Arnold Skaaland
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Arnold Skaaland (born January 21, 1925) in White Plains, New York is a retired professional wrestler and manager.
Height: 6,2 Weight: 238 lbs
A former tag team wrestler, Arnold was best known as manager of the legendary wrestlers Bruno Sammartino and Bob Backlund. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 1994 for managing both Sammartino and Backlund to WWE Championships.
Skaaland’s most controversial moment occurred in 1983, when he threw in the towel for Backlund after the Iron Sheik trapped the titlist in the camel clutch – ending the clean-living kingpin’s long reign.
Although Backlund and Skaaland seemed to be still on good terms in June 1994 (when Backlund inducted Skaaland into the WWE Hall of Fame), Backlund later turned against him as part of his heel turn later in the year.
[edit] Trivia
- Skaaland served as referee for the infamous 1962 match between Freddie Blassie and Rikidozan in Japan
- Skaaland was Vince McMahon Sr.'s partner. His responsibilities included running WWWF shows in Westchester (where he resided) and serving as a handler for Andre the Giant
- Skaaland can be spotted in the 1987 "Piledriver" video as the foreman of a construction site
[edit] Championships and accomplishments
- 1-time WWWF United States Tag Team Champion (with Spiros Arion)
- 1996 WWE Hall of Famer