WWE legend Bobby “The Brain” Heenan died on Sunday at the age of 73, the WWE confirmed.
No official cause of death has been confirmed. Heenan had previously been diagnosed with throat and tongue cancer in 2002 and spent the last several years battling the disease.
Heenan had a career spanning four decades, starting in the ring as a wrestler. He transitioned from wrestler to commentator and managed some of the biggest stars in wrestling.
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Heenan is considered to be the greatest pro wrestling manager of all time, managing wrestlers such as Andre the Giant, Mr. Perfect and Rick Rude among others.
“With a career spanning more than four decades, Heenan was the ‘The Brain’ behind some of the most prolific Superstars in sports-entertainment history,” the WWE said in a statement. “Heenan plied his trade as their mischievous manager by running his mouth on their behalf with a sarcastic wit considered among the best in the business.”
In 2002, Heenan announced that he was diagnosed with throat cancer and underwent surgeries including reconstructive jaw surgery in 2007 that required him to be put in a medically induced coma.
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Condolences started pouring in from some of the biggest names in the wrestling world after news of Heenan’s passing spread.
Ric Flair shared some tweets remembering the man he calls “the greatest manager, one of the greatest announcers, and one of the best in-ring performers in the history of the business.”
Jim Ross reflected on the passing of “The Brain.”
Triple H shared a photo of Heenan.
Stephanie McMahon shared one of Heenan’s quotes.
Daniel Bryan said, “no manager or commentator was ever better at entertaining us humanoids.”
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Heenan was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2004.
He is survived by his wife, daughter and grandson.
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