Greg Valentine - What Gorilla Monsoon Was Like in WWF

Greg "The Hammer" Valentine discusses the late great Gorilla Monsoon and Bobby "The Brain" Heenan. Streaming now 📺 TitleMatchNetwork.com
No one tells it like it is better than the Hammer! Here we talk about the late-great Gorilla Monson who most modern fans remember as the long-time WWF commentator.
Valentine reveals his favorite pairings with Monsoon on commentary. Gorilla was on the desk with Vince McMahon, Jesse Ventura, Mean Gene Oakerlund and of course, Bobby "The Brain Heenan".
The Hammer also shares when Gorilla Monsoon was special guest referee in two of his famous feuds, against Bob Backlund and Pedro Morales.
Monsoon, real name Robert James Marella, had a wrestling legendary career for Vince McMahon Sr from 1963 to 1983. Check out his matches vs Bruno Sammartino, Killer Kowalski and Bobo Brazil. Later Monsoon would solidify his name in commentary history.
Watch More Valentine Shoot Interviews
• Greg Valentine - What ...
Produced by Title Match Network this past weekend in Las Vegas. Enjoy our brand new exclusive shoot interview from Greg "The Hammer" Valentine.

[@TitleMatchWrestling]

Full Playlist 📲 bit.ly/3fMmvW8 Stream Now 📺TitleMatchNetwork.com LIKE to show some love for the Hammer 🔨

[@justindouglass9963]

all these clips with Hammer Valentine are amazing! thank you

[@thetruth72667]

Hell yeah Greg the hammer!!!! I had no clue Joey was Gorillas son!? So horrible that he crashed like that.... RIP Both you of hopefully together again.

[@MrJpzum]

I loved Jesse the Body with Gorilla Monsoon on the mics.

[@al5306]

"What are you talking about MONsoooon?"

[@yellaboymike561]

Best duo to ever do it, then bobby/gorilla

[@mantlecollector]

i liked bobby the brain heenan with monsoon

[@Zakktera]

Me 2 bro!!! Vince as well.

[@davidorme1993]

He would call him Gino. They must have been buds.

[@bryannorris3976]

The more I listen to Mr. Valentine the more and more I like him. Well spoken and such a gentleman. He doesn’t seem to have an axe to grind like a lot of his peers. Pure Class

[@pinetreebark4649]

I swear this seems like the most down to earth nicest guys you would meet. I haven't heard bad mouth no one in these interviews. I'm liking him more as this goes on.

[@RemoWilliams1227]

Same here man, Hammer seems like a good bro.

[@italianirishman5570]

Gorilla and Bobby could call an antiques show and it would be pandemonium!!!

[@joshuatraffanstedt2695]

They're going BANANAS!

[@brentcanfield8883]

And it wouldn't matter if anything was close as that only counts in hand grenades and horseshoes!

[@Your.Uncle.AngMoh]

@@brentcanfield8883 Wasn’t that a Ventura quote/

[@brentcanfield8883]

@@Your.Uncle.AngMoh close, but no, that was Gorilla Monsoon :-)

[@Dorelaxen]

The antique chair using an illegal nerve hold on the Persian rug, Brain.

[@garthlewis4429]

Your the man hammer . So respectful of everybody

[@kevinkelly1529]

*You're

[@4starhero600]

Very nice response Garth. Valentine is class.

[@wc6740]

The hammer is very respectful when he talks about his fellow wrestlers.

[@OmegaRedFan]

You're **** Lazy

[@The_Fat_Fury]

Gorilla and Heenan were the best together. They had amazing chemistry and played off eachother perfectly.

[@rajnirvan3336]

They were the platinum broadcasters of wresting commentary

[@brandonallen3808]

I like to think of them as the Abbott and Costello of wrestling.

[@DocIdaho]

I just love how truly kind and genuine Greg is. He has no bitterness, nothing mean to say. He has a very positive outlook and fond memories that he loves to share.

[@TheRmm1976]

Gorilla Monsoon had that name for a reason. 6' 7" and 400 lbs, he was a huge man.

[@rsuriyop]

A huge guy who apparently went through an amazing weight loss. I'm only old enough to remember him as a wrestling commentator. But when I saw how he looked when he was still wrestling, I almost couldn't that was the same person. He was like twice the size.

[@kearneydillon4803]

Anyone in the world would be lucky to have Greg as their friend. A classy, respectful man. Let me tell you, I revere class acts much higher and for longer than no-class acts. Greg provided YEARS of quality entertainment for me and my friends. Thank you Sir.

[@johnliberty3647]

He was such a great heel that it almost hurts to see how great of a guy he really is.

