Weasel Tales, Feat. Bobby "The Brain" Heenan
Some 20 years after starting his writing partnership with Bobby Heenan, resulting in two successful books, Steve Anderson tells the story behind the stories and interviews those who knew and loved "The Brain," regaling fans with their own "Weasel Tales."
In addition, "The Bobby Heenan Archives" are a chance for fans to hear Bobby tell the stories that were published in two books: Bobby The Brain: Wrestling's Bad Boy Tells All and Chair Shots and Other Obstacles: Winning Life's Wrestling Matches.
Weasel Tales, Feat. Bobby "The Brain" Heenan
Weasel Tales: The Bobby Heenan Archives - Vince's Convertible Chronicles & SummerSlam Dance-Offs
How did Vince McMahon's flamboyant style and fierce determination transform professional wrestling? In today's episode, we uncover the untold stories behind the industry's most iconic moments and influential figures. From the early days when Vince was seen cruising New York in a convertible to his unforgettable dance routines at SummerSlam in Vegas, we explore how his relentless passion and innovative vision redefined wrestling entertainment. Alongside, we revisit the numerous sacrifices and challenges wrestlers endure, giving you a backstage pass to the world behind the ring.
We also delve into the complex dynamics of wrestling rivalries and management decisions, shedding light on why certain legends like Roddy Piper and organizations like WCW faced significant struggles. Through candid reflections and personal anecdotes, we provide a unique perspective on the business side of wrestling and the respect commanded by wrestlers as performers. This episode promises an insider's look into the high-stakes world of professional wrestling, perfect for both seasoned fans and newcomers curious about the sport's dramatic landscape.
You listen to me, you go to the top.
Speaker 2:Bobby, bobby, bobby, bobby, bobby, bobby, bobby, bobby, bobby, bobby, bobby, bobby, bobby, bobby, bobby, bobby, bobby Bobby.
Speaker 1:Bobby Bobby.
Speaker 2:Bobby, Bobby, Bobby, Bobby, Bobby, Bobby, Bobby, Bobby, Bobby, Bobby, Bobby, Bobby, Bobby, Bobby, Bobby, Bobby, Bobby, Bobby, Bobby, Bobby, Bobby, Bobby, Bobby, Bobby, Bobby, Bobby, Bobby, Bobby, Bobby, Bobby, Bobby, Bobby, Bobby, Bobby. But for all the money he's worth, I wouldn't take those bumps. You don't have to. You have to take them sometimes you don't have to. Yeah, you have to take him sometimes you don't have to. Well, that was two of them.
Speaker 1:He doesn't have to do that.
Speaker 1:He loves it. Yeah, vince is just loves it. I mean, in the very 60s he was in the, he was with Dr Jerry Grave in New York and Dr Jerry bleached Vince's hair, gave him a red ruffled shirt. He, in a red ruffled shirt. He was driving around on a top-down convertible smoking cigars. His dad thought I was killing him, but he just wanted to be out there. He said look at that SummerSlam we had from Vegas, from Lannister. One time Vince was out there doing a dance routine with dancers.
Speaker 2:They sang.
Speaker 1:Remember that? Yeah, and he worked hard. I watched him all day long rehearse with the dancers. He really wanted to do a good job. Well, that man is a professional he really is, and I'm not setting up him for a job because I don't want to work anymore. I just admire what he? Did. He's all right with me, no problem.
Speaker 2:And I think too, the minute people count him out and say, oh, he's done, he's over, then he does something that that's why there has to be another wrestling group, he has to be in a fight.
Speaker 1:He has to be in a fight. He loves that Al Smart in the guy he loved. Al Smart. He loved it. I'm not that smart. Let me see all those years. See you left it. Your juice is gone. Sometimes you don't want people to think it's real, so they look good. They don't realize that people have a lot more respect for you as an actor than as a fighter. Yeah, because people don't believe it and when you tell them it's real now they'll never believe you. You've insulted them, or intelligent, and it's over.
Speaker 2:And what Piper did was he spent a lot of time in his book ripping on the business and ripping on WWE, and the first chance he got to come back he did.
Speaker 1:You know he was there and he probably would wait with WWE up in any place in his life. Yeah, that's why I never knock Vince. I worked for him for 10 years. I'd be knocking myself. Yeah, on WCW shows Big Shuffle's knocking. We don't have a smarter Shuffle than Big Shuffle. You can put this in there. One night they had a match on Raw Vince's show and it was a tape match. But Mick Foley, cassius Black back and won the belt. So they've announced on their live TV show that what you're going to see on Raw on USA cable is a paid match of Mick Foley winning the belt. It's not right. People don't turn to watch USA.
Speaker 1:He told them, we're a title change.
Speaker 2:That's why some people in our business shouldn't be.
Speaker 1:That's why WCW is where it is now Down the toilet Because of mismanagement by people like him. I'm sorry, I don't know anything about the man's life or family or personality or anything. I just know he wasn't good for our business. He hired me. I had six videos there, but you didn't just hand me the money, I earned it. I earned my money.
Speaker 1:Robbie Hingis, never taken charity from anybody. I've earned my money. If not, you know how it goes, brother and I. If you avoid, I'll take a blade. When you take a bunch, I'll take a bunch. We'll see what happens in the evening. I'm 180 pounds and I'm crippled. They'll never beat me. No, they'll never beat me. No, they didn't know. They didn't know.
Speaker 1:And everybody that wanted to be a wrestling promoter, they didn't know anything about the business. After a while, what's the first thing they do? They bleach their hair or become a manager or a heel or something. Look at Eric Bischoff. He won a abortion in the ring. There was a guy that had the AWF, al Pristein. He bleached his hair. Look at him. The only guys I knew in this business that got into it as a promoter and never worked were Dennis Hilgard in Milwaukee and Sam Lesnick in St Louis was so damn hard it was unbelievable. Everybody said Sam won't put a new ring in here. I said I don't know how to get a new ring in there. He said how I said every Friday night after the national anthem, one of the boys slammed Sam.
Speaker 1:He slammed him he said he has to drop his big ass in that ring four times a month. There'll be a new ring in there, I said what the heck. But Sam was an older that ring four times a month. There'll be a new ring in there next week. But Sam was an older man. He wasn't a wrestler, he was a sports writer in a newspaper. He was a newspaper man for St Louis. Yeah, so it all comes from every walk of life, but everybody that's in this business thinks they can do it.
Speaker 1:I remember this guy, russo. He was going to hire actors once you get rid of all the wrestlers. He said they can do the same thing as you guys do. Can't be done. Can't be done. And you can't take a bunch of wrestlers in there and put them on Broadway. Can't be done. It's a different form of acting. It's a different business. You've got to be in this business to understand it. I told Warner if you beat Nick one more time, you get the keep up put the word in the streets.
Speaker 2:Thank you,