Bobby Heenan Dies: WWE Manager 'The Brain' Was 73

Bobby “The Brain” Heenan, regarded by many as the greatest pro wrestling manager of all time, died Sunday at age 73.

A cause of death was not released, but Heenan had been battling throat and tongue cancer since 2002.

Heenan started out as a wrestler under the name “Pretty Boy” Bobby Heenan, but quickly became known for his witty, blustering trash talk, which better suited a manager.

Heenan called the wrestlers he managed the “Heenan family,” and members included Andre the Giant, Ric “Nature Boy” Flair, Rick Rude, Mr. Perfect, and Harley Race. Many of his wrestlers have been inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, and Heenan was inducted in 2004.

“With a career spanning more than four decades, Heenan was 'The Brain' behind some of the most prolific Superstars in sports-entertainment history,” the WWE said in a statement, Rolling Stone reported.

Wrestlers, fans and others in WWE took to Twitter to eulogize Heenan.

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

...one of a kind. pic.twitter.com/2uM1qpWHaF

— Triple H (@TripleH) 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

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 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

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