[@bunbee2023]

Totally agree….Greg was a GREAT wrestler and is an honourable man!

[@shanedaviau5976]

@@bunbee2023 çr

[@chadkj5915]

His matches with Dick Slater in Mid Atlantic is what Wrestling was about.

[@jamesmccormick875]

Greg is always super classy. He rarely says anything bad about people.

[@invaderjaymz]

And he was a phenomenal technical wrestler.

[@NZ_Man]

He’s discreet & respectful when recalling people he’s worked with, it’s an admirable trait nowadays

[@kushmoosh4171]

Seems a stand up guy for sure

[@miltonjoyner4201]

Exactly Greg! He was even hilarious when he once talked about Andre the Giant farting on him!😂😂

[@vincegedeon6583]

I love listening to Gorilla as a commentator with Bobby The Brain hilarious at ringside😆

[@barfo281]

Gorilla was great with the Brain and with Lord Alfred Hayes, and Jesse Ventura. Gorilla was the best "straight" commentator in wrestling. JR is nowhere near that caliber.

[@LittleBigKid707b]

That was a good twosome, but my favorite team of all time is Monsoon and The Body. Don't think we'll see a twosome like that again in our lifetime.

[@al5306]

"Would you stop?"

[@robertdiotalevi285]

@@al5306 Please!

[@michaelmachung7233]

I remember Greg The Hammer Valentine being a low key wrestler during his WWF years, it's great to hear him share his stories, they're interesting. On a dark note, it's sad to see all these legendary 80's wrestlers dying off, they were the best.

[@lodi70005]

The sad part is that the majority of the big names in the business from the 80’s died a long time ago. The guys that were considered mid carders,tag team guys and journeymen like Valentine are still around. It’s a sad demonstration of what happens when you put your body through more stress than it’s able to deal with stuff like steroids and pain killers. Guys like Valentine were happy with the spot they had and they seem like the smartest guys when you look at it from a 2021 perspective instead of a 1989 perspective. If you made it to the top,you were either a freak of nature like Flair,or you got to take off time for movies and healing like Hogan. Most of the guys chasing those two spots killed themselves trying to get them.

[@ryanjones9498]

Didn’t realize how interesting this guy was until these videos

[@MarkBennettCameraCrisis]

These clips have turned the hammer into my favourite wrestler. What a guy.

[@oldgrinchyclaus]

My dad grew up with Gorilla and always said he was great guy. He tells this one story where they were in highschool and Bob "Gorilla" was in his yard practicing for the shot-put by tossing a bowling ball around.

[@abbraxxis5998]

Hammer's looking good. He will be 70 on 20 Sept 21 according to Wikipedia.

[@mr.perksy]

Ive seen 3 different sites show 3 different years as far as birth year. 1949, 1950, and 1951. So he is definitely in that 70 range for sure.

[@johnreese3797]

I agree. Compared to many of his peers Greg Valentine looks great. It like the Beatles when they got older. Ringo was always considered the ugly Beatle but when they got older he was the best looking and the youngest looking.

[@tfelich19]

Who could have known the kind of guy the Hammer is apart from this tremendous interview series?? The guy still has his mind, and his remembrance of all these guys and their particular fates, is pretty astounding. Even to know the family details of his colleagues. Seriously, this series of interviews elevated Valentine's stock in my mind. What a guy.

[@DFW817]

Genuine, good dude, always liked watching him wrestle.

[@brentcanfield8883]

"I Never had the luxury of (him) managing me, but he managed all the greats." No, Greg. YOU are still without a DOUBT one of the,"GREATS". And we thank you for all of the great memories.Salute.

[@Dhardy316]

Real wrestling history being learned here, Hammer has really impressed me with these interviews

[@OmegaRedFan]

You're "impressed" by a regular rustling interview. Generic, but not bad.

[@Dhardy316]

@@OmegaRedFan ok, thanks so much for the opinion I didnt ask for

[@QuantumBeard]

The Hammer will forever be one of my favorite Golden Era wrestlers. Shame I wasn't born yet to experience it

[@MafiaKingfishNOLA]

Greg Valentine was one of the best heels ever. He just knew how to work a match. I always liked watching him perform.

[@-covid-20]

Luv listeming to gregg the Hammer valentine....just a good good human...hell of a wrestler....

[@DangerousDevilOfficial]

This guy seems to have good things to say about everyone. Kind of refreshing honestly!

[@greglemieux9809]

That is so F N Awesome, I was lucky growing up in the area of Massachusetts that I did . My neighbor was a jobber for the WWF for a handful of years. He told me the same thing about Bobby the Brain Hennan as the Hammer just spoke. Rip Brain and Gorilla.

