A wrestling manager can be quite literal in terms. They serve as agents, advocates and representatives of a wrestler, as well as giving them an edge during a match. Therefore, it's not surprising that friendships can develop between a manager and their charge, considering the level of trust that must exist between the two.
Paul Heyman and Brock Lesnar are a perfect example of a business relationship becoming a close friendship between a manager and a wrestler. There are also several other examples of a manager and his client forging a virtually unbreakable lifelong bond.
10 James Mitchell/Chris Kanyon
The relationship between Kanyon and James Mitchell began when the latter was paired with the wrestler during his run as Mortis in WCW. The character was somewhat short-lived, but a friendship would develop that would last until Kanyon's untimely passing.
The friendship between Mitchell and Chris Kanyon would be documented on an episode of Dark Side Of The Ring, that chronicled Kanyon's life and career. James Mitchell was one of the few people in the wrestling business that was aware of Kanyon's sexuality, as the wrestler hadn't yet come out of the closet. The trust and bond between James and Chris, was one that both treasured and honored by both men in a business that is often defined by its treachery.
9 Arnold Skaaland/Bruno Sammartino
Bruno Sammartino is considered one of the greatest WWE Champions of all time, boasting a reign that will almost certainly never be broken. Because wrestling is and always has been a cutthroat industry, Bruno didn't trust many, considering his position in the business.
One of the few people that Sammartino did trust would be the man who would become his corner-man and manager; Arnold Skaaland. Skaaland, began his career as a wrestler himself, but would go on to manage both Bruno and his successor, Bob Backlund. The close friendship between Bruno and Arnold has been well documented over the years.
8 Jimmy Hart/Honky Tonk Man
The chemistry between Jimmy Hart and his charge, Honky Tonk Man, was an undeniable one. Hart was alongside Honky for every bit of his record-breaking Intercontinental title run in the Golden Era. Jimmy once explained his and Honky's friendship was due to culture more than anything else. Both men were from Memphis and had shared experiences as a result. It's easy to see why these two became so tight, as they were an ideal fit for one another on camera.
7 Sonny Ohno/Ultimo Dragon
This friendship was actually spurned by another friendship between Ohno and former WCW President, Eric Bischoff. Sonny Ohno was brought into WCW as a liaison between New Japan and WCW, resulting in several talent exchanges through the years. Bischoff also decided to put Ohno on camera as a manager for select talents who didn't speak fluent English. Sonny would speak for the wrestlers during promos, and one of those athletes was Ultimo Dragon. Dragon and Ohno would bond in and out of the ring, as Ohno would act as Dragon's guide while navigating his way through America.
6 Bobby Heenan/Mr. Perfect
The friendship between Mr. Perfect and Bobby Heenan is one that probably doesn't need much explaining. These two were a natural fit both in and outside the ring, even if Mr. Perfect could be known for his mischief from time to time.
If nothing else, it's probably a bit surprising that WWE didn't pair up Perfect and Heenan sooner than they did. Bobby Heenan would manage Mr. Perfect during one of the most successful runs of his career, and assisted him in capturing the Intercontinental Championship. Both Heenan and Perfect were involved in one another's careers in WWE, until both would leave the company in the mid 90s.
5 Cm Punk/Paul Heyman
It's probably safe to say that at this point, CM Punk's friendships in wrestling are a loaded topic. One friendship that has seemingly stood the test of time is that of Punk and his former advocate/manager, Paul Heyman. This friendship stems from more than just the on-air relationship between Punk and Heyman, as the latter is quite literally the reason that we are even talking about Punk, right now. Not only did Heyman save Punk's job back in 2005, but he was also a major factor in Punk ever getting a main event push. CM Punk has always been candid in just how much of his success he owes to Paul Heyman.
4 Jim Cornette/Bobby Eaton
Jim Cornette was the manager of both iterations of the Midnight Express, and the only constant other than himself was "Beautiful" Bobby Eaton. The bond between Cornette and Eaton was foolproof as they are so ingrained with one another's wrestling identities.
These two didn't function without one another, and they will be inextricably linked forever. Following Eaton's recent passing, Cornette was inconsolable as he paid tribute to Eaton during a 2-hour broadcast of his podcast. While Jim Cornette may be a polarizing figure in wrestling today, his friendship with Bobby Eaton has always been one born out of purity.
3 Paul Bearer/The Undertaker
When The Undertaker arrived in WWE, he was originally managed by Brother Love aka, Bruce Pritchard. But when WWE hired the former Percy Pringle, and learned that he was a licensed mortician, it became a no-brainer to place him with The Undertaker character. The real-life Mark Calloway was still quite new to the wrestling business and to the political atmosphere in WWE. Bearer was the one who helped him navigate the often shark-infested waters of the locker room and an eternal bond was formed. To this day, The Undertaker speaks with glowing fondness of Bearer and what he meant to him as a colleague and a friend.
2 Jimmy Hart/Hulk Hogan
The relationship between Hulk Hogan and Jimmy Hart is now one that spans several decades. What's funny is that Hogan and Hart were often at odds during WWE's Golden Era, as Jimmy was a heel manager at the time.
It wasn't until Hulk went to WCW in 1994, that he and Hart acknowledged their friendship, publicly. Jimmy Hart would manage Hulk Hogan, during his first year in WCW. More importantly, Jimmy Hart acted as Hulk's real-life manager, behind the scenes as well. The friendship between Hart and Hogan is one that still persists to this day.
1 Paul Heyman/Brock Lesnar
Paul Heyman has been a part of both Brock's professional and personal life, since he entered WWE in 2002. Brock was viewed as a top prospect upon debuting with the company, and the WWE entrusted Heyman to act as his manager both in and outside of the ring. Since then, Heyman has been a constant in Brock's life, continuing to represent him even after he left WWE in 2004. It's widely known that Brock is not someone who goes out of his way to forge friendships in any endeavor of his life. Therefore, it's a testament to Lesnar's trust of Heyman that their friendship has persisted all these years.