- George Schire

With all of the many wrestling related books published in the last couple of years, it is evident that Bobby Heenan just put the MAIN EVENT book on wrestling in bookstores across the country.

The cover of the book is a masterpiece in itself, featuring the Heenan we all loved to hate from his wrestling/managing days.  Flipping to the first page, Bobby starts off with the preliminaries and tells us about his humble beginnings with his mother.  And he shares his desire to be involved in something called professional wrestling.  He shares his early friendships with some of the boys in the business, and the little things he did to become "one of the boys".  Watching the pros of the late 1950's and 60's,  Bobby learned that it was okay to be booed by the audience...that meant they were getting their monies worth.  He tells how former wrestler Johnny Kace was able to make the fans hate him, and that really meant that they liked him enough to come again to see if he could be beat.  This is logic only a wrestling fan can understand.

Bobby Heenan knew that he had to have a name, since there was already a "Pretty Boy" (Larry Hennig), he used "Gorgeous".  But, he didn't like that one, so he settled on "the Brain", a name that would become famous in the mat game.  Bobby shares many of his early AWA memories with some of the greats that he managed.  Names like Joe Tomasso, Guy Mitchell, Chris Markoff and Angelo Poffo were the first of his charges. 

When Dick the Bruiser and Wilbur Snyder who promoted Indianapolis wanted then "Cowboy" Jack Lanza to become a "heel", it was a natural that he get Bobby Heenan as his manager, and thus, the villianous "Black Jack" Lanza was born.  It was one of the true successful partnerships in wrestling.  To this day, Heenan speaks with the highest regard of  Jack Lanza. 

Another man who Heenan shares fond memories of is Baron Von Raschke.  According to Bobby, the Baron was one of the best of the best to manage, and he shares many of their out of ring escapades.  Heenan is also quick to take shots at those that he doesn't share the same respect for.  A couple mentioned are Jimmy and Johnny Valiant who he managed in Detroit and Indianapolis, and also WCW announcer Tony Shiavone.  But, to his credit, "the Brain" lets the reader make their own determination, as he merely gives his viewpoint on these individuals.

When reading the book, the reader can almost see gleam in Heenan's eyes when he speaks of Ray Stevens and Nick Bockwinkel.  He tells of their differences and how those very differences made them such an outstanding tag team combination.  Stevens was one of Heenan's early idols, and working with Ray, was a highlight in Bobby's career. 

It isn't often when wrestlers speak good of promoters, but Bobby Heenan shouts encouraging words for the late Wally Karbo.  It is clear that they had a great friendship. 

For those readers that want to read about the "inside workings" of wrestling, Heenan doesn't disappoint you.  He shares many details of his matches, and locker room secrets, never before told.  He even apologizes up front for breaking "kayfabe", for those in the business that will take him to task.  But, as he says, "they should understand that the "magic show" is over".  "To put it simply, there is no magic out there anymore.  So instead of lying to people, let's give them what they deserve.  Let's tell them the truth about the business and industry and entertain them in a whole new way". 

The book is a journey.  It takes the reader inside the AWA, to the WWA, some of his NWA work, returning to the AWA, his big move to the WWF, and finally his unhappiness in WCW.  While on this journey with "the Brain", you get glimpses of his happiest times and those that made him shed a tear.  Overall, a very factual and insightful look into the real Bobby Heenan.  All of the top pro's of the AWA, WWA, WWF and WCW are mentioned, some with favor, and some with disdain.  Bobby pulls no punches when sharing his feelings on his colleagues, and some of the people that you would think he would hold contempt for, he will fool you, and say only kind things about them.

He thanks all his many buddies in the wrestling business and all the many famous people that he has had the pleasure to meet and work with.  Most of all, he thanks all the hundreds of thousands of wrestling fans, who are the reason he has had the success he has.  When talking of the fans, it is evident that Bobby is extremely grateful to all of us.  It also comes through loud and clear, that Bobby Heenan loves his wife Cindi and daughter Jessica.  They share the sentiment with their kinds words at the beginning of the book.  One of "the Brain's" biggest boosters...Hulk Hogan, sings words of praise as well for Heenan, and says it this way, "Bobby was a legendary wrestler, legendary.  He will go down in the books as someone who mastered the craft".

The entire book is all about the Bobby Heenan none of us ever really knew.  He shares of himself, his family, friends and includes several pages of photos from his personal collection.  Finally, Bobby shares his struggle over the last year and  a half with throat cancer, and how this is the most important match of his life.  He wants to win! 

YES, Bobby Heenan is "the Brain", and his book is a must for any wrestling fan from the 1950's to today.  This wrestling book is the MAIN EVENT!!!