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#9: The Grand Wizard
The Grand Wizard moniker might give some the wrong idea behind why Roth chose this as his name. Born Ernie Roth to a Jewish family, Roth used the name as a middle finger to the white supremacist KKK who usually used the name for its top leader.
While using the name, Roth became the manager for The Sheik, one of the wrestlers who helped to pioneer aspects of hardcore wrestling. His matches were often bloody, and the Grand Wizard would often interfere in matches and belittle US fans. The Sheik is also the real-life uncle of Sabu.
This garnered massive heat as racial and political tensions were at supreme levels when Roth was active as a manager. His flashy and flamboyant attire of a sparkled turban, sunglasses, and colorful (sometimes bedazzled) jackets helped push his heel persona against pro-USA crowds early in his tenure as a manager.
When he joined the WWWF, he started using the Wizard name but kept the ring attire. Under his tutelage, he guided Mr. Fuji and Toru Tanaka to two reigns as WWWF Tag Team champions.
He also led Stan Stasiak to a WWWF World Title win over Pedro Morales and later 'Superstar' Billy Graham to a title victory over industry icon Bruno Sammartino. Greg Valentine, Don Muraco, Ken Patera, Ox Baker, Ernie Ladd and Sgt. Slaughter also were under the Wizard's guidance at one point.
In 1980, he led Pat Patterson to become the first-ever Intercontinental Champion in WWE history. The Grand Wizard's impact wasn't just in the ring but as a figure in pop culture and pro wrestling who stood up to hate groups like the KKK.
It was a bold move during the infancy stages of the business and for that reason alone is one of the top managers of all time.
