Jim Ross shoots on Bobby The Brain Heenan's Wrestlemania 3 payday

[@ThorMaximus]

Can’t say enough good about Bobby Heenan-oh how we hated him as kid, then grew to like, then loved, and ultimately cried when he passed

[@gevdarg]

A-MEN!! Bobby made hating a manager a beloved national pastime. An entertainer's entertainer. A wrestler's wrestler.

[@GameTime-yj6qv]

Beautifully stated

[@CharlesGrinbaum]

Beautiful sentiment brother. Well stated. We hated/ love/ cried for Bobby.

[@IggyStardust1967]

I didn't cry when he died... because he was finally out of pain and suffering. Imagine, being a man like that, never at a loss for words..... but unable to speak. That had to be a living Hell. He was a great person, and a fantastic performer, and yes, the world lost something special with him... but we lost that when he lost his voice.

[@wayneturner2798]

Couldn't have said that any better

[@msw8966]

Bobby Heenan by far was one of wrestling's biggest talents and successes. He could do anything you wanted him to do. He was amazing. I miss The Brain.

[@markhaynes6518]

Best commentary I've ever heard in all of sports was him and monsoon at Royal rumble 1992 a shear masterclass of excellence.

[@osaji922]

I mean pretty much all of 1992 for Heenan commentary was gold. His commentary that year should get its own induction in the WWE HOF. It was that good.

[@TL2354]

I always laugh when Flair comes out at number 3 and Heenan goes “NO! DAMMIT!”

[@chadk890]

Hold my jacket Monsoon! Flair needs me!

[@GameTime-yj6qv]

You got to be fair to Flair!

[@robertvincent7010]

Over an hour edge of the seat because of The Brain on commentary and Flair's excellence in the ring.

[@shaynewest8757]

Bobby is the greatest of all time, nobody else comes close.

[@peterreid6096]

@Shayne Weast Heenon had more talent in his left pinky then all of the on air talent today!! RIP WEASEL.

[@SaviorGabriel]

He went from the weasel to the GOAT.

[@keithcrockett7838]

Greatest Heenan line ever.... "REMEMBER, A FRIEND IN NEED IS A PEST"....

[@thomascatania1220]

My fave Heenan line was 'the problem with these Japanese wrestlers is you wrestle them once and you want to wrestle them an hour later!' Brilliant!

[@positively_broad_st3780]

Schiavone: "The 'humanoids' thing is getting kind of old." Heenan: "Well, some of these humanoids are getting kind of old."

[@Shane-or9vu]

Lol. Was that on an episode of nitro or a ppv? I want to watch it

[@positively_broad_st3780]

I believe it was on a WCW Saturday Night, or maybe the Sunday night show.

[@Shane-or9vu]

positively_broad_st Thanks man 👍

[@FanboyFilms]

Schiavone: "Bobby, you can't say that about midgets. They'll send letters." Heenan: "Tony, they can't reach the mail slot." from Heenan's book

[@positively_broad_st3780]

"Never touch a midget. You don't know where they've been."

[@gevdarg]

The best all-around performer. Period. 'Nuff said.

[@yehudafinkelstein7504]

Heenan and Andre being pelted with garbage with Brain holding his head down in disgrace as the ring carriage thing took them to the back was iconic.

[@gevdarg]

That's immediately what I thought of when I saw Wrestlemania 3.

[@nevermorenovelist]

Jesse's line cementing it all: _"Look at the Brain...he thought he had it, I thought he had it, the WORLD thought he had it."_

[@jrrhodes7419]

I could listen to JR for hours..so much knowledge

[@AceGoodheart]

Back when wrestling was fun to watch. Over the top characters, the promos, the managers, the kayfabe, is what made wrestling enjoyable. Today's wrestling is missing all of that.

[@JohnDee633]

The production was so different, it felt like a major event, now it just looks so campy.

[@DeadSezSo]

Right, they have no larger than life kind of personalities. They put all the emphasis toward athleticism and quit looking for guys with the personalities and gimmicks that can get over. Vince in particular is guilty of this "i can get anybody over, so I choose to hire more athletes than real wrestlers" mentality. Granted, there havent been alot of guys with that kind of talent in the wrestling industry BUT they havent scouted, developed, booked and written well in almost 2 decades

[@GS-ki9ej]

I loved Bobby Heenan . He was such a huge part of my childhood from 81 - 91 and then later on during the Monday night wars.

