Best and Worst Valet/ Managers

[Rollermacka]

So in your opinions, what makes a valet or manager (I guess you can lump bodyguard in there too) good? Who have been some of the best, and who have been some of the worst in pro wrestling?

[Rollermacka]

Some of the worse I can think of were the Honky Tonk Man (just too much of a personality to be just a manger), Bam Neely and the Main Event Mafia Security (no point in having non threatening looking security)

[Rollermacka]

Jenna Morasca (don't care enough to look up how to spell her name) was completly worthless, Sakamoto did nothing for Tensai (never cut a promo, never worked a televised match either I think) and I always had a love/ hate relationship with Bill Alfonzo....

[Bad News Gertner]

Captain Lou Albano was the complete opposite of what a good manager should be. Spent way too much time getting himself over instead of his guys.

Heenan was the best ever. He was a compliment to his guys and helped make guys who weren't interesting, into interesting guys. Andre's heel turn couldn't have went as well without him.

[Skippord]

lol, Bam Neely

[Seth82]

here's a few of what I'd call the worst

Downtown Bruno aka Harvey Wippleman
JD Costello
Arnold Skaaland
The Cosmic Commander
Paul Jones - great wrestler, awful manager.
The Coach John Tolos
Mama Benjamin
Luscious Johnny V

[Bad News Gertner]

Mama Benjamin was hilarious

[#1-norm-fan]

Sapphire.

I'll just throw that name in there and let you all decide which end of the spectrum she belongs on.

[Tom Guycott]

Heenan was the best ever. He was a compliment to his guys and helped make guys who weren't interesting, into interesting guys.

Was coming here to say pretty much this. Also, the fact that Heenan became not only synonymous with what a manager should be, he, at times, had a stable without actually having a stable... that is to say, every person or team was an island unto themselves most of the time, unlike, say, The 4 Horsemen, who pretty much always appeared together in one way or another. However, anyone in the Heenan Family could potentially enter into a feud (read: be given something to do) for no other reason than his affiliation with Bobby. You didn't have to see his clients every week to remain familiar with the fact that he was their cornerman, sort of like how Heyman is with Punk, Lesnar, and Henning* right now. We know they're all "Paul Heyman guys", but Punk didn't run in on Lesnar/HHH or have Brock come down and destroy Hunter on RAW for Curtis to pick up the scraps instead of Ringbellgate. It was totally possible, and even feisable, but not neccessary. They all are their own guys with their own agendas who all happen to have the same manager...

I got off track. Heenan was a god.

As far as bad managers, I can't think of anyone offhand. If they sucked so hard, there is no reason to remember them...

Oh, wait! I just thought of a shitty one: Master P. How are you supposed to be a manager of a stable, then dissappear from TV forever to count your money and try to play for what used to be the Charlotte Hornets?



*I bet y'all forgot why I did this, didn't you?

[Tom Guycott]

Mama Benjamin was hilarious

She would have been moreso if I weren't previously aware of Thea being a comedian. It would be like if they tried to bring in T-Money from that old Battledome show as a legit new talent and pretend nobody would recognize it was President Camacho without a wig.

[Seth82]

Here's my best managers list

Gary Hart - simply put a damn good heel in Texas
Skandor Akbar - another manager who was great at getting heat in Texas/Mid South
The Grand Wizard
Sir Oliver Humperdink - damn good manager in Florida in the 70s and early 80s
Jimmy Hart - this guy was tremendous in Memphis at getting heat - the fans HATED him.
Bobby Heenan - was tremendous in WWA Indianapolis/AWA - he was funny in the WWF but wasn't the same at all
Jim Cornette - tremendous at getting heat in the south
JJ Dillon - great manager in Florida before 4 Horsemen stuff
Paul E. Dangerously
Larry Sweeney

[CSL]

Bobby Heenan - was tremendous in WWA Indianapolis/AWA - he was funny in the WWF but wasn't the same at all

no he wasn't the same at all. His work for Vince was out did anything he'd ever done previously by a considerable margin.

[Seth82]

no he wasn't the same at all. His work for Vince was out did anything he'd ever done previously by a considerable margin.

his work in WWA Indianapolis is considered his best by a lot of folks.

I'm lucky enough to have a tape containing a few episodes of tv with him on it from 1972-1973.

Him and Bockwinkel were amazing in the AWA.

[CSL]

his work in the WWF is considered his best by a hell of a lot more. With Bockwinkel/Bockwinkel and Stevens etc he was great. But it didn't touch what he accomplished "up north".

[Shisen Kopf]

Miss Elizabeth

[Bad News Gertner]

his work in WWA Indianapolis is considered his best by a lot of folks.

I'm lucky enough to have a tape containing a few episodes of tv with him on it from 1972-1973.

Him and Bockwinkel were amazing in the AWA.

Who. I want names.

[voncouch]

I don't think Sherri gets enough credit. She elevated everyone she worked with, and was more than willing to get physically involved. Her promos were great, and she never worked just to get herself over. I'd put her in Top 5 Managers easily.

I'd mention Bobby Heenan, but that's like making a list of Most Delicious Soups and saying Cream of Potato. It's so obvious, it doesn't need to be said.

