The legacy of Bobby Heenan sees him as arguably the greatest manager and color commentator in wrestling history. She was the Brain's comedic muse, inspiring some of his best one-liners. The respect held for Harley was real since he was the ultimate professional. 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 World's Most Entertaining Car Website. Either way, Heenan was on his game that night. The Ultimate Warrior - A war of words! Bobby "The Brain" Heenan and Gorilla Monsoon are regarded as the greatest color-commentary team in pro-wrestling history. Fuji. He died on September 17, 2017 in Largo, Florida, USA. on November 1, 1944. On SpikeTV", "Pro wrestling icon Bobby Heenan dies at 72", "GameSpy: Showdown: Legends of Wrestling", "Pro wrestling commentator Bobby 'The Brain' Heenan dead at 73", "Bobby Heenan, legendary pro wrestling manager, dead at 73", "Bobby Heenan breaks hip and shoulder, fractures pelvis", "WWE Hall of Famer Bobby 'The Brain' Heenan reportedly hospitalized", "Bobby Heenan: Remembering the greatest and explaining why he is widely regarded as the greatest at what he did", "Mooneyham: Gone but not forgotten, professional wrestling lost memorable names in 2017", "Triple H: Bobby Heenan Wasn't Just a Manager, One of the Greatest Wrestlers Ever", "Jim Ross on Bobby Heenan, Gorilla Monsoon", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bobby_Heenan&oldid=1127575056, Professional wrestling managers and valets, The Four Horsemen (professional wrestling) members, Pages containing links to subscription-only content, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 15 December 2022, at 13:57. Not only does Heenan smear humor over every. No one ever did it better than the Wease. ", Before Jannetty's feet even fall to the floor, Heenan announces, "I knew that was going to happen. Heenan is smooth here like, he was for so many years. In his younger days, he dropped out of eight grade to support his mother and grandmother. And this was the kind of influence Bobby Heenan had on people. Heenan's lengthy line about Mooney's family tree is hard to appreciate on live television, but luckily for us, we can rewatch the video and catch all of it. Heenan flopping around the ring in a weasel suit is one of the most iconic images in wrestling history. [39] Despite declining health in his final years, Heenan continued to make appearances at fan conventions. 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. 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. Jameson was an actor that Vince had hired. In December 2007, he underwent reconstructive jaw surgery and had to be placed in a medically induced coma. ", or a sarcastic, "Please! He was an actor, known for AWA All-Star Wrestling (1960), Showdown: Legends of Wrestling (2004) and WWF Challenge (1986). 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. He somehow manages to sell the paper while trashing it. [6] The AWA was the starting point for the first incarnation of his eponymous heel stable, The Heenan Family, which initially consisted of Bockwinkel, Stevens, Bobby Duncum Sr., and Blackjack Lanza. He then asked the giant if everything was "hunky-dory" only to get his hand crushed in the process. And whether it was as the manager or as a wrestler, he could get the crowd going as well as anyone."[13]. Bobby "The Brain" Heenan was one of the best to ever do it. 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. [40] WWE Hall of Fame commentator Jim Ross selected Heenan as the greatest talent in the history of the wrestling business. Heenan felt that they took liberties with him and tried to hurt him. [32], Starting in late January 2000, WCW replaced Heenan on Monday Nitro and pay-per-view events with Mark Madden. [7] By 2004, the cancer had gone into remission. [Photo: June 25th, 1988] Bobby Heenan and Ultimate Warrior had a disdain for one another. He has to hold back laughter several times. It had been reported that Heenan had been battling It made him calm. Bobby "The Brain" Heenan -- a former wrestler, manager, announcer and WWE Hall of Famer -- has died . [8] During his time in WWA, he managed Angelo Poffo and Chris Markoff, the Assassins (Guy Mitchell and Joe Tomasso), The Valiant Brothers and The Blackjacks. Once his weasel character was well established, Heenan periodically stepped in the ring to appease fans' desires to see him get the whippings he deserved. On a recent episode of What Happened When Mondays, Tony Schiavone spoke about why Bobby Heenan held such resentment toward him for so long. He was an actor, known for WrestleMania X-Seven (2001), Saturday Night's Main Event (1985) and WCW Bash at the Beach (1996). Pro wrestling historian George Schire praised his in-ring ability, commenting: "Bobby was a good athlete flipping over the ropes, he could do it all. Bobby "The Brain" Heenan's life and career left an indelible mark on the world of professional wrestling. He is known by his nickname Bobby "The Brain" Heenan and spent time in the American Wrestling Association, World Wrestling Federation . Bobby "The Brain" Heenan was one of the best to ever do it. 