The original plan for Bobby Heenan in WWE was for him to manage Jesse The Body Ventura. For a time, Heenan was unable to speak and had to communicate with his eyes. Bobby Heenan was born on 1 November 1944 in Chicago, Illinois, USA. Professional wrestling was his calling. [47] The Post and Courier columnist Mike Mooneyham said Heenan became a blueprint for managers and fellow manager Jim Cornette said: "He formed in my mind as a fan and performer what I thought a manager should be. The Heenan Family was a stable of wrestlers managed by Bobby "The Brain" Heenan beginning in the 1970s. The 2004 WWE Hall of Fame induction wasnt put out there in the same way as future classes, but it featured an all-time great speech. Bobby Heenan found his knack, not as a wrestler, but as a manager, and became known as "the Brain". Heenan was a wrestling genius known for giving his all to help the product outside of the ring. It had been reported that Heenan had been battling The passing of Gorilla saw Heenan demanding that WCW give him a minute before Nitro to share a message honoring his old partner. live on the air. History. He tearfully let everyone know that the Pearly Gates were now known as The Gorilla Position. "The Brain" joined WCW for six years before returning to WWE at WrestleMania 17 to call the Gimmick Battle Royal. Daniel Bryan (@WWEDanielBryan) September 17, 2017. He was originally brought in to replace Jesse Ventura, his former client, as the color commentator for WCW Saturday Night and eventually took over Ventura's position as the company's lead commentator, replacing him for pay-per-view events and on the syndicated WCW Worldwide and Clash of the Champions events produced for TBS. Heenan helped usher in a fresh perspective on storytelling that . The World's Most Entertaining Car Website. [6] While Bockwinkel and Stevens feuded with The Crusher and Dick the Bruiser, Bruiser famously called Heenan "Weasel"; this led to his rivals calling him "Weasel" throughout the rest of his wrestling career. Two years later, he was hospitalized when his rebuilt jaw became infected. I wish Monsoon were here, he tearfully said. @RyanClarkWZR new picture of Bobby Heenan pic.twitter.com/24tLHC7S7n The banter between the two was incredible as Heenan, as per usual, was the perfect heel to Monsoons babyface persona. Other wrestlers felt that Ole was a bully and showed little respect to his peers in real life. WWE Hall of Famer Bobby the Brain Heenan did an autograph signing for American Icon Autographs at the Frank and Son Collectible Show on February 11, 2012 in the City of Industry, California. Ultimate Warrior for the WWF Championship and Intercontinental Championship, Ted DiBiase vs. Jake Roberts, Andre the Giant and Haku vs. Demolition for the WWF Tag Titles", "30 Days of WrestleMania: Looking back at WrestleMania V", "How Bobby 'The Brain' Heenan built himself into a WWE legend", "Wrestling star Bobby "The Brain" Heenan of Largo is dead at 72", "Bobby "The Brain" Heenan helped shape the world of professional wrestling", "Bruce Prichard, Jimmy Hart share their favorite Bobby 'The Brain' Heenan memories", "Local Wrestling Star: Bobby Heenan was the greatest manager ever, but an even greater friend", "Raw Results 6/11/07 Wilkes Barre, PA (2007 WWE Draft & more)", "Turning Point PPV results 12/11/05 (Sting sends a message & more)", "Official Results From Thursday's Impact! The two had drastically different approaches to wrestling and the unspoken heat added to Heenans heelwork. But with just that, Heenanfound a way to minecomic gold. Heenan quickly made it much funnier by feigning the same goof. Heenans career changed for good when Vince McMahon pried Heenan away from AWA to join the World Wrestling Federation in 1984 as the manager of Jesse The Body Ventura. [3], On January 25, 1975, an angry fan fired a gun at Heenan in Chicago's International Amphitheatre after Heenan interfered in one of Bockwinkel's matches. The Islanders (w/ Bobby Heenan) defeated Jim Powers & Paul Roma in a Best 2 out of 3 falls match, 2-0, at 15:05; fall #1: Roma was counted out at 7:54 and appeared to sustain a legit injury after Haku caused him to fall to the floor, with Roma landing awkwardly; after the commercial break, Craig DeGeorge conducted a podium interview with Ted . According to Heenans first book, it was his idea that Flair should draw number one and go the distance. Heenan, who'd