One of the most amazing things about Heenan was his ability to pull off great comedy and great heel heat - at the same time. During the course of a single TV show, Bobby could get great laughs doing slapstick comedy with Gorilla, and then orchestrate some heinous attack on a babyface later in the same show and have the crowd wanting his neck. His comedy never took away from his heat, and his heat never took away from his comedy. Truly a rare talent.
Here's how impactful Heenan was: 40-50 years after he left Bruiser's Indianapolis promotion, my mother, who NEVER watches wrestling, still remembered seeing Bobby 'The Brain' Heenan on TV when she was a kid and feuding with Bruiser. She still remembered his name and recognized his voice.
Yes great story. I have to agree and say that is EXACTLY how my mom feels about Roddy Piper. She never watched wrestling back when my parents were younger, but she could hear it haha. To this day when you ask her about wrestling she will always say...now who was that guy that would just yell and scream at the camera...go crazy...he wouldnt shut up...Piper right...I just wanted to punch him so bad lol. I know this video is about The Brain, but your story made me think about this. And I thank you for that. Good day to ya.
The “My God Bobby” issue was November 1970 of Inside Wrestling. The match in which the pictures came from, was July ‘70 from Bush Stadium in Indianapolis, where Ernie Ladd beat Bobby all up.
BRIAN IS A GREAT GUY, HE DOES NOT ANGER PEOPLE LIKE CORNETTE DOES WITH HIS POLITICAL SHIT. IF YOU HAVE A CHANCE LISTEN ON YOU TUBE TO SOLOMONSTER HES A REALLY BRIGHT GUY ON WRESTLING TODAY.
As a kid I always regarded Heenan as the arch villain to Hulk Hogan's hero persona. He always seemed to be plotting against the Hulkster. Orndorff, Bundy and even Andre were all just pawns in The Brain's diabolical schemes!
Exactly. HE was something all together different and you could spot that, even as a kid. Thats what made him stand out, its also what made him a legend and the GOAT of managers/commentators.
I waa sad to see the AWA bite the dust . I remember seeing the early eighties World Title changes with Tsuruta , Wanz , Martel , Hansen and Hennig and it seemed like a worldly title .
Bobbys commentary on ric Flairs debut rumble when he became champ 1990 or 1992 is the best thing ever in wrestling! My uncle used to piss himself at some of it! As a kid I probably missed half but going back and watching 👀 Bobby was the best 😂
When Bobby manages the Hennan family he was like a mouthy rich kid in public school who was friends with the Football team. He'd yap a a good guy and when the good guy came after him the football team would kick their ass for him.
I would go so far as to say WWE would never have become the major force without Heenan and Monsoon. They together brought a crossover appeal no other talents could have matched. It established a foundation that established sports entertainment. I can’t see Vince Jr. doing it any other way
Scott's Gimmick Was Kind of a Memphis Version of Bobby .... Rich Kid from Germantown (Their Variation of Beverly Hills, I Believe) that Turned His Nose on His Lessers with a Bit of a Quick Wit
To be fair in the mid 80s the top two managers in WWF at the time was Hennen and Jimmy Hart. In WCW it was JJ Dillion, Cornette, Ellering, Gary Hart as my favorites. And I always said if it was not for Bobby Heenan then Hulkamania would of never blew up as popular as it did. And if not for The Brain then Hogan in WCW would of never worked....especially the nWo surprise reveal at Bash at the Beach 1996.
Harley? In his limited few years as a manager for Vader, Luger and Mr. Hughes? Over Jimmy Hart, Paul E., Sherri Martel, Freddie Blassie, or even PS Hayes?
I never really warmed up to Heenans corny jokes ...Ham and Eggers etc....it was dated even in the eighties . What I did like were his bump taking skills .Its apparently against the law now to say that Bobby was not ever a reason I was drawn to a match but for me it was true . I thought his stable was too large . Paul Orndorff was probably his best prospect to stick with and work with like he had with Nick Bockwinkel . I had hoped that would stick but it was just one of far too many ...
