WWE legend Bobby “The Brain” Heenan died on Sunday (Sept. 17). He was 73 years old.
His passing was announced by the WWE, though a cause of death has yet to be confirmed. However, reports said he has been battling throat cancer since 2002.
WWE commentator Jim Ross tweeted out the news first, writing: “The news of Bobby ‘The Brain’ Heenan’s passing today gutted me. I loved our time together. No one ever did it better than the Wease.”
Heenan was a wrestler, manager and announcer and eventually a WWE Hall of Famer.
He had early success in the World Wrestling Association (WWA) and the American Wrestling Association (AWA), before joining WWE (then WWF) in 1984 as a manager. His first client as part of the promotion was WWE Hall of Famer Big John Studd.
Throughout his career, Heenan served as manager for legends like Andre the Giant, Ric Flair, Paul Orndorff, Arn Anderson, Tully Blanchard, Rick Rude, Mr. Perfect and Harley Race.
He was eventually inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2004.
After a 10-year stint in the WWE, he left in 1994 to join the viral WCW. But, he returned to the WWE when Vince McMahon bought out WCW in 2001 at WrestleMania 17.
Following the news, a number of figures in the wrestling world expressed their sadness and shock on social media.
The news of Bobby "The Brain" Heenan's passing today gutted me.
I loved our time together.
No one ever did it better than the Wease.
— Jim Ross (@JRsBBQ) September 17, 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
…one of a kind. pic.twitter.com/2uM1qpWHaF
— Triple H (@TripleH) September 17, 2017
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
"If you're poor and you do something stupid, you're nuts. If you're rich and do something stupid, you're eccentric." – Bobby Heenan R.I.P.
— Samoa Joe (@SamoaJoe) September 18, 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