[@Jay_76]

My favorite Heenan story: Someone from the office called Bobby's house and his wife answered the phone. The caller asked to speak to "The Brain" and Bobby's wife said, "You're talking to the brain. If you want the a$$hole, he's not home right now.".

[@HereIsWisdom1318]

Oh man thats so funny! But...shes saying that while she answers Bobby’s phone in the $100,000 house he just bought with CASH MONEY! I think we all know who the Brain really was!

[@CatsClaw44]

Priceless! 😄

[@CatsClaw44]

@@HereIsWisdom1318 The cash money that she handled while he was on the road. The money she used to pay the bills and take raise the kids and to take care of the finances so that he didn't blow the money. I would say that she is the brains of the operation.

[@HereIsWisdom1318]

@@CatsClaw44 AHHH STFU! Yea! The cash-money bobby made while she hung out at the house all day!

[@marcoluca9232]

Talk of Heenan and what he achieved without a formal education is impressive though make no mistake, he was extremely intelligent and if he was born into a family with greater means he would have been easily capable of all the degrees people can mention. His intelligence was obviously a huge component in all he was.

[@kinglucha3640]

The greatest heel manager and the greatest guy! Cheers to the Weasel!

[@JerGer918]

Heenan: The G.O.A.T. of managers, color commentators, such a talent that comes around once in a lifetime.... RIP, Brain

[@TakeNoteOfThat]

*heel manager interferes Monsoon: [righteous outrage] Heenan: My monitor went out; what happened?

[@Ao1v]

Heenan was incredible, talk about timing in everything he was involved in. In ring work, commentating, promos etc. he was a class act. The way Bobby commentated set the bar for the rest and made them better to me. From jerry the kin, Jesse, macho man, gorilla what a list of great voices over time. You are all class acts and always made wrestling what it is. Thanks Jr and all your colleagues. Owen Hart is my favorite heel wrestler but, so many influenced him to be great just like Bobby the brain. Jim Cornette was a beast too. Thanks guys for the podcast I feel 11 again.

[@stephenrogers4537]

I work freelance and 1979 I picked up Bobby Heenan and Nick bockwinkel at the airport ,we had a talk in the car on the way back i remember it to this day they need gave me $100 tip for the ride and we've been friends ever since this podcast reminds me that day best of both of them they were the best 😔😔

[@ianmyers6643]

Bobby Heenan, The Best MANAGER There was or Ever will be. As a Teenager & Hated him, As an adult he made me laugh my ass off, as a guy in his Mid 40's, his death made me cry. Thank you for the Memories Mr Heenan.

[@ArkonBlade]

Did you see that jannetty Tried to Dive through the Window to Escape What a Coward he is I will never forget that line lol

[@ferox965]

Saw Mania 3 in a packed arena on a giant closed circuit system. Mania 3 was huge.

[@IrishCarney]

Always wondered what the closed circuit experience was like. It existed for only a few years and will probably never return. Did people bring signs? How loud were they? Did they just sit the whole time like a movie theater or stand up for the big moments? How was the sound, could you hear the commentary?

[@Gunners_Mate_Guns]

Very gracious (and accurate) of JR to say that the Brain was the greatest performer in wrestling history.

[@andrewohara1783]

Bobby Heenan reportedly got paid $100,000 for WrestleMania 3 and he was worth 5 if not 10x that much. Without Bobby Heenan, that program with Andre & Hogan doesn't work. Not a single other manager in that company, and really in all of wrestling at that time could have gotten the wrestling world to feel so betrayed by Andre. And that was the thing, fans didn't hate Andre, they hated Heenan and felt betrayed by Andre. If you watch the highlights from their feud, Hogan was always saying "Why Andre?" like his heart was broken, but Hogan loathed Heenan. It irks me to this day that when WrestleMania 3 gets brought up, everyone mentions 4 guys... Steamboat, Savage, Hogan, & Andre when Heenan was hugely instrumental in not only making that match what it was, but making that show what it was. As a former wrestling manager myself, I feel like I can say this confidently... No manager in the history of wrestling has had more weight put on their shoulders than Bobby Heenan did during the Hogan/Andre WrestleMania 3 program, and he fulfilled his role perfectly.

