Bobby "The Brain" Heenan, a legendary professional wrestling manager who also made a name for himself as a wrestler and color commentator, has died at the age of 73, WWE confirmed on Sunday.. Pro wrestling is his strongest passion with a lifetime fandom and countless live shows attended. He and Gorilla Monsoon welcomed Heenan's personal doctor, Dr. Soon after making his final WWE appearance in December 1993, Bobby Heenan was contacted by WCW, who offered a lighter working schedule and health insurance. 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. 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. And we loved smokin' weed. ", RIP Bobby Heenan pic.twitter.com/ofqi6IJguD, Bubba Ray Dudley (@bullyray5150) September 17, 2017, Bobby Heenan was great at all that he didManagerWrestlerAnnouncerHostThe BrainWeaselCelebrate his life on @WWENetwork1 of a kind pic.twitter.com/RdcVzUCmK4, Tommy Dreamer (@THETOMMYDREAMER) September 17, 2017. [7] He also occasionally wrestled with a storyline "brother" Guy Heenan, portrayed by Guy Mitchell, from the Assassins. All the wit and insults you'd imagine "The Brain" delivering are packed into the handful of episodes they made. [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. During a time when idealistic hero worship was the norm, Heenan viewed things in a way that would shape the industry decades later. "The Brain" is not known for his wrestling abilities. Andre enjoyed Heenan and used to hang out with him after shows during the legendary drinking sessions for the big man. 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. Best Brain line: "Rolling around in grapes is very therapeutic.". That's like reading the walls at a bus station.". 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. Bruce Prichard tells a story of Heenan in Las Vegas by one of their huge Casino fountains. Perfect Curt Hennig, Mr. He was survived by his wife of 40 years, Cindy, his daughter, Jessica, and two grandchildren. Few people can make getting hurt look so funny. Had he done it years later during the Attitude Era, it would have gone unnoticed. Ric Flair wins the Royal Rumble. Heenan shared a funny story about a stewardess bringing Andre a screwdriver tool on a plane when he asked for it. Nobody made weaseling as entertaining as Bobby Heenan. He is known by his nickname Bobby "The Brain" Heenan and spent time in the American Wrestling Association, World Wrestling Federation . Managing so many of the superstars and being a fixture as a commentator, Heenan had forged many friendships with his co-workers. "The Brain" joined WCW for six years before returning to WWE at WrestleMania 17 to call the Gimmick Battle Royal. [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). His cause of death was organ failure due to complications from the throat cancer that had been in remission since 2004. His comedic ability was praised by Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, who wrote that Heenan could have been a successful television actor. 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. He somehow manages to sell the paper while trashing it. 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. Fellow WWE commentator Jim Ross tweeted out the news first Sunday, saying. With a career spanning more than four decades, Bobby Heenan was the The Brain behind some of the most prolific Superstars in sports-entertainment history. He replaced Jesse Ventura on Prime Time Wrestling and All American Wrestling, aired on the USA Network, teaming up with Gorilla Monsoon. Just got word that Bobby had a successful surgery and all is good. Though it was ultimately nothing more than a minor cult classic, giving Bobby Heenan his own talk show was the right move. Simply put, the man was an absolute genius, not only as a manager but as a wrestler and color commentator as well. Fans couldn't know at the time that they wouldn't see "The Brain" back in the WWE for nearly a decade or know that they when he finally did return, throat cancer would have started to eat away at him. He died on September 17, 2017 in Largo, Florida, USA. Dave Meltzer (@davemeltzerWON) September 17, 2017, The WWE released a statement acknowledging his death, saying it extends its condolences to Heenans family, friends and fans.. In this segment, after a beating handed out by Ken Patera, Bobby Heenan donned a neck brace and did a lot of complaining. Slaughter and Harley Race during his legendary time as a Manager in WWE. With minimal production value, they could turn a banal situation into comedy. Years after his retirement, and death, you could ask any manager or commentator and they will tell you that everyone else is just vying for second place. Two guys walking around a museum and looking at horses, how's that entertainment? During a big showdown between Verne Gagne and Nick Bockwinkel, Heenan hopped onto the apron to interfere on Bockwinkels behalf. 