My Breakfast with Blassie (1983) - IMDb The widow of pro-wrestling villain "Classy" Freddie Blassie got thrown for a fall by a supermarket floor mat. The series began at Roosevelt Stadium, Jersey City, New Jersey in 1964, with Blassie winning on a technicality, but not a pin. The rematches were held at Madison Square Garden in New York, with Sammartino winning out. [9] During this stint with the company, Blassie was managed by his future nemesis, "Captain" Lou Albano.[3]. [7] As the wrestlers became familiar with him, they began teaching him holds. After a 39-year in-ring career in the sport, Blassie retired as a wrestler as a 4x WWA World Heavyweight Champion, a 17x NWA Georgia Southern Heavyweight Champion, NWA Junior Heavyweight Champion, as well as dozens more regional titles in multiple NWA territories. I think Dick Lane was as good as Gordon Solie in his day. Fred Blassie was born and raised in the St. Louis, Missouri, area. The World's Most Entertaining Car Website. Still a motormouth, he gave interviews in which he bragged about himself and his protgs and denounced anybody he didn't like as a "pencil necked geek". the late 1960s, he moved to the East Coast and the World-Wide Wrestling Vince McMahon interviews "Classy" Freddie Blassie & Nikolai Volkoff In 1950, he had his first challenge for the NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship, facing championLou Theszin Kentucky. Accounts about his early athletic career do not quite agree, but he He liked to use a variety of names but had trouble gaining the affection of fans who gravitated toward the likes of Lou Thesz and Gorgeous George. WWE Confidential: The life and times of "Classy" Freddie Blassie Blassie retired from wrestling in 1986, turning over his stable of heels to another manager called Slick. In 1961, he defeated Eduoard Carpentier for the WWA World Heavyweight Championship, a title that held prominence in the pro-wrestling world, since WWA was an outlaw territory outside the realm of the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA). Some of the guys were businessmen, some were political types, and some others Im sure were mobsters. He had been in poor health for quite a while, and it was as if he wanted to wait to get his story out before he passed on. "No. Greenberg would add that Jerry Grahams drinking issues may have been combined with mental illness. After being pounded by a longer-limbed opponent, he Blassie came into the WWWF with his own world title belt, claiming to be the Pacific World Champion, and was coming to Sammartino's "back yard" to unify the world title. [2] During that same title reign, in a match against Lord James Blears a fan threw acid on his back, and he had to return immediately to the locker room to wash it off; over the course of his career, he was also stabbed 21 times and lost vision in his right eye after being struck by a thrown hard-boiled egg. He was 85. WWE Confidential presents a feature on the life and times of the fashion plate of professional wrestling, "Classy" Freddie Blassie. Born: 1921. ROH Best in the World (7/11/21) Preview and Predictions, Preview: Ice Ribbon 1133 in 176Box (7/11/21), first African-American to hold a World title. [6] He performed for that promotion until his full retirement from professional wrestling in 1986. wrestled as a dark-haired good guy until he found out that the "heels" In 1973, knee problems largely forced Blassie to stop wrestling personally, though he occasionally donned the tights to tag-team with one of his heels, as he did in Madison Square Garden in June 1974, teaming with the hulking Nikolai Volkoff to face then-champ Bruno Sammartino and Chief Jay Strongbow in a tag team match (Blassie was forced to submit for the final fall by a Bruno bearhug, and the fans almost tore the Garden's roof off). Linda Lautrec and Andy Kaufman loosely scripted the film over several months late at night on the telephone. Freddie Blassie Wrestlers Database CAGEMATCH - The Internet His heels were always a bit more exotic and meaner than most. Many people close to him actually had no idea that he had children in the first place. A gifted gabber and a splashy dresser, Blassie guided The Iron Shiek to the WWF World Heavyweight title in 1983, Iron Sheik and Nikolai Volkoff to the WWF World Tag Team titles, as well as managing such clients as Adrian Adonis, Jesse The Body Ventura, Kamala, Hercules Hernandez, and even Hulk Hogan during his first stint in the WWF. In this match Hogan was once again victorious. Moto-1964 and w/Buddy Austin-1967); NWA America's Heavyweight championships (5); Georgia Heavyweight title; "Beat The