In the quiet town of Walls, Bruno Lauer serves his community as Alderman At Large, working to attract retail and services for local residents. To wrestling fans of the 1990s, though, Lauer is better known by another name… Harvey Wippleman. The zany, pint-sized manager in a too-small suit who guided monsters to the ring and even made history in one of the most bizarre moments ever in the World Wrestling Federation.
Lauer’s story is one of reinvention and resilience, a four-decade journey that began in the gritty days of territory wrestling and evolved into a behind-the-scenes mainstay with WWE. It’s a tale that spans from carnival tents to WrestleMania—and back to small-town politics in Mississippi.
The Birth of “Downtown Bruno”
Though born in Jackson in 1965, Lauer grew up in Pennsylvania and eventually returned to his roots in DeSoto County as a teenager. His wrestling story began in 1979 when, at just 13, he attended an independent show at a carnival and offered to help tear down the ring. That single act launched a lifelong career. He joined the traveling crew, leaving home to enter the wild world of professional wrestling.
During the final days of the territory system, Lauer learned the ropes the old-school way. Mentored by Jonathan Boyd in Ohio and trained by Geeto Mongol in Pennsylvania, he started performing under the name Dr. Lennerd Spazzinsky. But it was in Memphis where his star began to rise. In the Continental Wrestling Association, he became “Downtown Bruno,” a loud-mouthed manager who stepped in after Jimmy Hart’s departure to the WWF. He quickly became the territory’s top heel manager, often seen alongside the massive Sid Eudy—later known as Sid Vicious.
Lauer traveled through southern promotions like the CWF in Alabama and even spent time in Hawaii. In 1989, he won the NWA Southeastern United States Junior Heavyweight Championship shortly before the promotion folded, marking the end of an era. He was among the last to come up through the territories before Vince McMahon’s WWF took over the wrestling world.
Enter Harvey Wippleman: WWF’s Resident Pest
In 1991, Lauer got his big break with the World Wrestling Federation. Rebranded as Harvey Wippleman, he adopted a nerdy, irritating persona with a squeaky voice, high-water pants, and a red bow-tie. His job was simple: get booed, stay loud, and make his monstrous clients look unstoppable.
Wippleman managed an impressive lineup of WWF villains. He debuted with Big Bully Busick, then took over management of The Warlord. He returned to Sid Justice’s side for a major feud with Hulk Hogan that led to WrestleMania VIII. Later, he managed Kamala during a year-long rivalry with The Undertaker. To escalate the feud, Wippleman introduced Giant González, an almost eight-foot-tall spectacle whose visual pairing with the diminutive manager became iconic.
Wippleman also managed Adam Bomb, Kwang, the tag team Well Dunn, and even Bertha Faye, whom he led to a WWF Women’s Championship victory at SummerSlam 1995. Though Wippleman was often the comic relief, his knack for heat made him indispensable in enhancing his clients’ presence.
Wippleman in the Ring—And in Drag
Wippleman occasionally stepped into the ring himself, most memorably in a long-running comedic feud with ring announcer Howard Finkel. Their storyline culminated in a tuxedo match on Monday Night Raw in 1995, where Finkel stripped Wippleman to his underwear in front of a roaring crowd.
In 1996, Wippleman transitioned into a referee role on TV, but it was in 2000 that he etched his name into wrestling history. Dressed in drag as “Hervina,” he competed in a snow-filled swimming pool match and became the first (and only) man to win the WWF Women’s Championship. Though he lost the title the next night to Jacqueline, the surreal moment has lived on as one of the strangest highlights of the Attitude Era. The behind-the-scenes reason? The office needed to move the title safely from The Kat to Jacqueline and trusted Wippleman to play the middleman, literally and figuratively.
Beyond the Spotlight: A Life of Loyalty
After Wippleman faded from television, Lauer remained a trusted figure behind the scenes. As a WWE road agent and later as a backstage concierge, he ensured everything from travel to catering ran smoothly for talent. In an industry known for high turnover, Lauer’s continued employment speaks volumes about his reliability and professionalism.
Perhaps the most heartwarming chapter in Lauer’s story is his friendship with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. Years before Johnson became a Hollywood icon, he was a struggling young wrestler trying to make ends meet. Lauer opened his home to him even helping him buy his first car. In 2020, Johnson returned the favor by gifting Lauer a brand new truck and calling him the “G.O.A.T.” for his lifelong loyalty.
A Public Servant’s Second Act
Lauer’s journey came full circle in 2021 when he was elected Alderman At Large for the town of Walls. In office, he’s focused on bringing retail and services to the community, continuing his lifelong mission of helping others—this time outside the ring.
He chronicled his incredible life in his 2008 autobiography Wrestling with the Truth, which features a foreword by The Rock and praise from wrestling legends like Mick Foley and Kurt Angle. The book offers an honest, gritty look at a life spent on the road and in the ring.
A Legacy Unlike Any Other
Lauer may never have held the WWF Championship, but his list of honors is uniquely his own. He’s a former Southeastern Junior Heavyweight Champion, a one-time WWF Women’s Champion, a recipient of the Cauliflower Alley Club’s Manager Award, and a member of the Memphis Wrestling Hall of Fame.
But more than any belt or award, Lauer’s real legacy is adaptability, humility, and loyalty. He entertained millions, served his peers, helped a future superstar find his footing, and returned to serve the community he loves. From carnival rings to city hall, Lauer has truly done it all.
His story isn’t just one of professional wrestling’s most unforgettable characters. It’s the story of a man who found success by being himself … loud, loyal, and unshakably real.
GORESPORTS.net 
Leave a comment