WWE Hall of Famer Bobby "The Brain" Heenan, widely regarded as both the greatest manager and greatest color commentator in the history of professional wrestling, died Sunday at the age of 72. According to his obituary in the Tampa Bay Times, the cause of death was organ failure caused by throat cancer, according to his obituary in the Tampa Bay Times.
Heenan was diagnosed with the cancer in 2002 but it had been in remission since 2004, according to his daughter Jessica Solt. He had been in very poor health over the past several weeks. "It was just his time," Solt said.
Heenan was born Raymond Louis Heenan in Chicago but had been living in the Tampa area for the last 30 years. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2004, both for his time managing the likes of Andre The Giant, Big John Studd, and Mr. Perfect, as well as his time as an announcer alongside Vince McMahon in WWE and as the clownish foil to Tony Schiavone's straightman behind the desk at WCW Nitro. But he was perhaps most famous for his segments with fellow WWE Hall of Famers Gorilla Monsoon and "Mean" Gene Okerlund, or perhaps as Hulk Hogan's least-biggest fan. No one hated anyone as much as Bobby The Brain Heenan hated Hulk Hogan.
He is survived by his wife Cindy, his daughter Jessica, and two grandchildren.