Champ" TV Title; NWA America's Brass Knuckles Title. His career began in earnest after his service in the United States Navy during World War II. Blassie retired from active wrestling in 1974, due to a California law that prohibited anyone over 55 from getting a wrestling license. Take Linda McMahon, for instance. He would become a frequent foe of Morales throughout the rest of his in-ring career in WWWF. He has written several wrestling biographies including Freddie Blassies The Legends of Wrestling, Ric Flairs To Be The Man, "Superstar" Billy Grahams Tangled Ropes,and the unreleased biography of The Iron Sheik which, despite being chockful of stories that would be sure to make your jaw drop, will never see the light of day. Freddie Blassie Also known as Fred Blassie, Fred McDaniel Overview Career Career highlights Titles Matches Match Statistics Matchguide Feuds Promos Tournaments Tag Teams & Stables Entourage Awards Books Wrestling Games Movies Commentary Career Ratings Comments Matches Displaying items 1 to 100 of total 1631 items that match the search parameters. Lynne Margulies, who would later become Kaufman's girlfriend, plays a role; in fact, she and Kaufman met for the first time on camera. He, Albano, and "The Grand Wizard of Wrestling" (Ernie Roth) formed the WWWF's "Evil Trinity" of heel managers. His net worth has been growing significantly in 2021-2022. Blassie, Murray wrote, has dedicated his life to wrapping up as much hate as one man can safely carry in a lifetime. Without further ado, lets do an overview of Blassies career for fans who may not know much about him. Even more important than that, Blassie would make a change that would make him an icon. He also began filing his teeth, transitioning from Sailor to The Vampire, as his spiked teeth became effective tools in biting his opponents, creating a macabre presentation and early influence on the hardcore side of pro-wrestling. Blassie died of heart failure Monday Freddie Blassies origins are worth knowing about, especially because they involve much earlier days of the pro wrestling world -- as in, within the first half of the 20th century. By this time, Blassie has acquired a cult following, leading to appearances in several feature films. Andy Kaufman on Letterman w/ "Classy" Freddie Blassie 02/23/1983 So when I saw this book I had to get it and read it. He even managed Muhammad Ali going into his legendary match with Antonio Inoki. Lanny approached Blassie, who always had three girls with him, saying he "needed some relief. His heels were always a bit more exotic and meaner than most. By 1952, Blassie was getting disillusioned by the East Coast and headed for California, although he did still work for various NWA territories in the South, particularly Georgia Championship Wrestling (GCW). Now is Fred McDaniel "Ayatollah" Blassie The Vampire The Hollywood Fashion Plate Height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) Weight 220 lbs (100 kg) Born February 8, 1918 Birth Place St. Louis, Missouri Died June 2, 2003 (aged 85) Death Place Hartsdale, New York Trainer Billy Longson Everett Marshall Warren Bockwinkle Billy Hanson Debut 1935 Retired 1986 The Legends of Wrestling - "Classy" Freddie Blassie: Listen, You Pencil After four decades, trainer Ed Moger gets his first Triple Crown starter, An exclusive look at details of Chip Kellys two-year contract extension from UCLA, His shoe game is pretty tight. Why Dodgers hope Miguel Rojas play matches his swag, Rats in the laundry? Using a variety of names, he wrestled the top performers of the day including Lou Thesz and Gorgeous George, but did not reach their level of popularity. Comedian Andy Kaufman & professional wrestler Classy Freddie Blassie eat breakfast & discuss life. [8] He married a girl in California while on shore leave. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. Ironically, during his WWWF stint, he was managed by another former wrestler who had recently become a manager, in the form of Captain Lou Albano. My Breakfast with Blassie is a 1983 film starring Andy Kaufman and professional wrestler "Classy" Freddie Blassie.