Either way, Heenan was on his game that night. Where is Bobby The Brain Heenan? [3] Heenan met a young Hulk Hogan while in Georgia and later told AWA promoter Verne Gagne that he should hire him. The wrestlers under his tutelage were collectively known as "The Heenan Family" at various times throughout his career. 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. RELATED: 10 Funniest Quotes From Bobby The Brain Heenan. ", "Give me a break! The two had drastically different approaches to wrestling and the unspoken heat added to Heenans heelwork. Having worked in TV and radio for several years, Mean Gene Okerlund was a prime choice to be the voice of The AWA. That.. after forty nine years of smoking cigarettes I Celebrated 5 weeks smoke free as of yesterday. Whether you remember him from his days in the AWA, as the manager of legends like Mr. In October 2008, he started to speak again and slowly was able to form sentences. He was previously married to Cynthia Jean Perrett. [40] WWE Hall of Fame commentator Jim Ross selected Heenan as the greatest talent in the history of the wrestling business. One of the reasons that the 1992 Royal Rumble is considered among the best ever is because of the commentary of Bobby Heenan. ", pp.4851. Professional wrestling was his calling. on November 1, 1944. He placed a Bobby Heenan figure on Lettermans desk and after upsetting Letterman and producers, he clued them in that riling everyone up was McMahons idea. His comedic ability was praised by Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, who wrote that Heenan could have been a successful television actor. Wrestling legend Bobby "The Brain" Heenan died at the age of 72 on Sunday. When the WWF signed Ric Flair, Heenan spent several weeks talking Flair up as "The Real World's Heavyweight Champion", appearing onscreen with Flair's Big Gold Belt. It was clear early in his career that his verbal skills far outshined his physical ones. Weasel chants went on to become something crowds many years later would go nuts with. Heenan was a wrestling genius known for giving his all to help the product outside of the ring. His cause of death was organ failure due to complications from the throat cancer that had been in remission since 2004. 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. In this segment, after a beating handed out by Ken Patera, Bobby Heenan donned a neck brace and did a lot of complaining. No one ever did it better than the Wease. Heenan criticized WCW on multiple occasions for doing things that harmed Goldbergs magic as the most unstoppable wrestler. He is legendary in the business for his skill in drawing heel heat for himself and his wrestlers, and for his masterful on-screen repartee with Gorilla Monsoonas a color commentator. Mr. [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. Related: Every Time Muhammed Ali Appeared In Pro Wrestling, Ranked. 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. Hearing Heenan berate McGuirk makes me curious to the material he could have come up with for Lilian Garcia or Justin Roberts. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. The latest in the sports world, emailed daily. Heenan continued to commentate on Thunder along with Mike Tenay, and later Schiavone, until he was replaced by Stevie Ray beginning in July 2000. Unique lists featuring pop culture, entertainment and crazy facts. Bruce Prichard revealed that Heenan hated working with Patera due to his stiff nature in the ring: "Ken was just so damn strong and you know Kenny was Kenny and worlds strongest man at the time. After losing a match to Greg Gagne, Heenan was forced to wear the weasel suit and he made the most of the incident with some zealous slapstick. According to sports journalist Woody Paige, he and Heenan were hanging out when a fan approached the heel manager for an autograph. Best Brain line: "That could be anybody's banana.". 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. Bobby the Brain unleashes the life story of Bobby Heenan, better known as "The Brain" in wrestling circles. While Ric Flair outlasted them all, Heenan had his own work cut out for him, selling just how nervous he was watching his meal ticket survive from number three until the end. [7] Comedian David Letterman became a fan of Heenan after seeing him in WWA. The original plan for Bobby Heenan in WWE was for him to manage Jesse "The Body" Ventura. Together they had a daughter, Jessica. 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. 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.. 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. It was never just a joke fest with Heenan's commentary either. Doesn't think that the porn actress that was on the show was attractive. 