Bobby Heenan: Looking Beyond The Brain (part 2)

Upon his arrival in the AWA Heenan would not only have a fresh set of talent to work with, he would also be reunited with his old pal Ray Stevens.

 

It was actually Ray Stevens who would coin the term “The Brain” because Larry Henning had rights to the name ”Pretty Boy” Heenans old ring name.

 

Just like in Indiana he would quickly become a popular figure in the AWA. He would start of managing guys like Dr X “also know as the Destroyer” and Black Jack Lanza.

 

Heenan’s biggest career jump in the AWA would be when he managed Ray Stevens and Nick Bockwinkel.

 

Like most of the guys Bobby would work with, these three would become inseparable.

 

In fact during a trip to Hawaii Bobby Heenan would be knighted in a ring after a match. After that Nick would forever call Heenan “Sir Robert”.

 

They would be paired together for years traveling all over the world. Often to pass the time their would be a lot of ribbing.

 

One of the funny ones mentioned by Heenan was when right before a match they took a cigar and burned a whole in the front of Nick’s trunks.

 

So right before the match started Nick removed his Belt and gave the audience a showing that would never be forgotten.

 

The AWA was also where Heenan would get the name “Weasel” from by the Crusher because he was one of the few that never liked or trusted Heenan.

 

Despite Heenans good fortunes and friendships formed in the AWA. He decided to leave the AWA and try is luck in the NWA.

 

This was partly done as a favor to Lanza, but he also did this because he wanted to test the waters.

 

Verne would explain his absence by saying Heenan was suspended for a year.

 

His time in the NWA was not very fruitful. He didn’t get along with Ole Anderson nor did he like the politics of the NWA. He did manage to become good friends with Geordie Sole one of wrestlings greatest color men.   

 

They would go on to become good friends for many years. In fact when Gordie passed away he would speak very fondly of him at his funeral.

 

 Heenan made his big return to the AWA back in 1979.

 

He would go back to managing Nick and things were good their for a while. Heenan and Bockwinkel would also go on to help make Hulk Hogan a star.

 

Heenan would even step back into the ring for a brief period.

 

The AWA would run a series of matches where if Heenan lost he would be forced to put on a weasel suit. Those would be remembered as some of his fondest matches.  

 

Things just weren’t the same though; business was starting to get ugly between Verne and the boys in the back. A lot of it stemmed over payouts and who was getting pushed and who wasn,t.

 

Heenan would begin to see the writing on the wall and would try many times getting into the WWWF.

 

Vince sr would often blow Heenan of though. It wasn’t until he passed of cancer that Heenan would get his break.

 

Problems would continue to get worse in the AWA, as most of their talent was leaving.

 

With a little Help from Hogan, Heenan would finally be offered a contract with the WWF.

 

Now the problem was how would he break the news to Verne? All the guys that left prior were very unprofessional about it and would leave with no notice.

 

This caused a lot of bitterness between Verne and the boys in the back. Heenan would finally have to tell Verne that he was going.

 

When the day finally came to tell Verne he was so nervous that who would bring a blade to the meeting for protection.

 

It wouldn’t be needed though, as it turned out Verne Just wanted to try to find a way to keep Heenan their.

 

As hard as Verne tried though Heenan would not be persuaded to stay. He did though out of respect for Verne finish out his dates and matches for the year.

 

It was a gesture that was never forgotten, as he and Verne would remain friend’s years after the AWA folded.

 

Now in the WWF, Heenan would be not only re united with his old AWA pals but also he would get to work with the best in the world at the time.

 

Over the years in the WWF, Heenan would go to manage guys like Big john stud, Rick rude Mr. perfect, Bundy, Harley Race and many others.

 

He has been part of some of the most monumental feuds in the WWF’s History.

 

Just like everywhere else he has been, he would touch many hearts and make many friends.

 

One of the guys closest to Heenan would be non other then Andre the Giant.

 

It was in fact Andre the Giant who would make the request for Heenans services.

 

Unlike some of the other guys Heenan managed Andre didn’t need a manager. He asked for Heenan mainly because he was the only one he trusted.

