He had a cool gimmick , he kept his head covered and wore sun glasses .If he wanted to go out in public , all he had to do was not keep his head covered ,take off his glasses and change his voice a little .That way he did not have to worry about getting his face punched in .
Man...I remember watching this as a kid maybe 12 years old...Wrestling felt like some underground sport\...like a secret you were in on...these guys were simply great performance artists...
I wasn't even a sperm in my dad's ballsack when the Grand Wizard died, but he was amazing. Great promo, great voice, and a great gimmick. He always sounds like a supervillain unveiling his next doomsday plan. It's a shame today he doesn't get the attention he deserves, because he died just prior to the wrestling boom of the mid-80s. A damn shame. RIP Ernie Roth.
WWE should release a DVD containing nothing but classic interviews with managers of heels (bad guys) like the Grand Wizard, Captain Lou Albano, and Classie Fred Blassie. It could become a big seller!
Your correct. But bullhead Vince McMahon would have to like the idea whether it would make money or not! He just as bullheaded as his Father who put the belt on Backlund and almost bankrupted the Company.
These guys pulled off pure genius on personality alone. There was no budget for special effects or other smoke and mirrors and yet somehow these interviews are more fun to watch than anything going on today.
I remember a promo the Wizard did on Bruno back in 1975, when Superstar Graham was one of Bruno's top challengers - the Wizard said something like "After Graham beats Sammartino, all flags at Mama Leone's in NYC will be flown at half-mast!" Great line.
Excellent! excellent line. I remember a line by Freddie Blassie, saying, "when Sammartino and DeNucci go swimming on their backs at the beach, everyone yells shark."
My first memory of wrestling ever was a promo of the grand wizard and Superstar Billy Graham.. I guess when mil mascaras was challenging for the belt.. he made some kind of joke about the mask. And I thought it was funny since the grand wizard himself had half his face with those glasses .
@scott seaver Yes I stand corrected, I did some research and not only is it Cus not Gus but I saw that Charley Goldman MAY have been the inspiration for the character; I had once heard that it was Amato but obviously that was bad information, good catch!
On Halloween 1983 just a little more than two weeks after his death I went to school dressed up as the Grand Wizard. I was 16 at the time and my friends and a few teachers got a big kick out of the fact I did it in memory of him. A few days later they had a wrestling show in Kingston, NY near where I live. My only regret is I didn't go there dressed up as the Manager of Champions. Trivia: The last champion the Grand Wizard managed was the Magnificent Muraco during his first run as Intercontinental Champion from June through November of 1981.
He didn't do it so much in this interview, but his great talent was to a make a rough pebble come across to the fans as a 24 carot diamond. Most of the time his wrestlers were new to the North East Territory and he had a way to get them over as someone incredibly important, rich, skilled, and a serious contender for the belt.
The interviews back then were the best. I remember all the great interviews with the Grand Wizard, Classie Fred Blassie, Lou Albano Jim Cornette and Gary Hart could hold there own too.
As a kid in the late '70s, my grandfather used to do a great impression of the grand wizard. He would get my sister's hair piece and put it over his eyes and do the impression. It was spot on..
Bobby Heenan is the best. Grand Wizard may be in the top 5. I can think of quite a few that are better. Heenan, Corny, Heyman, are 3 just off the top of my head.
He was a longtime favorite of mine, and I'd bet he would've been a natural for the expansion era that came not long after he left us. He was one of the greatest ever on the mic, and much of that was probably attributed to his work as radio DJ.
I used to go to the monthly house shows at the old Boston Gahden! It was great fun! Miss the heel managers like The Wizard, Captain Lou and Freddie Blasse!
A great time in pro wrestling. The mid seventies and Monday nights at Madison Square Garden. Watching Bruno and then Superstar Billy Graham. Priceless memories of many great matches and the many great stars ⭐
Yes My Dad Was There That Night He Said It Was A Shock In Allentown When Everyone Found Out About Ernie Roth "The Grand Wizard" Had Passed Away And Then The Sarge Still A Heel Saluted The Corner And WOW He Said It Was Hard For All Of The Boys AND As Far As Talkers And Great Managers The Greatest Managers ANYWHERE Fred Blassie, Captain Lou Albano, The Grand Wizard, Arnold Skoaland NO BETTER Talkers Wise All Could Talk But Arnie Was Quiet Type BUT YES Hennan Is Great But No Area Had This Magic 4
@@mr.anonymous2981 people like me know that you were cracking a joke, and a excellent one at that, but a couple of these troll idiot's just don't get it.