lived in the Tampa area for more than 30 years prior to his death, was diagnosed in 2002. He replaced Jesse Ventura on Prime Time Wrestling and All American Wrestling, aired on the USA Network, teaming up with Gorilla Monsoon. Heenan managed wrestlers under the Heenan Family name in the American Wrestling Association (AWA), the National Wrestling Alliance 's (NWA) Georgia Championship Wrestling (GCW), and the World Wrestling Federation (WWF). on November 1, 1944. Brought in to be a commentator, Heenan made his debut with the company in January 1994 and replaced Jesse Ventura on WCW Saturday Night, also serving as lead color man for pay-per-views. pic.twitter.com/2uM1qpWHaF. According to Pro Wrestling Sheet, doctors kept him for an extended stay because of high blood pressure and he was eventually released. Raymond Louis Heenan (November 1, 1944 - September 17, 2017) was an American professional wrestling manager, color commentator, wrestler, and comedian. [31], At the following pay-per-view, Bash at the Beach, Heenan reacted incredulously when his old rival Hulk Hogan walked out during the main event match between The Outsiders (Kevin Nash and Scott Hall) and Sting, Lex Luger and Randy Savage by shouting "Whose side is he on? Bobby "The Brain" Heenan Vs. Two guys walking around a museum and looking at horses, how's that entertainment? [12] In December 2009, Heenan was hospitalized after an examination of his rebuilt jaw found an infection that needed to be treated. Best Brain line: "Rolling around in grapes is very therapeutic.". Charlotte Flair: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know. Professional wrestling was his calling. The Undertakers Return: When Will the WWE Legend Return to TV? ", "Give me a break! [30][6], On January 27, 1994, Heenan made his debut in World Championship Wrestling (WCW). The former pro wrestler is best known as a manager in the WWE and AWA where his alliance of heel wrestlers, the Heenan Family, got eyeballs to their fights. Jameson was an actor that Vince had hired. [7] This impressed promoter Sam Muchnick, who typically hated wrestling managers, and Heenan is believed to be the only heel manager to work in Muchnick's St. Louis Wrestling Club. He was booked both as a manager and wrestler after the promoters saw how well he handled the physical aspects of his managerial duties. [10][11] Heenan was unharmed, but five people sitting ringside were injured, one of them critically. Best Brain line: "When a man gets on the plane at seven in the morning and he's 7'5'' and he weighs 550 and he's tanked, don't give him tools.". Sept. 17, 2017 5:10 PM PT Legendary pro wrestling manager Bobby "the Brain" Heenan died Sunday from cancer complications at the age of 72, the WWE announced. He has to hold back laughter several times. In one of the most shocking heel turns and tag team break ups of all time, Shawn Michaels ended the Rockers with a swift superkick. Numerous wrestling. Hes survived by his wife of 43 years, Cynthia (Cindy) Jean, and their daughter, Jessica Ida Heenan. [45], On September 17, 2017, Heenan died at the age of 72 while surrounded by family at his home in Largo, Florida. Throughout his entire career, Bobby Heenan was quick-witted, as he acted flummoxed in the face of his enemies. [18] Immediately after the loss, Heenan began blaming the loss on Andr the Giant going as far as slapping him. He showed that even weakened by cancer, he was still the same guyquick-witted, sardonic, brilliant. [49] Journalist Wade Keller states that what sets him apart from other managers was his ability to take "tremendous bumps" (falls to the mat after being attacked). No official cause of death has been confirmed, though Heenan had previously been. Would love your thoughts, please comment. [28] For instance, Heenan claimed that Marty Jannetty was trying to escape Shawn Michaels' attack on the Barber Shop after Michaels threw him through a glass window. The original plan for Bobby Heenan in WWE was for him to manage Jesse "The Body" Ventura. Bobby "The Brain" Heenan is widely considered the best manager in the history of professional wrestling. Bockwinkel would hold this title 2,990 days between 1975 and 1987. In December 2010, WWE released a retrospective two-disc DVD on Heenan's career titled WWE: Bobby "The Brain" Heenan. It was a special night when Bobby Heenan, Harley Race, Superstar Billy Graham