 
RIP
February 8th, 1918 - June 2nd, 2003
It was announced at WWE Raw in San Diego tonight that SoCal Hall of Famer "Classy" Freddy Blassie passed away earlier today.
SoCal UNCENSORED would like to send our condolences to the family and friends of Freddie Blassie.
Here is Freddie Blassie's bio from the Southern California Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame.
Born in St. Louis, MO as Fred Blassman, he began
wrestling in 1935, but did not make a serious run at it until the early 40s.
When World War II began, Fred joined the Navy and while stationed at Port
Huneme, CA he made his Southern California debut as Fred the Sailor. Fred
was discharged in 1946 and returned to wrestling in the Midwest, gaining his
first world title match in 1950 against Lou Thesz. In 1952 Fred returned to
Los Angeles, dropping the Fred the Sailor gimmick and forming the team of
Billy and Fred McDaniels, then in 1953 by himself as Freddie Blassie.
In 1953 Fred left Southern California for the
South. In the South he was one of that area's most loved heroes, winning the
Southern Heavyweight Title 14 times. It was during this time that Blassie
became recognized as a World Championship caliber wrestler. In 1956 he shocked
his fans throughout the South by turning heel. Not only had he turned heel,
he became one of wrestling's most vicious heels of all-time. While he became
the South's most hated wrestler, he also became its biggest star.
In 1960, in what would forever shape wrestling
in this region, Blassie returned to Southern California. He received one of
the biggest pushes a heel had ever received. He defeated Edward Carpentier
for the WWA World Title that Carpentier had held for four years, in June of
1961. During this time Blassie headlined countless sell out shows in Los Angeles.
Wrestling in Southern California was now on the map thanks to Freddie Blassie.
Freddie Blassie held the WWA World Title four
times before he joined the WWWF in 1964. Blassie worked programs with legends
such as Pedro Morales, Bobo Brazil, Bill Watts, Killer Kowalski and then WWWF
champion Bruno Sammartino during his time in the WWWF.
On Aug. 25, 1967, Blassie returned to Los Angeles.
He promptly defeated Mark Lewin at the Olympic to become new NWA America's
champion. He then teamed up with Buddy Austin to win the WWA Tag Title. Blassie
once again became Southern California's biggest star.
By the 1970s Blassie was receiving so many cheers,
the promoters just started booking him against heels and turned Blassie face.
It was in 1970 that Freddie Blassie's famous feud with John Tolos began, ending
at the Los Angeles Coliseum in front of 25,847 fans, a California record at
the time.
Freddie Blassie retired from wrestling in 1973
and became a manger full-time in the WWWF/WWF until the mid 80s.
-Steve Bryant
Source: Steve Yohe at www.otherarena.com
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Justin
Crast's Biography on Freddie Blassie in Southern California. | 
