MAGIC, MEMORIES, AND MANIA: Top 10 Bobby “The Brain” Heenan WWE Moments from 1992 Rumble to Andre at WM3 to Ric Flair

This week, the world said goodbye to the greatest manager and color commentator in the history of wrestling. When I first started watching wrestling in the late-1980s, one of my favorite characters was Bobby “The Brain” Heenan. His weekly banter with Gorilla Monsoon on Wrestling Challenge could even make the squash matches entertaining.  The magic chemistry the two shared make them the favorite commentary team of all time for an entire generation including myself. Additionally, his obnoxious and often hilarious promos delivered with a deadpan face made his wrestlers seem like major superstars.  Today, in memory of ‘the Brain,” I will go back in time and remember ten of my favorite Heenan moments from his WWF/E career.

(10) Ken Patera and the Neck Brace

I will start my list with my first memory of Heenan when I started watching wrestling shortly after WrestleMania 3. Ken Patera had just returned to wrestling after a tenure in jail for assaulting a police officer and destroying a McDonald’s window, and he feuded with the Heenan family. In a memorable debate segment, ‘the Brain’ taunted Patera calling him a jailbird and mocking him for his time in the slammer. In return he was given a beat down by the power lifter, and as a result Heenan was in a huge neck brace for weeks. He looked utterly ridiculous, and it was my perfect introduction to the Weasel character. By the way, check out the unintentionally hilarious Patera promo on the Heenan Family on YouTube and pay attention to Mean Gene Okurland’s face.

(9) The Red Rooster

When Terry Taylor arrived in WWF as Red Rooster he was paired with Heenan as his manager. The story was that he would bully Rooster and verbally abuse him. In fact, WWF brilliantly put a microphone on the Brain during some of Taylor’s matches. It resulted in some hilarious television, and it inevitably led to Rooster becoming fed up with the mistreatment and snapping on his manager. The two had a hilarious squash match at WrestleMania 5 and seeing Heenan changing from bully to coward selling like a pinball machine getting destroyed by Rooster showed what a versatile performer he was.

(8) Stealing Matilda and WrestleMania 4

One of the more memorable storylines of the late eighties golden age of tag team wrestling in WWF was when the Islanders stole Matilda, the mascot of the British Bulldogs. I remember that WWF encouraged fan mail to save the dog. Eventually they recovered the bulldog in time to have a match against the Islanders at WrestleMania 4, and “the Brain” was ready for Matilda’s revenge. Who could forget the absurd dog protector costume that Heenan wore to the ring to avoid being bitten. His selling and facial expressions during this match showcase that he was not only a master of wit but also at physical comedy.

(7) The Rockers Breakup and Shawn Michaels Heel Turn

The breakup of the Rockers in the Barber Shop segment was one of the most memorable heel turns in history. It was one of those magical moments where everything worked out perfectly, and what made it better was Heenan’s hilarious commentary. He changed his inflection and emotional tone as the segment took the audience on a roller coaster ride. The best part was when Michaels threw Marty Jannetty through the glass window and Heenan screamed that he tried to escape to protect himself. It was one of the classic lines of his career.

(6) The Mr. Perfect Face Turn

Heenan was a long-time manager of Mr. Perfect, but as Curt Hennig’s injuries compiled he transitioned to being an advisor for Ric Flair. In Survivor Series 1992, a huge tag team match was advertised between Ultimate Warrior and Randy Savage and Ric Flair and Razor Ramon. Warrior ultimately left the company leaving Macho Man without a partner. This led to Perfect’s face turn, and what made it work so well was a magnificent segment between Heenan and Hennig. When the Brain slapped Perfect and quickly changed his tone to cowardice, it solidified him as a good guy.  Heenan’s mannerisms and emotional switch were perfectly done and again showcased what made him such an amazing performer.

(5) Heenan Tries to Enter Raw

Heenan’s comic timing and his interactions with Monsoon are legendary, but to see the perfect example of him at his best, go back and watch the first Monday Night Raw as he makes numerous ridiculous attempts to enter the Manhattan Center. It helped put Raw on the map as must-see television and illustrated his knack for comedy. These are some of the funniest segments in wrestling history.

(4) The Introduction of Ric Flair

Ric Flair had been the NWA/ WCW’s top star for years. When he finally decided to come to WWF, it was a monumental event. Fittingly, it was Heenan that would hype his arrival as the “real world champion.” I still remember Flair coming out with the huge gold belt and Heenan proudly standing next to him. It assured that the popular Nature Boy would get booed and helped set him up as a major attraction and immediately made him the top heel in the company.

(3) Andre the Giant’s Heel Turn and WrestleMania 3

Hogan versus Andre the Giant may be the biggest match in wrestling history to this day. This was the match that made WrestleMania a mainstream pop culture spectacle. Andre had been good guy special attraction for years, but what made his heel turn so successful was Heenan manipulating him and cowardly challenging Hogan. The Giant was not known for his promos so it was really the Brain that sold the enormous event and the fact that he had betrayed the Hulkster. Without Heenan, WrestleMania 3 would not as mammoth of a success as it became and nobody could have made Andre’s heel turn more convincing.

By the way notice the trend in this article of how important a good manager’s role is in solidifying a character transformation. It really is a lost art form that the WWE needs to bring back. The sad thing is Bobby Heenan may never even have had the chance to shine in today’s wrestling landscape. Seeing Heenan’s emotions in reaction to Giant’s loss also really sold the emotion of the main event and what a huge accomplishment it was for Hogan to defeat him.

(2) Royal Rumble 1992

This is not only arguably the greatest Royal Rumble of all time, it may be the best example of an announcer enhancing a wrestling match and story. The Brain unabashedly cheering on Flair and informing the audience he may not be able to be impartial was just classic. Heenan’s hilariously biased commentary and his banter with Monsoon makes this a must-see event.

(1) Hall of Fame Speech

WWE decided to bring the Hall of Fame ceremony back in 2004 and make it an annual event. One of the reasons it was so successful and made the company decide to make it a huge part of Wrestlemania weekend was the Heenan’s unforgettable speech. I was there in the audience, and it was one of the greatest things I’ve ever seen. He was on top form making some hilarious references to Pete Rose’s betting amongst other humorous topics. After making the audience laugh for twenty minutes, he quickly brought us near tears when he closed saying he wished his old friend Monsoon was there to watch him. Every wrestling fan needs to see this on WWE Network or YouTube.

Bobby Heenan has provided me with more entertainment than nearly every character in my three decades of watching wrestling. He is the greatest manager and color commentator I have ever seen. We will miss you Brain, but now you are once again reunited with Gorilla calling matches on the Grandest Stage of Them All.

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