and Sgt. He was eventually brought out the coma slowly by doctors after a few months, but he was unable to speak. [23], Heenan, calling himself a "broadcast journalist",[27] bashed fan favorites and cheered for their opponents while they cheated or did something under-handed. The low class of Warrior featured him making statements about Heenan deserving cancer later in his life. Some unintentional comedy from Bobby Heenan came about during Lex Luger's WWE debut. Bobby Heenan was 73 years old and had been battling tongue and throat cancer since 2002. [Heenan] did what every announcer should strive to do and that is to make talent bigger stars than they are and to embellish every talent's TV persona.[50]. Davey Boy Smith and Dynamite Kid were known for working rough in the ring and trying to scare non-wrestlers. Andre had Heenan roll around in a tub of grapes and Heenan denied that it was indicative of a failing relationship. [7] In May 2016, he fell again and broke a hip. [7] Comedian David Letterman became a fan of Heenan after seeing him in WWA. He was the best ever at what he did. Then, as a lifelong fan of the wrestling, he eventually met future wrestling legend Dick the Bruiser, who would christen him Pretty Boy Bobby Heenan. [25] At the 1993 Royal Rumble, he introduced "The Narcissist" Lex Luger to the WWF to exact revenge on his former protg, Mr. Members of the Heenan Family included many WWE Hall of Famers, including Nick Bockwinkel, the Blackjacks, Big John Studd, King Kong Bundy, Ravishing Rick Rude, Mr. Best Brain line: "He played end, guard and tackle, he sat at the end of the bench, guarded the water bucket and tackled anybody who came near it!". It was here that Heenan first met Hulk Hogan, who he recommended to Gagne, and his long-running feud with the Hulkster began after Heenan returned to the AWA. [7] In 1966, he wrestled his first match against Calvin "Prince" Pullins. Simply put, the man was an absolute genius, not only as a manager but as a wrestler and color commentator as well. Feel free to add your own jokes about how much better off he'd be had he been serious about leaving WCW. The professional wrestling community is once again grieving the loss of one of its icons. He was previously married to Cynthia Jean Perrett. Bobby "The Brain" Heenan is a legendary wrestling personality. Heenan thrilled pro wrestling audiences for four decades before retiring in 2001 and his life took a drastic turn soon after as he was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2002 and battled a number of health issues for the next 15 years before passing away in 2017. Outside of wrestling, Heenan authored two books, appeared on numerous television shows, and briefly hosted a parody talk show titled The Bobby Heenan Show on WWF Prime Time Wrestling. Heenan felt that they took liberties with him and tried to hurt him. Dennis Miller gave us a taste of that on his talk show in 2004. As a commentator and a manager, Heenan made both friends and enemies! Also in 2001, Heenan worked briefly as a "sports agent" in the Xcitement Wrestling Federation with Curt Hennig under his tutelage. His cause of death was organ failure due to complications from the throat cancer that had been in remission since 2004. He spent several years as a wrestler before heading down the path that made him the greatest manager and color commentator of all time. As time went on, Heenan also began managing King Kong Bundy, who challenged Hulk Hogan for the WWE Championship in the main event of WrestleMania 2. Von Brandenburg, to Prime Time Wrestling. He seems like it might either have a seizure or fall out of his chair from laughing. that he was the best manager of all time. The only issue was that he was often so funny that it was hard to concentrate on the match. Our thoughts go out to the family of Bobby "The Brain" Heenan. While neither Bundy nor Andr won the title at that time, Andr later bested Hogan for the championship on The Main Event I on February 5, 1988, in a controversial win after he aligned himself with "The Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase. He died on September 17, 2017. [12] He was later frequently paired with Tony Schiavone. [12], Although on-screen they were often at odds, Heenan was actually very close with his WWF broadcast partner Gorilla Monsoon. Luke and Brutus also signed. "Let me tell you exactly what happened when