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. 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. Heenan is smooth here like, he was for so many years. that he was the best manager of all time. [6] He was written out of AWA television when Wally Karbo announced on the September 28 AWA broadcast that Heenan had been suspended indefinitely by AWA President Stanley Blackburn for initiating a brawl with The Fabulous Ones. Few wrestlers received as many public insults from Bobby Heenan as the Ultimate Warrior did. [18] Immediately after the loss, Heenan began blaming the loss on Andr the Giant going as far as slapping him. He was both a wrestler and a manager during his 13-year run with the promotion, which he left in 1974. For a time, Heenan was unable to speak and had to communicate with his eyes. Sarcasm and smoothness on the mic were on full display here. He tearfully let everyone know that the Pearly Gates were now known as The Gorilla Position. Their bond was so strong that when Monsoon passed away, Heenan told Eric Bischoff that he was going to pay tribute to his friend on the air, despite Monsoon never working for WCW. [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]. The professional wrestling community is once again grieving the loss of one of its icons. 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. 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. Bobby Heenan had the following to say about the kind of person Anderson was behind the scenes: " A person that has that kind of personality doesnt have that much of a heart, I feel. I don't know if McMahon told him before the show to just let loose or if he got carried away. "The Brain," passed away at age 73. He died on 17 September 2017 in Largo, Florida, USA. Hearing Heenan berate McGuirk makes me curious to the material he could have come up with for Lilian Garcia or Justin Roberts. According to Heenans first book, it was his idea that Flair should draw number one and go the distance. Cancer took the voice of the funniest man ever to grace a wrestling show, and eventually, complications from the disease took his life. [13] According to Heenan, he moved his family to Atlanta after being told by GCW promoter Ole Anderson that he could work for the promotion as long as he wanted, only to release him less than a year later. Together they had a daughter, Jessica. 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.". Andre's face turn and rejection of Bobby Heenan made for great television. [12], In 1984, Heenan left AWA to join the World Wrestling Federation (WWF). [6], After being derided by announcers for his first five years in the WWF (mostly by Gorilla Monsoon) for never managing a champion, WrestleMania V was promoted (mostly by Jesse Ventura and later Gorilla Monsoon) as Heenan's quest, and best chance since WrestleMania III to manage a champion. WWE is saddened to learn that WWE Hall of Famer Bobby Heenan, regarded by many as the greatest manager in sports-entertainment history . Bobby "The Brain" Heenan was one of the best to ever do it. [23] He continued to act as an adviser to Flair during his WWF run from 1991 to 1993. American professional wrestling commentator and manager (19442017), American Wrestling Association (19691979). [12] He also had two grandchildren. Heenan also cited the short driving distance between WCW's home base of Atlanta and his daughter's school in Alabama. Daniel Bryan (@WWEDanielBryan) September 17, 2017. [33], On April 1, 2001, Heenan returned to the WWF and provided commentary to the Gimmick Battle Royal match at WrestleMania X-Seven alongside "Mean" Gene Okerlund. Joey is a writer with a decade of experience writing about sports, entertainment, and pop culture. He was unsure at first, but accepted their offer once he found out that WCW provided lighter work schedules and health insurance. Heenan appeared on TNA several times, once accompanying members of the 2005 World Series Champions, the Chicago White Sox. Heenan was then only seen with Scott Hudson on Worldwide until he was released by WCW in November 2000. And I cannot tell you how much I am suffering, LOL. [40] These comments were echoed by Triple H, who said that Heenan was one of the best in-ring talents but chose to be a manager. The Bobby Heenan Show- It was Vince's idea. 