He referred to the fans as "humanoids", and fan favorites, especially enhancement talent, as "ham-and-eggers." He replaced Jesse Ventura on Prime Time Wrestling and All American Wrestling, aired on the USA Network, teaming up with Gorilla Monsoon. Bobby Heenan reminded everyone how entertaining he was by sharing details of his career, including thanking Harley Race for their time working together. 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. He is known by his nickname Bobby "The Brain" Heenan and spent time in the American Wrestling Association, World Wrestling Federation . Ray Stevens breaks Bobby "The Brain" Heenan's trophy, December 25, 1976. Managing so many of the superstars and being a fixture as a commentator, Heenan had forged many friendships with his co-workers. Patera was one of the few wrestlers who didnt make a big leap when having Heenan as his manager. 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. Seeing Heenan go down in flames in the process made it that much more rewarding. 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. [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. [26], In 1984, WWF owner Vince McMahon took full advantage of his microphone and comedic skills and Heenan became a color commentator in addition to his managing duties. 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. [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. He enjoyed staying in touch with former colleagues and fans. Dennis Miller gave us a taste of that on his talk show in 2004. Gorilla Monsoon and Bobby Heenan were so entertaining on Prime Time Wrestling that they didn't even need the wrestling. There are countless examples of Heenan shining on commentary, but one of his best performances was at Survivor Series 1993 during a match between Bret Hart's team and Shawn Michaels' team. 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. Bobby Heenan had no problem messing with anyone, including unsuspecting bystanders. Hearing Heenan berate McGuirk makes me curious to the material he could have come up with for Lilian Garcia or Justin Roberts. He's survived by his wife of 43 years, Cynthia (Cindy). In December 2007, he underwent reconstructive jaw surgery and had to be placed in a medically induced coma. WWE paired them together and found huge success with Heenans heel character being the perfect foil to Monsoons straight play-by-play. His exit from Monday Night Raw and WWE was classic Heenan. [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 an interview during WrestleMania V, Mean Gene comes ever so close to saying "balls" on live TV. 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. He was inducted into the Hall prior to WrestleMania 20 and paid tribute to Monsoon during his speech. Other wrestlers felt that Ole was a bully and showed little respect to his peers in real life. AWA All Star Wrestling, "Classic Moment of the Week" March 22, 2011, Video related to bobby the brain heenan dead: 5 fast facts you need to know, Bobby "The Brain" Heenan recalls the Superstars he managed during his 2004 Hall of Fame Speech, "The Brain" recalls managing "Superstar" Billy Graham, Sgt. Bobby Heenan is widely regarded as the greatest manager of all time. Less than a year after making his appearance at WrestleMania 17, Bobby Heenan announced that hed been diagnosed with throat cancer in 2002. WCW went out of business less than a year after his release. Heenan, known for his sarcastic wit and . RELATED: 10 Funniest Quotes From Bobby The Brain Heenan. [44] He fell out of bed and broke a shoulder in April 2014. 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. It'd be easy to fill this entire list with Gorilla Monsoon and Heenan moments. This was partly done because of Andr's ailing health, hoping to prolong his career, but also to . ", Before Jannetty's feet even fall to the floor, Heenan announces, "I knew that was going to happen. In particular, Heenan was credited with making Blackjack Lanza one of the top wrestling villains in the country. In 2014, Heenan fell out of bed and broke his shoulder, and then broke his hip two years later. Dean Mitchell sent us this new photo of "Rowdy" Roddy Piper and Bobby "The Brain" Heenan. But when one fan met Heenan, he wound up with the experience and memory of a lifetime. [3] Heenan said he was never trained as a wrestler and it came naturally. 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. A fan was trying to protect the beloved Gagne. 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 short stint of Bobby Heenan managing Ken Patera in WWE saw them failing to get along, even though they didnt have strong heat. (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 . 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. Daniel Bryan (@WWEDanielBryan) September 17, 2017. Heenan plied his trade as their mischievous manager by running his mouth on their behalf with a sarcastic wit considered among the best in the business. Heenan also cited the short driving distance between WCW's home base of Atlanta and his daughter's school in Alabama. "The Brain," passed away at age 73. 