[@nevermorenovelist]

The worst thing? According to Jesse Ventura, Hulk Hogan's payoff for WrestleMania III was more than every other performer on that card that night COMBINED. There's a BIG BIG reason why Hogan sabotaged "The Body" in his attempts to unionize.

[@alexh8613]

Bobby Heenan calling the 1992 Royal Rumble was iconic!!!

[@ryeking73]

Alex H just ridiculously good. Openly cheering for Flair the whole match. Amazing performance

[@lancecorah4694]

It’s not fair to flair

[@rahowherox1177]

"I'm not saying they're dogs, but whenever a quail walks by they point."

[@alexkrycek3359]

Worth every penny.

[@kingrobthegreat7446]

Bobby said in an interview that he felt he should have gotten more

[@rodirogue8187]

Even Jim Cornette himself has said Heenan s the greatest manager of all time

[@nickm2483]

My favourite Bobby Heenan line (I may not have it word for word accurate): Royal Rumble 1992 Bobby (whilst cheering on Flair): "I need to apologise to all the WWF fans... I may not be entirely impartial tonight" Monsoon: "WHEN ARE YOU EVER IMPARTIAL!?!?" 😂😂😂😂

[@johngallagher72]

The Royal Rumble wasn't Fair to Flair

[@romantrujillo3363]

The best Royal Rumble period. It's only because of Monsoon and Heenan greatest commentators of all time.

[@positively_broad_st3780]

Will you stop...

[@GameTime-yj6qv]

That was brilliant, thanks for reminding us.

[@johnepants]

ShadowAngel yeah, they were that good. The folks on your list are great two, there are practically two eras of Jim Ross commentary and Ventura made everything feel legit, but there is a reason that Monsoon called all the big PPV’s until 1993, and there is a reason Herman called big shows until he was replaced by Mark Madden, and when they worked together, their real life friendship created a very strong on air chemistry. The only time I ever heard Monsoon phone it in was when he was stuck doing commentary with Art Donovan

[@renstimpy2659]

Pretty sure Heehan said in his Shoot Interview with RF he got 200K for WM3.

[@thomasj.foolery7025]

Royal Rumble 1992. The Bobby Heenan Show.

[@osaji922]

As I said in another comment, all of 1992 was the Bobby Heenan Show.

[@johngallagher72]

My favorite part of the whole real world champion angle was when he said to one of the backstage production attendants ..."wait you're wearing that tonight? . .dont you know the real world champion is coming ? ..go home and get changed .. go on . Hit the bricks toots!"

[@roobear78]

jr nailed it when he said that heenan was a very grounded guy! He did a shoot interview with rf video years ago think it was one of rf videos first ones and he was so laid back,told great stories,told truths and gave honest opinions. Anyone who hasnt seen it should watch it and the part where he talks about his last day in wwf will bring a tear to your eye when you realise just how close he and gorilla were,in his own words it was more than friends or brothers just a special bond

[@MoveInSilence23]

There will never be another Bobby Heenan. Coulda been a comedian. A lot like Don Rickles, Greg Giraldo... As J.R. said, his impeccable timing.

[@nevermorenovelist]

Heyman referred to Heenan as "the Johnny Carson of professional wrestling" as Bobby came down the aisle for the Gimmick Battle Royal at WrestleMania X-Seven. I think a more appropriate moniker would have been to call him the "Don Rickles of professional wrestling", because Heenan was so quick and so biting with his insults, just like Rickles. And just like Rickles, a down-to-earth, kind family man behind the scenes.

[@larrykaye8178]

Bobby used to crack me up with some of his ziggers. Gorilla Monson was the best straight man, especially for Bobby. Bobby would make an insulting remark.. and Monsoon would say.."will you please stop that!!!" The indignation made it that much more funny.

