Manager (professional wrestling)

In professional wrestling, a manager is a non-wrestler character who is paired with a wrestler. A manager usually tends to be male; female managers are usually called valets. In kayfabe, a manager is somewhat like an agent for an actor or an athlete; he helps his client to book matches and promotional appearances, and otherwise to further his career. Outside of storylines, a manager's job is to generate heat and to help get the wrestler he's paired with get over. Heel managers also assist their clients in winning matches, either by distracting their opponents or distracting the referee while an illegal move is used.

In the early years of professional wrestling, up until the mid 1990s, managers were very common because they served another purpose. Their job was to cut promos on behalf of their clients who may not be as charismatic (or had gimmicks in which they had to be silent). As such, all managers were required to have the gift of the gab, though it was possible to see a manager paired with a wrestler who had no trouble with promos. In this case, the manager's role is to help his/her client cheat in matches.

Notable managers/valets

• Bobby "The Brain" Heenan
• James E. Cornette
• James J. Dillon
• Paul Heyman
• Miss Elizabeth
• "The Mouth of the South" Jimmy Hart
• Sunny