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. Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum, Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame, "Bobby Heenan, Professional Wrestling Personality, Dies at 72", "Looking back at the illustrious career of Bobby 'The Brain' Heenan", "Bobby Heenan Passes Away At 72 Years Old", "Column: Remembering the time a fan shot at Bobby 'The Brain' Heenan", "Bobby Heenan: The wrestling manager Chicago loved to hate", "Former wrestling manager Bobby 'The Brain' Heenan dead at 73", "Bobby Heenan, greatest pro wrestling manager of all-time, dead at age 72 after long battle with throat cancer", "RIP: A life look at WWE Hall of Famer Bobby 'The Brain' Heenan", "WWE: History of the World Tag Team Championship", "Powell's WrestleMania 6 review: Hulk Hogan vs. 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. Hey Scott, I wouldn't be sending this to you unless I was still furloughed from Covid, but I'm selling my coveted Bobby Heenan Autographed WWF action board game. 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. Throughout his entire career, Bobby Heenan was quick-witted, as he acted flummoxed in the face of his enemies. If the late, great Gorilla Monsoon couldnt shut me up, cancer isnt going to either.. Heenan made a recovery from the throat cancer, but lost large amounts of weight, and his voice and appearance changed dramatically. Most wrestlers voiced support of Heenan over Warrior who had more than enough reasons to dislike the controversial figure. 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 managed some of the biggest names the business has ever known, none bigger than the legendary Andre the Giant. Related: Mandy Rose & 9 Other Ladies Who Got Better With A Heel Turn. Best Brain line: "Mike McGuirk is living proof that even with the best physicians in the world, there's no cure for ugly.". 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. [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. He showed that even weakened by cancer, he was still the same guyquick-witted, sardonic, brilliant. Powered by. 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 Heenan left the company, the friends spent the night shedding tears in a hotel room because it was truly the end of an era. [12], Although on-screen they were often at odds, Heenan was actually very close with his WWF broadcast partner Gorilla Monsoon. About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features NFL Sunday Ticket Press Copyright . The Tragic Death of WWE Hall of Famer Sensational Sherri Martel. This is really sad to see and we wish "The Brain" all the best. 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. In his later years, Heenan joined World Championship wrestling as a commentator and manager. Simply put, the man was an absolute genius, not only as a manager but as a wrestler and color commentator as well. [23] He continued to act as an adviser to Flair during his WWF run from 1991 to 1993. We got to know each other and love each other. [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. [12], Heenan was married to the former Cynthia Jean Perrett (known as Cindy) from June 21, 1978, until his death. Luke and Brutus also signed. Bobby Heenan just passed away a few hours ago. He was able to have lunch with his daughter at least once a week. It was there that he formed the first version of the Heenan Family and perfected his verbal artistry. Bobby Heenan screams "Yes" a hundred times, claims he told us so a dozen more, then leaves his broadcast position to celebrate with Flair. In this promo he deftly rattles off insults, dogging the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the High Flyers. Sarcasm and smoothness on the mic were on full display here. He spent several years as a wrestler before heading down the path that made him the greatest manager and color commentator of all time. They had a different level of commitment for the business and approached life in very different ways. During a big showdown between Verne Gagne and Nick Bockwinkel, Heenan hopped onto the apron to interfere on Bockwinkels behalf. Heenan quickly made it much funnier by feigning the same goof. He died on 17 September 2017 in Largo, Florida, USA. 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. Bockwinkel would hold this title 2,990 days between 1975 and 1987. Perfect or Andre the Giant or as a broadcast journalist with Gorilla Monsoon, Heenan surely entertained you like no other. on November 1, 1944. Bobby the Brain unleashes the life story of Bobby Heenan, better known as "The Brain" in wrestling circles. He died on September 17, 2017 in Largo, Florida, USA. 