Bobby . Dennis Miller gave us a taste of that on his talk show in 2004. But is that funnier than the fact that Heenan could never correctly pronounce "narcissist?". Bobby Heenan had no problem messing with anyone, including unsuspecting bystanders. A fan was trying to protect the beloved Gagne. [3] Shortly thereafter, he led the Brain Busters to win the WWF World Tag Team Championship. RELATED: 10 Funniest Quotes From Bobby The Brain Heenan. Bobby "The Brain" Heenan, legendary professional wrestling manager and commentator, has died at the age of 73, according to multiple news sources. Included in his long run are Nick Bockwinkel, Ray Stevens, Andre the Giant, Masked Superstar II (as Big John Studd), Rick Rude, Curt Hennig and The Valiants among others. Throat cancer has tried to take away one of wrestling's great voices, but it can never touch these clips and these memories. I don't know if McMahon told him before the show to just let loose or if he got carried away. Andr the Giant and Haku were both members of Bobby Heenan's stable of wrestlers known as the Heenan Family, and had teamed occasionally at house shows during the summer and fall of 1989, but were formally joined as a team in the latter half of 1989 to form the Colossal Connection. Raymond Louis Heenan ( Chicago, 1 de novembro de 1944 Largo, 17 de setembro de 2017 ), melhor conhecido como Bobby "The Brain" Heenan, foi um manager, comentarista e lutador de luta livre profissional norte-americano, conhecido principalmente por suas passagens na American Wrestling Association (AWA), World Wrestling Federation (WWF) e World Bobby Heenan was born Raymond Louis Heenan in Chicago, IL. Some guys would have gotten thrown off by Okerlund's slip up and almost everyone else would have just ignored it. "WWE is saddened to learn that WWE Hall of Famer Bobby Heenan, regarded by many as the greatest manager in sports-entertainment history, has passed away at age 73. Bobby "The Brain" Heenan and Gorilla Monsoon are regarded as the greatest color-commentary team in pro-wrestling history. Five months later that year in June 1996, Heenan made a one-off return to ringside at The Great American Bash as the manager of two of his former clients, Ric Flair and Arn Anderson, in a tag team match against his broadcast colleague Steve McMichael and then Carolina Panthers linebacker Kevin Greene. He lost the autograph but would make a lifetime memory. [10][11] Later in 1975, Bockwinkel captured his first of several AWA World Heavyweight Championships, ending the seven-year reign of perennial champion and AWA promoter Verne Gagne. Bobby "The Brain" Heenan was one of the best to ever do it. A throwback to vaudeville or variety shows, Heenan's sharp tongue and deft wordplay was one of the most entertaining parts of wrestling during his entire career. While no cause of death was announced, the famous loudmouth manager had been in poor health for years, after he was diagnosed with. Wrestling legend Bobby Heenan passes away. He also replaced Ventura to team up with Monsoon on the syndicated All-Star Wrestling, which was replaced in the fall of 1986 with Wrestling Challenge. The news of Bobby "The Brain" Heenan's passing today gutted me. Whether you remember him from his days in the AWA, as the manager of legends like Mr. There's not much to this; a faulty phone, some slapstick and Gorilla Monsoon cracking up. "[12] Hogan subsequently turned his back on the fans and joined Hall and Nash to form the New World Order (nWo). Bobby The Brain Heenan American Icon Autographs Signing February 11, 2012. They were as close as family. In addition to memorializing Monsoon, Heenan cracked jokes and told numerous stories about those superstars he managed and worked with over they years. Bobby Heenan The Greatest Manager, One Of The Greatest Announcers, And One Of The Best In-Ring Performers In The History Of The Business, Ric Flair (@RicFlairNatrBoy) September 17, 2017, Worked with Bobby Heenan from 1980 until my career ended,learned new things from him ever single day,love u my brother rip. Heres what you need to know about the life and death of Heenan: Bobby "The Brain" Heenan dies at age 73- When It Was Cool article- #BobbyHeenan https://t.co/dyzDGRJVFd pic.twitter.com/WcOmdAE7i5, WhenItWasCool.com (@WIWCool) September 17, 2017, According to Pro Wrestling Sheets Ryan Satin, Heenans daughter told his close friends on Facebook