[@user-fy7xt6px1c]

The Duke of Dorchester, by any chance-?

[@daveheuer6932]

Valentine……One Of The True “Classics” Of Professional Wrestling…You Cannot Discuss Wrestling For Very Long Without Mentioning Greg Valentine.God Bless & Best Always.

[@D2Kprime]

I loved Gorilla Monsoon. His commentary was like story-time from everyone's favorite uncle or grandpa. He almost always knew the names of any hold or maneuver anyone did even if it was something you've never seen before. He knew the scientific-names for literally ANY part of the human-anatomy. If it wasn't for Gorilla Monsoon, I wouldn't know what a External Occipital Protuberance was. 😅 It didn't matter who you paired Monsoon with on commentary, he worked great with him. Obviously he and Bobby Heenan on the mic were gold, but him and Jesse on PPVs was also gold. The short-time him and Jim Ross did commentary together they were good. He was just one of the good ones.

[@Mike-ml9wo]

What a master the Hammer was in the ring. He sold in a way few others could. I can still picture him being on the receiving end of a head butt and waiting about five seconds before faceplanting to the canvas. His stories are gold. Thanks for the memories Mr. Valentime!

[@philaman1972]

When Monsoon announced Greg Valentine's matches, he would always cite that he "terminated" the career of Chief Jay Strongbow. Also, Gorilla would always mention that it takes Valentine at least 15 minutes to warm during the match.

[@CamMacMastermusic]

Who knew….GHV turns out to be my favorite and most respectful wrestler EVER !! Proud of ya Greg ( if you ever read this lol )

[@MrChristopherHaas]

Agreed, Monsoon was great. One of many greats of the eighties

[@phillyslim3109]

Greg the Hammer was always one of my favorite heels in the 80's, watching him and Tito Santana go at it was one of my first memorable wrestling feuds. Seeing his interviews years after watching him in the ring really adds to the level of respect I have for his showmanship, he seems like one of the nicest and most humble wrestlers in the biz. It's great to see him doing well in his later years.

[@davidschosser4069]

brother u dont have no negative attitude towards nobody. Thats so unusual in todays affairs we are so negative its cool to see 👍

[@kenterminateddq5311]

Can't wait until Valentine talks about Honky Tonk Man & his experience on RHYTHM & BLUES.

[@stevendavis5331]

The hammer is a great storyteller. Love this interview and happy to see he’s doing well. Class act!!

[@duster71]

I'm a much richer man inside for getting to know Gorilla,who actually came up to me and stuck out his hand and introduced himself to little ole 5"9' 175 pound me.What a thrill it was to work with such great and humble men as Grille and Bobby who I drove many times back and forth to the airport.One day I surprised him with some chocolate cake,insiders know the meaning of that.

[@614supercool]

The Hammer talking about old times is great.

[@theresareynolds3133]

I remember watching Gorilla Monsoon wrestle, he was huge, one of the biggest wrestlers in size in the 1960’s.,

[@devoncutmore]

Bobby Heenan and Gorilla Monsoon are truly Legends who no one could ever fill their shoes!

[@stevenJEDI3]

I didn’t really like Greg the hammer valentine as a wrestler meeting his portrayed character But watching his interviews he does come across as a real nice guy and I’ve enjoyed listening to what he had to say about his career and passed big thumbs up Greg

[@tctubeyou]

I am really enjoying listening to Greg valentine. I remember watching him wrestle Sweet Ebony Diamond on Maple Leaf wrestling back in the 70s with my late grandfather. Brings back some memories. I watched several of these sessions and he has not said one bad thing about anybody. Definitely a classy individual.

[@upnywhiteb]

Never has anything bad to say about anyone. Truly a pleasure and joy to hear him talk. I hope we have him for many years to come.

[@danthemeatman9883]

Nobody will ever be as funny as Gorilla and Bobby !!!!!!! Classic ♥️🙏

[@dustin2185]

Greg is not bitter one bit , which is a rare occurrence in the wrestling world . All class and gratitude

[@joshkolchins7753]

I really love hearing about how these great athletes and performers were as people. The men behind the characters. Makes me smile.

[@Tazzman225]

I can still hear Gorilla Monsoon telling Bobby Heenan, "Will cut that out?", after he was insulting another wrestler.🤣

[@3_KNIVES]

Ahh crap! I didn't know Joseph Marella died at that young age. He was the ref at Wrestlemania 3 when Hogan fought Andre.

