Updates On The Best WCW Managers

The ’90s were a turning point for the manager in wrestling. The ascent of factions that, unlike the Heenan Family or Paul Jones Army, didn’t center around a manager, as well as the rise of authority figures and valets, all but killed the pro wrestling manager. Long gone are the days of Bobby Heenan, Skandor Akbar, and The Grand Wizard, and the few managers that are left are rarely called, well, managers.

WCW – and we’ll include the last few Crockett years – had its fair share of managers, too. We have already ranked the best managers in WCW history. So today, since we know that managers have gone out of style, we will look at what those managers are doing these days. You’ll find that some are, incredibly, still managing. And that’s not a prediction – that’s a spoiler.

Teddy Long Still Lays Down The Law In Alabama

From Peanut Head To Authority Figure

• Began As A Referee In Both WCW And WWE
• Managed Doom, Mark Henry, And Chris Jericho
• Still Works On Independent Shows

Teddy Long started as a referee in the NWA before turning heel and managing Doom. He later turned babyface and managed such illustrious undercard babyfaces as Ice Train, Jim Powers, and a young Chris Jericho. After leaving WCW, Long joined the WWE where he ironically started out as a referee again before managing Rodney Mack and Mark Henry. After those pairing bombed, he finally found his groove as general manager of Smackdown. As of today, the 76 year-old Long is semi-retired but still doing regular appearances on the independent circuit in his home state of Alabama as commissioner.

Kimberly Page Cut Ties With Wrestling

Living The Normal Life

• Former Wife Of Diamond Dallas Page
• Pursued An Acting Career After Wrestling
• Worked In Marketing And Interior Design

As the then-wife of Diamond Dallas Page, Kimberly Page debuted in pro wrestling in 1994 as the Diamond Doll. She later became Ed Leslie’s Booty Babe before returning to her husband’s side in 1997 and settling into her role as a Nitro Girl. After WCW closed, Kimberly Page left wrestling. Her and Dallas divorced amicably in 2005, and Page pursued an acting career. Her most notable role was in the 2005 comedy The 40-Year-Old Virgin. The last available information states that Kimberly lives in Utah and works as an interior designer.

James Vandenberg’s Career Follows An Unusual Path

From Speaking In Tongues To Doing Cocaine On PPV

• Best Known As Father James Mitchell
• Managed In SMW, WCW, ECW, TNA, And NWA

One manager whose potential was barely scraped in WCW was James Vandenberg, better known under the name James Mitchell. After relatively brief stints in Smoky Mountain Wrestling (where he spoke in tongues and managed Prince Kharris, a wrestling mummy) and WCW (where he was paid for almost two years after his last TV appearance) Mitchell would join ECW as The Sinister Minister and manage Tajiri and Mikey Whipwreck.

He then became an integral part in TNA, managing the Disciples of the New Church and, most famously, Abyss. Currently, Mitchell is associated with the NWA where a cocaine segment involving him at the Samhain PPV (potentially) cost the promotion a network TV deal.

Jimmy Hart Was Close To Hulk Hogan, Both In Wrestling And Real Life

He Works With Me, Brother

• Was An Accomplished Musician Before Entering The Wrestling Business
• Managed In Memphis, WWE, And WCW
• Close Personal Friends And Business Partner With Hulk Hogan

Jimmy Hart was part of the Gentrys who had a decent hit in Keep On Dancin’ in 1965. In 1979, Hart transitioned into wrestling thanks to his friend Jerry Lawler. Initially managing Lawler, Hart soon turned on his friend and became Memphis’ most hated heel manager. In 1985, he went to the WWE where he helped the careers of the Hart Foundation and the Honky Tonk Man, among others, before turning babyface and joining the Mega Maniacs.

Hart’s real-life relationship with Hulk Hogan lead him to follow his friend to WCW where he first managed Hogan before turning on him in 1995. Hart would remain a heel manager until early 2000 when he joined forces with Hogan again. After WCW closed, Hart was involved in the ill-fated XWF and Wrestlicious projects before joining TNA in various backstage roles until 2011. To this day, the 80 year-old Hart remains close with Hogan and shows little signs of slowing down.