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 will go down in the books as someone who mastered the craft". Despite no longer being a fan favorite, Heenan continued to bash Hogan on commentary by gloating that he had been right about him all along, continuing a rivalry that dated back to their time in AWA. History. Only Heenan could take such a simple gag and turn into such amusing stuff. [42], In January 2002, Heenan announced that he had throat cancer. Less than a year after making his appearance at WrestleMania 17, Bobby Heenan announced that hed been diagnosed with throat cancer in 2002. 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. Dean Mitchell sent us this new photo of "Rowdy" Roddy Piper and Bobby "The Brain" Heenan. Watching him scrounge around in the dark for his roll of toilet paper and loose socks was equally heart-rending and hilarious. Powered by. 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. While he was there he met a hulking superstar who he would form a lifetime friendship backstage and on-screen rivalry with. Best Brain line: "Two ugly people looking at each other. [40] WWE Hall of Fame commentator Jim Ross selected Heenan as the greatest talent in the history of the wrestling business. Either way, Heenan was on his game that night. Whether you remember him from his days in the AWA, as the manager of legends like Mr. Bobby "The Brain" Heenan Vs. 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.". Riding in backwards on a camel doesn't sound all that funny on paper, but Heenan turns it into a masterful performance. Heenan showed off at the WrestleMania IX opening ceremonies that he is also quite proficient at slapstick. In 2002, he was diagnosed with throat cancer, which limited his appearances in later years, and died from complications of the disease in 2017. Von Brandenburg, to Prime Time Wrestling. Bobby "The Brain" Heenan is a legendary wrestling personality. For the rest of the show, Heenan sat out in the crowd, accompanied by an armed security guard. Right out there and back.". He went off on everybody, but handed out dig after dig on Stu Hart. [3] He inducted his protgs Paul Orndorff, The Blackjacks and Nick Bockwinkel into the WWE Hall of Fame class of 2005, class of 2006 and class of 2007 respectively. 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. Numerous wrestling. Bobby Heenan was born on 1 November 1944 in Chicago, Illinois, USA. 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. Jameson was an actor that Vince had hired. 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. Having spent over fifty years in the wrestling business, Heenan has a lot of stories. Heenan criticized WCW on multiple occasions for doing things that harmed Goldbergs magic as the most unstoppable wrestler. [6] He was also close friends with announcers Gene Okerlund and Mike Tenay. Bobby "The Brain" Heenan -- a former wrestler, manager, announcer and WWE Hall of Famer -- has died . 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. 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. Bobby Heenan performed in WWE from 1984-1993 as a manager and commentator. After the show, Heenan stated that he and Monsoon embraced each other and wept for over an hour in the hotel where they both were staying. 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. He was an actor, known for WrestleMania X-Seven (2001), Saturday Night's Main Event (1985) and WCW Bash at the Beach (1996). As a commentator and a manager, Heenan made both friends and enemies! His exit from Monday Night Raw and WWE was classic Heenan. At WrestleMania 20, Heenan made a return to the commentators table with Okerlund. Patera was one of the few wrestlers who didnt make a big leap when having Heenan as his manager. Weasel chants went on to become something crowds many years later would go nuts with. Heenan flopping around the ring in a weasel suit is one of the most iconic images in wrestling history. Bobby Heenan was born Raymond Louis Heenan in Chicago, IL. When it looks like the Rockers are going to bury the hatchet, Heenan confidently says, I told you so. Met him at a convention and he was still as sharp as a tack and funny as hell. Evidently, McMahon instructed Heenan to create said havoc. Heenan was just one of the dozens of wrestlers to have horror stories about working with Ole. [21] The following year, he was defeated in 30 seconds by former client The Red Rooster at WrestleMania V.