Manager
Bobby Heenan
Bobby "The Brain" Heenan will eventually leave a legacy spanning
five decades ----- well into the 21st century...
"The Brain," as Bobby is affectionately known, has encompassed every phase of the wrestling business during his 38 year career and is still recognized as the only major player from the 60’s. His capabilities have yet to be surpassed as manager of some of the most influential and famous wrestlers of the century.
Bobby’s four decades has earned him various awards signifying his greatness, such as : for 10 years the public voted Bobby as the " Greatest Manager of the Year"; European television presented him with the " Tommy Award" for entertainment.
Bobby’s wit and sarcasm has made him the #1 Commentators in this fine sport of wrestling; three times during his association with WCW. In Indianapolis Mayor Steve Goldberg presented Bobby with a plaque proclaiming April 3, 1997 " Bobby Heenan Day."
The person known as "Pretty Boy," "The Brain" and sometimes "The Weasel" has brought pride and prominence to those names making them household words. All through the greatest revenue years of wrestling, Heenan and his men along with Hogan, set all time attendance records through out the world.
One of his own records to date is the fact that Bobby managed and wrestled on all of the number one wrestling shows in the world. He has been dubbed Manager of the year in all wrestling organizations; was the first man to ever manage "Andre The Giant" setting records (over 93,000) at Pontiac Stadium, MI; the first manager to manage in St. Louis, MO, then the headquarters for the NWA organization; and, has been the only person to, (at the same time while with the AWA), to manage heavy weight champion, Nick Bockwinkel, and Tag Team Champions, Jack Lanza and Bobby Dunkum.
The Brains feud with Dick "The Bruiser" and "Hogan" have been legendary. His managing expertise in the country of Japan make another historic first for Bobby and this profession. The last wrestler "The Brain" to manage was the infamous Rick "Nature Boy" Flair while they were both associated with the WWF.
Bobby was not just a manager per say. Many times he applied his expertise either in the ring or supporting his men. He has often been compared with the likes of "Gorgeous George" and Ray "The Crippler" Stevens, but no where has any one person been able to touch the talents of this man.
"The Brains" affiliation with the wrestling profession started in his early years where he carried bags and jackets for the wrestlers sold cokes and programs in the buildings eventually realizing his dream. Since Bobby’s introduction into the ring, he has been to 14 countries; rubbed elbows with dignitaries, presidents and even paired up a few times as tag team partner with Jesse "The Body" Ventura now the governor of Minnesota. For you history buffs Bobby was requested, due to his fairness, to referee a match between Jesse "The Body" Ventura and Hogan held in Pittsburgh, PA. during the late 80’s.
For you Midwesterners Bobby has been on Chicago TV every week since 1965 although not limiting himself to one station, one country nor one show. The various shows requesting "The Brains" presence have, been "Regis & Kathy": "Jerry Lewis Telethon"; Kids Choice Awards; Family Feud; and Arsenio Hall to name a few. During Bobby’s busy schedule he has even managed to place a movie into his repertoire. Remember " The Time Masters"?
Although not taking the advantage of the many offers to host his own radio show, Bobby has entertained numerous times over the radio waves all over the country.
The Brain has put many hard and rigorous years into this profession called wrestling, but because of this profession Bobby has had many opportunities that will be lasting memories. As a personal favor to Bobby’s very good friend, George Steinbrenner, "The Brain" was asked to broadcast from Yankee Stadium. He’s also been given the privilege to throw out the first pitch at many major baseball stadiums.
Bobby’s affiliation with the national organization, "The Cauliflower Alley Club," as one of the Board of Directors has enabled him to keep up with the historic likes of Lou Thez and Verne Gagne.
Bobby says he'll never manage again. But, as we all know, often times "The Brain" says one thing and does another.
The list of talent Bobby Heenan managed is literally a Who's Who of wrestling. Nick Bockwinkle, Ray Stevens, Blackjack Lanza, Bobby Duncum, Dick Warren, Masked Superstar, Killer Karl Kox, Baron von Raschke, Ernie Ladd, Big John Studd, Ken Patera, King Kong Bundy, Harley Race, Paul Orndorff, King Kong Bundy, Andre The Giant, Hercules, Toma, Haku, Red Rooster, Brooklyn Brawler, Rick Rude, Barbarian, Arn Anderson, Tully Blanchard, Mr. Perfect, and Ric Flair all used Heenan's services at one point or another.
Aside from his very well known career in the WWE, Bobby Heenan started on the "indy" scene and made a huge impact there. Here are just a few of his highlights.
1965 "Pretty Boy" Bobby Heenan made his in-ring debut against
Calvin "Prince" Pullins..
Bobby Heenan broke his neck when an opponent dropped a leg drop and bent
his head to the side..
In the early 1970s Bobby Heenan became the mastermind behind the triumphant
faction known as The Heenan Family in the American Wrestling Association..
The "AWA" Heenan Family consisted of Nick Bockwinkle, Ray Stevens,
Bobby Duncum Sr, Blackjack Lanza & Dick Warren.
On November 8, 1975: Bobby Heenan was in Nick Bockwinkel's corner as he
captured his first of three AWA World title..
On July 23, 1976: Blackjack Lanza & Bobby Duncum defeated Dick the
Bruiser & The Crusher for the AWA Tag Team titles..
Bobby Heenan left the AWA, to explain his time away, Heenan was "suspended
for one year"..
In January 1979 Bobby Heenan left the AWA in favor of the NWA's Georgia Championship Wrestling group. The "Georgia" Heenan Family included Blackjack Lanza, Ernie Ladd, Masked Superstar, & "Killer" Karl Kox.
Later in 1979, Bobby Heenan returned to the AWA and resumed managing
Nick Bockwinkel.
In 1983 Bobby Heenan broke his neck during a match in Japan. Bobby opted
to hold off having surgery until 1995 when Heenan had two discs removed
from his neck.
Bobby Heenan was sadly diagnosed with Throat Cancer but even that could not hold him down for long.
In 2002, he teamed with Steve Anderson to write his autobiography Bobby
the Brain Heenan: Wrestling's Bad Boy Tells All, following it up a year
later with Chairshots and Other Obstacles: Winning Life's Wrestling Matches.
February 14, 2004 ROH 2nd Anniversary: CM Punk represents Bobby "The
Brain" Heenan in the ROH Pure Wrestling Tournament.
March 6, 2004 Bobby Heenan cancels the 4/23 (St. Paul) and 4/24 (Chicago
Ridge) ROH events due to obligations with his book tour..
December 4, 2004 - ROH: Jim Cornette faced off with Bobby "The Brain"
Heenan in the "Great Managerial Debate".
Jim Cornette praised Bobby Heenan, before turning heel and telling Heenan
to DIE and let him be #1 for a change!
Colt Cabana & Jimmy Jacobs w/Bobby Heenan defeated Roderick Strong
& Jack Evans w/Jim Cornette..
February 26, 2005 - ROH: Colt Cabana & Nigel McGuinness w/Bobby Heenan
defeated Dan Maff & BJ Whitmer w/Jim Cornette..
April 16, 2005 - ROH: C.M. Punk w/Bobby Heenan defeated Mike Kruel (sub
for Jimmy Rave) w/Prince Nana..
(Compiled by Brett Schwan some info courtesy BobbyTheBrain.com)
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