Torrie Wilson’s True Passion Has Always Been Fitness

Staying Fit As An Influencer

• Was Scouted By Kevin Nash During A WCW House Show
• Is A Successful Fitness Instructor And Influencer

After a battle with bulimia and anorexia as a teenager, Torrie Wilson became involved in fitness and wanted to pursue acting. However, when attending a WCW show and making her way backstage, Kevin Nash came up with the idea for a storyline with her. Hired by the NWO to seduce David Flair, Torrie debuted as an unnamed woman in early 1999. Later that year, she joined the Filthy Animals group as a result of her real-life relationship with Billy Kidman. Torrie would manage Kidman until turning on him in the summer of 2000 when she joined Shane Douglas. She was released by WCW in December of that year. However, Wilson would return to wrestling in 2001 by joining WWE where she would enjoy a successful career until 2008. Wilson has since returned to her roots and works as a fitness instructor and influencer.

J.J. Dillon Was The Brains Behind The Four Horsemen

An Evil Gentleman That Is Part Of The International Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame Board Of Directors

• Manager of The Four Horsemen
• Held Office Positions In WWE And WCW
• Part Of The International Pro Wrestling Hall Of Fame Board Of Directors

A former wrestler himself, Dillon transitioned to managing early on in his career. His most successful stint came as the manager of the Four Horsemen – a role he legitimately also held behind the scenes as he would negotiate contracts and organize travel for the group. Dillon later joined the WWE in an office position before returning to WCW in similar capacity in the mid-1990s, as well as an on-air authority figure. As of 2019, Dillon was part of the International Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame Board Of Directors and is still listed as an Honorary Trustee. Today, the 81 year-old Dillon enjoys his retirement.

Jim Cornette Is Arguably The Most Successful Wrestling Podcaster In History

A Natural Heel, Loved By Many

• Managed In Memphis, Mid-South, WCCW, NWA, SMW, WWE and RoH
• Booked In WCW, SMW, WWE, OVW, RoH, And TNA
• Currently Operates A Merchandise Website And Hosts Two Successful Podcasts

Some love him, some hate him, but it’s hard to ignore him: Jim Cornette is making a living on stating his opinion and ruffling some feathers. Starting out as a photographer in Memphis, he was soon transitioned to become a manager. After stints in Mid-South and WCCW, Cornette and the Midnight Express moved to the NWA/WCW where he would garner national attention. Known for his quick wit, Cornette became one of the best promos of all time. Throughout his career, Cornette has booked for WWE, WCW, RoH, TNA, OVW, and SMW. In 2013, he started his own podcast – The Jim Cornette Experience – which was soon supplemented by Jim Cornette’s Drive-Thru. While his opinions regularly create controversy, it is hard to argue with his success.

Paul Heyman Has Achieved Elder Statesman Status

From Psycho Yuppie To The Wise Man

• Started As A Ringside Photographer
• Former Owner And Booker Of ECW
• Managed Rick Rude, Steve Austin, Arn Anderson, Brock Lesnar, CM Punk, And Roman Reigns

Similar to Jim Cornette, Paul Heyman started out as a ringside photographer before becoming a manager in Florida. Known as Paul E. Dangerously, he quickly moved through the territory system, stopping in Memphis, the AWA, and Continental before moving to the NWA/WCW. Dangerously would soon become the top heel manager, forming the Dangerous Alliance, comprised of Rick Rude, Steve Austin, Arn Anderson, Bobby Eaton, Larry Zbyszko, and Madusa. After being fired from WCW in early 1993, Heyman went to ECW, first as Eddie Gilbert’s assistant and later becoming not only the booker but also the company’s promoter and owner. Even before ECW went out of business, Paul landed a job with the WWE as an announcer, replacing Jerry Lawler. He would go on to become the head booker for Smackdown, OVW, and WWECW, as well as the manager of Brock Lesnar. After being fired in 2006 after the disastrous December to Dismember PPV, Heyman returned in 2012 in the role of the returning Brock Lesnar’s advocate. Today, Paul is billed as Roman Reigns’ wise man.