In addition to his great success in the U.S., Canada and Australia, Monsoon also established himself as a major superstar in the Orient, particularly during the early Seventies. Throughout the WWWF territory, the Graham vs. Monsoon wars were exciting and intense encounters that always resulted in a sold-out arena. At the end of their Boxer vs. Wrestler match, the camps for both Andre and Wepner had a frenzied pull-apart, with dozens of trainers involved. Gorilla Monsoon also formed one of the most entertaining on-air partnerships with his real life friend Bobby “The Brain” Heenan. Graphics, Skins and Screens . Gorilla Monsoon received several WWWF title shots at then champion. In 1963 he grew a beard and became "Gorilla Monsoon." That perception was perpetuated by important victories such as Monsoon’s win over Spiros Arion for the IWA World Heavyweight title on February 16, 1968. He was second in the 1959 NCAA wrestling championships while playing at Ithaca College, which led to his being discovered by promoter Pedro Martinez. Gorilla had been largely out of the spotlight since health concerns required him to give up wrestling commentating in 1997. In 1963 he grew a beard and became "Gorilla Monsoon." For many years, The Gorilla also served as the promotion’s lead road agent, a booker and one of the chief television production supervisors. All rights owned by WWE entertainment. Monsoon is also a member of the Professional Wrestling … Not long after arriving in the popular southern California promotion, Monsoon formed a team with the 6’4″ Luke Graham that immediately ran roughshod over their competition. The wrestling world mourns the loss of a giant of a man today. I immediately found the commentary duo of Gorilla Monsoon and Jesse “The Body” Ventura entertaining. Rewriting Wrestling History (without using Computer Games) Fantasy Wrestling. He also hosted many Wrestlemanias with Jesse Ventura.He was married to Maureen Hess for 40 years. Gorilla monsoon and bruiser brody allegedly had a backstage fight, which lead to brody being blackballed from the wwf. However, when it came time to actually get inside of the ring against the towering four hundred-pounder, the famous Heavyweight Boxing champion found out, rather quickly, that it’s the wrestler, not the boxer, who has the advantage in this unique type of bout. Gorilla Monsoon was known as ‘Gino’ to his fellow colleagues/friends for many years in the WWWF/WWF. The staging area just before the entrance was often where Gorilla was found at WWF events and is now appropriately named "the Gorilla position". It’s safe to say, outside of his business partners Vince McMahon, Sr. and, later, Vince McMahon, Jr., that Gorilla Monsoon was one of the most important figures in the history of WWE and, by extension, pro wrestling itself. Once the World Wrestling Federation, under the leadership of Vince McMahon, Jr., had begun its national expansion, Monsoon became the promotion’s lead announcer and the host of several successful television programs. Gorilla monsoon once picked … Following college, he travelled to Calgary, was trained by Stu Hart and began his career as a professional wrestler in 1958. On June 26, 1976, the day of the Ali-Inoki bout, Monsoon also made headlines when he became involved in a major scuffle on the undercard during a match between Andre the Giant and former Heavyweight boxing contender (and the inspiration for Sylvester Stallone’s “Rocky” character) Chuck Wepner. The company then went bankrupt (as confirmed by Víctor Quiñones in an interview with prwrestling.com). Gorilla Monsoon was an American pro wrestler. During his tenure as President, which lasted from 1995 through 1998, Monsoon made several important “decisions” and his rulings were the catalyst behind some of the Federation’s most memorable match-ups. Gorilla Monsoon, Actor: WrestleMania III. The two gigantic heels, both of whom stood well over six and a half feet tall and tipped the scales at a combined weight of nearly eight hundred pounds, were one of the most devastating and feared teams of their era. After a few moments of the lightning quick Ali evading his huge sparring partner, Monsoon finally got his clutches on the legendary boxer and, as the crowd erupted in cheers, hoisted him up over his shoulders. Pittsburgh Wrestling:World Wide Wrestling Federation: Gino Marella, Pre-Owned. Gorilla Monsoon - All American. June 9, 1994: Gorilla Monsoon was inducted into the. The gargantuan Monsoon enjoyed several tours of Japan, wrestling for the Japanese Wrestling Association, which was run by the legendary Rikidozan. 