Robert Segedy
Today’s spotlight focuses in on Ernie Roth better known to WWWF fans as ‘The Grand Wizard of Wrestling.’ One of the premier managers of his era…
As far as managers went, none was as iconic as Ernie Roth aka The Grand Wizard of Wrestling. Dressed to the nine’s, usually sporting a loud jacket, wrap around shades, and the ever-present turban, Roth was a sight to behold. It wasn’t his physical presence that made him a threat, it was his ability to talk. Barely 5’7” and weighing no more than a mere 130 lbs. Roth nonetheless was an impressive advisory. Born in Ohio on August 30, 1926, Roth came into contact with promoter Jim Barnett who introduced him to the world of wrestling. In the past he had used several other pseudonyms such as Mr. Clean and J. Wellington Radcliffe, but it was as Abdullah Farouk, the manager of that crazed manic The Original Sheik, that he first really caught notice of the fans. During the five-year period that Roth managed The Sheik’s affairs, Roth would do all the talking for the Arabian madman while in the Detroit area, leading his protégé to numerous titles. Often found cringing behind his charge when threatened, Roth would incite the fans anger and he could often be found distracting the referee while The Sheik reached for a foreign object.
It would be in the 70’s where the WWWF fans would be introduced to a new colorful manager: The Grand Wizard of Wrestling. Managing an assortment of heels, Roth would be one of three managers in the early days of television. Known as “The Three Wise Men”, the group included Classie Freddie Blassie, Captain Lou Albano, and The Grand Wizard. Roth, who was Jewish, allegedly took the name as a snub to the white supremacy group the Ku Klux Klan whose leaders were called Grand Wizard.
Roth championed an impressive group of heels including Black Jack Mulligan, Mr. Fuji, and Professor Toru Tanaka, and on December 1st, 1973, under Roth’s leadership Stan “The Man” Stasiak was awarded a victory over the current WWWF championship held by Pedro Morales in Philadelphia. A year later The Wizard’s protégé Superstar Billy Graham was awarded the belt on April 30, 1977, due to a victory over the current champion Bruno Sammartino in Baltimore. The fans could not believe their eyes that their beloved hero Bruno was defeated.
In 1995, Roth was posthumously admitted to the WWF Hall of Fame by his former protégé and friend Sgt. Slaughter. Roth died suddenly on October 12, 1983, of a heart attack in his Fort Lauderdale home at the age of 57. Even though we have seen many managers in the past, none have been as influential as The Grand Wizard of Wrestling.
Amerigo Diehl
One of my favorite custom made ljn figures is my grand wizard. I had just turned 11 when he died and it was a shock to me. He was the first of the characters I’d watch each week to pass away. It seemed surreal.
David Fullam
One of the true greats.