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Managers were once a major part of wrestling, but they are much less common now. A good manager could make a wrestler feel like a bigger star and add another layer to a rivalry. What made managers such an important part of old-school wrestling?

Wrestling managers added personality to wrestlers who weren’t always strong on the microphone. Someone like Bobby Heenan could make a wrestler feel more dangerous, while Paul Bearer helped make The Undertaker’s character even more mysterious. Managers also helped build rivalries, cut promos, and keep stories moving outside the ring.

Managers could make a wrestler more interesting without needing them to be great on the microphone. Bobby Heenan and Paul Bearer added personality, tension, and memorable promos to their clients. I miss that dynamic, especially the way a manager could build a rivalry before the wrestlers even stepped into the ring.