Ernie Roth
Acting
Biography
Irwin "Ernie" Roth, known by the ring names The Grand Wizard of Wrestling and Abdullah Farouk, was an American professional wrestling manager. Not a wrestler himself due to his small stature, he was noted for his flamboyant outfit of sequined jackets, wraparound sunglasses, and a brightly colored turban decorated with jewels and feathers. He was inducted into the WWE's Hall of Fame class of 1995. Ernie Roth got his start in the entertainment business as a disc jockey. He was discovered by Jim Barnett who helped Roth get into the wrestling industry. He became involved in professional wrestling as a manager in the 1960s in Detroit-based territories. Roth first worked under the names "Mr. Clean" and "J. Wellington Radcliffe." He also portrayed "Abdullah Farouk", the heel (villainous) manager of The Sheik. He frequently appeared on the Toronto wrestling circuit, where local announcer Lord Athol Layton would usually refer to him as "The weasel, Abdullah Farouk". Sporting a turban, Farouk took great pains in trying to control his madman protégé. But he also carved a niche for himself as a deceitful, underhanded character who insulted US fans whenever he had a chance. Farouk was a pioneer of "manager interference", as he physically would attempt to alter a match's outcome in the Sheik's favor. This sort of interference was rare at the time. Roth began a stint with the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF) in the 1970s, where he became known as The Grand Wizard. Roth, who was Jewish, reportedly took the name "The Grand Wizard" as a snub to the white supremacy organization the Ku Klux Klan, whose leaders were called Grand Wizard. Almost immediately after arrival in 1971, the Wizard managed Black Jack Mulligan and "Beautiful Bobby" Harmon. He later led Mr. Fuji and Prof. Toru Tanaka to two reigns with the WWWF World Tag Team Championship. A year later, the Wizard led Stan Stasiak to victory over Pedro Morales for the WWF Championship in Philadelphia on December 1, 1973. The Wizard guided a second protégé, Superstar Billy Graham, to the very same championship on April 30, 1977, when Graham overcame Bruno Sammartino in Baltimore. On February 20, 1978, Bob Backlund dethroned Graham at Madison Square Garden. The Wizard made it his duty to gain revenge on Backlund, sending charges such as Don Muraco, Ken Patera and Greg Valentine after him. The Wizard managed the first Intercontinental Champion Pat Patterson, and later Patera (who defeated Patterson for the title in April 1980 after the Wizard and Patterson parted ways) and Muraco to the same championship.[3] Other protégés of the Wizard included "Beautiful Bobby" Harmon, Killer Kowalski, "Crazy Luke" Graham, Sgt. Slaughter, "Big Cat" Ernie Ladd, Ox Baker, "Cowboy" Bob Orton and The Masked Superstar.
Known For
A professional wrestling television program produced by the World Wrestling Federation banner on NBC airing in place of Saturday Night Live. The series was made up entirely of star vs. star bouts in a time when weekly programming consisted primarily of established stars dominating enhancement talent.
WWE Saturday Night's Main Event
The greatest WWE Superstars of the 1975s & 1982s, including Andre the Giant, Bob Backlund, and Bruno Sammartino compete in exciting matches.
WWF All-Star Wrestling
The first nationally syndicated WWE television series, Championship Wrestling features numerous WWE Hall of Famers and Legends in action.
WWF Championship Wrestling
Join Renee Young and Mean Gene Okerlund for a special look at the 1995 WWE Hall of Fame Ceremony. The careers and legacies of the inductees of the Class of 1995 are featured including Pedro Morales, "Big Cat" Ernie Ladd, Antonio Rocca, Ivan Putski, George "The Animal" Steele, The Grand Wizard, and the first female inductee, The Fabulous Moolah.
WWE Hall Of Fame 1995
Showcasing the legendary and immeasurable power of the Eighth Wonder of the World, Andre the Giant in this home video classic; Andre is in action against some of his most memorable foes, including Big John Studd, The Wild Samoans and Ken Patera.
Andre the Giant
Celebrate the careers and legacies of the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2004, featuring Sgt. Slaughter, Harley Race, Jesse "The Body" Ventura, Junkyard Dog, Superstar Billy Graham, Greg "The Hammer" Valentine, Bobby "The Brain" Heenan, Don Muraco, Tito Santana, and Big John Studd. Plus, Pete Rose's special induction to the celebrity wing.
WWE Hall of Fame 2004
At last, homage is paid to the brains and beauties behind the brawn- the most famous and infamous managers in wrestling history. The men and women you'll see here are the architects of a Superstar's success, and sometimes the designers of their downfall. These Master manipulators will go down in history as the World's Greatest Wrestling Managers: Captain Lou Albano, "Classy" Freddy Blassie, Jim Cornette, Miss Elizabeth, "The Mouth of the South" Jimmy Hart, Bobby "The Brain" Heenan, Paul Heyman, Sensational Sherri, "Golden Boy" Arnold Skaaland, Sunny, The Grand Wizard and many more!
WWE: The World's Greatest Wrestling Managers
A "documentary" showcasing the Detroit professional wrestling scene of the 1970s. The story centers around a campaign to ban the Sheik.
I Like To Hurt People
Featuring footage from Wrestlemania 2, a "Manager of the Year" ceremony, "Macho Man" Randy Savage's introduction of his new manager (Miss Elizabeth) and matches including Nikolai Volkoff vs George "The Animal" Steele and Captain Lou Alabano & Afa the Samoan vs Andre the Giant & Pedro Morales! Additionally, there are appearances by Cyndi Lauper, Mr. Fuji, The Grand Wizard, Bobby "The Brain" Heenan, Jimmy "Mouth of the South" Hart, "Luscious" Johnny Valiant, "Classy" Freddie Blassie & much more!
The WWF's Amazing Managers
WWF stadium show in the summer of 1980 from Shea Stadium in Flushing, Queens, New York.