Raymond Louis "Bobby" Heenan touched the lives of everyone in the wrestling business during his thirty-plus year career as a performer.
Some knew him from his days in the Midwest territories working with Blackjack Lanza and Nick Bockwinkel. Many more watched him as the WWF heel manager, guiding the men who feuded with Hulk Hogan during the Rock ‘n’ Wrestling boom of the 1980s. Others first experienced him as one of the voices of WCW Nitro during the form’s other peak in the late 1990s.
Even if he hadn’t played such a prominent role in the most popular periods of wrestling history, the man known as “The Brain” possessed a wit which left a lasting impression on everyone who heard his voice.
It’s not surprising that the outpouring of memories and condolences have come so quickly:
One of the greatest managers and announcers in WWE history. Our thoughts are with the Heenan family. pic.twitter.com/r9A3IJlSoP
— Vince McMahon (@VinceMcMahon) September 18, 2017
Bobby Heenan... The Greatest Manager, One Of The Greatest Announcers, And One Of The Best In-Ring Performers In The History Of The Business
— Ric Flair® (@RicFlairNatrBoy) September 17, 2017
Worked with Bobby Heenan from 1980 until my career ended,learned new things from him ever single day,love u my brother rip. HH
— Hulk Hogan (@HulkHogan) September 17, 2017
Bobby Heenan died today and it has left me very sad. He was the best of the best in the biz and a friend. RIP Bobby. Praying for you Cindy pic.twitter.com/T8wuFAYuST
— Ted DiBiase (@MDMTedDiBiase) September 17, 2017
Very saddened to hear of the passing of Bobby "The Brain" Heenan. I was truly blessed to know him. RIP my friend!
— SGT SLAUGHTER (@_SgtSlaughter) September 17, 2017
Our thoughts go out to the family of Bobby "The Brain" Heenan. No manager or commentator was ever better at entertaining us humanoids.
— Daniel Bryan (@WWEDanielBryan) September 17, 2017
RIP Bobby "The Brain" Heenan. He was one of the greatest mananagers in the history of our business!
— Howard Finkel (@howardfinkel) September 17, 2017
"I don't look at myself as a hero or smart person. I have a seventh-grade education, but I've had a lot of fun."-#RIPBobbyTheBrainHeenan pic.twitter.com/YwZcMpSOAt
— Stephanie McMahon (@StephMcMahon) September 17, 2017
...one of a kind. pic.twitter.com/2uM1qpWHaF
— Triple H (@TripleH) September 17, 2017
Saddened by the news that arrived this afternoon from Bobby Heenans daughter Jess, that he has passed. Bobby and his...
Posted by Gene Okerlund on Sunday, September 17, 2017
Very sorry to hear of the passing of Bobby "The Brain " Heenan.I was fortunate to work, laugh and learn from him.A great man.
— William Regal (@RealKingRegal) September 17, 2017
The news of Bobby "The Brain" Heenan's passing today gutted me.
— Jim Ross (@JRsBBQ) September 17, 2017
I loved our time together.
No one ever did it better than the Wease.
Hearing of the passing of Bobby Heenan certainly brings sadness, but, being blessed to witness his genius 1st hand, also brings a smile, RIP
— Michael PS Hayes (@MichaelPSHayes1) September 17, 2017
The BEST manager in the business . Thank you for all years. You will be missed sir !! #RIPBobbyHeenan #GOAT pic.twitter.com/nn04XidsAo
— JR RIKISHI FATU (@TheREALRIKISHI) September 18, 2017
RIP Bobby "The Brain" Heenan - one of the GREATEST and most influential personas our business has ever known. pic.twitter.com/BUDikV0z2X
— Mick Foley (@RealMickFoley) September 17, 2017
Without him, there is no me.
— Corey Graves (@WWEGraves) September 17, 2017
You are the Undisputed Greatest of All Time & I'm honored to have known you Bobby. #RIPBobbyHeenan pic.twitter.com/aNSntsevjo
— Sean Waltman (@TheRealXPac) September 17, 2017
Today we lost one of our legends.
— Bubba Ray Dudley (@bullyray5150) September 17, 2017
Im just happy the last words I said to him were, "I love you Bobby."
RIP Bobby Heenan pic.twitter.com/ofqi6IJguD
Saddened to hear of the passing of Bobby Heenan. "The Brain" did it all in the biz, in the most entertaining ways possible. #RIPBobbyHeenan
— REBORN by FATE (@MATTHARDYBRAND) September 18, 2017
#RIP Bobby Heenan quite probably the greatest all around wrestling performer ever.
— Lance Storm (@LanceStorm) September 17, 2017
Saddened to hear of the passing of one of wrestlings GREATEST, Bobby Heenan. https://t.co/chBwNG4PFq
— Nattie (@NatbyNature) September 17, 2017
We all have so many great memories of Bobby Heenan-whether ringside or on commentary. Either way he was simply the best
— TJ Wilson (@TJWilson) September 18, 2017
One of the main reasons I grew up loving wrestling and the WWE. An absolute legend. Thank u for the memories fella. #RIPBobbyTheBrainHeenan
— Sheamus (@WWESheamus) September 18, 2017
Oh man. #RIPBobbyHeenan
— Dustin Rhodes (@Goldust) September 17, 2017
:-( heart broken https://t.co/4Jcc5jAKuf
— $asha Banks (@SashaBanksWWE) September 17, 2017
I will always appreciate the short time I had with Bobby "The Brain" Heenan. It was truly an honor #RIPBobbyHeenan pic.twitter.com/wkpINiJIFl
— Bobby Roode (@REALBobbyRoode) September 17, 2017
Crushed at the news that Bobby "The Brain" Heenan has passed away. https://t.co/HhxKqo8PAe.EVER. #RIPBobbyHeenan
— Mauro Ranallo (@mauroranallo) September 18, 2017
(1/3) When I was younger I got to sit on the set and watch Bobby Heenan write jokes to the PAs on a whiteboard, got the biggest kick outta'
— Cody Rhodes (@CodyRhodes) September 18, 2017
(2/3) it. Nobody can touch him...ever. He's the Babe Ruth of managers. He made my generations childhood so much fun. I'm tuning into the
— Cody Rhodes (@CodyRhodes) September 18, 2017
(3/3) WWE Network and watching him now. MAGIC. Be at peace Brain. Thank you. pic.twitter.com/Q7obtPla6w
— Cody Rhodes (@CodyRhodes) September 18, 2017
Thank you, Bobby Heenan.#TheBrain
— Bayley (@itsBayleyWWE) September 17, 2017
#RIPBobbyHeenan - U touched my life w/ ur witty ridiculous antics- making me laugh and boo, & thank u 4 being an equally outstanding person
— John Morrison (@TheRealMorrison) September 17, 2017
Perhaps the funniest performer this industry has ever seen. Impeccable timing and delivery. It was an honor to know him. #RIPBobbyHeenan pic.twitter.com/rtfAuuvCwk
— Jeremy Borash (@JeremyBorash) September 17, 2017
You literally can't go wrong quoting Bobby "The Brain" in your day to day. He was the BEST. Voice of my childhood. #RIPBobbyTheBrainHeenan
— TJ Perkins (@MegaTJP) September 18, 2017
#RIPBobbyHeenan the greatest Pro Wrestling Manager of all time pic.twitter.com/2MNochd3Dx
— James Ellsworth (@realellsworth) September 17, 2017
On behalf of the entire Cageside Seats community, we extend our thoughts and prayers to his family and all those missing Bobby Heenan today.
We know we are.