I liked Bobby more in thw AWA than in WWF . I put him in front of my favorite , Jim Cornette , because he could manage more than just his most over charges . Jim managing Yokozuna was an awful fit ...to me Jimmy was part of The Midnite Express . Third place for me was a guy who truly could reinvent his guys ...Gary Hart ... He recreatec Don Jardine into a bigger draw , he Turned an unknown Japanese guy working midcard into a top attraction in The Great Kabuki , he recreated the nondescript big man One Man Gang into the Bad ass From Halstead Street Chicago .
Another I particularly liked was a forgottwn guy named Rock Hunter . He managed The Assassin and The Angel Frank Morrel when I was a kid . Look up the Hammerlock Angle in Louisiana if you can find it .
@@georgeelmerdenbrough6906 I liked Gary Hart too as he could cut a promo and look menacing as hell....his legit background in Chicago helps with that I suppose. The only problem I have with Gary Hart is, if you've read his book....you'd think he invented Water. I can't stand dudes who constantly put themselves over in every single story that's told. I can't remember any instance in that book where Gary admitted that he fucked something up, maybe booked someone the wrong way in Dallas, etc. A lot of stories Gary told in that book were later either disproved or flat-out denied by all other parties. That may be one of the reasons that his book was never reissued after his passing, I don't know. I did love him as a booker and a manager, he's top 3 in my book too. Another guy very high up on my list was another legit guy......The Great Mephisto......aka Frankie Cain. His promos from 1980 in Knoxville were brilliant. He was a great manager in the 1970's and early 1980's. Cain also booked a few different territories in the southeast (Alabama, etc.) in the 1970's as well. Plus, if anyone tried to fuck with him legitimately, Cain would legit shoot on them and clean their clock. He fought in the Smokers in the 1940's and early 1950's in Columbus, Ohio and learned how to hook back then from other hookers in Al Haft's territory. Cain is still alive, believe it or not, he's in his late 80's or early 90's now.
IN WORKING FOR THE PHILA SPECTRUM WHEN BOBBY WOULD COME IN OUR BUILDING ONCE A MONTH I WOULD TALK WITH HIM FOR A HALF HOUR. THE GREATEST THING I CAN SAY ABOUT BOBBY WAS HOW HE TREATED PEOPLE INCLUDING MYSELF LIKE A MILLION DOLLARS. HE WAS SO UN KAYFABE WHEN I WOULD SPEND TIME WITH BOBBY. WHAT A NICE MAN.
I'm gonna say this just keep it quite. Tell anyone else and I'll deny it. When it comes to heel managers. If you told me Cornett was the all time greatest..... I wouldn't think you were crazy outright. And would listen your reasoning. You might not convince me but I would respect the opinion. Even as a little kid I liked Bobby but would hope corny would get hit by a bus before next Saturday. So by definition he was a more effective heel than Bobby imo.
Bobby is tops in wrestling for everything from ring performer , mngr , annoucer he could do it all , i actually think no Bobby no Hulk Hogan and i think he was every bit resposoble for the WWF success as Hulk you need the evil master mind for the hero to beat and for interviews you could listen to him talk all day. Bobby i think couldve been a great actor he came across as the wise guy trying to pull a fast one and go from trash talking to acting like a coward so easy why he wasnt in more movies i dont know
One of the most amazing things about Heenan was his ability to pull off great comedy and great heel heat - at the same time. During the course of a single TV show, Bobby could get great laughs doing slapstick comedy with Gorilla, and then orchestrate some heinous attack on a babyface later in the same show and have the crowd wanting his neck. His comedy never took away from his heat, and his heat never took away from his comedy. Truly a rare talent.
Here's how impactful Heenan was: 40-50 years after he left Bruiser's Indianapolis promotion, my mother, who NEVER watches wrestling, still remembered seeing Bobby 'The Brain' Heenan on TV when she was a kid and feuding with Bruiser. She still remembered his name and recognized his voice.
Great story! Hope you're doing well a year later!
Yes great story. I have to agree and say that is EXACTLY how my mom feels about Roddy Piper. She never watched wrestling back when my parents were younger, but she could hear it haha. To this day when you ask her about wrestling she will always say...now who was that guy that would just yell and scream at the camera...go crazy...he wouldnt shut up...Piper right...I just wanted to punch him so bad lol.
