The Ballad of Bobby Heenan
Bobby Heenan’s recent passing shocked the wrestling world, as he was perhaps the greatest and most influential talker in the history of the business.
The wrestling world shook with the loss of Bobby Heenan
This past week the wrestling world was taken aback with the passing of Bobby “The Brain” Heenan. Bobby Heenan is highly regarded as the greatest manager in the history of professional wrestling. He is also considered one of the best color commentators to ever call a match. Bobby’s career spanned four decades, being a major star in the AWA, WWF, and WCW. Bobby had the ability to raise everyone he was working with to the next level, all while brightening his own star. There will truly never be anyone like Heenan again.
Heenan would have been successful in any facet of entertainment. It didn’t matter if it was film, television, comedy or pro wrestling. Heenan had that undeniable charisma that made you pay attention. The moment he appeared on the screen or his voice came over the audio, fans had to watch and listen. Heenan was a major player in the largest companies in the United States throughout his career. He first took the moniker of “The Brain,” in the AWA in Minnesota. As they say, the rest is history.
While in the AWA, Heenan would link up with the promotion’s leading bad guy, Nick Bockwinkel. Bockwinkel gave off the appearance of being better than everyone else by using big words people didn’t understand, wearing suits people couldn’t afford, and having the services of Heenan. Heenan would also manage AWA stars such as “The Crippler” Ray Stevens, Bobby Duncum Sr., and Blackjack Lanza. This is believed to be the original “Heenan Family.”
“You listen to me, you’ll go to the top!”
As time would pass and as many other did during this 1980’s, Heenan fielded an offer from Vince McMahon and the WWF. Heenan wasn’t the only wrestler to make the jump from the AWA to WWF at this time. He has the distinct respect of being the only one to finish out his dates with the AWA. This speaks greatly to the character that Heenan had as a professional. The WWF would be where Heenan would make his biggest impact on the business. Managing legendary names such as Andre The Giant, RIck Rude, Big John Studd, Arn Anderson & Tully Blanchard, and so much more.
It was at this time that Heenan would constantly be tooling and reworking his Heenan Family with one goal in mind, defeating Hulk Hogan. Heenan wouldn’t rest until he destroyed Hulkamania. Many will say Andre, Savage or Flair were Hogan’s biggest rivals in his career. But when you look through history and analyze Hogan’s opponents many will have a common denominator, Heenan. The Brain and The Hulkster waged war for decades, with Hulk always coming out on top but that never stopped Heenan.
During his time in the WWF, fans were treated to one of the greatest pairings in the history of the business, Bobby Heenan and Gorilla Monsoon. The two commentators would go back and forth with Heenan always rooting for the dastardly villain and Gorilla being the consummate good guy. Heenan was a master at antagonizing Gorilla to the point Monsoon would lose his cool. The two would become such good friends that in a heartfelt moment during his Hall of Fame speech in 2004, Heenan would break down and say “It’s just an honor, it’s a real privilege to be here in front of all you people, and in New York City, and only one thing’s missing. I wish Monsoon was here.” It’s a moment that will stand the test of time, a glimpse at the love and respect Heenan had for his friend that was no longer with us.
Heenan heads to Atlanta
The mid-90’s were a wild time in pro wrestling. With the emergence of WCW as a powerhouse, talent would be jumping ship back and forth between the two companies. Heenan would be no different. Like many of the other big stars of the WWF at the time, hey saw more money for less time away from his family. It was a no-brainer. Heenan would make his debut in January of 1994 and would soon be the lead commentator for WCW’s events. He would be a part of the commentary team for WCW Nitro alongside Steve McMichael and Eric Bischoff.
Heenan’s commentary will be forever linked to one of the biggest moments in professional wrestling history when Hogan joined the NWO. Once again Heenan was questioning the validity of Hogan with the line “Whose side is he on? He’s the third man! Hulk Hogan has betrayed WCW, he’s the third man!”
Heenan would go on to do commentary and guest spots with companies sporadically. He would partner with long-time friend “Mean” Gene Okerlund at Wrestlemania X-Seven to do commentary for the Gimmick Battle Royal. He would take his place in the WWE Hall of Fame in 2004.
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Heenan would suffer from bouts of throat and tongue cancer as well as an infection in his jaw from a reconstructive surgery. Sadly on September 17, 2017, Heenan passed away. It is incredibly sad that such a bright star would fade away,.
It’s safe to say, Heaven is roaring with the sounds of a Bobby Heenan slight and a Monsoon “Will you stop!”