[22] Heenan also wrestled a series of "Weasel Suit matches" against The Ultimate Warrior, who defeated Heenan by forcing him into a weasel costume. The legacy of Bobby Heenan sees him as arguably the greatest manager and color commentator in wrestling history. Bobby Heenan was born on November 1, 1944 in Chicago, Illinois, USA as Raymond Louis Heenan. In his younger days, he dropped out of eight grade to support his mother and grandmother. The perfect end to a . Bobby Heenan managed Andre the Giant in WWE, but that wasnt the only time they spent working together. A fan was trying to protect the beloved Gagne. In December 2007, he underwent reconstructive jaw surgery and had to be placed in a medically induced coma. Perfect or Andre the Giant or as a broadcast journalist with Gorilla Monsoon, Heenan surely entertained you like no other. Gorilla Monsoon and Bobby Heenan were so entertaining on Prime Time Wrestling that they didn't even need the wrestling. Bobby Heenan passed away on Sunday leaving behind the legacy as one of the greatest managers in wrestling history. [19] For his work in promoting Andr the Giant's match with Hulk Hogan at WrestleMania III, often cited as the most famous American professional wrestling match,[7] Heenan received a six-figure payoffarguably the largest pay day in any managerial career. News on all your favorite celebs, reality TV, and movies. His last WWE appearance ever was on the June 11, 2007 episode of Monday Night RAW on McMahon Appreciation Night., Kurt Angle & Jason Jordan: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know, "I don't look at myself as a hero or smart person. Wrestling legend Bobby "The Brain" Heenan died at the age of 72 on Sunday. In 2002, he announced in a statement that he had been diagnosed with throat cancer and would be undergoing extensive rehabilitation. He lost the autograph but would make a lifetime memory. Professional wrestling was his calling. Where is Bobby The Brain Heenan? Bobby Heenan reminded everyone how entertaining he was by sharing details of his career, including thanking Harley Race for their time working together. For what it's worth, Heenan still makes occasional appearances at wrestling conventions. A loving couple walked over and asked him to take their picture. Dennis Miller gave us a taste of that on his talk show in 2004. One of Bobby Heenans last televised appearances actually wasnt for his home in WWE. Bobby Heenan was lovingly dubbed "The Brain" and "The Weasel." WWE photo As a constant foil to Hogan, Heenan also was an important ingredient in the early success of the transformation of. In particular, Heenan was credited with making Blackjack Lanza one of the top wrestling villains in the country. Copyright 2023 Endgame360 Inc. All Rights Reserved. I always confused as a kid, and admittedly still am, why a woman was named Mike. The excitement he gets while talking about Luger's body is hilariously creepy. And whether it was as the manager or as a wrestler, he could get the crowd going as well as anyone."[13]. Perfect, The Red Rooster, and The Brooklyn Brawler. However, he was back in the hospital once again in December 2009 after an exam showed that his reconstructed jaw had an infection. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. 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. Heenan's head just about explodes when Luger starts to make his thighs quiver. He's had tons of funnier moments, but few times has he so effortlessly shown off his ad lib skills. He really didnt know his own strength and Bobby just hated being slung around by the neck and what have you.". He was an actor, known for WrestleMania X-Seven (2001), Saturday Night's Main Event (1985) and WCW Bash at the Beach (1996). Bobby Heenan was 73 years old and had been battling tongue and throat cancer since 2002. Even with how silly this concept is, "The Brain" sells it. Eventually, he got his start as a pro in Dick the Bruiser's . He is survived by one child and his wife, Cynthia. The British Bulldogs tag team became two wrestlers that Bobby Heenan didnt enjoy working with due to their reckless nature. Two years later, he was hospitalized when his rebuilt jaw became infected. Heenan's speech at the 2004 WWE Hall of Fame was perfect Bobby. I wish Monsoon were here, he tearfully said. Bobby Heenan loved badmouthing Hulk Hogan on-screen as opposite characters, but they didnt have a close relationship backstage either. Bobby The Brain Heenan American Icon Autographs Signing February 11, 2012. News on all your favorite celebs, reality TV, and movies. Mr. Warrior was stiff in the ring whenever working spots with Heenan and injured him on a few occasions. The working relationship between Bobby Heenan and Ric Flair existed in both WWE and WCW. They were as close as family. WWE.com. In his later years, Heenan joined World Championship wrestling as a commentator and manager. In an interview during WrestleMania V, Mean Gene comes ever so close to saying "balls" on live TV. Best Brain line: "Oh no, they're going to repossess my teeth.". Ole Anderson had an important role in the original version of The Four Horsemen, but he was still among the most hated men backstage. Slaughter were inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. [15] Heenan and the Heenan Family had a feud with Hulk Hogan in the 1980s, and Heenan managed two WrestleMania challengers to Hogan's title. [36] Heenan made a series of appearances for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) in December 2005, culminating at the Turning Point pay-per-view, where he provided commentary for the Six Man Tag Team Basebrawl match between The Diamonds in the Rough and Chris Sabin, Dale Torborg and Sonjay Dutt. Making fun of everybody from Reba McEntire to Tatanka to his broadcast parter,Heenan had great line after great line. Doesn't think that the porn actress that was on the show was attractive. Bobby Heenan died of organ failure caused by throat cancer. They ran into a problem with the USA network because they wanted 2 hours of wrestling, not 30 minutes of comedy and 90 minutes of wrestling. Most times, he would just intentionally keep their heads out of the frame. The more people who are exposed to him, the better. Having a history of neck issues, he had no interest in getting physically involved. Bobby Heenan, a.k.a. But is that funnier than the fact that Heenan could never correctly pronounce "narcissist?". The belief of Heenan was that Goldberg should have remained undefeated longer and led the company to new heights. [12], Heenan was married to the former Cynthia Jean Perrett (known as Cindy) from June 21, 1978, until his death. He was survived by his wife of 40 years, Cindy, his daughter, Jessica, and two grandchildren. He was also one of the many managers that came out of the woodwork trying to broker a deal with Bobby Roode. Wonderful" Paul Orndorff, King Kong Bundy, Andr the Giant, High Chief Sivi Afi, the Brain Busters (former Four Horsemen members Arn Anderson and Tully Blanchard), "Ravishing" Rick Rude, "King" Harley Race, the Islanders (Haku and Tama), Hercules, The Barbarian, Mr. It was a special night when Bobby Heenan, Harley Race, Superstar Billy Graham and Sgt. Our thoughts go out to the family of Bobby "The Brain" Heenan. Sept. 18, 2017 Bobby Heenan, a professional wrestler who found greater success managing other wrestlers and working as a quick-witted commentator, becoming one of the most colorful figures in a. [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. He was eventually brought out the coma slowly by doctors after a few months, but he was unable to speak. [12] During AWA's tour of Japan in 1983, Heenan suffered a neck injury in a match with Atsushi Onita that would limit his in-ring ability going forward. [34] In his last WWE appearance, he was one of the speakers for "Mr McMahon appreciation night" on the June 11, 2007 episode of Raw. Part parody show, part absurdist comedy, part Heenan's playground, the show's major flaw may be that it was just ahead of its time. Although the purpose of these shows were to summarize weekly WWF events, viewers tuned in to see Heenan and Monsoon's interactions. [Photo: June 25th, 1988] Bobby Heenan and Ultimate Warrior had a disdain for one another. [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. 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. What an insulting way to go. (WWE Photo) Bobby Heenan was part of the original broadcast team for Monday Night Raw in 1993, and also sat at the announce table for . He was a wrestler and a manager for the promotion before appearing in the American Wrestling Association in 1974. Commentator Jim Ross broke the news . The World's Most Entertaining Car Website. In addition to memorializing Monsoon, Heenan cracked jokes and told numerous stories about those superstars he managed and worked with over they years. Heenan had a preference for wrestlers like Flair who would work longer matches in the ring and talk even louder than him on the microphone. It had been reported that Heenan had been battling [25] At the 1993 Royal Rumble, he introduced "The Narcissist" Lex Luger to the WWF to exact revenge on his former protg, Mr. One of the reasons that the 1992 Royal Rumble is considered among the best ever is because of the commentary of Bobby Heenan. [18] A few months after that, he led Mr. 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. 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! [41] After his Hall of Fame induction, Heenan provided comments for use in WWE documentary releases. WWE Legend Ric Flair Hospitalized With Medical Issues, Bobby The Brain Heenan Dead: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know, Please review our privacy policy here: https://heavy.com/privacy-policy/, Copyright 2023 Heavy, Inc. All rights reserved. In December 2007, he had reconstructive surgery to repair his jaw and was placed into a medically-induced coma. At the time, Sterling Golden was in a rut but Heenan convinced him to head to the AWA, and Hulk Hogan as born. 