Sunny was fantastic. Had a deep knowledge and understanding for the business, sexy as all hell, and bled charisma. If she were to get her shit together, she could have a spot in WWE now. If not on camera, then backstage training others.

Jim Cornette was an annoying mama's-boy pipsqueak who fans couldn't wait to see get knocked around. His gift for gab could get nearly anyone over (sorry, Mantaur).

If James Mitchell had been born about 20-30 years earlier, I think he'd be considered one of the greatest of all time. Fantastic character with great promo work. Sadly, though, he was the best at a time when managers were being phased out.

As far as worst? The Coach was pretty awful (92 with Mr. Perfect version). Go from being managed by Heenan to being flanked by some generic nobody with the personality of a death moth.

Nicole Bass was the shits. Face like a subway fire and negative-numbers charsima.

[Big Vic]

Mama Benjamin was hilarious
:y: :y:

Oh and I hated Alfonzo to

[loopydate]

Best - Heenan
Worst - Jackson Andrews

[Logan]

For me, some bad ones where Luna Vachon, Jackal/Cyrus, Michael PS Hayes, "Armandooooo, Alejandrooooo, Estraaadaaa", etc.

I qualify them as "bad" because I dont remember them doing anything to help the people they managed, AND they got no reaction whatsoever from me.

Some of the better ones I thought were good, were Sinister Minister, Paul Heyman, Joel Gertner, etc.

I found them to be entertaining, and they helped the people they managed in some way

I took the samples off here:

http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/bios/managers/

[The Condor]

Was always a fan of Sign Guy Dudley and Joel Gertner. As for worst, I don't remember the Disciple wrestling more than 4 matches but he always was with Hogan so him.

[Seth82]

his work in the WWF is considered his best by a hell of a lot more. With Bockwinkel/Bockwinkel and Stevens etc he was great. But it didn't touch what he accomplished "up north".

sure he was funny, but that was it.

I did appreciate his work with The Brainbusters though.

[Seth82]

Who. I want names.

myself and many other fans of old school wrestling.

[Frank Drebin]

Hated Don Baylor.

[#1-norm-fan]

sure he was funny, but that was it.

You might think he did better work outside the WWE.

There's no way you really think he was only good for comic relief in WWE though. The man was masterful at hyping his guys up.

[Frank Drebin]

Anyone like Truth Martini?

[Bad News Gertner]

For me, some bad ones where Luna Vachon, Jackal/Cyrus, Michael PS Hayes, "Armandooooo, Alejandrooooo, Estraaadaaa", etc.

I qualify them as "bad" because I dont remember them doing anything to help the people they managed, AND they got no reaction whatsoever from me.

Some of the better ones I thought were good, were Sinister Minister, Paul Heyman, Joel Gertner, etc.

I found them to be entertaining, and they helped the people they managed in some way

I took the samples off here:

http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/bios/managers/

Cyrus was awesome. He just was a huge dickhead backstage and people hated him. Luna and Goldust were awesome together.

[PullMyFinger]

Best: Heyman

Worst: The dude who was with Billy and Chuck.

[Theo Dious]

his work in WWA Indianapolis is considered his best by a lot of folks.

I'm lucky enough to have a tape containing a few episodes of tv with him on it from 1972-1973.

Him and Bockwinkel were amazing in the AWA.

his work in the WWF is considered his best by a hell of a lot more. With Bockwinkel/Bockwinkel and Stevens etc he was great. But it didn't touch what he accomplished "up north".

He had better overall work and success as a manager in AWA, but in the WWF his overall work as a manager, TV host, and commentator was his best work overall. He managed all the top guys in AWA, whereas in the WWF after Wrestlemania three his biggest guys were Rude and Perfect, IC guys, until his work with Flair which was mostly commentary-based anyways.

[Bad News Gertner]

Bobby also used to be more physically involved in the AWA.

Nick Bockwinkel once talked about how good Bobby was

"Bobby could do what Ray and I did and be a slight notch below us, but Ray couldn't do what Bobby did and I couldn't do what Bobby did"

Bobby used to take some entertaing pratfalls.

[Tom Guycott]

For me, some bad ones where Luna Vachon, Jackal/Cyrus, Michael PS Hayes, "Armandooooo, Alejandrooooo, Estraaadaaa", etc.

I qualify them as "bad" because I dont remember them doing anything to help the people they managed, AND they got no reaction whatsoever from me.


Cyrus was awesome. He just was a huge dickhead backstage and people hated him. Luna and Goldust were awesome together.

It also didn't help that The Truth Commission sucked. Nobody would have gotten those clowns over as a stable as it was in wrestling back then. Maybe now, with a SHIELD-like push, but no ammount of talking from Don Callus was going to polish that turd.

[Anybody Thrilla]

Cyrus was awesome. He just was a huge dickhead backstage and people hated him. Luna and Goldust were awesome together.

I thought Luna suited Bam Bam Bigelow quite well, too.

Seth, shut up about Heenan. You're being silly.