[1]. . His eagerness to learn from 1935 to 1942 led to many of the circuits top stars sharing knowledge with Blassie, and when he returned home to the U.S. in 1946, he was determined to make an honest run as a professional wrestler. World Wrestling Entertainment WWE)). His parents repeatedly separated, only to reconcile. You can check out an almost unlimited array of WWE content on theWWE NetworkandPeacock. Discover Freddie Blassie's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. Lanny said that if a wrestler had a bottle of cologne in their bag, or even rubbing alcohol, Jerry Graham would take it out and drink it. Greenbergs memoir on Freddie Blassie was released just three weeks before he died in 2003. Blassie worked for the World Wrestling Federation, now known as World Wrestling Entertainment, which presented him with its lifetime achievement award in 1996. [9] However, they eventually consented and Miyako returned with Blassie to the United States; they were married on September 30, 1968. [1] It is a mostly improvised parody of the art film My Dinner with Andre and is set in a Sambo's restaurant where Kaufman and Blassie have a discussion over breakfast. He won the WWA World Heavyweight Wrestling Championship from French star Edouard Carpentier at the L.A. Sports Arena in 1961. Freddie Blassie decided to stop being a fixture of wrestling in 1986 but was no stranger to making the odd guest appearance. Many of the viewers were horrified by Blassie's treatment of their hero. This story has been shared 104,709 times. Im not implying that Bruno would ever have any dealings with the mafia on his own. "That's why he was 'Classy' Freddie Blassie." [3][8] In 1983, Rhino Records released a 14-track album by Blassie, titled I Bite the Songs. My Breakfast with Blassie was conceived of by Linda Lautrec and Johnny Legend as a satire on My Dinner with Andre. Upon his return to the U.S. and the pro-wrestling circuit full time in 1946, he was repackaged by promoters as Sailor Freddie Blassie, as promoters looked to capitalize on U.S. patriotism following the war. [22], Filmed in 1982, My Breakfast with Blassie featured Andy Kaufman and Freddie Blassie eating at a Sambo's in Los Angeles. One poll ranked him as the most hated wrestler in the United His wife is Miyako Morozumi (30 September 1968 - 2 June 2003) ( his death), ? . Freddie Blassie | Pro Wrestling | Fandom Renowned as "The Hollywood Fashion Plate",[3] he was a one-time NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion, and was inducted into the WWF Hall of Fame in 1994. )[8] The movies title and premise are parodies of the 1981 art-house classic My Dinner with Andre.[23]. He was feuding with a wrestler known as The Geek who had a neck like a stack of dimes, making him a literal pencil neck geek. It made Japanese wrestling a commodity on the West Coast and had given Rikidozan the credibility of conquering America. He grabs his balls!" Funeral services will be held at noon Friday at Hitchcock Presbyterian Church in Scarsdale, N.Y. Prep Rally is devoted to the SoCal high school sports experience, bringing you scores, stories and a behind-the-scenes look at what makes prep sports so popular. In it, Blassie is picked up at the Washington, D.C., airport by a limo full of young women, escorted around the nation's capital, gives his opinions and confronts tourists. [9][6], On June 2, 2003, Blassie died of heart and kidney failure at the age of 85. Freddie Blassie. His last name is slightly easier to pronounce than it looks. What did Disney actually lose from its Florida battle with DeSantis? Freddie Blassie - IMDb [2][14] Blassie also managed Muhammad Ali in his boxer vs. wrestler match in 1976 against Antonio Inoki. 500,000+ HD Wallpapers & Freddie Blassie Wallpaper 100% Free to Use High Quality Wallpapers Personalise for all Screen & Devices. His wife is Miyako Morozumi (30 September1968 - 2 June2003)( his death), ? The film My Breakfast With Blassie, which came out in 1983, was a spoof of My Dinner With Andre. The camera followed Blassie and Kaufman as they ate and discussed life at a local restaurant that looked like a Dennys. He achieved the rank of Petty Officer (Second Class) before he was discharged. . Blassie would turn heel during this period, developing a lot of the characteristics that hed become known for. KyleEnjoysWrestling wrote on 30.07.2019: [ 9.0] "People mostly know Blassie for his manager roles, but he was also a pro in the ring. Blassie is survived by his wife, Miyako, and three children. Blassie was more than willing to let the talented Bearcat Wright take the gold and make history. Recommended:10 Wrestling Book Must Reads and 5 You Dont Want To Waste Your Time On. Lanny stated that though Freddie Blassie never knew how to save his money well, he always had enough since he was never a drinker and saved a lot of money in that regard. Following his 1986 on-camera retirement (he remained an executive for the WWE), still made occasional on-camera appearances since then, and his last came on "WWE Raw" in May, just a few weeks before his death (to promote his newly-released biography, "Listen, You Pencil Neck Geeks"). It is a mostly improvised parody of the art film My Dinner with Andre and is set in a Sambo's restaurant where Kaufman and Blassie have a discussion over breakfast. [8] They received acclaim on the Dr. Demento Radio Show, and the latter song was featured on several albums, including Dr. Demento's 20th anniversary collection, The Very Best of Dr. Demento, and Dr. Demento Presents the Greatest Novelty CDs of All Time. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thanks for contacting us. Blassie wrestled as a dark-haired good guy until he found out that the "heels" (bad guys) got better pay. However, Miyako Blassie, surviving wife of the legendary "Classy" Freddie Blassie, is offering that chance as the WWE Hall of Famer's Lincoln Town Car becomes available on WWE Auction. Born in 1918 to German parents who escaped World War I, Blassie took up boxing as a teenager, but found a growing interest in wrestling and actually snuck into matches, eventually befriending catch wrestlers and learning holds from them. Learn how and when to remove this template message, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=My_Breakfast_with_Blassie&oldid=1107033235, Articles needing additional references from June 2021, All articles needing additional references, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 27 August 2022, at 19:43. The two of them had a great relationship off-camera, but because kayfabe was well and truly protected during this time in the business unless you were on the inside, you never were to know that a heel and face got along in real life. 304K views 6 years ago The Dudley Boyz put Rico through a table after getting the call from WWE Hall of Famer "Classy" Freddie Blassie at ringside. Before The Client List: "Classy" Freddie Blassie - Last Word on Pro This story has been shared 143,593 times. By doing this, he saved Freddie Blassies life. In 1964, Blassie once again captured the WWA World title for the third time (again from Carpentier), but upon losing to Dick The Bruiser in April, he headed to the newly minted World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF). As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. Wrestler's widow goes to the mat - New York Post After being pounded by a longer-limbed opponent, he switched to professional wrestling. He continued to outrage crowds by distracting referees so that his men could cheat and by getting in his own cheap shots when the refs weren't looking. 10 Things Fans Should Know About Classy Freddie Blassie, 10 Managers With The Best Claim To Be On A Wrestling Mount Rushmore, 10 Performers Who Were Great As Both A Wrestler & Manager, 10 All-Time Greats You Forgot Had Managers. for the WWF. During these runs, hed take part in a couple of title feuds for the WWE Championship, challenging Bruno Sammartino in the 1960s and Pedro Morales in the 1970s, not to mention coming after Bobo Brazils US Heavyweight Title. Why FREDDIE BLASSIE Was So Great f/ WRESTLINGBIOS - YouTube Professional wrestler Freddie Blassie, who became a cult figure for fans by playing the villain inside the ring during the 1950s and 1960s, has died. This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Hed also regularly tag with Gorilla Monsoon, another wrestler better known for his non-wrestling roles. Sadly, the gimmick was a bomb, and Blassie jumped around territories, including working in New York City for Jess McMahon (grandfather of Vince McMahon Jr.). Blassie appeared alongside Slick to co-manage Sheik and Volkoff for a few television appearances before finally bowing out in November 1986, with Albano, the final member of the Three Wise Men, retiring a few weeks later. [16] In 1999, he was shown making the opening narration of WrestleMania XV. According to Greenberg, Gorgeous George, towards the end of his career, wanted to form a tag team with Blassie. Feb 27. In 1960, he became a regular with World Wrestling Associates (WWA) in Los Angeles, a move that would cement his legacy in pro wrestling, long before he became a manager. Between matches, he gave loud and boastful interviews, making him a favorite of talk shows and reportedly influencing a fellow egomaniac then known as Cassius Clay. He is from USA. In 1972, ten years after his last match in Japan with Rikidozans JWA, he returned to Japan and began working for Giant Babas All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW). After being pounded by a longer-limbed opponent, he switched to professional wrestling. In addition to his pro wrestling notoriety, Classy Freddie Blassie also has some amusing notability in wider pop culture. Still