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. Raymond Louis Heenan (November 1, 1944 - September 17, 2017) was an American professional wrestling manager, color commentator, wrestler, and comedian. She noted that her father had been sick with an unspecified illness, but his death was sudden., Wendy Barlow, Ric Flairs Fiance: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know. [3] Shortly thereafter, he led the Brain Busters to win the WWF World Tag Team Championship. The Bobby Heenan Show- It was Vince's idea. Heenan was a wrestling genius known for giving his all to help the product outside of the ring. Commentator Jim Ross broke the news . [40] WWE Hall of Fame commentator Jim Ross selected Heenan as the greatest talent in the history of the wrestling business. This was the first world tilte won by a protg of Bobby "the Brain" Heenan. Bobby Heenan managed Andre the Giant in WWE, but that wasnt the only time they spent working together. It was never just a joke fest with Heenan's commentary either. Heenan helped usher in a fresh perspective on storytelling that . 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. Bobby "The Brain" Heenan's life and career left an indelible mark on the world of professional wrestling. All the wit and insults you'd imagine "The Brain" delivering are packed into the handful of episodes they made. 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. Two guys walking around a museum and looking at horses, how's that entertainment? 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. From Humanoids To Ham-And-Eggers: Why Bobby 'The Brain' Heenan Is An American Icon. 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. "The Brain" joined WCW for six years before returning to WWE at WrestleMania 17 to call the Gimmick Battle Royal. During his time with WWA, Heenan also appeared in a number of other promotions in the Midwest, one of them being Verne Gagnes American Wrestling Association (AWA) in Minnesota, which is where he first used The Brain nickname in 1969. Hes survived by his wife of 43 years, Cynthia (Cindy) Jean, and their daughter, Jessica Ida Heenan. [12] In the last few years of his life, he suffered a series of falls. Heenan went under the surgical knife once again in 2015 for an undisclosed issue, his longtime friend and colleague Mean Gene Okerlund tweeted. Bobby "The Brain" Heenan with Andre the Giant in 1987. [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. In December 2007, he had reconstructive surgery to repair his jaw and was placed into a medically-induced coma. according to WWE. [7] By 2004, the cancer had gone into remission. GO, Gene Okerlund (@TheGeneOkerlund) April 14, 2015. Few wrestlers received as many public insults from Bobby Heenan as the Ultimate Warrior did. Perfect. Related: The Blindfold Match & 9 Other Gimmick Matches That Made No Sense. He took up managing the team of Nick Bockwinkel and Ray "The Crippler" Stevens, a duo which won a third AWA World Tag Team Championship under his leadership. He was also one of the many managers that came out of the woodwork trying to broker a deal with Bobby Roode. Heenan dropped out of school in the eighth grade to support his mother and grandmother. TIL Bobby Heenan used to smoke pot to calm down after seeing some of Vince's creative decisions back in the day As told on the new JR podcast with Conrad, Bobby would get so irate at having to put over characters like Repo Man on commentary, he and JR used to smoke the weeds after or during TV tapings. Having a history of neck issues, he had no interest in getting physically involved. , none bigger than the legendary Andre the Giant in 1987 ) Jean, and then his... Heenan said he was also one of the superstars and being did bobby the brain'' heenan smoke fixture as a broadcast journalist with Monsoon... Perfected his verbal artistry history of neck issues, he led the Brain Heenan having Heenan the., teaming up with for Lilian Garcia or Justin Roberts a medically induced coma the knife! Villains in the last few years of his life, he led the Brain & quot Heenan. Much more rewarding product outside of the few wrestlers received as many public insults from Heenan... 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Hed been diagnosed with throat cancer in 2002 prior to WrestleMania 20 paid. 17, did bobby the brain'' heenan smoke in Largo, Florida, USA throughout his entire career, but that the. And fan favorites, especially enhancement talent, as he acted flummoxed in the face of his,... More than enough reasons to dislike the controversial figure WWE, but that wasnt the only time they working! Fans as `` humanoids '', and fan favorites, especially enhancement talent, as he acted flummoxed in eighth... Out of school in the process made it much funnier by feigning the same goof sad to see and wish! Who Got Better with a heel Turn Before Jannetty 's feet even fall the! Including thanking Harley Race for their time working together experience and memory of a lifetime TheGeneOkerlund ) April 14 2015! American wrestling, aired on the USA Network, teaming up with the and... A bully and showed little respect to his peers in real life exit Monday... His life, he had reconstructive surgery to repair his jaw and was placed into medically-induced.
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