[@Jerzybred908]

Heenan was just amazing.. I remember as a kid just hating him , and then as an adult saying wow this was a man of great respect and character.. Bobby heenan thank you

[@billybadass3056]

Monsoon/Heenan is the greatest commentator duo in Wrestling Entertainment History.... Now saying that, can you believe they only did THREE WM Events???? I might be wrong and it might have been only two which is more absurd..

[@jamestaylor8037]

Totally agree..abody else loves jr and the king..but heenan monsoon and ventura were beyond them

[@billybadass3056]

@@jamestaylor8037 yeah even though I hate vincent, him and Ventura are No. 2 on my list..

[@CatsClaw44]

Monsoon/Ventura are the greatest duo, but Monsoon/Heenan are a close second.

[@nevermorenovelist]

I think you're right. Heenan called most of WrestleMania VII (when he wasn't at ringside for a match), and all of WrestleMania VIII and IX. Heenan was gone from the WWF by the time WrestleMania X rolled around.

[@jamiehurley8479]

I love his interviews he really loved the business and very funny and intelligent legend what a life he lived ❤️

[@JimmyJam1125]

Brain was a brilliant performer. So funny. So sharp.

[@MarkyCannoli]

I’m 44. When I was a kid, my brother and I never missed any WWF events. No wrestling event could ever surpass Wrestle mania 3. To us, it was a sporting event and brought huge butterflies like any huge sporting event. The big difference was, Hogan was our hero! If he had lost that match, we would have been devastated. Wrestling these days is simply entertainment, it doesn’t bring any butterflies. It’s all just for shit and giggles.

[@gevdarg]

Yep. My cousin and I asked my Dad to get us home quick from church, so that we could watch the sports segment of the evening news to see the result of the Hogan / Mr. T vs. Piper / Orndoff match. When we found out who won, we jumped and cheered.

[@ferox965]

I'm 44 as well. Saw Mania 3 on closed circuit in a packed arena in my hometown of Kingston, Ontario. Mania was a BIG deal. Great memories.

[@Cre8Lounge]

The only difference is that I didn't like Hogan

[@FAITHandLOGIC]

Wrestlemania 3 is my oldest memory of watching wrestling. First time I saw Koko B. Ware. I remember my dad laughing at his name.

[@robertormsbee6428]

Besides Bobby being a great commentator he was the funniest guy in wrestling history just a once in a lifetime voice

[@somepothead4849]

Bobby is one of the main reasons there was a wrestling boom. RIP TY 4 the memories

[@THEBANDIT7979]

Bobby was a natural talent. Like Rick flair they understood the business. They had the charisma. And knew how to use it on screen.

[@NoIDAvailable]

Bobby Hennan deserved every penny he got for that event. Bobby always produced & was the ultimate pro when I met him

[@jonofdead]

As a person who grew up in the 80s I always loved Bobby the brain

[@btdtagain]

thank you

[@anthonysmith8321]

Bobby Heenan was the best manager and talker. When I was a kid he annoyed me. It wasn't til I got older and understood his character.

[@thefestivalofatonement2470]

He was one hell of a promo.

[@coolcoolcoolkid10]

I agree with JR 1.Bobby the brain Heenan 2. Jim Cornette The master and the student indeed

[@Brad81980]

One word to describe Bobby Heenan commentating “GOAT” period !

[@bobnichols3233]

Best manager ever! Period.

[@KennethJLave]

Coincidentally, I was watching WrestleMania 3 (in its entirety) last night! All the interviews by Heenan, Andre, and Hogan were really good performances. And both Andre & Hogan looked to be in the best physical shape of their lives.

[@IggyStardust1967]

Which says something, because Andre was in his declining years. You might be able to find some hidden treasures from the late 70s on the WWE Network, with Andre working the independents. THAT is when he was in his prime! Imagine a man his size throwing a drop kick. I saw it happen(AWA, I think, but don't swear me to that). At WM3, Andre was in massive pain. He drank heavily in order to deaden the pain enough to get through that match. Do some digging, the facts are out there. When I learned that, I honestly questioned Andre's wisdom in doing that match, but had to admire his dedication to "the business". Unlike "Big Show"(Paul Wight), Andre never had the corrective surgery to extend his life. He literally kept growing until the day he died.