1993: Gorilla Monsoon and Bobby Heenan started a feud which resulted in Monsoon kicking The Brain out of the WWF! He was taken off a kidney dialysis machine at his request. Gorilla Monsoon moved into a commentary position where he hosted MSG cards, as well as being a top booker and road agent. After a pounding, Graham fled the ring and waved his hand in disgust as if to say, "I quit." Ali, of course, was training for his closed-circuit Boxer vs. Wrestler match against Japanese champion Antonio Inoki. Robert Morella became a minority owner in the successful northeastern group and he also began exclusively promoting several small and mid-sized cities within the WWWF’s multi-state territory, primarily in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware. WCW Legends. In 1963 he grew a beard and became "Gorilla Monsoon." I’m Gorilla Monsoon reporting from ringside alongside my colleague, Bobby ‘The Brain’ Heenan,. The duo of Gorilla Monsoon and Bobby Heenan won over the old school fans with their entertaining work coming in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s during many successful events. By virtue of his constant exposure on WWF programs, as well as his memorable, unique commentary style and entertaining chemistry with both Ventura and Heenan, Gorilla Monsoon eventually became the voice of the WWF during the Eighties. GORILLA MONSOON. The company then went bankrupt (as confirmed by Víctor Quiñones in an interview with prwrestling.com). A true box-office attraction, the two monolithic grapplers faced off many times, most notably in the finals of the 14th Annual World League Tournament. But its priced too high, and shortshrifts Monsoon's time as a fan-favorite. In fact, it seems to me that most wrestling fans online (and off) have nothing but fond memories of Gorilla Monsoon. In a special grudge match Gorilla Monsoon takes on Capt. Although he certainly deserved that one last pop from the crowd back in March of ’99, I selfishly didn’t want to remember him that way. Gorilla Monsoon, one of the most famous athlete-entertainers ever to don tights and climb into the professional wrestling ring, died on Wednesday at his home in Willingboro, N.J. During his WWE wrestling career, he weighed over 400 pounds. Monsoon's legacy lives on in the wrestling world: The recently retired Anthony Carelli was given the gimmick name Santino Marella when he debuted in the WWE in 2007 as a tribute to Gorilla. The wrestling world mourns the loss of a giant of a man today. Posts about Gorilla Monsoon written by Will Burns. He made a living traveling with gypsy caravans and wrestling bears. In 1976, Monsoon gained worldwide mainstream notoriety when he had a very public sparring session (which, not coincidentally, was broadcast on WWWF television programs) with the World Heavyweight Boxing champion, the legendary Muhammad Ali. Free returns. Paint.NET Tutorials - Create Your Own … For me, it was "The Manchurian Giant," ironically out of New Jersey, Gorilla Monsoon. BOBBY HEENAN. Morella was an exceptionally impressive athlete who possessed incredible speed and stamina for a man of his considerable height and weight. While The Superstar was invariably able to escape with his title intact against the Gorilla, the flamboyant muscleman never did so without having to first put up a major fight against the legitimately dangerous behemoth. January 1996: Gorilla Monsoon suspended Vader, and was viciously attacked and Vader-bombed on Monday Night RAW. Gorilla Monsoon was inevitably paired against the Japanese giant, Shohei Baba. October 27, 1969 – Madison Square Gardens: Gorilla Monsoon defeated Killer Kowalski. He was, however, a tremendously agile athlete who unquestionably helped raise the standard of what was expected of a “big man.” Yet, behind the scenes, as a minority owner of the World Wide Wrestling Federation (as well as the World Wrestling Council in Puerto Rico) and a promoter of many cities within the WWWF’s multi-state territory, the respected Monsoon was perhaps even more influential