It was reported yesterday that unfortunately Bobby Heenan had passed away. This was a huge blow to the whole wrestling community, fan and stars alike.
We are SLTD Wrestling would like to share our thoughts on the late Hall of Famer and encourage you to do the same in the comment section below.
@callumowen98 (Facebook Manager)
Although I didn’t watch Heenan live, thanks to the WWE Network Heenan has a new fan. For years to come Heenan will be remembered by generations whether it’s for managing greats such as Andre The Giant and Mr Perfect, or calling classic matches like the Royal Rumble 1992. (which if you have never watched, please do the fantastic commentary from arguably the best commentary team of Gorilla Monsoon and Heenan is at finest) There are so many great memories of Heenan, so it’s tough to pick one, so I have three that spring to mind when thinking of ‘The Brain’
3) Shawn Michaels turning heel on Marty Jannetty
“Jannetty tried to escape by jumping through the window”. Do I need to say anymore?
2) Monday Night Raw Debut Edition
Most of the debut edition was revolved around Bobby Heenan trying to get into the arena. I can’t think of the last time when a commentator had been a main focal point of the show and Heenan’s fantastic comedy timing shone here whether it’d be dressing up as a Hasidic jew or in drag, it was Heenan at his best.
3) Without Bobby Heenan There Probably Wouldn’t be a Paul Heyman
Currently on WWE TV Paul Heyman is in my opinion the greatest advocate/manager since Bobby Heenan and I honestly think Heyman has took a lot of inspiration from Heenan. Whether it be the strong mic skills or being a bit of a weasel whenever he’s faced with a physical confrontation. There’s one final similarity, they love to be hated. Heenan called us all humanoids and ham and eggers, he loved to be hated, and boy didn’t he do his job well. Whether it be always hating the hero Hulk Hogan or cheering on the heels, Heenan was the ultimate bad guy.
So as I sum up this long tribute to Bobby Heenan, the last thing I want to say is #ThankYouBobby you will forever be remembered.
@mrnebarry (Old Skool View)
Bobby Heenan, was one of a kind. He was a natural entertainer, he could play the fans in attendance with his words and his words alone. He is the greatest manager of all time without a doubt, and for me is the greatest commentator of all time too. He had a brilliant way of words, and the fact us humanoids grew to love him says it all about the man.
I have re-watched his HOF speech from 2004 and this quote says it all about the Brain. ” And then, I went from there to managing everyone they put in front of me in the WWF Oops, did I say something?
Wait, let me get this now. You wanna talk about wildlife? When I came here they had the three Freebirds. They had the Junkyard Dog, Mad Dog, um, two Bulldogs, a guy with uh, Matilda another dog, there was the Junkyard Dog, they had insects, two Killer Bees, you had serpents, you had a guy with a Snake, you had a Hawaiian guy with a lizard, uh, I’m not done yet! I’m not done yet.
And to top it all off, I’m the Weasel, doing commentary with a Gorilla!
Dammit!
So if you think you people at the WWF now thinks there wildlife, you’ve spent one weekend at the HoJo’s in Newark with Afa and Sika, The Samoans, THAT’S wildlife!”
@TomRobinson5199 (Armbar Analysis)
Being a quote-on-quote “millennial” and having grown up watching wrestling at a different time, I’ve found it really hard to understand the “golden era” of WWF. I’m not saying I don’t like it but after being spoiled with the evolution of wrestling as an art form and more “edgy” program, watching old wrestling is extremely hard for me to do in hindsight. What I’ve never failed to love when I watch back some of this stuff on the network, is the work of Bobby Heenan. Heenan was such a simple but effective, smiley manager and heel commentator that he added interest to the characters of those that he rooted for.
His commentary of the 1992 Royal Rumble is a grand example of what every heel commentator should be like. His wit was light years ahead of the time and not a single heel commentator (with the exception of Jerry Lawler I guess) has come close to the perfect bad guy as Bobby Heenan. There’s certain men where you’ll look at them and say they’ll never be a man like him ever again. They’ll never be a man quite like Bobby “The Brain” Heenan.
@kieranthekiz (UKayfabe)
I must admit I’m not overly familiar on his classic moments. I understand, however, his importance to the world of wrestling though which is evident by the tributes that have poured in since his tragic passing.
When the world of professional wrestling gets together to show their respect it speaks volumes to the impact he had on people and managers and announcers who watched him growing up and is partly the reason they’re where they are today.
@Tybo_SLTD (Tybo Talks)
Although I remember watching Bobby Heenan when I was a kid, I never really liked him. He was always getting the way of my guys winning, or always putting them down on commentary. It was only later when I went back and re-watched ‘Federation Era’ WWE that I realised just how much of a true heel Heenan was. When watching him at such a young age I never understood just how perfect at his job he was, but my dislike for him and everyone in ‘The Family’ just shows he was doing exactly what he was meant to be doing, and I was doing exactly what he wanted me to do.
There is no denying the impact Heenan has had on the wrestling world, he was a once in a lifetime legend who’s understanding of the business is rarely seen. You don’t get to call yourself ‘The Brain’ for nothing.
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