In professional wrestling, the fans usually focus on the wrestlers inside the ring. However, behind every great champion and famous rivalry, there is often a manager. These managers work behind the scenes, give exciting interviews, and help the wrestlers become stars.
Some managers, like Bobby “The Brain” Heenan, were excellent speakers. Others, like the spooky Paul Bearer, used mysterious props like an urn to stand out. They planned strategies, told great stories, and were often the most entertaining part of the whole show.
Here are the top 10 greatest WWE managers ranked by @FadeAwayMedia.
10 Greatest WWE managers
1. Paul Heyman
Paul Heyman is often called the best manager in wrestling history. He ran ECW in the 1990s and later joined WWE. He managed Brock Lesnar, CM Punk, Roman Reigns and others. He has guided six world champions, a record. His talking skills sell any match. He entered the WWE Hall of Fame in 2024. Currently manages The Vision.
2. Bobby Heenan
Bobby Heenan is widely seen as the greatest manager ever. He worked in AWA, WCW and WWF. He managed Nick Bockwinkel, Andre the Giant and many more. He was the first manager to hold singles and tag team world champions at the same time. He won Manager of the Year four times. He entered the WWE Hall of Fame in 2004.
3. Paul Bearer
Paul Bearer was a creepy mortician character in WWE. He carried an urn and spoke in a haunting voice. He managed The Undertaker, Kane and Mankind. His stories tied deeply into Undertaker’s mythology. He was revealed as Kane’s father. He was inducted into WWE Hall of Fame in 2014. The Undertaker paid tribute at the ceremony.
4. Jimmy Hart
Jimmy Hart was known as The Mouth of the South. He used a megaphone and had huge energy. He managed Greg Valentine, The Honky Tonk Man and The Hart Foundation. Honky Tonk Man held the Intercontinental title for a record 15 months. Hart later managed Hulk Hogan in WCW. He entered the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005.
5. Mr. Fuji
Mr Fuji was a sneaky villain who threw salt to blind opponents. He was a three-time World Tag Team Champion as a wrestler. Later he managed Demolition, Yokozuna and others. Demolition held the tag titles for a record 478 days. He helped Yokozuna win the WWE Championship at WrestleMania IX. He entered the WWE Hall of Fame in 2007.
6. Jim Cornette
Jim Cornette is one of the best talkers in wrestling history. He carried a tennis racket and managed The Midnight Express. They won two NWA World Tag Team Titles. In WWE he managed Yokozuna, Owen Hart and The British Bulldog. He later helped train stars at Ohio Valley Wrestling. He is now a popular podcaster.
7. Teddy Long
Teddy Long started as a referee and then became a manager. He managed Doom and led them to the NWA World Tag Team Titles. He also managed Sid Vicious and One Man Gang. In 2004 he became the first African American General Manager of SmackDown. He was known for saying Holla, holla, holla. He entered the WWE Hall of Fame in 2017.
8. Paul Ellering
Paul Ellering was the mastermind behind the Road Warriors. He managed Hawk and Animal from 1983 to 1990 and again later. He handled their money and image. They became one of the most dominant tag teams ever. He entered the WWE Hall of Fame in 2011. In 2016 he returned to manage The Authors of Pain in NXT.
9. Stephanie McMahon
Stephanie McMahon is a WWE Hall of Famer from the Class of 2026. She became SmackDown General Manager in 2002. She helped build new tag team titles and pushed stars like Brock Lesnar and Kurt Angle. She later led The Authority with Triple H. She also served as WWE Chief Brand Officer and briefly as CEO. Her influence is huge.
10. Freddie Blassie
Freddie Blassie was a legendary heel and later a manager. He was called the Hollywood Fashion Plate. He managed Hulk Hogan, George Steele and Nikolai Volkoff. He also managed Muhammad Ali for his match against Antonio Inoki. He guided The Iron Sheikh to the WWF Championship in 1983. He entered the WWF Hall of Fame in 1994.
FAQs
Q. Who is ranked as the greatest WWE manager?
A. Paul Heyman is ranked No. 1.
Q. How many world champions has Paul Heyman guided?
A. Heyman has guided six world champions.
Q. Who was known as The Brain?
A. Bobby Heenan was known as The Brain.
Q. Who managed The Undertaker and Kane?
A. Paul Bearer managed both wrestlers.
Q. Who was known as The Mouth of the South?
A. Jimmy Hart was known as The Mouth of the South.
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