WWE legend Bobby Heenan dies aged 73
Last Updated: 18/09/17 6:41am
WWE Hall of Famer Bobby Heenan has died at the age of 73.
Heenan is regarded by many as the greatest manager and best colour commentator in the history of professional wrestling for a career which spanned more than four decades.
A WWE statement said: "Heenan plied his trade as a mischievous manager by running his mouth on [his wrestlers'] behalf with a sarcastic wit considered among the best in the business."
One of his most well-known moments came when he managed Andre the Giant against Hulk Hogan in the main event of Wrestlemania III, a match which has become an iconic moment in the history of the WWE.
He was also the man who brought Ric Flair to the then-WWF in September 1991, in his role as Flair's 'financial advisor'.
Heenan was also the head of a stable known as the Heenan Family, a moniker meant to show the strength of their alliance over any opposition.
Members of the Heenan Family in the AWA and WWE read like the who's who of sports-entertainment, including Legends and WWE Hall of Famers such as Nick Bockwinkel, the Blackjacks, Big John Studd, King Kong Bundy, "Ravishing" Rick Rude, "Mr. Perfect" Curt Hennig, the Brain Busters (Arn Anderson and Tully Blanchard) and Harley Race.
As impossible as it may seem, Heenan's overwhelming success as a manager was matched by that of his announcing career.
Heenan's constant verbal jousts with fellow WWE Hall of Famers Gorilla Monsoon and "Mean" Gene Okerlund remain among the most memorable moments in sports-entertainment history.
'The Brain' was so entertaining that The Bobby Heenan Show had a brief run on American television, and he was also part of the original broadcast team for Monday Night Raw in 1993.
