A History of Wrestling Managers

For many years in professional wrestling, it was very common to see a figure lurking at ringside during a match, who might also be known for pulling strings backstage, who cuts promos for wrestlers, and might also mastermind havoc: the wrestling manager. More than an ally at ringside, managers have played an important role in the history of professional wrestling, acting as mouthpieces, strategists, and sometimes, even instigators of mayhem.

The role of the wrestling manager can be traced back to the 1900s. Promoters and matchmakers saw value in having a charismatic figure to represent and promote wrestlers. These early managers often served as spokespeople, hyping up their clients to the audience. They were the original "mouthpieces", using their verbal skills to build anticipation for upcoming matches and establish their wrestlers as tough competitors.

As wrestling evolved, so did the role of the manager. They became more than spokespeople; they began involving themselves in matches, adding layers of drama and intrigue. There were now ringside managers being rulebreakers, using dirty tactics to help their clients win. However, there were also managers who were fan favorites, providing guidance and support to their wrestlers. In addition, there were managers who were masters of manipulation, playing mind games with opponents, interfering in matches, and sometimes even being attacked by their client's opponent. In general,the manager is a marketable character who, idealistically, is a draw.

Originally, the main purpose of the manager was to support his client- for example, to speak for them (if the manager could cut a better promo than the wrestler) or interfering in a match on his client's behalf. The bottom line was that the manager should not overshadow his client. However, some of the most famous managers in wrestling history, like Paul Heyman, Bobby Heenan, and Jim Cornette elevated the role of manager, to the extent that fans often paid more attention to them than their clients.

In Paul Heyman's case, he elevated the role of manager to the extent that in 1991 he became the leader of his own faction, the Dangerous Alliance, with the goal of destroying WCW, brick by brick. The alliance consisted of standout talents- WCW United States Heavyweight Champion Rick Rude, Madusa, Arn Anderson, Larry Zbyszko, WCW World Television Champion Steve Austin, and Bobby Eaton.



The evolution of the wrestling manager also saw the arrival of a different type of manager- the valet, a female companion who added glamour and spectacle to the wrestlers' entrances. Classic examples include Miss Elizabeth, Woman, and Lady Blossom.

There also have been cases where people have transitioned into ringside manager roles without initially being presented as managers. Two examples are Luna Vachon, who made her debut in WWE as wrestler but later became ringside manager of Bam Bam Bigelow and Bull Nakano; and Bruce Prichard, who made his debut in the GWF as an announcer but later also become a prominent GWF heel in the company as the manager of GWF North American Champion The Dark Patriot and ally of Scott Anthony and GWF Light Heavyweight Champion Barry Horowitz.

In addition, there is a type of manager that is not involved in the entertainment side of the pro-wrestling industry, instead focusing on the business side. More commonly referred to as, "agents" these days, they play a major role in representing wrestlers and handling various aspects of their professional lives. This kind of manager falls under the talent management and relations umbrella on the business side of wrestling, which I go into detail in my ebook, "The Business Side of Wrestling: A Look Behind the Curtain".

Today, while the traditional role of the manager may be seen much less in most pro-wrestling promotions, there is a noteworthy number of them in Women Of Wrestling. There are four prominent, consistently featured managers in the promotion, which is a higher number than what's typically seen in many other major promotions now. WOW is clearly making a conscious effort to include managers as a significant part of their presentation, and it gives the product a classic wrestling feel as well as provides support for the wrestlers in matches and their character development. The managers are seasoned veteran Abilene Maverick, the fifth-longest-reigning WOW Champion in history, Lana Star, the mystical Siren The Voodoo Doll, the IQ Superior, Samantha Smart, the world's greatest attorney, Sophia Lopez, and the Queen of Chaos, Angelica Dante. Along with being managers, Siren and Smart also step into the ring as wrestlers.

Managers represent a rich history of character development, performance, and the art of promotion. From the early mouthpieces to the modern-day strategists, wrestling managers have played an important role in shaping the landscape of professional wrestling, adding a unique and often disorderly dimension to the squared circle. They are the underrated heroes and villains of the wrestling world, the masterminds behind the mayhem, and a key part of the wrestling business.