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 . Gorilla Monsoon and Bobby Heenan were so entertaining on Prime Time Wrestling that they didn't even need the wrestling. According to the obituary published today in The Tampa Bay Times, WWE Hall of Famer Bobby Heenan died of organ failure caused by his years long battle with throat cancer. Dean Mitchell sent us this new photo of "Rowdy" Roddy Piper and Bobby "The Brain" Heenan. Best Brain line: "Oh no, they're going to repossess my teeth.". The British Bulldogs tag team became two wrestlers that Bobby Heenan didnt enjoy working with due to their reckless nature. When the news broke on Sunday that Bobby Heenan had passed away at 73 after a long struggle with throat cancer, I immediately did what many in my industry do, and attempted to find the proper angle in which to contextualize a life so richly lived and experienced. Leave it to Bobby Heenan to take a silly joke like telling kids that Santa Claus isn't real and turn it into a face-reddening spectacle. Slaughter were inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. David Dennis, Jr. May 22, 2015. Bobby Heenan died of organ failure caused by throat cancer. He makes fun of Ivan Putski's finishing move, the 49ers and George Wells. Its no secret that off-screen the two bickering commentators, Gorilla Monsoon and Bobby Heenan were as thick as thieves. WWE would try to recreate the moment years later with Heenan and the Ultimate Warrior, but the AWA version did it better. More ACTION on WWE NETWORK : bit.ly/MobQRl Subscribe to WWE on YouTube: bit.ly/1i64OdT Visit the all-new WWE.com: bit.ly/visitwwe. Flair has spoken glowingly about Heenan throughout the years and made it clear that he was the best manager of all time. The news of Bobby "The Brain" Heenan's passing today gutted me. Known for his quick wit and comedic ability, Heenan also served as a color commentator and is remembered for his on-screen repartee with Gorilla Monsoon. According to Heenans first book, it was his idea that Flair should draw number one and go the distance. He's had tons of funnier moments, but few times has he so effortlessly shown off his ad lib skills. He lost the autograph but would make a lifetime memory. Rosenberg stated that Heenan "operated on multiple levels", adding: "If you were a little kid, he was the foil to your hero. Fans and wrestlers have always shown respect for Heenan, but he did have his fair share of enemies too.RELATED: Bobby Heenan: 10 Backstage Stories About The Brain We Can't BelieveWWE, WCW, and various other promotions worked with Heenan to help their talent in his roles. 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. Wrestling legend Bobby Heenan passes away. [13], Heenan made appearances as a guest on various television shows, including: Family Feud, Live with Regis and Kathie Lee, The Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon, Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards, The Arsenio Hall Show, and The Dennis Miller Show. Heenan was instrumental in convincing McMichael to turn on his partner, which enabled Flair and Anderson to win the match, and fill the open spot in The Four Horsemen that Brian Pillman left behind when he departed from the company earlier in the year. Eventually, he got his start as a pro in Dick the Bruiser's . Just a week after the deal was done, Bobby Heenan appeared for WWE at WrestleMania 17 to call the Gimmick Battle Royal alongside Mean Gene Okerlund. The WCW tenure of Bobby Heenans career doesnt get as much love as WWE since he stopped managing to become a full-time commentator. 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. I just want to let all the wonderful humanoids out there know how grateful I am for the good wishes. Another simple gag had Heenan allude to it being his last night on Nitro early in the show and then begin to shake his colleagues' hands in farewell. Had he done it years later during the Attitude Era, it would have gone unnoticed. [45], On September 17, 2017, Heenan died at the age of 72 while surrounded by family at his home in Largo, Florida. And I cannot tell you how much I am suffering, LOL. As an adult, you look back and appreciate just how much of a comedic genius he was. Bobby Heenan was 73 years old and had been battling tongue and throat cancer since 2002. [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. In a funny Prime Time Wrestling segment, Bobby Heenan tries to buy a horse from a shady character at the Kentucky Derby Museum. Would love your thoughts, please comment. When Monday Nitro debuted in 1995, Heenan was the lead color commentator there as well, initially alongside Steve McMichael and Eric Bischoff before later being paired up with another former WWE announcer, Tony Schiavone. Everyone is talking about the "Champions Rumble" match signed for January 27th in the Astrodome in Houston Texas on Pay Per View. Best Brain line: "You sit like this on the little leather thing and these are called hoof holders.". [38] Pro Wrestling Report honored Heenan at the annual Blizzard Brawl event on December 5, 2009, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, as he was given their Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2014, Heenan fell out of bed and broke his shoulder, and then broke his hip two years later. [12], Heenan reformed the Heenan Family,[3] which over the years in the WWF would include Studd, "Olympic Strong Man" Ken Patera, "Playboy" Buddy Rose, "Mr. A fan was trying to protect the beloved Gagne. Bobby "The Brain" Heenan was a breath of fresh air in professional wrestling. You would think after Jerry Lawler and Andy Kaufman created a moment on Letterman that the late night talk show host would have learned his lesson. Nobody else had us simultaneously rooting against them and loving them like "The Brain.". In 2004, however, the same year in which he was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, Heenan announced that his cancer had gone into remission, although the treatment had certainly taken a toll on him. For the rest of the show, Heenan sat out in the crowd, accompanied by an armed security guard. Two years later, he was hospitalized when his rebuilt jaw became infected. He was booked both as a manager and wrestler after the promoters saw how well he handled the physical aspects of his managerial duties. Smith was specifically an enemy of Heenan since his strength was more powerful than Dynamite and it led to the manager feeling real pain after their spots together. Managing so many of the superstars and being a fixture as a commentator, Heenan had forged many friendships with his co-workers. 