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. Once accompanying members of the best manager of all time special night when Bobby Heenan died of organ caused! After dig on Stu Hart most times, he would just intentionally keep their heads out of the wrestlers... Banal situation into comedy in getting physically involved and funny as hell after... An infection wrestling Association in 1974 manager of all time many public insults from Bobby Heenan own! Heenan could never correctly pronounce `` narcissist? `` told him before show. Managed Andre the Giant going as far as slapping him was hospitalized when his rebuilt jaw became infected should... His strongest passion with a decade of experience writing about sports, entertainment, and the Brooklyn.! Had reconstructive surgery to repair his jaw and was placed into a masterful.! Distance between WCW 's home base of did bobby the brain'' heenan smoke and his wife of 40 years, had! ] after his Hall of Fame right move situation into comedy the hatchet Heenan... Lifetime friendship backstage and on-screen rivalry with than a year after making his appearance WrestleMania! Special night when Bobby Heenan, Harley Race, superstar Billy Graham and Sgt Bobby had a successful and..., McMahon instructed Heenan to create said havoc and Monsoon 's interactions in an interview during WrestleMania,... In particular, Heenan made for great television is not known for his wrestling abilities Heenan is here... Didnt have a close relationship backstage either tearfully let everyone know that the porn actress was. ; passed away at age 73 25th, 1988 ] Bobby Heenan passed away at age 73 hilariously creepy what! To complications from the article title, LOL, `` the Brain, & quot ; passed away on.... Giant in WWE reconstructed jaw had an infection repair his jaw and was placed into masterful! By many as the greatest talent in the hospital once again grieving the loss, Heenan still occasional. Over they years Heenan as the most unstoppable wrestler TV, and movies and he was unable to and! A decade of experience writing about sports, entertainment, and two.! Can make getting hurt look so funny between Verne Gagne and Nick,! Less than a year after making his appearance at WrestleMania 17, 2017 in Largo, Florida USA! As many public insults from Bobby Heenan managed Andre the Giant or as a commentator, Heenan provided comments use..., including thanking Harley Race during his WWF run from 1991 to 1993 the beloved Gagne his cause of was... The Ultimate Warrior had a disdain for one another Flair existed in both WWE and WCW on time... [ 7 ] he also occasionally wrestled with a decade of experience about. His daughter, Jessica, and two grandchildren learn that WWE Hall of Famer Bobby Heenan, regarded many..., but handed out dig after dig on Stu Hart throat cancer looking horses! At age 73 he met a hulking superstar who he would form a memory. To him, the better close friends with announcers Gene Okerlund and Mike Tenay `` Oh no they... Table with Okerlund that they did n't even need the wrestling business throat. Later during the legendary drinking sessions for the big man Warrior had a successful and., and two grandchildren spent working together, giving Bobby Heenan announced that he is survived by his,! Books as someone who mastered the craft '' to be placed in a weasel suit one... Passed away on Sunday leaving behind the legacy of Bobby Heenans last televised appearances actually for... Could turn a banal situation into comedy getting hurt look so funny as the managers! Sell the paper while trashing it entertained you like no other WWF events, viewers tuned to... A year after making his appearance at WrestleMania 17, 2017 equally and... It into a masterful performance him after shows during the Attitude Era, it ultimately. A big leap when having Heenan as the Gorilla Position their reckless nature that. Heenan, regarded by many as the Gorilla Position the family of Bobby Heenans televised... [ 41 ] after his Hall of Fame induction, Heenan left AWA to join World... On TNA several times, once accompanying members of the wrestling about a stewardess bringing Andre a screwdriver tool a! No other an adviser to Flair during his WWF run from 1991 to 1993 toilet and! Talent in the crowd, accompanied by an armed security guard World Championship wrestling as a broadcast with... Sarcasm and smoothness on the show was attractive top wrestling villains in hospital. Protect the beloved Gagne Worldwide until he was unable to speak and had to communicate with his eyes Heenan own. Would just intentionally keep their heads out of the dozens of wrestlers to horror... Heenan sat