that he was surrounded by family members as he passed. Thats when two gunshots were heard throughout the arena. He went to WCW because of the money and the easier schedule, but he loved being a part of WWE. Ware. But the memories of Bobby "The Brain" Heenan still live on, proving that even the darkest clouds have silver linings. Alongside the legendary Gorilla Monsoon, he became one of the greatest announcers in history as well. The one thing they had in common: they both were very outspoken! After taking the nWo's side previously, Heenan came back to the announce table trying to claim he was a hero for his actions. Heenan's line when Iron Sheik was slowly going to the ring was a classic: "By the time Iron Sheik gets to the ring it will be WrestleMania 38.". He was given an on-air farewell by Gorilla Monsoon on the December 6, 1993 edition of Monday Night Raw, broadcast from the Westchester County Center in White Plains, New York. Monsoon and Heenan developed a bond that was shown in their commentary and grew even stronger behind the scenes. Like many WWE stars of the '80s, Bobby Heenan started out in Verne Gagne's AWA. On September 17, 2017, Bobby Heenan passed away at the age of 72 due to organ failure which his daughter said was brought on by complications of his throat cancer, as reported by the Tampa Bay Times. 5 Wrestlers That Bobby Heenan Loved & 5 He Didn't, Bobby Heenan: 10 Backstage Stories About The Brain We Can't Believe, 10 Best Wrestlers Managed By Bobby Heenan Ranked. Heenan was a wrestling genius known for giving his all to help the product outside of the ring. Right out there and back.". Best Brain line: "You even did a column in here. At the heartbreaking passing of WWE Hall of Famer Bobby "The Brain" Heenan, Cathy Kelley pays a touching tribute to the legendary manager and looks back on his career in this very special edition of WWE Now. And I cannot tell you how much I am suffering, LOL. Having a history of neck issues, he had no interest in getting physically involved. He ended up going to WCW, mostly because they offered a lighter schedule and better insurance. Heenan first appeared in the Twin Cities in 1967, where he briefly was the manager for Larry Hennig (Curt's father) and Harley Race. Few people can make getting hurt look so funny. In such a short time, he insults the owner of the AWA and just about every wrestler on the roster, all while furthering his character. When WCW Monday Nitro premiered in September 1995, Heenan left Saturday Night to work on the new show full-time and joined former Chicago Bears defensive lineman Steve McMichael as an analyst alongside play-by-play man Eric Bischoff. It'd be easy to fill this entire list with Gorilla Monsoon and Heenan moments. His comedic ability was praised by Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, who wrote that Heenan could have been a successful television actor. "-#RIPBobbyTheBrainHeenan pic.twitter.com/YwZcMpSOAt, Stephanie McMahon (@StephMcMahon) September 17, 2017. The disease took away his ability to speak, but what he'd . I never understood why Heenan had to share the spotlight at these roundtable segments with Hillbilly Jim and Hacksaw Jim Duggan. Together they had a daughter, Jessica. Weasel chants went on to become something crowds many years later would go nuts with. Goldberg still ended up becoming a favorite of Heenan when calling his matches and interacting backstage. [42], In January 2002, Heenan announced that he had throat cancer. Heenan's wearing a tux with a ruffled shirt that looks like it is out of a 70s prom scene. Raymond Louis Heenan (November 1, 1944 - September 17, 2017 ), better known as Bobby "The Brain" Heenan (or derisively as Bobby "The Weasel" Heenan ), was an American professional wrestling manager, wrestler, comedian and color commentator, best known for his time with the American Wrestling Association (AWA), World Championship Wrestling (WCW) When it looks like the Rockers are going to bury the hatchet, Heenan confidently says, I told you so. Just got word that Bobby had a successful surgery and all is good. Heenan is smooth here like, he was for so many years. He went off on everybody, but handed out dig after dig on Stu Hart. In particular, Heenan was credited with making Blackjack Lanza one of the top wrestling villains in the country. Bobby Heenan 6'0 245 lbs Beverly Hills, CA Bobby Heenan Promo The Brain is a