[@nevermorenovelist]

@@IggyStardust1967 To be fair about the surgery thing: it was still very much in the experimental stage at that point, and Andre ran a real risk of dying on the table during such an operation to remove a tumor on the pituitary gland in his brain. All things considered, I think he made the right choice for him.

[@pauljordan5436]

Why dislike this video??

[@peterisnardi1197]

I always wondered why they didn't have Heenan do more in the WMIII match...I mean, I know that the real steak of the match was Hogan one-on-one against Andre but with the heat on Heenan for turning Andre against Hogan, I don't know why they didn't do just one "Heenan-jumps-up-on-the-apron-and-Hogan-punches-him" spot...

[@nina2x]

Who actually wrote the event & buildup? I know George Scott did WN 1&2, but who did 3?

[@EF-fc4du]

To mention the entertainers outside of wrestling who helped bring attention to it at the onset of WrestleMania without mentioning Cyndi Lauper is a crime. She garnered more attention for the WWF than all those other entertainers combined and she was actively involved in it for over a year. She did not just show up for a single event to get her picture taken.

[@jonharrison9222]

Sir, the subject was managers.

[@shawnmcx482]

To this day there hasn't been a bigger match than Hulk v. Andre at Wrestlemania III. Hogan v. Flair could have been, but it didn't happen at the right time.

[@davidprocell8138]

Bobby Heenan was sooooo good! Legit

[@robertdeleo6423]

Bobby was the most entertaining figure in wrestling / hands down

[@bobnichols3233]

Hogan has said that heenan was misused as a manager. He said the brain should have been wrestling.

[@SeamHead33]

$100k for WM3. Wow!!

[@laenav]

Bobby did give away the Hulk Hogan heel turn at Bash At The Beach.

[@chuckhouse5179]

he told us Hogan was a heel for decades it just turned out this time he was right lol.

[@ryeking73]

Yeah but who’s side is he on?

[@kevinbrooks1104]

JR is selling himself short . Because he was the best on the stick. The voice of wrestling. But as he said as far as managing talent Bobby is the best. I also think as a broad cast juralist and host of prime time wink wink he killed it . But I do think he did carry the show with the timing of a comedian. Wonderful human all around good guy RIP Bobby you are still talked about so you are still living in our hearts.

[@butch5419]

Jim is an icon.

[@jimbrown5091]

Heenan was a talent of the type we will never see again...Hart, Cornette, Humperdink, Pringle, Dillion, Blassie, Al-Kaissie, Fuji, Slick...it don't matter, Heenan was better than all of them...in so many ways...and I LOVE Corny...but he'll tell you in a heartbeat Heenan was better.

[@mr.tonywilliams1236]

Heenan in one word GOAT

[@InvestBetter.]

Yeah, Heenan was EASILY the greatest manager of all time This is not open for debate

[@executenwordusers]

You are correct...but it is open for debate...pump the brakes...

[@franciscouch8378]

Bobby could have had his own talk show

[@badgerbhoy9534]

He wld hav bn great as a heel type gameshow host!

[@jacobgreendayheart1]

the american dream.........putting arabian oil in japanese supercars gets me everytime

[@jayleblanc3598]

Ross gettin confused with WM 1 and WM 3

[@shandihanscom4769]

the great mrg of all time

[@burtonpierre417]

Can't believe Wrestlemania was suppose to be a one off! I think it was Bobby that said here's to Wrestlemania 2! Or one of Vince friends!

[@JosephMiller-gh6mv]

Bobby as much as Hogan built the WWF Every time Hogan had a supermatch usually the bad guys mngr was Bobby then at WM3 you thought Bobby finally had his moneter to stop the Hulkster , but Hulk needed him he helped get Hogan over as much as Hulk himself , he is the greatest

[@ssavincki]

100k was a ton of money back then.... let's not forget that

[@amirokareem3535]

Be fair to Flair

[@dw1985]

no no no...those photos are at Vince's house.

[@darkl3gend659]

His record was 2-1 that night

[@moonbean9050]

I don’t know anything about wrestling, but I do know one thing, the host looks like he just ate a years worth of breakfast meals this morning.

[@chrisballard5743]

I didn't like his WCW commentary nearly as much as his work in the WWF. But still a legend nonetheless.