[Bad News Gertner]

Luna was a valet who needs to be with a certain kind of wrestler as opposed to Heenan who could go with anybody. Didn't like Luna and Shawn, but Luna and Goldust and Luna and Bam Bam, Gangrel worked.

[Rollermacka]

Luna was a valet who needs to be with a certain kind of wrestler as opposed to Heenan who could go with anybody. Didn't like Luna and Shawn, but Luna and Goldust and Luna and Bam Bam, Gangrel worked.

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I guess that would count to someone like The Wizard/ The Master. I couldn't exactly see him being a good manager for a team like the Smoking Gunns

[MoFo]

Lita w/ The Hardys.

Joel Gertner is the GOAT tho.

[Seth82]

Seth, shut up about Heenan. You're being silly.

I'm being silly? I know what I am talking about when it comes to the history of this sport.

some here have agreed with me about his AWA work.

[Ruien]

Lita w/ The Hardys.

Joel Gertner is the GOAT tho.

Loved the whole Stacy/Lita thing during the Dudley's and Hardy's feud.

[Bad News Gertner]

I'm being silly? I know what I am talking about when it comes to the history of this sport.

some here have agreed with me about his AWA work.

I'm the Pulse of Rasslin. Don't be silly.

You also tend to go with "because it's old, it's better" theory which is correct about 25% of the time.

[CSL]

tend? It's the only thing he ever posts in the wrestling forum, no matter how illogical it might be

[Corporate CockSnogger]

Blue Blood Triple h was better cause he could perform a spinning heel kick.

[Bad News Gertner]

Dory Funk jr vs Jack Brisco was the most entertaining match ever, because it happened in the NWA.

[Seth82]

tend? It's the only thing he ever posts in the wrestling forum, no matter how illogical it might be

I know this may be hard to believe but I do watch modern wrestling.

I watch mostly the ppvs but still..

I don't just watch really old ancient footage.

[CSL]

Blue Blood Triple h was better cause he could perform a spinning heel kick.

many consider him to have been at his very best as Terra Ryzing in the IWF in 1993 before he went to WCW

I know this may be hard to believe but I do watch modern wrestling.

I watch mostly the ppvs but still..

I don't just watch really old ancient footage.

that doesn't really have anything to do with what I said

[Seth82]

Dory Funk jr vs Jack Brisco was the most entertaining match ever, because it happened in the NWA.

Dory bored me actually.

Terry was far better imo.

[Seth82]

tend? It's the only thing he ever posts in the wrestling forum, no matter how illogical it might be

you might think something is illogical and that's fine.

I do pop in and comment on the ppvs from time to time.

[Bad News Gertner]

95% of the stuff from the 70's and 80's doesn't hold up well at all today.

Seth, I probably know just as much about 70's and 80's wrestling as you do and a lot of it is completely crowd driven.

[CSL]

you might think something is illogical and that's fine.

I do pop in and comment on the ppvs from time to time.

I swear to god you have some form of Alzheimer's/early onset dementia/are pretending to be somebody that does

[Seth82]

tend? It's the only thing he ever posts in the wrestling forum, no matter how illogical it might be

fair enough on the illogical posts.

I may not always be right and I accept that. I know what I'm talking about most of the time though.

I really don't post in a lot of the other threads. I don't have much of an interest in some of the current stuff.

[Theo Dious]

Bobby also used to be more physically involved in the AWA.
Bobby used to take some entertaing pratfalls.

I love the video where he's being given a manager of the year award and a brawl ensues, he sells a punch to the face like 2.5 seconds late and flies out of the ring. Priceless.

[Theo Dious]

Also this entire thread is invalid because nobody has mentioned Johnny Polo.

[#1-norm-fan]

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lol. What a step down.

[James Steele]

Blue Blood Triple h was better cause he could perform a spinning heel kick.

I'll admit that I'd mark the fuck out of Triple H busted out a spinning heel kick in his next match.

[Juan]

No way he could still pull it off. He's like 100 lbs heavier than he was in the Blue Blood days.

That said, he should definitely try it :y:

[James Steele]

No way he could still pull it off. He's like 100 lbs heavier than he was in the Blue Blood days.

That said, he should definitely try it :y:

I bet he could do it. His workout regimen the past few years is more about his core, flexibility, etc. I also miss the fuck out of the Indian Deathlock.

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

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lol. What a step down.

Understatement of the century. Too bad Craig T. Nelson or Jerry Van Dyke couldn't have stepped in. I think Vince was a big fan of the tv show "Coach." He hired an announcer who did a few episodes of the show.

Perfect with a shit-eating grin in this promo.

I've never really liked Curtis Hughes either.

[XL]

No way he could still pull it off. He's like 100 lbs heavier than he was in the Blue Blood days.

That said, he should definitely try it :y:

Big Daddy V/Viscera used to do a spinning heel kick. Sorta.

[Bad News Gertner]

More of a barrel-roll and stuck his leg out

[Shisen Kopf]

95% of the stuff from the 70's and 80's doesn't hold up well at all today.

Seth, I probably know just as much about 70's and 80's wrestling as you do and a lot of it is completely crowd driven.

I know the most about old school rasslin here b/c it's serious business to me. To people like Beth it's only semi serious business and that's so gay.