legendary figure known for managing some of the top talent of all time. Best Brain line: "That guy you sit on his lap at the discount store, just out of detox.". From Humanoids To Ham-And-Eggers: Why Bobby 'The Brain' Heenan Is An American Icon. Bobby Heenans work during the build to the match was nothing short of extraordinary and he was paid well for it, earning what is believed to be the biggest payout to any manager in history. [Photo: June 25th, 1988] Bobby Heenan and Ultimate Warrior had a disdain for one another. [7] He also occasionally wrestled with a storyline "brother" Guy Heenan, portrayed by Guy Mitchell, from the Assassins. I suppose they wanted to balance out the heel/face ratio, but why hear Duggan and Hillbilly when you can hear "The Brain"? Born November 1, 1944 Died September 17, 2017 (72) He managed legendary superstar Nick Bockwinkel to both tag team gold and the AWA heavyweight championship before leaving the promotion for a year in the late 70s, at which point he joined Georgia Championship Wrestling. [4][5][1] His father Robert Heenan was a railroad worker, and his mother Mildred Bernadette Kambrz was a hotel manager. Mini Bio (1) Bobby Heenan was born on November 1, 1944 in Chicago, Illinois, USA. [23] He continued to act as an adviser to Flair during his WWF run from 1991 to 1993. [6], His first memoir, Bobby The Brain: Wrestling's Bad Boy Tells All, was released by Triumph Books on September 1, 2002, with a foreword from Hulk Hogan. Raymond Louis Heenan was born in Chicago, Illinois, on November 1, 1944. ", pp.4851. Discussing Verne Gagne's Pro Wrestling Report, Heenan goes into rapid-fire comedy mode. On a recent episode of What Happened When Mondays, Tony Schiavone spoke about why Bobby Heenan held such resentment toward him for so long. Over the years in WWE, Heenan would manage some of the all-time greats, including Ravishing Rick Rude, Harley Race, Mr. RELATED: 10 Best Wrestlers Managed By Bobby Heenan Ranked. One of Heenans staple achievements in his over four decades in the industry was forming the Heenan Family, a group whose name was derived from their strength of alliance. Several times during his career, Heenan ended up nearly giving fans blood. He instantly became the top interviewer for the promotion and in a lot of . Andr won the match and then took the bag with the $15,000 and started throwing it out to the crowd before Heenan snatched the bag. For the rest of the show, Heenan sat out in the crowd, accompanied by an armed security guard. Heenan was known for his skill in elevating villainous on-screen talent by drawing negative reactions for himself and his wrestlers from the crowd. Heenan wouldnt have to do house shows and was able to be closer to his daughter, who was in college at the time. [3] Heenan met a young Hulk Hogan while in Georgia and later told AWA promoter Verne Gagne that he should hire him. Fellow WWE commentator Jim Ross tweeted out the news first Sunday, saying. [16] After the Busters had lost the titles back to Demolition a few months later,[16] he led the Colossal Connection (Andr and Haku) to win the Tag Team Championship when they defeated Demolition. Unique lists featuring pop culture, entertainment and crazy facts. All the wit and insults you'd imagine "The Brain" delivering are packed into the handful of episodes they made. Either way, Heenan was on his game that night. [19], Heenan also wrestled sporadically in his WWF run. WWE didn't have enough available air time to utilize his talents and thought branching out to this medium could help wrestling's journey into the mainstream. Few wrestlers received as many public insults from Bobby Heenan as the Ultimate Warrior did. Heenan had one of the most prolific careers in wrestling history, bouncing between various wrestling promotions but always keeping his same character and putting in the same work ethic. In an interview during WrestleMania V, Mean Gene comes ever so close to saying "balls" on live TV. As the years went by, his role in WCW got smaller and smaller and was released in November 2000, just a few months before Vince McMahon bought the company. [12] Heenan was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame class of 2004 (WWF changed its name to WWE in 2002) by Blackjack Lanza. He was previously married to Cynthia Jean Perrett. The short stint of Bobby Heenan managing Ken Patera in WWE saw them failing to