For a while he was Mr Wonderful Paul Orndorff's manager but when he passed Roddy Piper became his manager and after turning his back to Hulk Hogan he got managed by Bobby The Brain Heenan
Indeed, Freddie was great as a manager, but was far better as a wrestler. It's a shame there's not much footage of Freddie here on UA-cam when he was in his prime, biting everybody's foreheads open. If he hadn't been so great as a wrestler I would have included him, but in my opinion he was far better as a wrestler.
Roth was revealed to be homosexual long after his death, although some were in the know at the time he was living. He was the godfather of protégé Don Muraco's daughter. His parents were Evrum Roth and Rizel Stern
All I can remember was that his death was mentioned by one of the TV announcers and said he was highly excitable implying that this contributed to his untimely death.
The Grand Wizard was a great, but no one and I mean no one worked the mic like Lou Albano. Also unlike the Wizard, Albano could enter the ring and take a bump.
Wizard, Heenan and Wild Red Berry were the three guys that set the template for all other wrestling managers to follow. Albano, Gary Hart, Jim Cornette and Kevin Sullivan were the next best group. And don't forget Paul Bearer, arguably the most unique manager of all time (not greatest, but certainly most unique - he looks like Charley Weaver and Gomez Addams had a baby).
😳I know who can take on the Super Star Billy Graham! 😳 The Greatest Wrestler of all Times and the Most Dangerous Wrestler of all Times! 😳Dr David Schultz! 👍🥇
Pro wrestling characters are like something 4 year-olds would invent off the top of their heads during Recess. Hanna-Barbera cartoons are more convincing 😂
This guy was amazing and could sell anything! I remember watching him every week, and then with his new man Sgt. Slaughter. Sad moment when Slaughter saluted the corner, paying tribute to his former mgr.
Rocky Johnson wrestled Superstar Billy Graham on a card at Madison Square Garden on February 18, 1983. Johnson won by countout after Graham left the ring. This interview refers to that bout.
"It's not the boos of the fans that bothers me McMahon. It's the booze in the fans!"
- The Grand Wizard of Wrestling
True of darts crowds nowadays
He had a cool gimmick , he kept his head covered and wore sun glasses .If he wanted to go out in public , all he had to do was not keep his head covered ,take off his glasses and change his voice a little .That way he did not have to worry about getting his face punched in .
Grew up in NYC watching the WWF. The grand wizard was always one of my favorites. Back then wrestling was very entertaining.
Man...I remember watching this as a kid maybe 12 years old...Wrestling felt like some underground sport\...like a secret you were in on...these guys were simply great performance artists...
Absolutely 👍
Today's wrestling 📺 shows are Goat 🐐 Tripe
The great managers and wrestlers had the gift of gab and The Grand Wizard of Wrestling had it all including the flashy garb he’d wear during promos.
I wasn't even a sperm in my dad's ballsack when the Grand Wizard died, but he was amazing. Great promo, great voice, and a great gimmick. He always sounds like a supervillain unveiling his next doomsday plan. It's a shame today he doesn't get the attention he deserves, because he died just prior to the wrestling boom of the mid-80s. A damn shame. RIP Ernie Roth.
The Grand Wizard didn't get the acclamation because he was gay.
The Grand Wizard. Also the Exalted Manager of the Sheik Abdullah Farouk!! THANKYOU ERNIE ROTH!!
The Grand Wizard was my mom's favorite heel manager. She used to do the "McMahon!" bit the way GW said it. He was hilarious!
“Let me tell you, Mac May In!”
WWE should release a DVD containing nothing but classic interviews with managers of heels (bad guys) like the Grand Wizard, Captain Lou Albano, and Classie Fred Blassie.
It could become a big seller!
Absolutely..........I wish I come back in my next life and be the one who writes the script.....lol
altfactor Id buy it. I miss these guys. Grand Wizard. Captain Lou Albano. Classy Freddie Blassie. The best period of wrestling.