[@bobbyhulll8737]

The Ali Monsoon match was fun

[@lt.danicecream]

I think it was a Sunday evening show the wwf had during the 80s that I would watch. I loved Monsoon and The Brain hosting and commentating the matches. They are great memories from my youth.

[@Davidp1985]

Monsoon's favourite quote for The Hammer was it takes him 15mins to get warmed up. Monsoon with Jesse or Bobby Heenan simply the best of all time.

[@lickitysplitt]

Hammer is true old school. Respectful and kind towards people.

[@rajnirvan3336]

Bobby and Gorilla were iconic

[@kylorenkardashian79]

thank you for documenting all of these amazing wrestling shoots

[@Whxterose8060]

This is the best interview of the Hammer...great stories

[@andy42x]

"will you cut that out" - Monsoon, scolding Bobby the Brain. I used to look forward to their banter on Monday nights!!

[@DaveyChainZ69]

Greg Valentine is a real class act. A real down to earth guy The guy loved old school wrestling and NEVER had a bad word for anybody.

[@Palalubong]

Greg you’re an absolute legend. Love your stories. Big big fan from Manchester, England

[@dovemfg]

So this guy grabbed a coffee sat down on the couch and unleashed years of internet greatness in one shot

[@6strprodigy]

"Goodnight Irene" " Pandemonium in the ring!" "Call a Cab, this one's over!" Gorilla was an original! Rest in Peace.

[@lttlgreg]

Will you stop! 😃

[@crikker9447]

Oh Man… that will rearrange the lower lumbar region

[@karlparratt1730]

"Right in the breadbasket"

[@KINGOFBASSREVOLUTION]

What about it's the irresistible Force meets the immovable object ! Hogan vs Andre or Hogan vs the warrior

[@jk56f2]

"He's busted open!", he loved that line

[@AB-ez4rm]

I loved how Gorilla spoke of how tough Greg was when he was in the ring. I still remember Monsoon saying it took the Hammer 20 minutes just to warm up.

[@RichardM1366]

Bobby was a wonderful man. He was truly a brain. Cancer is the worst. Bobby fought the cancer tooth and nail and he hung on until the final bell rang.

[@joshuatraffanstedt2695]

I don't think I've ever heard Valentine say anything bad about anyone. Shows what a great character he is; he gets along with everyone.

[@martinhainer4504]

Thanks for all the great memories I have with me and my grandfather n dad and brother watching you on tv but thanks for being you.. Great interviews..

[@MAGIKMARTIAN9526]

Nothing like Howard finkel introducing in the ring mean Gene interviewing or introducing and McMahon gorilla monsoon or whoever Bobby heanan those are my best memories of the WWF

[@alanwhite6936]

TOTAL CLASS GREG TOTAL HONORED TO HAVE SEEN YOU IN TORONTO AGAINST BOB BACKLUND

[@Holden308]

In the days of kayfabe, hardly anyone outside of wrestling knew that referee Joey Marella was actually Gorilla Monsoon's (adopted) son. After his death and it coming out that he was Gorilla's son, it made sense all the times heel commentators would rag off on Marella's refereeing (never hardcore badmouthing, just ribbing stuff), whenever doing commentary with Monsoon. Bobby Heenan, Jesse The Body etc ... forever getting told "Will you stop" by Gorilla when questioning Marella's refereeing competence (hard time counting to 10, things like that) was a memorable part of the broadcasts, like when Jesse would say hi to "Terry, Tyrell and Jade back in Minneapolis" (his wife, son and daughter) every Wrestlemania.

[@johnrobinson7036]

Title Match! I am a huge Hammer fan. Along with Bruno (who was THE man when I was a kid), my two favorites. He seems like a great, no BS guy. Thanks for these interviews. 63 y/o BTW. One of my best memories was a Valentine vs. Chief Jay bout at Boston Garden. Strongbow went out on a stretcher. What a great heel!

[@davidscherzer]

Loved his ring robes - great IC Champ and a true pro in the ring.

[@bobbymartino9974]

Seems like a real nice guy very respectable towards others nice to see

[@stephenbarbosa6883]

Valentine was an outstanding wrestler. He always seems to have great things to say about his peers

[@walihenry4600]

“He injured the lower exuberant patella tendon “ Jesse:”He what”?🤣🤣🤣

[@reilneid6436]

Can listen to The Hammer talk all day. Real "professional wrestler" & one of the most underrated all-time.

[@Realucla]

very respectful!❤❤

[@DeaconYormouth]

Johnny & Greg V. Legends. 💪🏼💪🏼💪🏼💪🏼

[@toddbartel6300]

Glad he is still around

[@bodhi8297]

Mean gene, Jesse Ventura Gorilla and Bobby are the goats of commentary

[@toma.4808]

The hammer is one of the most down to earth guys and true ring legend. Met him in 1988 great guy.