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. Had he done it years later during the Attitude Era, it would have gone unnoticed. [40] A second memoir, Chair Shots and Other Obstacles: Winning Life's Wrestling Matches, was released by Sports Publishing on February 1, 2004, and has an introduction by Ric Flair. Heenan's head just about explodes when Luger starts to make his thighs quiver. RELATED: 10 Best Wrestlers Managed By Bobby Heenan Ranked. Heenan is smooth here like, he was for so many years. Bobby "The Brain" Heenan was one of the biggest wrestling villains of . The night ultimately belonged to Heenan, whose induction speech stole the show. 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. WWE would try to recreate the moment years later with Heenan and the Ultimate Warrior, but the AWA version did it better. Yes, I do have throat cancer, but I plan on beating this too. 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. But Pillman didnt get the memo, or just didnt care. [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. Heenan's maniacal laughter at his own jokes and the amount of fun he's having cement this segment as a classic. But Heenan's ignorance and stinginess along with, of course, his comic timing make this a fun watch. He was known for having many comedic moments on TV broadcasts and pay-per-views alongside Gorilla Monsson and Okerlund. As an adult, you look back and appreciate just how much of a comedic genius he was. And we loved smokin' weed. 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. 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. [12], In early 1979, Heenan left the AWA (suspended one year, in storyline) to work in Georgia Championship Wrestling (GCW). He was paired with numerous wrestlers, including Nick Bockwinkel, whom he led to win the AWA World Heavyweight Championship, and he became an integral figure in the 1980s professional wrestling boom by managing King Kong Bundy and Andr the Giant in WWF main event matches with Hulk Hogan at WrestleMania 2 and WrestleMania III respectively. Heenan had stints managing Flair in both promotions as two of the greatest heels of all-time formed chemistry together. [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. I always confused as a kid, and admittedly still am, why a woman was named Mike. Heenan shared a funny story about a stewardess bringing Andre a screwdriver tool on a plane when he asked for it. 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. A decent Shawn Michaels and Tito Santana match, a blas Rick Martel and Tatanka match as well as Bret Hart and Roddy Piper battling it out for the Intercontinental title wouldn't have been the same without the Brain. live on the air. ", Best Brain line: "Jannetty tried to dive through the window to escape.". Related: The Blindfold Match & 9 Other Gimmick Matches That Made No Sense. Two years later, he was hospitalized when his rebuilt jaw became infected. He was a wrestler and a manager for the promotion before appearing in the American Wrestling Association in 1974. In a funny Prime Time Wrestling segment, Bobby Heenan tries to buy a horse from a shady character at the Kentucky Derby Museum. 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. "The Brain" joined WCW for six years before returning to WWE at WrestleMania 17 to call the Gimmick Battle Royal. [6] Broadcaster Peter Rosenberg considers Heenan a personal hero and describes him as the best commentator, manager and bad guy in WWE history. Related: 10 Things Fans Should Know About Brian Pillman. [41] After his Hall of Fame induction, Heenan provided comments for use in WWE documentary releases. Powered by. 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. WCW went out of business less than a year after his release. as loud as they'd chant for any wrestler. He will go down in the books as someone who mastered the craft". He was an actor, known for WrestleMania X-Seven (2001), Saturday Night's Main Event (1985) and WCW Bash at the Beach (1996). He showed that even weakened by cancer, he was still the same guyquick-witted, sardonic, brilliant. "[6][29], Heenan, still suffering from the broken neck he received ten years earlier and unable to cope with the long working hours, decided to leave the WWF at the end of 1993. [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? 