a motormouth, he gave interviews in which he bragged about himself and his protgs and denounced anybody he didn't like as a "pencil necked geek". He hated his father for it. All the while, he reveled in his role as being one of professional wrestlings most despised villains. Given that Hogan was the top babyface in the 1980s, this iteration of The Hulkster was actually a heel and would depart in 1981 after a dispute with Vince McMahon Sr. over Hogans taking a role in Rocky III. In 1964, Dick the Bruiser defeated Blassie to become champion, and Blassie headed east to work for the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF). He returned to the company in 1971, reaching the final of a tournament in January for the vacant WWWF United States Heavyweight Championship before losing to Pedro Morales. "Bruno always had a huge entourage hanging around him," Greenberg wrote in "Classy" Freddie Blassie The Legends of Wrestling. [3], In 1953, he worked in the Atlanta, territory for Paul Jones (the wrestler of the 1930s, not the wrestler/manager of the 1980s). Hed adopt a bleach-blond look, start biting his opponents in the ring, and would often be seen filing down his teeth to better sink his teeth in his opponent. This helps us provide free content for you to enjoy! [24], In the early 1990s, the wrestler starred in a documentary directed by Jeff Krulik, titled Mr. Blassie Goes To Washington. Outside of being an award-winning television producer, the New York Times best-selling author began writing about professional wrestling for several newspapers and magazines in the 90s. Hed also engage in big title feuds with serious GOATs like Japans Rikidozan and Americas Lou Thesz, both of whom are considered among the most influential wrestlers of all time. Originally from Chicago, he has called London home since 2008. His first match with Blassie had actually. The defendants had a duty to provide reasonably safe conditions for its customers, the suit charges. Blassie also wanted to clarify through his final memoir that he was an absentee father as he was on the road for most of his sons life growing up. Blassie was a regular on the WWWF's "All-Star Wrestling" and "Championship Wrestling" weekly TV shows that were videotaped at small arenas in Pennsylvania and aired throughout the Northeast. Occasionally, he would get too close to the action and get beaten up himself, much to the crowd's delight. Blassie was a contemporary of six-time NWA world champion Thesz, who died in 2002 at the age of 86. In January 1962, Blassie and Mr. Moto defeated Hans Hermann and Jesus Ortega for the California version of the WWA International TV Tag Team title. He began wrestling professionally in 1935 and it was soon after that he came up with his famous pencil neck geek insult. Zach Eflin And Wife On Yacht Wallpaper. Freddie Blassie - Biography - IMDb Recommended:The Night Bruno Sammartino Saved Freddie Blassies Life, Lanny Poffo, speaking to his friend Keith Elliot Greenberg on The Genius Cast, shared the story of the time he and Freddie Blassie were in Hawaii in 1968. He finally defeated Rikidozan and won back his title at a WWA event in Los Angeles but it had served his purpose. Linda's dual role (as director and actress) was scripted as an irritating fan who requests Andy's autograph after he washes his hands. For a brief period of time after World War Two, he was billed as "Sailor" Freddie Blassie in matches, a gimmick that did not prove successful. So, how much is Freddie Blassie worth at the age of 85 years old? ", Bruno kayfabed him. However, he became increasingly interested in wrestling. [7], His career continued as he was hired by more established promoters, including Tom Packs in St. Louis and George Simpson in Kansas City. [8] Blassie also appeared in a segment at the Vengeance pay-per-view event in December 2001, where an "undisputed" champion would be crowned. After Blassie lost the WWA World Heavyweight Championship to Rikidzan in Los Angeles, the two had a rematch on live Japanese television. Blassie claims that he made Regis Philbin into the celebrity he is today. He's also written for Pro Wrestling Illustrated, WrestleZone, The Windsor Star, and other publications. In that storyline, he is menaced by Eric Bischoff and his henchmen, before calling on the Dudley Brothers to "Get the tables!" By the 1970s, Blassie had relocated to the East Coast where he successfully pursued his mat career. On an episode of WWF Championship Wrestling, Blassie barged into the announcer booth to proclaim that he had sold half of the contracts of Sheik and Volkoff to a mysterious benefactor for a