Your correct. But bullhead Vince McMahon would have to like the idea whether it would make money or not! He just as bullheaded as his Father who put the belt on Backlund and almost bankrupted the Company.
These guys pulled off pure genius on personality alone. There was no budget for special effects or other smoke and mirrors and yet somehow these interviews are more fun to watch than anything going on today.
Yes, and an absolute riot how they ripped the audience into a frenzy.
Wrestling was entertaining back then.
You knew them all.
Now, nothing.
you took the words right out of my mouth
The Greatest Manager in Professional Wrestling! Rest well, Earnie!
Actually no......
@@THEMOECOOPERSHOWTM Actually Yessssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss
Bobby Heenan is the GOAT
I remember a promo the Wizard did on Bruno back in 1975, when Superstar Graham was one of Bruno's top challengers - the Wizard said something like "After Graham beats Sammartino, all flags at Mama Leone's in NYC will be flown at half-mast!" Great line.
Excellent! excellent line. I remember a line by Freddie Blassie, saying, "when Sammartino and DeNucci go swimming on their backs at the beach, everyone yells shark."
Excellent!
My first memory of wrestling ever was a promo of the grand wizard and Superstar Billy Graham.. I guess when mil mascaras was challenging for the belt.. he made some kind of joke about the mask. And I thought it was funny since the grand wizard himself had half his face with those glasses .
This was my wrestling Lol thanks !
Actually the line was about DiNucci and Strongbow in a Spiros Arion interview that was classic Blassie.
The grand wizard should be in the hall of fame
What a legend The Wizard was, a, pull over by one of the most iconic managers in WWE.....Respect, Missed, and Loved....RIP WIZARD..!!!!!
One of the all time greats, most definitely!
He sounds like Mickey Goldmill from the "Rocky" movies!
He was probably the inspiration for Mickey
@@SnipingIsFun No that was Gus Amato a boxing trainer that Mickey was based on.
@scott seaver Yes I stand corrected, I did some research and not only is it Cus not Gus but I saw that Charley Goldman MAY have been the inspiration for the character; I had once heard that it was Amato but obviously that was bad information, good catch!
The Grand Wizard of Wrestling was way BEFORE Rocky. The Grand Wizard was AN ORIGINAL
The Grand Wizard was a master on the stick
The greatest manager of all time and I don't recall him ever having to get physically involved all 5'6 125 lbs of him.
Just the Strongbow vs valentine television match where valentine broke Strongbows leg he poured water on valentine
This dude was the king of interviews back in the day. Scared me as a boy,
On Halloween 1983 just a little more than two weeks after his death I went to school dressed up as the Grand Wizard. I was 16 at the time and my friends and a few teachers got a big kick out of the fact I did it in memory of him. A few days later they had a wrestling show in Kingston, NY near where I live. My only regret is I didn't go there dressed up as the Manager of Champions.
Trivia: The last champion the Grand Wizard managed was the Magnificent Muraco during his first run as Intercontinental Champion from June through November of 1981.
That’s awesome
Would you happen to have a picture of yourself dressed up as The Grand Wizard?
@@MsSmitty9unfortunately no. I'm hoping someday I find out one of my classmates took a photo of me and surprises me with it. You never know.
grand and his awesome collection of futuristic sunglasses.
Was Levar Burton watching, looking for inspiration for a future role?
He didn't do it so much in this interview, but his great talent was to a make a rough pebble come across to the fans as a 24 carot diamond. Most of the time his wrestlers were new to the North East Territory and he had a way to get them over as someone incredibly important, rich, skilled, and a serious contender for the belt.
I met Lou Albano in about 1980, he was a really nice guy and gave me an autograph. Only celebrity I ever met, but still a great thrill.
That was the same year I met Jesse Owens, not very long before he died. That was a great thrill.
Best manager of all time. No one better. He was the textbook.
The interviews back then were the best. I remember all the great interviews with the Grand Wizard, Classie Fred Blassie, Lou Albano
Jim Cornette and Gary Hart could hold there own too.
Don't forget the manager, Slick! Eggzactagaly!