[@B1GK1NG]

Hennan and Moonson were so fun and very entertaining as a colour commentators.

[@BigDaddy-vr2ut]

I remember being really young. In the late 70’s early 80’s and thinking they hated each other , that all the wrestlers did was fight and argue when ever they were around someone the didn’t like. . Not realizing that , most were good friends with each other . They fought real, a lot of people have gotten hurt during the bouts ,. For our entertainment. But , it is a scripted show. They fight real , to me when I see it on tv and went to see them live , it seemed like they were holding back and not hitting someone as hard as they could . Don’t get me wrong. I’m sure what ever they were throughing at each other , still hurt.. The wrestlers are told to do a lot of crazy things. All for our entertainment.. Greg the Hammer Valentine . I might of hatred you as a young boy. But I don’t anymore! 😁. Your a pretty decent sounding man , man! Peace to you Greg the Hammer ✌🏼

[@BigDaddy-vr2ut]

Ps. I remember gorilla. Sort of , but. I definitely remember mean gene. He was a great host announcer. I loved when he would go down into Pipers Pitt . Roddy was one of the top 3 wrestlers I’d rout for. Macho Man Savage and Andrea the giant.. I think the wrestlers I disliked the most was rick flare., flair .. ? ((SorryRic)) ((whooooo)) Big boss man. I didn’t care for him. And I used to like one man gang. Until he changed his name to Akeem’’’”. Lmao. He was kinda of funny though 😁 Greg valentines figure 4 , and the camel clutch ... and the side head lock. ✌🏼

[@thegarygnushow7921]

When Hammer started using the spray painted shinguard during the Figure4 , it was awesome.

[@legionarybooks13]

I can't say for certain, but I don't recall WWF ever acknowledging that Joey Marella was Gorilla's son; not even after his death. Sad, if that's the case. I remember Bobby Heenan saying Gorilla was never the same afterwards. I mean, how could he be? RIP, Joey, Gorilla, and Bobby.

[@davidquinn2382]

Thank you!!

[@TheRydog61]

The Hammer!!

[@JamesGGibbs]

Gorilla and Bobby Were Funny as Hell Together.

[@darrenmart3783]

I'll be completely honest, I didn't start watching wrestling until Greg Valentine was past his prime. I never really appreciated how good of a performer he was, and I certainly didn't appreciate what a good man he is until now. As for Gorilla Monsoon, well, I can't say enough good things about him. Gorilla Monsoon gave credibility to pro wrestling when it really didn't deserve much.

[@richardbarlow7337]

You watch old wwf from the 80s and realise how good commentary was with range of talent. Ventura, mcmahon, monsoon, heenan, okerlund and Alfred Hayes.

[@bobnewfart7630]

Man I love to listen to the hammer talk.

[@Doomzdayxx]

Seriousl, like who downvotes this? The Hammer is a legend and a stand-up guy.

[@arod2435]

Greg Valentine is just a Class Act , Numero Uno Man, Proffesional is this guys Middle Name, always talks good about everybody, what a guy.

[@BigPoppa23]

Good clip from the interview

[@Baci302]

The Hammer is a straight up good dude. "Monsoon had me in the corner and wouldn't let me out." I think I would've died laughing in the ring. Monsoon was a big man with a great personality.

[@TheSprinterVan]

I'm old enough to remember the promos with Gorilla where he would break a coconut with his bare hands😮

[@YogiWonKenobi78]

Greg is straight class.❤️💯

[@schoolnyc]

Hammer is a cool guy, rarely bad mouths others in the industry. All us wrestling fans are lucky to have such a great OG with us. Still has all is beautiful hair, wears his Rolex and 80's gold chain. He is a treasure and although we can not predict the future, I think the Hammer is going to be with us for a long time.

[@aaajimmyb7472]

Wow another fantastic video from the best channel on KZbin. It's always great to hear from legend the hammer Greg valentine. Thank you for posting this

[@TitleMatchWrestling]

We appreciate you! Thank you for watching & glad to hear you enjoy our new series w/ Mr. Valentine. We'll drop much more from the Hammer 🔨 this week

[@LucysPop]

The Hammer and Mr. P were my two favorites.

[@Shane-or9vu]

Greg Valentine is such a class act, honestly

[@Dorelaxen]

I doubt you'll find anyone with anything bad to say about Gorilla, even Farris. Truly one of the greatest to ever put on the boots.

[@JosephMiller-hu7bq]

But The Brain & Monsoon was the greatest announcing team ever . They were perfect team ,