Eddie Andelman, the Boston radio legend who came up with WWE’s King of the Ring tournament, has died at 89 years old.
His sons Dave, Mike, and Dan announced his death on Monday. Boston knew Andelman as a sports radio giant, but wrestling fans know his name for something much bigger than a microphone. He was the man behind King of the Ring.
Andelman was not a wrestler. He was not a promoter. He was a Boston media powerhouse who knew the McMahon family and had an idea that turned into one of WWE’s most famous tournament concepts.
The first King of the Ring took place in 1985 at Sullivan Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Andelman owned some of the land there, and he teamed with Vince McMahon to make the event happen.
The tournament started as a charity show. Money from the event went to children’s non-profits, including causes tied to cystic fibrosis and pediatric cancer. Andelman was a major supporter of the Joey Fund and Jimmy Fund, and King of the Ring became one of his biggest charity plays.
King of the Ring later became a major WWE event, but it started as an untelevised tournament in Massachusetts. Don Muraco won the first tournament in 1985. Harley Race won the 1986 version. Andelman also worked with the AWA in 1985 for a Wrestling for A Cure charity event, so his wrestling connection did not stop with WWE.
Outside wrestling, Andelman was a Boston institution. He was inducted into the Massachusetts Broadcasters Hall of Fame and helped shape the city’s sports radio scene long before it became the monster it is today.
His family also became a big name in Boston food culture. Andelman hosted the annual Hot Dog Safari to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, while two of his sons went on to host The Phantom Gourmet.
Eddie Andelman may not have been part of WWE every week, but his idea stuck around for decades. King of the Ring created legends, crowned stars, and became a piece of WWE history because one Boston radio icon wanted to do something original.
What do you think about Eddie Andelman creating WWE King of the Ring? Drop your thoughts in the comments below.
