5 Bobby ‘The Brain’ Heenan WWE Moments

Sunday night, the pro wrestling world lost arguably the greatest manger of all time, Bobby ‘The Brain’ Heenan. The genius of Heenan will live of forever, through classic WWE moments like these ones below.

Jim Ross broke the saddening news of Heenan, via Twitter, writing: “The news of Bobby ‘The Brain’ Heenan’s passing today gutted me. I loved our time together. No one ever did it better than the Wease.” And JR couldn’t be more right. The Brain, who took being a heel to a whole new level, has bough us uncountable WWE memories as both a commentator and a manger.

5. WWE Hall Of Fame Speech

If you’ve got 15 minutes to spare, try and track down Bobby Heenan’s WWE Hall of Fame speech. It was both funny and insightful, like any great HOF speech should be. During the early 2000’s, the Hall of Fame was packed with big stars, however, in 2004, Heenan stole the show. His fast past humour, the warmth, everything was on display. He gave an incredible career retrospective. And it really helps understand why everyone has respect for The Brain. A classic speech, with too many jokes to mention.

4. Andre ‘The Giant’ Heel Turn

One of Heenan’s greatest qualities was controlling the crowd, moreover, the reaction he would receive from the crowd. As such, being associated with ‘The Weasel’ was enough to garner real heat.

And when Andre The Giant formed with Bobby Heenan, that’s exactly what happened. In what is one the biggest wrestling angles to this day, Andre brought in Heenan to help manage and challenge Hulk Hogan for WWF World Heavyweight Championship. Andre, who was once friends with Hogan, ripped the Hulkster’s shirt. What followed was another classic from Heenan, who well and truly drove home the point that Andre was sick of being second best to Hogan. This Piper’s Pit segment won’t be forgotten anytime soon.

3. ‘The Nature Boy’ Ric Flair Arrives at the WWF

In 1991, the WWF scored big when they managed to bring in Ric Flair, along with the NWA World Heavyweight Championship belt. However, even though brining in Flair was big, what was bigger was the fact that he would be partnering with Heenan.

Awaiting his arrival, The Brain would be singing Flair’s praises constantly on television. He even paced around the backstage area, as he anxiously waiting for The Nature Boy.

Then finally, the WWF audience would be formally introduced to the World Champion. Of course, Flair was playing a heel at the time, but watching his debut back will still put a smile on your face, much like it did for Heenan at the time – knowing he was in alliance with a mega-star in the making.

2. ‘Broadcast Journalist’

There’s a reason they call him The Brain, and it’s part due to his genius and second-to-none comedic timing. His work as a “broadcast journalist” showed both of these qualities in Heenan, who set the bar as a colour commentator to extraordinary heights.

The often unscripted nature played to The Brains advantage. Who would often pick on fans, calling them “humanoids”, and jobbers, “ham-and-eggers”. His real life friendship with Gorilla Monsoon would shine though. All of his work, showing off his TV antics, are classics.

1. 1992 Royal Rumble; Flair Wins

In what was a crowning achievement for Flair, was also a crowning a achievement for Bobby Heenan. In what will always be my favourite Rumble match, 1992, Ric Flair captured the WWF World Heavyweight Championship – which had been vacated and was on the line at the Royal Rumble.

As wrestlers tried to eliminate Flair, Heenan would freak out on commentary; constantly uttering “fair to Flair” as he bargained with God to let The Nature Boy win. He commentary was perfect. It added to the drama, as well as the realism involved in Flair winning – who was positioned in the #3 spot in the Rumble.

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He was integral to the match, and is part of the reason I view the ’92 Rumble so highly. It truly sums up why The Brain was important the WWE. Adding comedy, drama and excitement to professional wrestling.

You will be missed, Heenan. You will be missed.