than he was in the ring. Bobby Heenan & Gorilla Monsoon on the set of WWF Prime Time Wrestling Bobby Heenan & Gorilla Monsoon at WrestleMania VII . Almost immediately, the huge, bearded Gorilla Monsoon (who was originally billed as hailing from Manchuria and portrayed a near-caveman type of character) became a box office attraction throughout the northeast and he quickly established himself as one of the most hated men in the sport. “Gorilla Monsoon was the most logical contender, so they asked me to put him over on TV,” Ron Hill said in a 2001 interview. Naturally, the 6’6″ 420 lb. The character's backstory was that he was born on a isolated farm in Manchuria. When you combined his speed and grappling knowledge with the overwhelming power possessed by the 400-pounder, it becomes clear why Monsoon stood out amongst his plodding, methodic contemporaries. I started watching wrestling in late 1991 and my earliest memories of it are watching the PPV events on video. Watch; Q S p o S n s o 5 R r e 3 1 G d B E 9 8. 1992 Pat Tanaka hooked some of us boys from the Tampa Sportatorium up with jobs while the WWF was touring through. Naturally, the 6’6″ 420 lb. Monsoon picked the intimidating rulebreaker known as El Mongol, while Graham chose the legendary “Moondog” Lonnie Mayne. card/ date match match type title(s) WWF MSG Show (May '81) May 4th 1981 Gorilla Monsoon & Rick Martel & Tony Garea: def. While his success in the tag team ranks was impressive, Monsoon was also a very capable singles performer who was seen as a legitimate main-event caliber wrestler by the fanbase of the day. Bobby Heenan & Gorilla Monsoon with Rowdy Roddy Piper at SummerSlam 1991 . He made a living traveling with gypsy caravans and wrestling … Despite Bruno’s legendary strength, the overwhelming size advantage of his challenger was almost too much for “The Living Legend” to handle, and therein can be found the source of the box-office success of the Sammartino vs. Monsoon feud. This curious development did not seem to matter and Monsoon’s popularity with fans soon placed him second only to Sammartino. Gorilla Monsoon Deceased Also known as Gino Marella, Bob Marella, Gino Bob Marella, Manchurian Giant Gorilla Monsoon had become a face in the later part of his career and was in a match with Hulk Hogan, who was a heel wrestler at the time and they had a match in Madison Square Garden which was definitely a pro Gorilla venue at the time. Vince Jr. took over the WWF, Gorilla Monsoon sold his shares to him and in return, Monsoon was insured lifetime employment. In the 6’6″ Monsoon, fans saw a legitimate threat to Sammartino’s World title and their many battles resulted in sold-out crowds in major arenas all along the east coast. Spiros arion & baron mikel scicluna ivan putski vs. He was the first play-by-play guy that many long time wrestling … The character's backstory was that he was born on a isolated farm in Manchuria. He was 62. GORILLA MONSOON Hello, wrestling fans, and welcome to ‘WWF SUPERSTARS’, coming to you from Madison Square Garden in New York City, on May 25, 1996. Eventually, after high-profile runs in several different promotions throughout the world, Monsoon returned “home” to the Northeast and the World Wide Wrestling Federation. During the Seventies, Monsoon also engaged in a noteworthy feud with “The Russian Bear” Ivan Koloff, as well as several other top Federation “bad guys.” One of his final programs as a full-time wrestler came in 1979 against the impressive young rookie heel known as “The Incredible” Hulk Hogan. Bob Morella was honored by the Cauliflower Alley Club in 1994 and inducted to several Halls of Fame, including the Ithaca College Athletic Hall of Fame (1973), the WWE Hall of Fame (1994), the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum (2010), and the International Wrestling Institute & Museum’s George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame (2010). Ross & Lawler: Voices Of The Attitude Era. 10.000 Dollar Battle Royal: Andre The Giant defeats Bulldog Brower and Dominic DeNucci … But, with the early-Nineties came a lessened role for Monsoon, at least in terms of his on-air persona. ?, 1966); WWA (Los Angeles) World Tag Team titles w/ El Mongol defeating Moondog Mayne and Luke Graham (January 23, 1966); IWA (Australia) World Heavyweight