WWE: Hall of Famer Bobby Heenan Passes Away

WWE Hall of Famer Bobby Heenan passed away Sunday after a long battle with cancer.

On Sunday, news broke that legendary manager and WWE Hall of Famer Bobby Heenan passed away at the age of 72. Jim Ross was the first to announce the death, posting a message on Twitter. It was also tweeted by Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter shortly after JR’s tweet. Not long after, WWE confirmed the death on social media.

It goes without saying that this is a terrible loss. Heenan was a tremendous performer in all aspects of his career. While Heenan began his career as a wrestler, he found his greatest fame as a manager. In 1974, Heenan was with the American Wrestling Association, and introduced his famous nickname – “The Brain.”

Claiming to be smarter than everyone else in the AWA, he led Nick Bockwinkel and Ray Stevens to multiple reigns as AWA Tag Team Champions. Bockwinkel also ended Verne Gagne’s seven-year reign as AWA World Champion with Heenan in his corner.

Heenan moved to the World Wrestling Federation in 1984, where he established the most famous of his “Heenan Family” stables. The Brain became one of the most hated personalities in the WWF. In reality, it was because he was one of the best heel managers in wrestling history.

More from Daily DDT

• It’s time for Adam Cole and MJF to drop the ROH tag team titles
• Tom Lawlor talks MLW return, AEW opportunity, CM Punk’s WWE return and more
• Eddie Kingston stands to gain the most from the AEW Continental Classic
• Trish Stratus on WWE NXT would help elevate that women’s division
• Randy Orton signs with SmackDown to go after The Bloodline

Heenan led multiple superstars to championships in the WWF. Over the years, members of the Heenan Family included Andre the Giant, Ric Flair, the Brain Busters (Arn Anderson and Tully Blanchard), Ken Patera, Big John Studd, Mr. Perfect, “King” Harley Race, and “Ravishing” Rick Rude. Multiple wrestlers managed by Heenan were ultimately inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.

The Brain also had a terrific career as a commentator. While still managing a handful of superstars, Heenan found success behind the announce table. He and his long time broadcast colleague Gorilla Monsoon were the voice of the WWF through the early 1990s.

One of Heenan’s shining moments came during the 1992 Royal Rumble match. Heenan’s client Ric Flair entered the match at number 3, eventually going on to win the whole thing. But Heenan adamantly claimed that the early entry wasn’t “fair to Flair,” and spent the whole match worrying about the outcome. A few words here can’t do it justice, the whole match must be watched to truly appreciate the commentary.

After leaving WWE, Heenan worked for World Championship Wrestling. Many claim that he “ruined” the reveal of Hulk Hogan being the mystery member of the New World Order in 1996. Personally, I’ve always felt that Heenan questioning Hogan’s motives was 100% in character as Bobby “The Brain” Heenan, and nothing was ruined – Heenan always distrusted Hogan.

Heenan was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2004. He fought a long battle with cancer of the throat and tongue in his later years, making appearances with WWE very infrequently due to his health.

Next: 25 Greatest WWE Entrance Themes of All Time

We at Daily DDT extend our condolences to Heenan’s friends, family, and loved ones.