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. [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. The Ultimate Warrior - A war of words! Vince liked the idea and tweaked it, making Royal Rumble history. Some guys would have gotten thrown off by Okerlund's slip up and almost everyone else would have just ignored it. But one fateful night on Nitro, Heenan was certainly flummoxed himseelf. Bobby "The Brain" Heenan, legendary professional wrestling manager and commentator, has died at the age of 73, according to multiple news sources. Best Brain line: "You even did a column in here. [12], Heenan's original plan was to retire, spend time with his family, and relax, but he was contacted by WCW soon after he left the WWF. A cake in the face or a tree stump in the woods was an opportunity for laughs. In pro wrestling, especially in the '80s, all of the above apply just replace Mr. Dafoe with Bobby "The Brain" Heenan, who died on Sunday at 73. Numerous wrestling. Following the news of his death, some of wrestlings biggest stars took to Twitter to reminisce about the man Heenan was. But on this instance, he kept asking the couple to back up, until they backed up right into the fountain, and thats when Bobby took the picture. According to Pro Wrestling Sheet, doctors kept him for an extended stay because of high blood pressure and he was eventually released. ", Before Jannetty's feet even fall to the floor, Heenan announces, "I knew that was going to happen. Hogan complained for years about Heenan ruining his WCW heel turn by questioning which side Hulk was on when he walked to the ring to form the New World Order. Multiple wrestling commentators have described him as the greatest professional wrestling manager of all time. He passed away in 2017 following an extended battle with throat cancer. Fooling everybody is pretty funny, but really his own reaction to the prank that makes this so priceless. Bobby Heenan is widely regarded as the greatest manager of all time. That's fun.". According to Heenans first book, it was his idea that Flair should draw number one and go the distance. [23] His final in ring match came on August 2, 1991, at a house show in Long Island, New York, where he defeated Mr. One of Bobby Heenans last televised appearances actually wasnt for his home in WWE. Bobby "The Brain" Heenan(born Raymond Louis Heenanon November 1, 1943 - September 17, 2017) was an American professional wrestling manager and color commentator. Making fun of everybody from Reba McEntire to Tatanka to his broadcast parter,Heenan had great line after great line. After managing in the company for nearly 5 years, Rick Rude finally brought the very fir [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. Charlotte Flair: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know. Billy Jack Haynes fought Hercules (w/ Bobby Heenan) to a double count-out at 7:52 when both men fell through the ropes and Haynes applied the full nelson on his opponent on the floor . He somehow manages to sell the paper while trashing it. Daniel Bryan (@WWEDanielBryan) September 17, 2017. He expertly played a character, a snide weasel of a man we hated and loved just the same. Tony Shiavonne and Bobby "The Brain" Heenan talk about the very first ever Best Of The Best pay per view set for Super Saturday the weekend of Super Bowl XXX. Just got word that Bobby had a successful surgery and all is good. While he was always treated with great respect and reverence WWE, Bobby Heenan was looking to not only get off the road, but get insurance, and perhaps a pension plan. Warrior was stiff in the ring whenever working spots with Heenan and injured him on a few occasions. 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. I suppose they wanted to balance out the heel/face ratio, but why hear Duggan and Hillbilly when you can hear "The Brain"? 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. Bobby Heenan was born on 1 November 1944 in Chicago, Illinois, USA. Peter Rosenberg recounts a few of Heenan's most memorable contributions, what Heenan meant . 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. [6] As a fan of wrestling growing up in Chicago and Indianapolis, he started in the wrestling profession early on, carrying bags and jackets for the wrestlers, and selling refreshments at events. ", 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. He spent several years as a wrestler before heading down the path that made him the greatest manager and color commentator of all time. [43] In December 2007, Heenan had reconstructive surgery on his jaw, after the first surgery was unsuccessful. When it looks like the Rockers are going to bury the hatchet, Heenan confidently says, I told you so. Which he sort of did, but Bobby Heenan was still able to create a little bit of havoc when he was invited to Lettermans show. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bA9QVTEUDdQ. He died on September 17, 2017. During a match with Eddie Guerrero, Pillman ducked behind Heenan and snatched him up, causing Heenan to curse on the air and walk off enraged. He was survived by his wife of 40 years, Cindy, his daughter, Jessica, and two grandchildren. In particular, Heenan was credited with making Blackjack Lanza one of the top wrestling villains in the country. 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. Or just didnt care s most memorable contributions, what Heenan meant was eventually released show was attractive down... Comedic genius he was & 9 Other Gimmick Matches that Made no Sense is smooth here like, started! 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