Since when did managers exist just to talk?

[somsta]

This is something I've been thinking about for a while. It seems whenever I see someone suggest Wrestler A be paired with Manager A, someone else responds with, "He's already a good talker he doesn't need a manager."

I know that a manager is often used as a mouth piece to help a character get over that isn't very good on the mic, or talking doesn't fit their gimmick. Examples of this would be Jimmy Hart with the Hart Foundation or Paul Bearer with the Undertaker. There are plenty of others.

However, there are just as many examples of a great talker being paired with a great manager. I remember hearing Bobby Heenan do an interview where he talked about most of his guys being good talkers on their own right. Mr. Perfect and Rick Rude were both good talkers and had managers throughout their career. Did Ric Flair, Tully Blanchard, and Arn Anderson need JJ Dillon to do their talking? I think not. Did Ted Dibiasi and IRS need Jimmy Hart? I know guys like Earthquake, or the Nasty Boys weren't Mick Foley on the mic, but they could talk. Jimmy Hart added to the package a lot more than just talking.

So, my question is, where did this idea come from that if a wrestler has good promo skills they shouldn't have a manager?

[CMWaters]

Add to that...

9 times out of 10, whoever had Mr. Fuji as a manager was likely a better talker than Fuji was.

[thereallybigshow]

Heenan = Instant Heat

In reality, Rick Rude and Mr. Perfect both played cocky heels with the in ring ability to back it up. Without Heenan to help them win or cheat they were pretty much great athletes with good looks and tons of skill. Heenan helped make they a bit more seedy. Plus just mentioning Bobby Heenan drew boo's back then.

[chunkylover53]

Managers, at least in the 80s, can also been seen as kayfabe agents to wrestlers in addition to doing their talking. Some who were good talkers and had managers you can say added to their character.

[Cranjis McBasketball]

Missing Link: What time is your flight?
Heenan: 830
Link: If you get there at 7:15, that's fine.
Heenan: Wha?
Link: You gotta pick up my ticket. My gimmick is I don't talk.
Heenan: You better start talking tomorrow. I'm just your manager on screen.
Link: My haircut...
Heenan: We're in New York. People will just think you have a bad barber.

Apparent actual conversation between the Missing Link and Heenan.

[somsta]

That's pretty funny.I love the story Heenan tells about Andre asking for a screwdriver on a flight and the attendent brought him an actual tool, not the drink.

[SAJ Forth]

I always felt that a manager seemed to indeed add to them as a Heel, almost like a partner in crime.

[Mozenrath]

They can be a great heat machine. Think Heyman in Brock's corner.

Plus, managers have a lot of benefits. If you have a strong guy, and you don't want to make them look bad, but want to give the face a measure of payback? Let him toss the manager around.

If you need a ready-made dusty finish, managers are there. If you need to stall the match and build heat, again, managers work great.

Plus, gimmick matches, comedy bits, and filler are great with managers. I think the wrestling world is ready for more "If Wrestler A wins the match, he gets 3 minutes alone with Manager B." It's good for saving the big matches for PPV but not cheating the crowd out of some fun.