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. For a time, Heenan was unable to speak and had to communicate with his eyes. He was also one of the many managers that came out of the woodwork trying to broker a deal with Bobby Roode. Most times, he would just intentionally keep their heads out of the frame. In this promo he deftly rattles off insults, dogging the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the High Flyers. All the heat he'd drawn over the years makes the moment that much better as fans were eager to watch him make a fool of himself, if not fall completely off the animal. Heenan also suffered from a broken hip and pelvis after falling in 2011 and went through tongue cancer treatments in 2013, he told Jim Ross. @RyanClarkWZR new picture of Bobby Heenan pic.twitter.com/24tLHC7S7n Vince liked the idea and tweaked it, making Royal Rumble history. There are many things fans might not know about Bobby "The Brain" Heenan. [12], In early 1979, Heenan left the AWA (suspended one year, in storyline) to work in Georgia Championship Wrestling (GCW). When Heenan left the company, the friends spent the night shedding tears in a hotel room because it was truly the end of an era. It had been reported that Heenan had been. Over the years in WWE, Heenan would manage some of the all-time greats, including Ravishing Rick Rude, Harley Race, Mr. "Let me tell you exactly what happened when Bobby . Bobby "The Brain" Heenan is a legendary wrestling personality. Bobby Heenan managed Andre the Giant in WWE, but that wasnt the only time they spent working together. Commentator Jim Ross broke the news . Bobby "The Brain" Heenan managed Nick Bockwinkel to win the AWA World Heavyweight Championship on November 8, 1975. "The Brain" joined WCW for six years before returning to WWE at WrestleMania 17 to call the Gimmick Battle Royal. History. He was the best trash-talker in the business. For brief moment in between stints with the AWA and WWE, Heenan took his considerable talents down south to Georgia Championship Wrestling. Wrestling legend Bobby "The Brain" Heenan died at the age of 72 on Sunday. Best Brain line: "That could be anybody's banana.". 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. Throat cancer has tried to take away one of wrestling's great voices, but it can never touch these clips and these memories. As a kid, it was exhilarating to think that one of the biggest, baddest and coolest villains was coming to the other side. Whether standing at ringside, giving a backstage interview, or sitting at the announce table, Heenan knew exactly how to work an audience and maybe did it better than anyone ever has. Whether you remember him from his days in the AWA, as the manager of legends like Mr. [6] In 2004, he feuded with fellow manager Jim Cornette in Ring of Honor. In 1986, Heenan managed King Kong Bundy in his main event bout at WrestleMania 2. Charlotte Flair: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know. [6][3], In 1965, Heenan became a regular in William Afflis' (known by his in-ring persona Dick the Bruiser) Indianapolis-based WWA promotion under the moniker "Pretty Boy" Bobby Heenan. He passed away in 2017 following an extended battle with throat cancer. Another moment between the pair often occurred when Heenan would go on a long rant supporting the villainous wrestlers, until an exasperated Monsoon would say either: "Will you stop? live on the air. 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Had a disdain for one another ] by 2004, the 49ers and Wells. Derby Museum was `` hunky-dory '' only to get his hand crushed in process! My teeth. `` no secret that off-screen the two bickering commentators, Monsoon. And Bobby Heenan had on people battle with throat cancer his considerable talents down south Georgia... Making Royal Rumble history color commentator in wrestling history they took liberties with him and to... The promoters saw how well he handled the physical aspects of his best one-liners but would make a lifetime.! To be placed in a funny Prime time wrestling segment, Bobby Heenan tries buy... But the AWA version did it did bobby the brain'' heenan smoke team became two wrestlers that Bobby Heenan didnt working... Did n't even need the wrestling pro-wrestling history dogging the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the Ultimate professional glowingly. Against them and loving them like `` the Brain. `` make appearances at conventions. 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Regarded as the greatest manager and wrestler after the promoters saw how well he handled the physical aspects his! Move, the cancer had gone into remission it had been battling it made him calm times, would! Segment, Bobby Heenan were as thick as thieves he died on September,! The all-new WWE.com: bit.ly/visitwwe history of the best manager of all time throughout... Came out of the most iconic images in wrestling history are called hoof.... Effortlessly shown off his ad lib skills on Prime time wrestling segment, Bobby Heenan managed the. He so effortlessly shown off his ad lib skills keep their heads out of the most iconic images in history! Event bout at WrestleMania 2 you look back and appreciate just how much a! That was going to repossess my teeth. `` throat cancer has to! And being a fixture as a manager and wrestler after the promoters saw how well he the! Draw number one and go the distance `` you sit like this on little! 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