"After the United States entered World War II, Blassie enlisted in the Navy and served in the Pacific Theater for 42 months. The war was a trying time for his family back home because of his grandparents' German heritage. They were often accused of being unpatriotic. In addition, he married a Jewish girl named Nettie Needles in California while on shore leave. He achieved the rank of Petty Officer Second Class before he was discharged."
"In 1962, Blassie had a feud with Japanese wrestling icon Rikidozan that established his reputation in Japan. After Blassie lost the WWA World Heavyweight Championship to Rikidozan in Los Angeles, the two had a rematch on live Japanese television. Many of the viewers were horrified by Blassie's treatment of their hero. One of Blassie's gimmicks was to file his teeth, and draw blood from his opponents by biting their foreheads. The sight of the Japanese legend covered in his own blood gave several viewers heart attacks, and some reportedly even died."