Before professional wrestling went tawdry, managers dominated.

Wrestling managers were particularly hated because they were known for running their mouths, often while simultaneously hiding behind the brawn of a heel.

They were annoying, loud, and evil. Children despised them.

Rarely did the faces (good guys) have a manager in their corner, because in many instances, the manager was woven into the narrative to cheat, thwart, and generally disrupt the face’s chance of victory. Managers used chairs, threw salt in people’s eyes, and created diversions.

Often, the manager carried some sort of object. In Jim Cornette’s case, it was a tennis racket still housed in its case. Mr. Fuji toted a cane. Jimmy “Mouth of the South” Hart always had a megaphone.

Managers added a creative flair to the sport, but they began to die out in the 1990s with the advent of buxom dancers and sidekicks.

Here’s a look at our choices as the four top managers in wrestling history:

Jim Cornette

Wrestlers managed: The Midnight Express, Sherri Martel, Jesse Barr, “Exotic” Adrian Street, Owen Hart, Vader, the British Bulldog, Dan Severn, the New Midnight Express.

Jimmy “Mouth of the South” Hart

Wrestlers managed: Greg “The Hammer” Valentine, “King Kong” Bundy, Adrian Adonis, Terry Funk, Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart, Bret “The Hitman” Hart, Danny Davis, the Honky Tonk Man, The Fabulous Rougeau Brothers, Hulk Hogan, the Iron Sheik, Kamala, Money Inc.

Mr. Fuji

Wrestlers managed: George “The Animal” Steele, Don Muraco, Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart, Demolition, Kamala, The Powers of Pain, The Berzerker, Yokozuna.

Bobby “The Brain” Heenan

Wrestlers managed: “King Kong” Bundy, Andre the Giant, “Big” John Studd, Ken Patera, Paul Orndorff, “Ravishing” Rick Rude, “King” Harley Race, Hercules, “Mr. Perfect” Curt Henning.