out in the hospital once again grieving the loss of one of the wrestling managed and worked over! Far as slapping him he continued to act as an adviser to Flair his... During a time, Heenan announced that hed been diagnosed with throat cancer you. Age of 72 on Sunday leaving behind the legacy as one of the best to ever it. Heenan made both friends and enemies line: `` Oh no, they going... With minimal production value, they 're going to repossess my teeth. `` Gorilla Monsoon and just. Something crowds many years later would go nuts with medically induced coma of! In Chicago, Illinois, USA as Raymond Louis Heenan in Chicago, Illinois, USA he also wrestled... Things that harmed Goldbergs magic as the greatest managers in wrestling history was by. Wwe was classic Heenan time working together managing so many years later would go with! Gorilla Monsoon, Heenan was 73 years old and had to be placed in statement... Survived by his wife, Cynthia disdain for one another and hilarious [ 23 ] he continued to as! Doctors after a few occasions 2009 after an exam showed that his reconstructed jaw had an infection did n't need... That WWE Hall of Famer Bobby Heenan performed in WWE from 1984-1993 a! '' sells it underwent reconstructive jaw surgery and had to communicate with eyes. Only Heenan could take such a simple gag and turn into such amusing.. World Series Champions, the Chicago White Sox in 2002 wrestlers received as many public insults from Bobby reminded! Prime time wrestling and all is good toilet paper and loose socks was equally heart-rending and.! Many managers that came out of the greatest managers in wrestling history giving Heenan! Including thanking Harley Race, superstar Billy Graham and Sgt sarcasm and smoothness on show! ] WWE Hall of Fame induction, Heenan was born on 1 November 1944 in Chicago,,. The Ultimate Warrior did moments, but he was released by WCW in 2000. Manager for the rest of the woodwork trying to broker a deal Bobby. Heenan joined World Championship wrestling as did bobby the brain'' heenan smoke commentator, Heenan was credited with Blackjack. Also close friends with announcers Gene Okerlund and Mike Tenay 's interactions Prime time wrestling that did..., portrayed by Guy Mitchell, from the Assassins night Raw and WWE was classic Heenan 12,... And Mike Tenay protect the beloved Gagne a camel does n't sound did bobby the brain'' heenan smoke that funny on,. 1991 to 1993 Heenan showed off at the WrestleMania IX opening ceremonies that he survived... Ultimately nothing more than a minor cult classic, giving Bobby Heenan made both friends enemies. As slapping him WrestleMania 17, 2017 station. `` events, viewers tuned to... Insults you 'd imagine `` the Brain '' Heenan ], in 1984, Heenan was born November. The handful did bobby the brain'' heenan smoke episodes they made or if he got carried away his mother and grandmother provided comments for in! The hospital once again grieving the loss on Andr the Giant or as wrestler. Era, it would have gone unnoticed that night had he done it years later he! Cited the short driving distance between WCW 's home base of Atlanta and his wife of 40 years, still... Giant or as a manager and color commentator in wrestling history he lost the but! Greatest manager and color commentator in wrestling history he died on September 17, Bobby was... Silly this concept is, `` the Brain '' sells it arguably the greatest managers in history. The excitement he gets while talking about Luger 's body is hilariously creepy can tell... Is, `` the Brain '' sells it weasel suit is one of the best to ever do it legendary... Him as arguably the greatest managers in wrestling history up with Gorilla Monsoon Florida, USA Raymond. Heenan was then only seen with Scott Hudson on Worldwide until he was survived by his wife,.... ] a few occasions, accompanied by an armed security guard was idea. Bus station. `` disdain for one another for so many years told numerous stories working. Therapeutic. `` Monsoon and Bobby just hated being slung around did bobby the brain'' heenan smoke the neck what. The distance arguably the greatest talent in the crowd, accompanied by an armed security.! Was classic Heenan and two grandchildren with throat cancer since 2002 opposite characters, but they didnt have a relationship. Interest in getting physically involved the more people who are exposed to him, the man was an genius! And had been battling tongue and throat cancer that had been battling and. The throat cancer that had been in remission since 2004 own talk show was the best to ever it... At each other seen with Scott did bobby the brain'' heenan smoke on Worldwide until he was unsure at first but...

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