Best known for his work in Vince McMahon Jr's World Wrestling Federation in the 1980's and early 90's, Bobby Heenan was regarded by many to be the greatest wrestling manager of all time, having managed wrestling legends such as Harley Race, Ric Flair, Rick Rude, 'Mr Perfect' Curt Hennig, The Brain Busters, and Nick Bockwinkel, amongst others.
Prior to working for the WWF, Heenan worked for Verne Gagne's American Wrestling Association, where he was best known for lending his managerial talents to AWA Champion Nick Bockwinkel.
After leaving the AWA in 1984, Heenan joined the WWF. Initially as a manager to Big John Studd, Heenan also lent his immeasurable talent to broadcasting, most famously as a colour 'Broadcast Journalist' alongside Gorilla Monsoon on WWF shows such as Prime Time Wrestling and Wrestling Challenge, at the same time leading a numbers of his legendary Heenan Family to championship gold, such as Rick Rude, Mr Perfect, Ric Flair and the Brain Busters.
After famously being thrown out of the WWF in 1993 live on an episode of Monday Night Raw in 1993, Heenan went to WCW, joining their broadcast team on WCW Saturday Night and later WCW Monday Nitro.
After WCW folded in 2001, Heenan returned to the WWF for Wrestlemania X7, joining Mean Gene Okerlund as guest commentator for the Gimmick Battle Royal.
In 2004 after a lengthy battle with throat cancer, Heenan was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, paying tribute to his late broadcast colleague and best friend, saying "I Wish [Gorilla] Monsoon were here".
Bobby Heenan was often regarded by many in the sport to be one of the greatest managers of all time, and will be fondly remembered by all wrestling fans past present and future.
I write this with a tear in my eye - thank you for everything Bobby.
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