I know this video is about The Brain, but your story made me think about this. And I thank you for that. Good day to ya.
too bad that footage didnt survive
The Brain was, is and always will be the GOAT. RIP
The “My God Bobby” issue was November 1970 of Inside Wrestling. The match in which the pictures came from, was July ‘70 from Bush Stadium in Indianapolis, where Ernie Ladd beat Bobby all up.
I love these classic, vintage Heenan stories---thanks for uploading!
I grew up in Minneapolis, so one of my favorite memories of Heenan was him vs. Greg Gagne in the weasel suit match.
Cornette & Bowden are always a great diiscussion chemistry wise & Brian Last does a great job fitting right in. Glad i saw this in my feed.
BRIAN IS A GREAT GUY, HE DOES NOT ANGER PEOPLE LIKE CORNETTE DOES WITH HIS POLITICAL SHIT. IF YOU HAVE A CHANCE LISTEN ON YOU TUBE TO SOLOMONSTER HES A REALLY BRIGHT GUY ON WRESTLING TODAY.
As a kid I always regarded Heenan as the arch villain to Hulk Hogan's hero persona. He always seemed to be plotting against the Hulkster. Orndorff, Bundy and even Andre were all just pawns in The Brain's diabolical schemes!
Exactly. HE was something all together different and you could spot that, even as a kid. Thats what made him stand out, its also what made him a legend and the GOAT of managers/commentators.
RIP, Bobby and Scott
I waa sad to see the AWA bite the dust . I remember seeing the early eighties World Title changes with Tsuruta , Wanz , Martel , Hansen and Hennig and it seemed like a worldly title .
Bobbys commentary on ric Flairs debut rumble when he became champ 1990 or 1992 is the best thing ever in wrestling! My uncle used to piss himself at some of it! As a kid I probably missed half but going back and watching 👀 Bobby was the best 😂
When Bobby manages the Hennan family he was like a mouthy rich kid in public school who was friends with the Football team. He'd yap a a good guy and when the good guy came after him the football team would kick their ass for him.
It was Sammy Terry and it was GREAT!
Scott Bowden is spot on when he describes Heenan's method of getting his guy and the opponent over. That guy is great, but my guy is better
I would go so far as to say WWE would never have become the major force without Heenan and Monsoon. They together brought a crossover appeal no other talents could have matched. It established a foundation that established sports entertainment. I can’t see Vince Jr. doing it any other way
Scott's Gimmick Was Kind of a Memphis Version of Bobby .... Rich Kid from Germantown (Their Variation of Beverly Hills, I Believe) that Turned His Nose on His Lessers with a Bit of a Quick Wit
He was so talented!
In my Top 10 Managers of all time list for sure! Where???? Is that what you said?
Sammy Terry rules!
To be fair in the mid 80s the top two managers in WWF at the time was Hennen and Jimmy Hart. In WCW it was JJ Dillion, Cornette, Ellering, Gary Hart as my favorites. And I always said if it was not for Bobby Heenan then Hulkamania would of never blew up as popular as it did. And if not for The Brain then Hogan in WCW would of never worked....especially the nWo surprise reveal at Bash at the Beach 1996.
its about selling and putting people over.
Heenan WAS in the AWA with Hogan
nWo
4
Life
Bobby Heenan is the GOAT of wrestling mangers there will never be another Bobby "The brain" Heenan AKA The Weasel R.I.P.
Heenan
Cornette
Harley Race
..are MY top 3 all time and MY personal faves
Harley? In his limited few years as a manager for Vader, Luger and Mr. Hughes? Over Jimmy Hart, Paul E., Sherri Martel, Freddie Blassie, or even PS Hayes?
If you leave a line in the water long enough, eventually, a fish will bite
Don’t forget the super invader and the awesome Kongs
We all miss BH😭
I just found out Scott Bowden had passed away last year RIP to him & Bobby too
R.I.P. Bobby the brain heenan
Bobby's Appearance on "Later with Bob Costas" is Quite Something to Behold
Bobby was great but he was mostly in the Captain Lou era when Albano was taking so many different wrestlers to championship gold.
I never really warmed up to Heenans corny jokes ...Ham and Eggers etc....it was dated even in the eighties . What I did like were his bump taking skills .Its apparently against the law now to say that Bobby was not ever a reason I was drawn to a match but for me it was true . I thought his stable was too large . Paul Orndorff was probably his best prospect to stick with and work with like he had with Nick Bockwinkel . I had hoped that would stick but it was just one of far too many ...
