Arnold Skaaland was an American professional wrestler and professional wrestling manager. Born in 1946, Skaaland began his career after serving in the US Marine Corps. United States during World War II. He joined the World Wrestling Federation in 1963 and won the United States Wrestling Championship in 1967 with Spyros Arion.
In 1978, he left the ring and became a one-armed man instead of a maniac. Skaaland's most notable clients were Bruno Sammartino and Bob Backlund. He later became head of the WWF and was inducted into the WWF Hall of Fame in 1994.
In 1963, Skaaland joined the World Wide Wrestling Federation in New York City. He won his first title as one half of the United States Tag Team Champions in 1967. However, he and his partner Spiros Arion lost the titles to The Sicilians in 1967. Skaaland was a shareholder of Capitol Wrestling Corporation and a business partner of WWWF Chairman Vince McMahon Sr. He produced WWWF shows in Westchester County Center and served as an agent for André the Giant. Skaaland managed Bruno Sammartino and Bob Backlund, both winning the WWF World Heavyweight Championship under his guidance. In 1978, Skaaland retired from regular wrestling, but occasionally appeared as a late substitute for wrestlers who couldn't make a show.
Pro Wrestling Illustrated named Skaaland Manager of the Year for 1978 and 1979. Backlund's reign ended in 1983 when Skaaland threw in the towel while Backlund was trapped in the camel clutch. Skaaland appeared in the 1987 music video for the title track from Piledriver and was inducted into the WWF Hall of Fame in 1994 for managing Sammartino and Backlund to the World Heavyweight Championship. He was married to Betty Skaaland and had three sons.