large sum of money. Hell, the article is entitled "Freddie Blassie - The Truth (and Somewhere In-Between)" for crying out loud. You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times. Looking to talk wrestling, pro football, or any number of sports? Freddie Blassie, the silver-maned . On top of that, hed take on English legend Billy Robinson, WWE Champion Superstar Billy Graham, and legendary masked heel wrestler Destroyer. Also featured is Bob Zmuda, who plays a nosy fan. Head on over to theLWOS Boardsto engage in conversation with fellow fans! In the 1950s, Fred Blassie was hands down the most hated wrestler in the southeastern territory. switched to professional wrestling. He lives in Windsor, Ontario, Canada, with his wife and son. That year, Blassie was forced to retire from in-ring competition, as a California by-law forbade wrestling licenses for anyone upon reaching 55 years old. The nastier he was in the ring, the more popular he became to fans. John Tolos: Wrestler celebrated as one of the finest ring villains Hogan would return in late 1983, turning face almost immediately after and thus separating from Freddie Blassie. He triggered heart attack-related deaths in Japan, was stabbed by angry fans 21 times and was once doused with acid! My wife joined Toastmasters International in October of last year. Blassie was a regular on the WWWF's "All-Star Wrestling" and "Championship Wrestling" weekly TV shows that were videotaped at small arenas in Pennsylvania and aired throughout the Northeast. A child of two German immigrants, Freddie Blassie was born in St. Louis, Missouri in 1918. June 8, 2003 The professional wrestler Freddie Blassie, who became a cult figure to fans by playing the villain inside the ring during the 1950's and 1960's, died Monday. Funeral services will be held at noon Friday at Hitchcock Presbyterian Church in Scarsdale, N.Y. Freddie accomplished that goal and did so in grand style, as only he could. Heres a look at Classy Freddie Blassies wrestling career, long before he decided to take on clients and become one of the most iconic managers of the 1970s and 1980s. The Life and Times of Classy Freddie Blassie Quiz He won the World Wrestling Association world heavyweight championship from the Frenchman douard Carpentier at the Los Angeles Sports Arena in 1961. They had no connecting hallways, so he was stuck with a bunch of these people, kayfabing his gimmick as Bruno was being hauled in on a stretcher. He came up with it back in his carnival days, when describing a literal carnival geek -- as in, a performer who bites the heads off of chickens -- who had a slender neck. [22] In the demonstration of the dance, Blassie picked up Rob Petrie and twirled him over his head. After the war, he continued to wrestle professionally in the Midwest. Born Fred Blassman in St. Louis, Blassie played baseball and football in high school. But for nearly 40 years, Fred Blassie was an in-ring talent who ruled the West Coast, a multi-time World Champion, and one of the most feared villains in pro wrestling history. "Classy" Freddie Blassie is a legendary wrestling personality, both as a wrestler and a manager. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Classy car for a class act | WWE He was now hooked, and he decided that pro wrestling was his destiny and not his backbreaking work in the meatpacking plant. He started a second career as a manager in the WWWF. Fred Blassie was born and raised in the St. Louis, Missouri, area. Vampire". However, Blassie wanted nothing to do with him because he too had a massive drinking problem and felt that it would "hit too close to home." One of the men was Jilly Rizzo, Frank Sinatras number one sidekick and the owner of his own saloon. Blassie also was seen with the comedian Andy Kaufman in ''My Breakfast With Blassie,'' a 1983 spoof of ''My Dinner With Andre.''. Between matches, he gave loud and boastful interviews, making My Breakfast with Blassie (1983) - IMDb Learn How rich is He in this year and how He spends money? is 6'(1.83m) . Sportswriter Jim Murray called him the worst villain since Hitler in a 1961 column in The Times. He married his first wife Nettie Needles while on shore leave during the war. She . Notable Title Wins Include: NWA Southern Heavyweight title (14); WWA (Los Angeles) World Heavyweight title (4); WWA World Tag Team title (2 times w/Mr. [7], After the US entered World War II, Blassie enlisted in the Navy and served in the Pacific Theater for 42 months. He briefly turned face in 1989, making an appearance on Prime Time Wrestling angry with Bobby Heenan over money Heenan hadn't paid him back.