I liked Bobby more in thw AWA than in WWF . I put him in front of my favorite , Jim Cornette , because he could manage more than just his most over charges . Jim managing Yokozuna was an awful fit ...to me Jimmy was part of The Midnite Express . Third place for me was a guy who truly could reinvent his guys ...Gary Hart ... He recreatec Don Jardine into a bigger draw , he Turned an unknown Japanese guy working midcard into a top attraction in The Great Kabuki , he recreated the nondescript big man One Man Gang into the Bad ass From Halstead Street Chicago .
Another I particularly liked was a forgottwn guy named Rock Hunter . He managed The Assassin and The Angel Frank Morrel when I was a kid . Look up the Hammerlock Angle in Louisiana if you can find it .
@@georgeelmerdenbrough6906 I liked Gary Hart too as he could cut a promo and look menacing as hell....his legit background in Chicago helps with that I suppose. The only problem I have with Gary Hart is, if you've read his book....you'd think he invented Water. I can't stand dudes who constantly put themselves over in every single story that's told. I can't remember any instance in that book where Gary admitted that he fucked something up, maybe booked someone the wrong way in Dallas, etc. A lot of stories Gary told in that book were later either disproved or flat-out denied by all other parties.
That may be one of the reasons that his book was never reissued after his passing, I don't know.
I did love him as a booker and a manager, he's top 3 in my book too.
Another guy very high up on my list was another legit guy......The Great Mephisto......aka Frankie Cain. His promos from 1980 in Knoxville were brilliant. He was a great manager in the 1970's and early 1980's. Cain also booked a few different territories in the southeast (Alabama, etc.) in the 1970's as well. Plus, if anyone tried to fuck with him legitimately, Cain would legit shoot on them and clean their clock. He fought in the Smokers in the 1940's and early 1950's in Columbus, Ohio and learned how to hook back then from other hookers in Al Haft's territory. Cain is still alive, believe it or not, he's in his late 80's or early 90's now.
@@georgeelmerdenbrough6906 I remember Rock Hunter.
@@furnitureconsortium I believe Mephisto and Akbar were first cousins .
Guys, forgive my ignorance but who is Scott Bowden?
John Chapiewski He managed in Memphis awhile in the 90’s
GOOGLE IT BITCH
What happen to the NWL?
IT'S NOT FAIR TO FLAIR!!!
Paul Christy was great
IN WORKING FOR THE PHILA SPECTRUM WHEN BOBBY WOULD COME IN OUR BUILDING ONCE A MONTH I WOULD TALK WITH HIM FOR A HALF HOUR. THE GREATEST THING I CAN SAY ABOUT BOBBY WAS HOW HE TREATED PEOPLE INCLUDING MYSELF LIKE A MILLION DOLLARS. HE WAS SO UN KAYFABE WHEN I WOULD SPEND TIME WITH BOBBY. WHAT A NICE MAN.
Treated everybody well did you see him and Hogan backstage?? Were they close or just cordial??
Nick Aged More Gracefully than Practically Everyone ... to the Point Where, IMHO, He STILL Left Us Wanting More!!!
Cousin Akeem sent me
I'm gonna say this just keep it quite. Tell anyone else and I'll deny it. When it comes to heel managers. If you told me Cornett was the all time greatest..... I wouldn't think you were crazy outright. And would listen your reasoning. You might not convince me but I would respect the opinion. Even as a little kid I liked Bobby but would hope corny would get hit by a bus before next Saturday. So by definition he was a more effective heel than Bobby imo.
Bobby is tops in wrestling for everything from ring performer , mngr , annoucer he could do it all , i actually think no Bobby no Hulk Hogan and i think he was every bit resposoble for the WWF success as Hulk you need the evil master mind for the hero to beat and for interviews you could listen to him talk all day. Bobby i think couldve been a great actor he came across as the wise guy trying to pull a fast one and go from trash talking to acting like a coward so easy why he wasnt in more movies i dont know
nWo
4
Life
what a mark
koooooooooooooooool
People sound like shit when they say "But I Digress "