Managers

One of pro wrestling’s staples during the territorial years was the ringside manager. Used to draw heat, sometimes the manager became the territory’s lead heel. Frequently, ringside managers were former wrestlers or wrestlers who were winding down their ring careers. As size began to play more importance in the business, those who weren’t able to compete due to size sometimes became managers. The Gulas-Welch territory and then the Jarrett territory were both blessed with many excellent managers over the years. There were also some who weren’t so hot. What follows here is a brief synopsis of at least seventy of those who worked in the area as a manager or valet between the years of 1965 and 1989. Please understand this list is not exhaustive. Our list begins with the first thirty-five. 

Skandor Akbar

• Year(s) in territory: 1988
• Managed: The Botswana Beast
• Interesting characteristic(s): Came in for a week as manager to the Botswana Beast who was receiving a shot at AWA champion Jerry Lawler. Akbar, a mat veteran, had a number of big runs as a Middle Eastern oil-loving heel manager including runs for World Class and Mid-South/UWF.
• Notable rivalries/feuds (in the area): Not enough appearances to list any

Angel

• Year(s) in territory: 1984
• Managed: Ravishing Rick Rude
• Interesting characteristic(s): A blonde female valet who worked with Rick Rude. Was involved in an ongoing situation where she lured Austin Idol into a feud against Rude. Later teamed with Rude against Dutch Mantel & Evelyn Stevens. Finally was involved in Rude’s feud against Jerry Lawler. Lawler though put a temporary end to Angel’s run when he used the piledriver on her in a Memphis ring. She did return for a brief time later in 1984. Noteworthy for being in one of wrestling’s better music videos of the 1980s with Rude as the video was set to The Romantics “Talking in Your Sleep”.
• Notable rivalries/feuds: Austin Idol, Dutch Mantel, Evelyn Stevens, Jerry Lawler

Ernest Angel

• Year(s) in territory (as a manger): 1988
• Managed: Max Pain, Gary Young, The Cuban Choir Boys (also billed as The Cuban Assassins), Jimmy & Tommy Baker, Pat Rose & Bob Holly, Kokina & Prince Samu
• Interesting characteristic(s): In an age of televangelists gone bad, the territory introduced a well-dressed manager with a Pentecostal cadence. Carrying a big weapon referred to as ‘The Good Book’, Angel drew immediate heat from many with religious beliefs as the character obviously hit too close to home with some viewers. The characterization made Angel one of the most controversial attractions ever in the area. Encouraged viewers to send in donations to him so he could build a theme park, hotel and retirement center called Wrestling, USA. Left the area after a few months and appeared briefly in Alabama’s Continental promotion.
• Notable rivalries/feuds: Jerry Lawler

Bambi

• Year(s) in territory: 1987
• Managed: The Hunter
• Interesting characteristic(s): Female valet that was called The Hunter’s mascot. Wore spiky hair and spandex. Used her high heels as weapons. The Hunter was used low on cards during his stay in the area.
• Notable rivalries/feuds: Alan West

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