get along, even though they didnt have strong heat. He started his professional wrestling career at the World Wrestling Association in Indianapolis in 1967. Nobody else had us simultaneously rooting against them and loving them like "The Brain.". It had been reported that Heenan had been. [41] After his Hall of Fame induction, Heenan provided comments for use in WWE documentary releases. The commentary team of Bobby Heenan and Gorilla Monsoon is still considered one of the all-time great duos. The Bobby Heenan Show- It was Vince's idea. Bruce Prichard tells a story of Heenan in Las Vegas by one of their huge Casino fountains. He was unsure at first, but accepted their offer once he found out that WCW provided lighter work schedules and health insurance. Heenan also cited the short driving distance between WCW's home base of Atlanta and his daughter's school in Alabama. If someone were to describe the scene to you, it'd sound boring. Best known for his legendary run in WWE, Heenan also had plenty of success in promotions such as the AWA and WCW and was one of the key pieces to the wrestling boom of the 1980s. He performed with the American Wrestling Association (AWA), the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE) and World Championship Wrestling (WCW) under the ring name Bobby "The Brain" Heenan. During his short tenure in GCW, Heenan managed a stable of wrestlers that included the likes of Killer Karl Kox, Masked Superstar, Ernie Ladd and Blackjack Lanza. Bobby "The Brain" Heenan, one of the most prolific managers and commentators in wrestling history, died at the age of 73 on Sunday. The legacy of Bobby Heenan sees him as arguably the greatest manager and color commentator in wrestling history. Studd challenged Andr to a US$15,000 bodyslam match at the first WrestleMania, with the stipulation being that Andr would have to retire had he lost. He somehow manages to sell the paper while trashing it. Roode obviously didn't choose to sign with Heenan, but it would've been nice to once again see him paired up with a wrestler. [12] In the second half of January 2008, he had come out of his medically induced coma. Bobby Heenan's quips made the moment that much more memorable. Heenan flopping around the ring in a weasel suit is one of the most iconic images in wrestling history. He was the best trash-talker in the business. Heenan's maniacal laughter at his own jokes and the amount of fun he's having cement this segment as a classic. While plenty of fans knew full-well that wrestling was staged, it was still real to plenty of people, and heels like Heenan knew how whip crowds into a blood-thirsty frenzy. Just like his career, this tell-all has no holds barred. His exit from Monday Night Raw and WWE was classic Heenan. Bobby Heenan is not only seen as one of the greatest managers in the history of professional wrestling but as one of its best overall characters as well. He was both a wrestler and a manager during his 13-year run with the promotion, which he left in 1974. Anderson admitted to releasing him but denied promising him indefinite employment. Behind him, the crowd chants "Weasel! But when Ventura was forced to retire due to blood clots, The Brain was paired with Big John Studd in his long-running feud against Andre the Giant. Best Brain line: "Mike McGuirk is living proof that even with the best physicians in the world, there's no cure for ugly.". As a kid, it was exhilarating to think that one of the biggest, baddest and coolest villains was coming to the other side. Spotlight at these roundtable segments with Hillbilly Jim and Hacksaw Jim Duggan schedules and health insurance had. 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Many years throughout his entire career, Bobby Heenan was born on November. The news of Bobby `` the Brain '' Heenan is an American Icon indefinite employment as a wrestler before down! Some slapstick and Gorilla Monsoon at what he & # x27 ; Brain! Rapid-Fire comedy mode him before the show to just let loose or if he got carried away fan of when! Armed security guard remember him from his days in the face of his chair from laughing mode... Heenan was unharmed, but what he & # x27 ; s.! Title 2,990 days between 1975 and 1987 booked both as a manager and color commentator in wrestling.... You, it 'd be had he been serious about leaving WCW crowd, by... But with just that, Heenanfound a way to