On this date in WWF history: Rest in peace, Gorilla Monsoon

by Jesse Holland on Oct 6, 2011 10:01 AM EDT in History

On October 6, 1999, the one and only Robert "Gino" Morella, known affectionately to pro wrestling fans as "Gorilla Monsoon," passed away from heart failure at the age of 62.

The later generations would come to know Monsoon through his unparalleled work as the World Wrestling Federation's (WWF) play-by-play announcer, playing face against Jesse "The Body" Ventura and eventually Bobby "The Brain" Heenan, but he was also an accomplished collegiate wrestler as well as a standout athlete in track and field.

He was also one of the best "big men" to ever step foot inside the ring.

There are just way too many clips, pics and stories from his amazing career to try and cram into one single history post, so we'll open the floor up to you, loyal Cagesiders, and ask for your favorite moment in WWF history surrounding Monsoon, who now stands at the big "Gorilla Position" in the sky.

Let's hear what you've got.

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Gorilla Monsoon is not only the greatest Broadcaster in the HISTORY pro wrestling, but I’ll go as far to say he was one of the greatest broadcasters in any sport.

Nobody told the story like Monsoon, he made you BELIEVE what was happening in the ring was real. Quick to to call out the refs (“That’s a choke, REF! COME ON”), witty, funny, and his banter with Jesse & Heenan was legendary. As great as Jim Ross is/was, he can’t hold a candle to Gino.

RIP Gorilla.

by Michael_Necci on Oct 6, 2011 10:07 AM EDT reply actions 2 recs

Gorilla Monsoon is not only the greatest Broadcaster in the HISTORY pro wrestling, but I’ll go as far to say he was one of the greatest broadcasters in any sport.

This. Honestly there are moments I think I enjoy him more than Jim Ross, but that could be the 10-year-old in me talking.

Writer (and a handsome one at that),
And the Valley Shook

by Billy Gomila on Oct 6, 2011 10:40 AM EDT up reply actions

Monsoon is like the marmite of wrestling announcers, as smart fans of the time and the workers in the ring hated him for putting himself over at the expense of the match and the performers in it (in particular, always criticising wrestlers for not hooking the leg when pinning their opponents, as it was a mandate from above that they should only hook the leg at the finish).

by Keith Harris on Oct 6, 2011 12:09 PM EDT up reply actions

Legend

Gorilla: “Shot to the the external occipital protuberance”
Heenan: “He kicked him in the back of the head!”
Gorilla: “Thats what I said!”
Heenan: “Well I knew that, but these people didn’t know!”

Trying to remember from early WWF VHS tapes so it’s probably not word for word, but I always smile when I think of that back and forth.

I also found the WWF campaign when he was hospitalised (didn’t Vader sit on him or something?) unintentionally hilarious “Get Well Gorilla!”

by voorheesjr on Oct 6, 2011 10:35 AM EDT reply actions

The Heenan tribute on Nitro really is what got to me. Bobby had to know the man better than nearly anyone. I still cannot believe that it took Bobby threatening to walk off the job before WCW would consider letting him speak out about the passing of his friend, someone known to the vast majority of long time wresting fans.

While JR will always be the first person to enters my brain when referring to the best announcer of all time, Monsoon is a close second, and only because the scope of their works that I have had the ability to catch live. JR has been the voice of some of the biggest moments of my teenage years. Monsoon was in my early childhood.

by buzz_killr on Oct 6, 2011 10:37 AM EDT reply actions

I was really young when Monsoon was a announcer so only things I really remember is him & Heenan going back & forth & him calling Hogan matches

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by The Legend on Oct 6, 2011 11:03 AM EDT reply actions

This video pretty much says it all. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOivAvBbcGY

“Will you stop?!”

Wrestlemania VIII was the first PPV I ever watched, and Gorilla and The Brain made it special.

by joliemadchen on Oct 6, 2011 11:04 AM EDT reply actions

Him and Bobby the Brain shared some real good chemistry at the announcer's table

That’s one place where the WWE really suffers now, the announcers. Having JR back is nice and all, but Jerry (who used to be cool, as the bad guy announcer) is an ass kisser, and Michael Cole comes off as snivley and annoying, not a heel.

"Blinding ignorance does mislead us. O! Wretched mortals, open your eyes!" Gil Hodges IS a Hall of Famer.

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by Brooklyn Dodgers Mets Fan on Oct 6, 2011 12:57 PM EDT reply actions

I remember as a child

I hated Monsoon’s commentary. I was always a McMahon man myself. But, having re-watched so much footage on 24/7 for the past 5 years, I just couldn’t appreciate him when I was younger. He was the absolute best. What a vocabulary. His chemistry with both Ventura and Heenan was never rivaled by any other wrestling announce team.

by thejasten on Oct 6, 2011 1:13 PM EDT reply actions

Monsoon really did seem to work at his craft. He learned not just the names of moves, but how they affected the competitor, the mentality behind the move. It just goes to show how lazy announcing is now in most all sports. Now its just a bunch of yakin’ & they ain’t talkin’ about shit. Just maybe putting over a move or a wrestler.

by Rawuncutnxrated on Oct 6, 2011 2:54 PM EDT reply actions