title defeating Spiros Arion (Febuary 16, 1968); WWC North American Heavyweight title defeating Hartford Love (July 30, 1977); WWC North American Heavyweight title defeating. etc. On January 23, 1966 the two teams met, with the larger duo of Monsoon & El Mongol coming out the winners and new WWA World Tag Team champions. He realized that "heels," especially those with a gimmick, drew more attention and therefore made more money. Gorilla Monsoon family life At the heart of the planned chaos was Gorilla Monsoon, who instigated the melee by forcefully shoving one of Wepner’s trainers. Gorilla Monsoon - All American. Buy from many sellers and get your cards all in one shipment! Monsoon’s final public appearance came at the 1999 edition of WrestleMania, where the popular veteran (who had clearly lost a great deal of weight) served as a judge for the Butterbean-Bart Gunn “Brawl for All” contest. Gorilla Monsoon created the “Gorilla Position” – the entrance way, which separates the “inside” of the arena from “backstage”. Gorilla Monsoon challenged then WWF IC champion. Robert Marella, better known to fans around the world as Gorilla Monsoon, passed away of complications from a heart attack that occurred on September 19. Gorilla Monsoon & Bobby Heenan were a commentator team in the World Wrestling Federation from 1986 to 1993.. History. One of the all-time greats of the industry, Bobby "The Brain" Heenan long … However, soon after winning the World title, there was a storyline falling out between the two that resulted in the end of their partnership. “I agreed. Monsoon first wrestled Bruno Sammartino for the WWWF World Championship on October 4, 1963, at Roosevelt Stadium, in Jersey City, NJ. Following years of kidney related health problems, Robert “Gorilla Monsoon” Morella passed away on September 19, 1999 at the age of 62. Robert James "Gino" Marella (June 4, 1937 – October 6, 1999) was an American amateur and professional wrestler, announcer and executive from New York City best known for his work for the WWWF/WWF from the 1960s to the 1990s as Gorilla Monsoon. Black Inventors Online Museum Gorilla Monsoon was also known as “The Manchurian Giant” and was introduced as hailing from Manchuria, China. Gorilla Monsoon. ~~~His voice will forever be remembered and will always represent the nostalgic and the glorious era of the 1980s. Bobby "The Brain" Heenan. 1993: Gorilla Monsoon steps down from being lead Pay Per View announcer to a Coliseum Home Video commentator. Gorilla Monsoon was born on June 4, 1937, he was born on a isolated farm, in Manchurie where he was abandoned by his parents after his birth, he made a living traveling with gypsy caravans, and wrestling bears. Considering the status of Gorilla Monsoon in the wrestling world, it is no surprise this was one of the two late great wrestlers mentioned by CM Punk. etc.) Blue Locker Room (Faces) Red Locker Room (Heels) Wrestling Games And Wrestling Booking Simulators. The spectacle made for some great press and the following day the story was headline news across the world. The character's backstory was that he was born on a isolated farm in Manchuria. After enjoying several good years of main-eventing on WWWF cards up and down the east coast, Monsoon eventually felt the time had come for a change of scenery. Monsoon lost the match to Baba, however, but by fighting valiantly and displaying his tremendous wrestling knowledge, he did not lose his honor, which had traditionally been even more important than pinfall victories in the eyes of most Japanese wrestling fans. The Gorilla then proceeded to perform his patented Airplane Spin on Ali, who was able to scramble from the ring before receiving Monsoon’s customary follow-up move, the devastating Gorilla Splash. The WWA tag belts were held up, and each man was allowed to pick a new partner and then wrestle each other for the held-up title. Although the Gorilla Monsoon death news broke back in 1999, wrestling fans still fondly remember both the voice and wrestling persona of the 6 foot, 5 inch tall, 401 pound giant. [ 9.0] "Monsoon was a fine wrestler. 6 talking about this. The headline was a tag-team match between heavyweight champ Bruno Sammartino and Haystacks Calhoun against Killer Kowalski and Gorilla Monsoon. 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