 

 These two would be almost as close as him and Bockwinkel. He was one of the few that came even close to keeping the big guy in line.

 

Heenan would almost go on to be Andre’s personal guides. He was one of the few men that had even the slightest control over the big guy.

 

Andre the Giant and Bobby Heenan would wind up becoming the best of friends.

 

The person the most remember Heenan working with was also the late great Gorilla monsoon. Over the years these two would become a inseparable pair. They had the perfect chemistry together.

  

Monsoon would play the baby face straight man and Heenan would play the part of the smart-alecky heel.

 

They would go on to host many cards together and their commentary work is considered by meant as the best ever in the business.

 

Heenan and Monsoon would also go on to host prime time wrestling together. Many as their most entertaining show regarded this together.

 

He also did a live version of prime time wrestling with him and Vince McMahon the show never did stick though.

 

On a side note my favorite episode was when they were at Trump plaza together. That was some real funny and classic Monsoon and Heenan work.

 

Those two would also work a couple of other shows together. They would host All American Wrestling, and All-star wrestling.

 

They would also do wrestling challenge, which was formally All-star wrestling. This is the show I would watch as a kid and have, the fondest memories of.

 

His end run with the WWF would be a bittersweet one though. He was forced by Vince to manage again which didn’t make Heenan all to happy.

 

At this point of his career he was tired of the road and notes in his book that he really didn’t have the heart to manage.

 

He would go on to do it anyways in fear of loosing his job.

 

He managed flair when he came over to the WWF. This didn’t last to long though as Curt Henning would take over the reigns.

 

Heenan was even responsible for giving Sean Waltmen his first name the 1-2-3 kid.

 

In 1993 Heenans contract was up with the WWF. Vince would offer him a lucrative contract to stay.

 

Heenan accepted this contract, but Vince would re nig on it saying he couldn’t afford to pay him that much.

 

That would be the end of the road for Heenan. He decided that he would call it quits and spend time with his family.

 

Heenan would come up with the idea to have Monsoon throw him out of the arena after he found a bunch stuff stolen from the hotel they stayed at.

 

After the skit was done they were in the elevator together he turned to Monsoon and said, “Well, nine years together. Good luck, Partner”.

 

They later spent that night reminiscing for hours at the hotel they were at.

 

In 1994 Heenan would be persuaded back into commentating for WCW.

 

He was promised the same amount of money for one day of work a week. He would also a short distance away from the school his daughter went to so he could see her often.

 

This would turn out to be the worst six years of Bobby Heenans career. He and Toney Schiavone just would never see eye to eye.

 

He also would have noted problems with Eric Bischoff after he tried to give him some ideas for some story lines.

 

Heenan did finally get the neck surgery he needed. He did one last minor appearance at ringside with Ric Flair at the great American Bash.

 

Towards the end when Russo came in things between Heenan were to the point of no return.

 

They were pulling him from all the Nitro’s and Thunders. As far as Heenan was concerned the writing was on the wall.

 

His contract with WCW expired in the year 2000 he left WCW for good.

 

He would make one more final appearance in 2001 he did a mock battle royal with Gene Overland.

 

In 2002 Bobby “The Brain” Heenan was diagnosed with throat cancer.

Heenan was quoted as saying “I just want to let all the wonderful "humanoids" out there know how grateful I am for the good wishes...

Yes, I do have throat cancer, but I plan on beating this too.
If the late, great Gorilla Monsoon couldn't shut me up, cancer isn't going to either.

He not only fought throat cancer, but he would go on to beat it.

In 2004 Heenan was inducted into the WWE hall of fame. He would make a heart warming speech that wouldn't leave a dry seat in the house.

In 1998 who also go on to so something that no one in wrestling has ever done. In 1998 Bobby "the Brain" Heenan made the All Madden team.

Over Heenans forty plus year career he had many highs and many lows. He was always a fighter though and would never quit. He touched the hearts of countless lives, and accomplished more than many can say they did.

To say this man had a great impact on many would be a huge understatement.

Thank you for taking the time to read my tribute to Bobby Heenan.

As always, Good night and God bless