[@HereIsWisdom1318]

Damn! $100,000!!! Just for Wrestlemania III

[@JosephMiller-gh6mv]

I said the same thing that Bobby the Brain is the G.O.A.T of wrestling he is much as responsible as Hogan for how big the WWF got if no Brain i don't think Hogan gets as big he needed Bobby

[@summer-np6fx]

100k that's it? I thought it would have been 500k

[@Koolazzmike]

More than a lot of wrestlers made back then I'm sure

[@JasonL77]

*Edited when it was pointed out that he said that at 8, not 7 like I had originally stated.* My favorite Bobby Heenan line was from Wrestlemania 8. Bobby Heenan: Do you ever say hello to Tatanka? Gorilla Monsoon: I say hello to him all the time. BH: Do you ever do it properly? GM: How do you do it properly? BH: You say “Hey, how are ya? Hey, how are ya?” You’ll have to hear the exchange to appreciate the humor, but I always laugh whenever I think of it.

[@TheNotbadphonedaddy]

WM8

[@jonharrison9222]

Wrestlemania 8.

[@JasonL77]

@@jonharrison9222 you’re right. My bad.

[@coffeenow2382]

Conrad is 39? Geez, he is the same age as my grandpappy.🗣🗣

[@BigBadJerryRogers]

Obviously your family got started young!

[@botfantasies6229]

Wait, home mortgages were $50 not that long ago? And now that same house would rent for about $8,000 per month in today's market? The American dream is dead, folks.

[@JosephMiller-gh6mv]

WM3 was on ESPN going over it like boxing tale of the tape records height , weight and it was one time you didnt know if Hogan would win , The Giant had never been pinned in the WWF but i was watching and usually you knew he gets beat up Hulks out leg drop pin Hulk wins that you knew usually , but this time you thought no he might get beat, but the giant knew Hulk was the man to take it fatther , just like Hogan tried to pass it to Warrior but not the same effect

[@shanetutt518]

Yea hated the weezil.back in the day..but lookin back he was the greatest I think the only one who comes close is Paul Heyman lol

[@kelsohunt460]

It's not fair to flair.

[@ryanmurphy2588]

Nobody will ever come close to the Brain!

[@CesarPerez-it8xy]

Would you stop it.

[@michaelkline6560]

Why are you counting the brains paydays JR and Bobby prob got that or more alot RIP Brain

[@patrickclark6430]

Rumours and innuendo

[@lawrencestimpson6669]

I’m sure The brain had several homes

[@kevinslothower5309]

Best and funniest line of bobby heenan. Saturday nights main event. Rise and shine you humanoids wake up that fat wife ofyours and call your friends if you have any.

[@buck2239]

I relate to Bobby. I am self educated and from Indiana and I get asked all the time where did I go to college. Nope. I am self educated and you overpaid for a piece of paper

[@TL2354]

You did a poor job

[@JosephMiller-hu7bq]

When they say who is the greatest some say FLAIR or HOGAN , ANDRE THE GIANT I always say BOBBY THE BRAIN one of the best tumblers in wrestling history the best MNGR ever on the MIC nobody better then he teams up with GORILLA and you get the best 1,2 ever where you laugh I remember my DAD was very sick cancer and he was was in pain sick all the time the only time I seen him laugh was over the BRAIN during the Machine promo when trying to prove it was Andrea The Giant and every time he turned they would switch and how BOBBY reacted was so Funny but to me there will never be another BRAIN like ALI there can only be 1

[@robertdeleo6423]

Need more BBQ sauce

[@jeremyjohnson8243]

How many guts could he have gotten over in his time in wcw? Another talent wasted in dubya c dubya

[@mrmike1884]

Bobby Heenan. 2 things that scare me about Wrestling Fans. They are allowed to vote and reproduce.

[@robintaylor7355]

4:50 how can $100,000 buy a home in Florida?

[@HereIsWisdom1318]

In 1987!!!

[@nevermorenovelist]

$100,000 in 1987 is over $245,000 today. And buying a home doesn't mean he didn't have a mortgage. Who knows.

[@jenruiz7606]

We are talking about the 80’s!