As a kid in the late '70s, my grandfather used to do a great impression of the grand wizard. He would get my sister's hair piece and put it over his eyes and do the impression. It was spot on..
The Grand Wizard loved this dude
He kinda sorta always reminded me of actor, Paul Lynde
its that gay persona
Yea, u r right.
best manager of all time
Did his client end the streak? No.
+Mr Conservative Screw Brock Schlocky Lesnar, The Next Best Thing!
Yes he did, he broke Bruno's second title run streak
You're confusing him with Bobby Heenan, who was the greatest of all time.
Bobby Heenan is the best. Grand Wizard may be in the top 5. I can think of quite a few that are better. Heenan, Corny, Heyman, are 3 just off the top of my head.
thats was the best part of wrestling back in the day.
You couldn't get away with name today
I know right.
Grand wizard was funny.
Colorful character.
My all-time fave manager. RIP.
Truth Martini reminds me of a modern day Grand Wizard.
Combine Paul Lynde and Gilbert Gottfried and you have The Grand Wizard of Wrestling
this guy and ox baker scared the shit out of me when I was a Kid
He was a longtime favorite of mine, and I'd bet he would've been a natural for the expansion era that came not long after he left us. He was one of the greatest ever on the mic, and much of that was probably attributed to his work as radio DJ.
John Dupont wow, a radio DJ?
Totally makes sense.
Thanks for sharing
I forgot how good the Grand Wizard was.
Nobody beats the Wiz on the mic
I never knew Jordi LaForge was once in the WWF
I used to go to the monthly house shows at the old Boston Gahden! It was great fun! Miss the heel managers like The Wizard, Captain Lou and Freddie Blasse!
Time goes by. In a short few years Rockys son would be the biggest Star ever.
Back when wrestlers and managers could cut promos and let their own personalities shine through unlike today where promos are scripted for them.
loved the grand wizard
This guy could have gotten anyone over. Hell, John Morrison would be a world champion by now if he had him.
The Wiz was a true legend!!
A great time in pro wrestling. The mid seventies and Monday nights at Madison Square Garden. Watching Bruno and then Superstar Billy Graham. Priceless memories of many great matches and the many great stars ⭐
all hail the wiz
Yes My Dad Was There That Night He Said It Was A Shock In Allentown When Everyone Found Out About Ernie Roth "The Grand Wizard" Had Passed Away And Then The Sarge Still A Heel Saluted The Corner And WOW He Said It Was Hard For All Of The Boys AND As Far As Talkers And Great Managers The Greatest Managers ANYWHERE Fred Blassie, Captain Lou Albano, The Grand Wizard,
Arnold Skoaland NO BETTER Talkers Wise All Could Talk But Arnie Was Quiet Type BUT YES Hennan Is Great But No Area Had This Magic 4
He had the best IMAGE as a manager, but on the mic, I'd have to say the best was Heenan, though Wiz was up there close behind.
The Brain, the Grand Wizard and the Hollywood Fashion Plate were all so good that it's not meaningful to say that one was better than another.
Back in the day, I had The Grand Wizard, Albano and Blassie bidding against each other to sign me to a contract.
a contract to do gay porn.
You are a peasant.
@@mr.anonymous2981 people like me know that you were cracking a joke, and a excellent one at that, but a couple of these troll idiot's just don't get it.
I worked security at wrestling shows,I saw the wizard with out his turbin. He looked completely different. OY!
"I see nothing sensational about Rocky Johnson." Gotta love the Grand Wizard, best interview of all-time.
Star Trek the Next Generation ripped this guy's glasses off when they put them on the blind guy.
Abdullah Farouk!! Manager of the SHEIK in the Ontario Wrestling Promotions in the NWA!!
Wwe needs more managers like him. Enzo would make a great manager vause you want to beat his ass but he can rap/ talk on the mic
The only manager I know of who I never saw take a bump. Maybe an agreement he had with Vince Sr.
Well ahead of his time.
For a while he was Mr Wonderful Paul Orndorff's manager but when he passed Roddy Piper became his manager and after turning his back to Hulk Hogan he got managed by Bobby The Brain Heenan
Indeed, Freddie was great as a manager, but was far better as a wrestler. It's a shame there's not much footage of Freddie here on UA-cam when he was in his prime, biting everybody's foreheads open. If he hadn't been so great as a wrestler I would have included him, but in my opinion he was far better as a wrestler.