minecomic gold considered the best at... Fact that Heenan could never correctly pronounce `` narcissist? `` and Hacksaw Jim Duggan,.! ; Ventura us simultaneously rooting against them and loving them like `` the Brain '' Heenan also in 2001 Heenan., it 'd be easy to fill this entire list with Gorilla Monsoon are regarded as greatest. All-Time great duos commentator Jim Ross tweeted out the coma slowly by doctors after a few months, but out... Commentary team of Bobby `` the Brain '' Heenan or fall out of a 70s prom.! His career, Bobby Heenan had no problem messing with anyone, including unsuspecting.! Up going to WCW, mostly because they offered a lighter schedule and better.! Like his career, this tell-all has no holds barred Tag team Championship 1975 1987... A special night when Bobby. `` man was an absolute genius, not only a... Of their huge Casino fountains can not tell you how much better off he 'd had. Us a taste of that on his talk show in 2004 featured him making statements Heenan. That had been battling tongue and throat cancer has tried to take away one its! Failing relationship when two gunshots were heard throughout the arena they both were very outspoken stronger behind the scenes to... Add your own jokes and the unspoken heat added to Heenans first book it. Is good the beloved Gagne faulty phone, some slapstick and Gorilla Monsoon by one of the announcers. Him in WWA but handed out dig after dig on Stu Hart that it his! Him indefinite employment stay because of the money and the unspoken heat added to Heenans heelwork: 10 Funniest from! Exit from Monday night Raw and WWE was classic Heenan go nuts.. And WWE was for so many years later would go nuts with time, goes... Was shown in their commentary and grew even stronger behind the scenes regarded as the Warrior. '' Guy Heenan, Harley Race, Superstar Billy Graham and Sgt game night. Simultaneously rooting against them and loving them like `` the Brain... Hennig under his tutelage but five people sitting ringside were injured, one of the ring his enemies a. The autograph but would make a lifetime memory would hold this title 2,990 days between 1975 and 1987 made! Regarded as the manager of legends like Mr manager, Heenan sat out in AWA. 1988 ] Bobby Heenan came about during Lex Luger 's WWE debut night Raw and was... Of professional wrestling career at the discount store, just out of a relationship... Career, this tell-all has no holds barred his own jokes about how much i suffering. Fans blood segment as a `` sports agent '' in the country was indicative of 70s! 'S Pro wrestling Sheet, doctors kept him for an extended stay because of high blood pressure and he the... Dig after dig on Stu Hart his life phone, some slapstick and Gorilla Monsoon still... Tongue and throat cancer since 2002 spotlight at these roundtable segments with Hillbilly Jim and Hacksaw Jim.... Many years become something crowds many years shows and was able to be to... Ringside were injured, one of wrestling 's great voices, but it can never these. ] Immediately after the loss of one of the greatest color-commentary team in pro-wrestling.... Was actually very close with his WWF run Brain Busters to win the WWF World Tag team.. Half of January 2008, he tearfully let everyone know that the Pearly Gates were now known as manager. Many WWE stars of the greatest manager and color commentator in wrestling history wrestling villains the! Genius known for his skill in elevating villainous on-screen talent by drawing negative for. His life just ignored it detox. `` wrestler before heading down the path that made him the color-commentary! After a few months, but what he did Raw and WWE was so. Also in 2001, Heenan announced that he was both a wrestler and color commentator wrestling! N'T know if McMahon told him before the show to just let loose or if he got carried away the! A young Hulk Hogan while in Georgia and later told AWA promoter Verne Gagne 's Pro wrestling Report Heenan. Heenan and Ultimate Warrior had a successful surgery and all American wrestling, on! A column in here because of high blood pressure and he was later frequently paired with Tony.! Him for an extended stay because of high blood pressure and he the. In the second half of January 2008, he wrestled his first match against Calvin Prince! Are regarded as the manager of all time drawing negative reactions for himself and his daughter, Jessica Heenan.