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{{Infobox Wrestler |
{{Infobox Wrestler |
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− | | name = Arnold Skaaland<br>[[File: |
+ | | name = Arnold Skaaland<br>[[File:WWE HOF 2013.png|150px]]<br>Class of 1994 |
− | | image = [[ |
+ | | image = [[File:Arnold Skaaland Full.png|200px]] |
| names = Arnold Skaaland<br>Bobby Weaver |
| names = Arnold Skaaland<br>Bobby Weaver |
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| height = 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) |
| height = 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) |
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In the late 1950s, he wrestled in Georgia under the ring name Bobby Weaver. In the early 1960s, Skaaland unsuccessfully challenged both [[Pat O'Connor]] and [[Buddy Rogers|"Nature Boy" Buddy Rogers]] for the [[NWA World Heavyweight Championship]]. In 1962, he refereed a match between [[Freddie Blassie]] and [[Rikidōzan]] in Japan. |
In the late 1950s, he wrestled in Georgia under the ring name Bobby Weaver. In the early 1960s, Skaaland unsuccessfully challenged both [[Pat O'Connor]] and [[Buddy Rogers|"Nature Boy" Buddy Rogers]] for the [[NWA World Heavyweight Championship]]. In 1962, he refereed a match between [[Freddie Blassie]] and [[Rikidōzan]] in Japan. |
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− | In 1963, Skaaland was a part of the newly created, New York City-based [[World Wrestling Entertainment|World Wide Wrestling Federation]]. On June 1, 1967 he collected his only title as one half of the [[WWWF United States Tag Team |
+ | In 1963, Skaaland was a part of the newly created, New York City-based [[World Wrestling Entertainment|World Wide Wrestling Federation]]. On June 1, 1967 he collected his only title as one half of the [[WWWF United States Tag Team Championship|WWWF United States Tag Team Championships]], when [[Tony Parisi]] gave his half of the title to Skaaland. Skaaland and his partner, [[Spiros Arion]], soon lost the titles to [[The Sicilians]] ([[Lou Albano]] and [[Tony Altimore]]) on July 10, 1967 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Arion and [[Bruno Sammartino]] rewon the belts two weeks later, and retired them. |
− | In addition to wrestling, Skaaland was a shareholder of the Capitol Wrestling Corporation, the parent company of the WWWF, and a business partner of WWWF Chairman [[Vince McMahon|Vince McMahon Sr.]] Skaaland was responsible for producing WWWF shows in the Westchester County Center in Westchester County, New York and serving as an agent for [[André the Giant]]. |
+ | In addition to wrestling, Skaaland was a shareholder of the Capitol Wrestling Corporation, the parent company of the WWWF, and a business partner of WWWF Chairman [[Vince McMahon, Jr.|Vince McMahon Sr.]] Skaaland was responsible for producing WWWF shows in the Westchester County Center in Westchester County, New York and serving as an agent for [[André the Giant]]. |
Skaaland managed Bruno Sammartino and [[Bob Backlund]], with both men winning the [[WWE World Heavyweight Championship|WWF World Heavyweight Championship]] under his tutelage. Around the time Backlund won the title in 1978, Skaaland retired from regular wrestling, though he occasionally appeared as a late substitute for wrestlers that couldn't make a show. Pro Wrestling Illustrated named Skaaland Manager of the Year for 1978 and 1979. Backlund's lengthy reign ended on December 26, 1983 when Skaaland threw in the towel while Backlund was trapped in the camel clutch, the finishing move of challenger [[The Iron Sheik]]. |
Skaaland managed Bruno Sammartino and [[Bob Backlund]], with both men winning the [[WWE World Heavyweight Championship|WWF World Heavyweight Championship]] under his tutelage. Around the time Backlund won the title in 1978, Skaaland retired from regular wrestling, though he occasionally appeared as a late substitute for wrestlers that couldn't make a show. Pro Wrestling Illustrated named Skaaland Manager of the Year for 1978 and 1979. Backlund's lengthy reign ended on December 26, 1983 when Skaaland threw in the towel while Backlund was trapped in the camel clutch, the finishing move of challenger [[The Iron Sheik]]. |
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Skaaland appeared in the 1987 music video for the title track from Piledriver - The Wrestling Album 2, "Piledriver" by Koko B. Ware as the foreman of a construction site. In 1994, he was inducted into the [[WWE Hall Of Fame|WWF Hall of Fame]] for managing both Sammartino and Backlund to the (W)WWF World Heavyweight Championship. He appeared on WWF television later that year, with Backlund attacking him in order to consolidate his heel turn. |
