The Greatest Manager of All Time

The wrestling manager used to be a fixture of any show and during the 80s, most matches would feature a manager, who had the role of doing the mic work for the wrestler they managed and would portray themselves as handling the wrestler's contracts. In reality, a manager’s job was to help the talent get over with the crowd and enhance a match or storylines. Specifically, villainous managers were used to help further storylines through mic work and getting involved in matches. Some of the most entertaining performers in the history of the business have been managers, but who is the greatest manager of all time? It’s almost unanimous that the answer is Bobby “The Brain” Heenan, who has been involved in the business for over four decades and he started in the business in 1965 in Chicago.

Heenan would also wrestle, but was known for being a manager, which gave him the opportunity to work for the American Wrestling Association in Minnesota. After success there, he would go to the World Wrestling Federation in 1984 to manage the top talent in the company. During this time, Heenan would also become a commentator and he along with Gorilla Monsoon are known as one of the greatest commentary teams of all time. The wrestling industry expanded during the 80s and perhaps the peak of the era was Wrestlemania 3, where over 93,000 fans were in attendance in the Pontiac Silver Dome in Detroit to see Hulk Hogan battle Andre The Giant for the WWF title. Something that people might over look is that it was Heenan that was used to help set up the storyline that would lead to the title match.

After working in the WWF for nearly a decade, Heenan wanted to take some time off and would eventually sign with World Championship Wrestling in 1994 and would remain in the organization for five years before taking time off because of health problems.

Despite having several health problems the past few years, Heenan is still entertaining and his induction in the WWE Hall Of Fame as well as his follow up appearances to induct a few others, are considered highlights of the event.

Here is Bobby Heenan at the WWE Hall of Fame