Irwin "Ernie" Roth, a renowned American professional wrestling manager, was affectionately known by his ring names The Grand Wizard of Wrestling and Abdullah Farouk. Despite his small stature, Roth made up for it with his flamboyant attire, consisting of sequined jackets, wraparound sunglasses, and a brightly colored turban adorned with jewels and feathers.
Roth's journey in the entertainment industry began as a disc jockey, before being discovered by Jim Barnett, who helped him transition into the world of professional wrestling. He started his wrestling career in the 1960s, working in Detroit-based territories under various ring names, including "Mr. Clean" and "J. Wellington Radcliffe."
Roth's most notable persona was Abdullah Farouk, the heel manager of The Sheik, where he frequently appeared on the Toronto wrestling circuit. As Farouk, he was known for his deceitful and underhanded tactics, often attempting to manipulate matches to favor his protégés.
In the 1970s, Roth joined the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF),where he became known as The Grand Wizard. He reportedly took the name as a snub to the Ku Klux Klan, whose leaders were referred to as Grand Wizard. During his stint with the WWWF, Roth managed several notable wrestlers, including Black Jack Mulligan, "Beautiful Bobby" Harmon, Mr. Fuji, Prof. Toru Tanaka, Stan Stasiak, Superstar Billy Graham, and Bob Backlund.
The Grand Wizard played a significant role in the careers of several wrestlers, including Mr. Fuji and Prof. Toru Tanaka, who won two reigns with the WWWF World Tag Team Championship under his guidance. He also helped Stan Stasiak win the WWF Championship and guided Superstar Billy Graham to the same title.
Roth's legacy continued as he managed several other notable wrestlers, including Don Muraco, Ken Patera, Greg Valentine, Pat Patterson, and Sgt. Slaughter. He was inducted into the WWE's Hall of Fame class of 1995, a testament to his lasting impact on the world of professional wrestling.
