, I think taunting the heels would make for a more entertaining experience. Here are a few examples.

 

Matt Hardy: The no-brainer idea would be to try and get Matt riled up by saying something about his brother Jeff, the former TNA world champion who is awaiting charges for drug possesion. While there's a lot to work with there, the better taunt would be to wait until Matt has KAZ in place for a Twist of Fate.  Right as Matt is doing his patented yell, the manager would pull out a bag of grapes.  The manager would taunt Hardy with the grapes, eating some and asking Matt if he wanted some grapes.  This would be in response to a video Hardy posted on youtube a few months back where he was training and eating grapes. Matt would become obsessed with getting his hands on some grapes, he would forget about KAZ, allowing KAZ to get an easy schoolboy for the pin.

 

Jeff Jarrett: In order to distract Jeff, simply look to wrestling's past and come to the ring with a manilla envelope. During the match, the manager would get on the apron, hold up the envelope and scream, "Jeff! Before she was yours, she was mine!" Then the manager insinuates the envelope contains pictures of Karen Jarrett in comprimising positions. Of course this could backfire since Kurt Angle is also in the ring and he could take offense of you having pictures of his ex-wife.

 

Robbie E.: this would be the easiest and best. When Robbie starts fist pumping, the manager would put on a headband that says, "woo woo woo"  tell Robbie, he's no Zack Ryder, then pull out a cellphone and pull up an episode of True Long Island Story on youtube and show Robbie how a real broski rolls. Woo woo woo, you know it.

If those ways don't work and you need something more drastic, just pull a Flair. Strip down to your boxer shorts and elbow drop the mat over and over. If THAT doesn't distract everyone, nothing will.