The world of professional Wrestling suffered a great loss this week with the passing of Bobby “The Brain” Heenan. There might not be a better manager in the world of professional wrestling than “The Brain.” From his days as a wrestler in the AWA to his legendary status as a manager in the WWE and as a commentator in both the WWE and WCW, no one was more entertaining on a weekly basis than Heenan.
According to his obituary on TampaBay.com, Heenan died from organ failures that were caused by his long-time battle with cancer. Heenan was diagnosed with throat cancer back in 2002.
Bobby Heenan was 73 at the time of his death.
Heenan was the best manager in the business
When Bobby Heenan got his start in professional wrestling, he was an actual wrestler but it wasn’t until he started working as a manager that he truly became one of the biggest stars in the world of wrestling. He hit his stride in the Minneapolis-based AWA promotion before he finally got his break and signed with Vince McMahon and the WWE. When he arrived in the WWE, Heenan was one of many managers in the promotion but quickly rose to the top of the company.
Bobby “The Brain” Heenan, or The Weasel, as his detractors nicknamed him, managed just about every villain that mattered in the WWE during his career.
He managed the careers of Big John Studd, King Kong Bundy, Ravishing Rick Rude, Mr. Perfect Curt Hennig, and The Nature Boy Ric Flair. He was responsible for Mr. Wonderful Paul Orndorff turning on his friend Hulk Hogan, which was a huge shock to the fans.
However, the biggest moment of Bobby Heenan’s career came when he convinced the beloved Andre the Giant to turn heel and betray Hulk Hogan.
This led to the WrestleMania III match where Andre and Hogan broke the indoor attendance record at that time with over 90,000 people in attendance to watch Hogan beat Andre. Through his managerial career, Heenan’s feud with Hulk Hogan might be the best in wrestling history.
Heenan wasn’t finished yet
Anyone who thought that Bobby Heenan was the best manager of all-time also likely believes the same when it comes to his career as a color commentator.
Heenan continued his vendetta of hate against Hulk Hogan but it was his partnership with Gorilla Monsoon that might be the best commentating duo in wrestling history. The beloved Gorilla and the wise-cracking Brain were a match made in Heaven and made every WWE match entertaining to watch and listen to, mostly thanks to their commentating.
When Bobby Heenan was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, he made one of the most touching statements at the end of his speech. After roasting everyone in the room and cracking jokes, despite battling with early stages of throat cancer at the time, Heenan teared up and said: “I wish Monsoon was here.” Now, Bobby “The Brain” Heenan and Gorilla Monsoon are together again.
“It was just his time,” Heenan’s daughter Jessica Solt told TampaBay.com. That may be, but the Weasel will be missed and remembered forever.