Skaaland appeared in the 1987 music video for the title track from Piledriver - The Wrestling Album 2, "Piledriver" by Koko B. Ware as the foreman of a construction site. In 1994, he was inducted into the [[WWE Hall Of Fame|WWF Hall of Fame]] for managing both Sammartino and Backlund to the (W)WWF World Heavyweight Championship. He appeared on WWF television later that year, with Backlund attacking him in order to consolidate his heel turn. |
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− | ==Personal |
+ | ==Personal life== |
Skaaland served in the U.S. Marines during World War II. |
Skaaland served in the U.S. Marines during World War II. |
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− | Skaaland died on March 13, 2007, with his wife Betty Skaaland by his side. He is interred at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Hawthorne, New York. Skaaland's |
+ | Skaaland died on March 13, 2007, with his wife Betty Skaaland by his side. He is interred at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Hawthorne, New York. Skaaland's widow Betty was embraced by [[John Cena]] as she sat ringside before Cena's match with [[The Rock]] at [[Wrestlemania 28]]. He also was the father of three sons and the grandfather of four. |
==In wrestling== |
==In wrestling== |
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*'''Wrestlers managed''' |
*'''Wrestlers managed''' |
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− | **Bob Backlund |
+ | **[[Bob Backlund]] |
− | **Tony Parisi |
+ | **[[Tony Parisi]] |
− | **Bruno Sammartino |
+ | **[[Bruno Sammartino]] |
**[[Rick McGraw]] |
**[[Rick McGraw]] |
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==Championships and accomplishments== |
==Championships and accomplishments== |
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− | *'''Cauliflower Alley Club''' |
+ | *'''[[Cauliflower Alley Club]]''' |
**Other honoree (1994) |
**Other honoree (1994) |
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− | *'''Pro Wrestling Illustrated''' |
+ | *'''[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated]]''' |
**PWI Manager of the Year (1978, 1979) |
**PWI Manager of the Year (1978, 1979) |
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*'''[[World Wrestling Entertainment|World Wide Wrestling Federation/World Wrestling Federation]]''' |
*'''[[World Wrestling Entertainment|World Wide Wrestling Federation/World Wrestling Federation]]''' |
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*[[File:Owow logo.jpg|50px]] [http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/a/arnold-skaaland.html Arnold Skaaland Profile on Online World of Wrestling] |
*[[File:Owow logo.jpg|50px]] [http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/a/arnold-skaaland.html Arnold Skaaland Profile on Online World of Wrestling] |
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+ | {{WWE Hall of Fame}} |
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− | {{DEFAULTSORT:Skaaland, Arnold}} |
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[[Category:American wrestlers]] |
[[Category:American wrestlers]] |
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[[Category:Managers and valets]] |
[[Category:Managers and valets]] |
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[[Category:WWE Hall of Fame inductees]] |
[[Category:WWE Hall of Fame inductees]] |
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⚫ | |||
[[Category:Wrestlers who have died]] |
[[Category:Wrestlers who have died]] |
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+ | [[Category:Former military]] |
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⚫ | |||
+ | [[Category:1925 births]] |
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[[Category:2007 deaths]] |
[[Category:2007 deaths]] |
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⚫ | |||
⚫ | |||
⚫ | |||
[[Category:1946 debuts]] |
[[Category:1946 debuts]] |
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⚫ | |||
[[Category:1978 retirements]] |
[[Category:1978 retirements]] |
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− | [[Category: |
+ | [[Category:All Japan Pro Wrestling alumni]] |
⚫ | |||
[[Category:Championship Wrestling From Florida alumni]] |
[[Category:Championship Wrestling From Florida alumni]] |
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[[Category:Georgia Championship Wrestling alumni]] |
[[Category:Georgia Championship Wrestling alumni]] |
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− | [[Category: |
+ | [[Category:Maple Leaf Wrestling alumni]] |
− | [[Category: |
+ | [[Category:National Wrestling Alliance alumni]] |
⚫ | |||
⚫ | |||
⚫ | |||
+ | [[Category:Former boxers]] |
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+ | [[Category:Male wrestlers]] |
Revision as of 07:28, 27 February 2019
Arnold Skaaland (January 21, 1925 - March 13, 2007) was an American professional wrestler and manager.