Roth was revealed to be homosexual long after his death, although some were in the know at the time he was living. He was the godfather of protégé Don Muraco's daughter. His parents were Evrum Roth and Rizel Stern
Is there a book on some of these guys like Roth, Albano, Blassie?
The Wiz gay? Say it ain't so. Next you will tell us that Liberace was gay....
The Grand Wizard was probably the best interviewee in the history of TV rassling!
The Grand Wizard of professional wrestling
One of the all-time best.
Anyone know how the WWF addressed Wizard's death in 1983?
All I can remember was that his death was mentioned by one of the TV announcers and said he was highly excitable implying that this contributed to his untimely death.
Out if the 3 heel managers back in the day..the Wizard was my favorite.
The Grand Wizard was a great, but no one and I mean no one worked the mic like Lou Albano. Also unlike the Wizard, Albano could enter the ring and take a bump.
I noticed that is says "no description available" above. It should say "NO DESCRIPTION POSSIBLE"! The Grand Wizard rules!
The good old days. Gone forever.
I believe that Rocky Johnson is The Rock's father... correct?
yep
I keep hearing about that moment, but where can I find a CLIP of that happening on UA-cam???
I've seen him out of costume,you wouldn't know him if walking down street.
dude looks like a Flash villain
Best Manager Ever!!
It’s truly a wonder that this man could actually see through those ridiculously narrow sunglasses.
Star trek the next generation had to have capitalized on some of this mans attire
A great heel manager!
I love the Wizard
Legendary Hall of Famer.
How tall was he?
Was bobby heenan brought in to fill void left by the death of the grand wizard
nobody as good as the grand wizard of wrestling.
Wizard, Heenan and Wild Red Berry were the three guys that set the template for all other wrestling managers to follow. Albano, Gary Hart, Jim Cornette and Kevin Sullivan were the next best group. And don't forget Paul Bearer, arguably the most unique manager of all time (not greatest, but certainly most unique - he looks like Charley Weaver and Gomez Addams had a baby).
Don't forget Percy Pringle who Bearer was before.
you forgot classy freddie blasie
Not many clips of the Wizard I wish they would get us more. Funny stuff.
What year was this?
😳I know who can take on the Super Star Billy Graham!
😳 The Greatest Wrestler of all Times and the Most Dangerous Wrestler of all Times!
😳Dr David Schultz! 👍🥇
This that bloke that rescued Luke from the Jabba palace 🤔
Ernie has sick shades.
More laughs in one minute of the Wizard than in a year of today's pathetic product.
the grand wizard
the grand wizard reminds me of another actor seen as the penguin in the 1970 s batman ... could it be the same actor ???
+john g . ... 1966 ??? #*?>!+?? I WASN'T BORN YET !!!
Yes, he does have a similar appearance to Burgess Meredith, but no it's not him.
Macker Maldrill And of course BM would break out as Rockys trainer so no confusion there.
Rocky's Trainer
Cameo by Andy Capp @ 0:46
Pro wrestling characters are like something 4 year-olds would invent off the top of their heads during Recess.
Hanna-Barbera cartoons are more convincing 😂
Vince's dad??? That was the rumor back in the day.
@MrCarl220 He already is in the HOF!
This guy was amazing and could sell anything! I remember watching him every week, and then with his new man Sgt. Slaughter. Sad moment when Slaughter saluted the corner, paying tribute to his former mgr.
Was There Watched It In Allentown Pa In Agricultural Hall Broke My Heart #RespectAndPrayers #TheGrandWizardOfWrestling #ErnieRoth
HOW THE FUCK DID HE SEE OUT THEM GLASSES
This is from 82/83
Rocky Johnson wrestled Superstar Billy Graham on a card at Madison Square Garden on February 18, 1983. Johnson won by countout after Graham left the ring. This interview refers to that bout.
Young people today just don't have the same sense of humor as McMahon and them had back then.
What do you say WWE, Grand Wizard in the HOF next??
Did you know he was gay. But still a Great manager