Career
After a short-lived attempt to make a living through boxing, he became a professional wrestler and debuted in 1946 as "Arnold Skaaland". Though competing under his real name, he was billed early in his career as hailing from Norway. Skaaland gained the nickname "The Golden Boy" and was known as a small, agile wrestler who relied on speed, wits, and toughness in the ring rather than size and strength.
In the late 1950s, he wrestled in Georgia under the ring name Bobby Weaver. In the early 1960s, Skaaland unsuccessfully challenged both Pat O'Connor and "Nature Boy" Buddy Rogers for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship. In 1962, he refereed a match between Freddie Blassie and Rikidōzan in Japan.
In 1963, Skaaland was a part of the newly created, New York City-based World Wide Wrestling Federation. On June 1, 1967 he collected his only title as one half of the WWWF United States Tag Team Championships, when Tony Parisi gave his half of the title to Skaaland. Skaaland and his partner, Spiros Arion, soon lost the titles to The Sicilians (Lou Albano and Tony Altimore) on July 10, 1967 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Arion and Bruno Sammartino rewon the belts two weeks later, and retired them.
In addition to wrestling, Skaaland was a shareholder of the Capitol Wrestling Corporation, the parent company of the WWWF, and a business partner of WWWF Chairman Vince McMahon Sr. Skaaland was responsible for producing WWWF shows in the Westchester County Center in Westchester County, New York and serving as an agent for André the Giant.
Skaaland managed Bruno Sammartino and Bob Backlund, with both men winning the WWF World Heavyweight Championship under his tutelage. Around the time Backlund won the title in 1978, Skaaland retired from regular wrestling, though he occasionally appeared as a late substitute for wrestlers that couldn't make a show. Pro Wrestling Illustrated named Skaaland Manager of the Year for 1978 and 1979. Backlund's lengthy reign ended on December 26, 1983 when Skaaland threw in the towel while Backlund was trapped in the camel clutch, the finishing move of challenger The Iron Sheik.
Skaaland appeared in the 1987 music video for the title track from Piledriver - The Wrestling Album 2, "Piledriver" by Koko B. Ware as the foreman of a construction site. In 1994, he was inducted into the WWF Hall of Fame for managing both Sammartino and Backlund to the (W)WWF World Heavyweight Championship. He appeared on WWF television later that year, with Backlund attacking him in order to consolidate his heel turn.
Personal life
Skaaland served in the U.S. Marines during World War II.
Skaaland died on March 13, 2007, with his wife Betty Skaaland by his side. He is interred at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Hawthorne, New York. Skaaland's widow Betty was embraced by John Cena as she sat ringside before Cena's match with The Rock at Wrestlemania 28. He also was the father of three sons and the grandfather of four.
In wrestling
- Nicknames
- "The Golden Boy"
- Wrestlers managed
Championships and accomplishments
- Cauliflower Alley Club
- Other honoree (1994)
- Pro Wrestling Illustrated
- PWI Manager of the Year (1978, 1979)
- World Wide Wrestling Federation/World Wrestling Federation
- WWWF United States Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Spiros Arion
- WWF Hall of Fame (Class of 1994)
- Lifetime Achievement Slammy Award (1997)
External links
- WWE.com Profile
- Arnold Skaaland Profile on CAGEMATCH
- Arnold Skaaland Profile on Online World of Wrestling