On a recent edition of his “The ARN Show” podcast, WWE Hall of Famer Arn Anderson discussed Bobby Heenan leaving WWE for WCW in 1994.
You can check out some highlights from the podcast below:
On Bobby Heenan leaving WWE and joining WCW: “Bobby was as big a star and as hot a heel as there was in WWF. When they started the ‘Weasel’ chants, you might as well shut the match down in any arena anywhere in the country because that dominated. He had heat. He had legitimate heat because he was such a dick, and he was so quick-witted. Nobody could outmatch him on the wits, you know. And he just was one of those guys that even though he went from a manager and a part-time color guy, if he walked down [and] sat down, somebody said, ‘Okay, he’s the lead guy.’ Nobody questioned it.”
On the importance of signing Bobby Heenan in 1994: “Oh, yeah. Well, it tells the wrestling world that you’re investing in your product. You’re getting the very best that’s available, and that’s interesting.”
On whether he was surprised Heenan left WWE for WCW: “I’m sure he was up there a decade or more. When you work the schedule and you travel the way everybody does that works there, and now you have another option. Let’s just say you’re working a fourth of the time and traveling a whole lot less, a lot of it being centralized around Atlanta and just a short drop down to Macon, up to Chattanooga — whatever the deal was, down to Columbus and doing those TVs — it’s a hell of a lot better than flying coast to coast and working the hundreds of days that those guys did. Everybody that left there, man, you just you would talk to them and they would just go and burn.”
On Bobby Heenan being different in WCW than in past promotions: “He was our manager. He would just be at TV. He didn’t go on the house shows; occasionally, if we were in Madison Square Garden or LA or one of the big clubs like that, he would show up. He wasn’t on the road in a lot of events. All of his guys were, you know, on TV. He wouldn’t actually even go out with everybody on TV because that would water down whoever was featured on that show. If we just had an enhancement match, let’s just say sometimes he wouldn’t go out with us because he was going to be with John or Haku or somebody, or Rick Rude or somebody in the main event. So you don’t want to water that down.”
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Bobby Heenan Leaving WWE for WCW: A Look Back
In the world of professional wrestling, few names are as iconic as Bobby Heenan. Known for his quick wit, sharp tongue, and unparalleled ability to generate heat, Heenan was a force to be reckoned with during his time in the industry. One of the most significant moments in his career came in 1994 when he made the decision to leave WWE (then known as WWF) and join rival promotion WCW. In a recent episode of “The ARN Show” podcast, WWE Hall of Famer Arn Anderson discussed Heenan’s departure and shed some light on the impact it had on the wrestling world.
Heenan was a major star in WWE during his tenure with the company. His character, often referred to as “The Weasel,” was despised by fans and wrestlers alike. The chants of “Weasel” that would erupt whenever he made an appearance were a testament to the heat he generated. Anderson acknowledged Heenan’s status as a top heel, stating, “When they started the ‘Weasel’ chants, you might as well shut the match down in any arena anywhere in the country because that dominated.”
Heenan’s departure from WWE was a significant move for both him and WCW. Anderson emphasized the importance of signing Heenan, saying, “It tells the wrestling world that you’re investing in your product. You’re getting the very best that’s available, and that’s interesting.” Heenan’s presence in WCW signaled that the promotion was serious about competing with WWE and was willing to bring in top talent to do so.
When asked if he was surprised by Heenan’s decision to leave WWE, Anderson explained that it made sense given the grueling schedule and travel demands of working for the company. He said, “Let’s just say you’re working a fourth of the time and traveling a whole lot less…it’s a hell of a lot better than flying coast to coast and working the hundreds of days that those guys did.” Heenan’s move to WCW allowed him to work a lighter schedule and have more control over his time and travel.
One notable difference in Heenan’s role in WCW compared to his previous promotions was that he primarily served as a manager and appeared on TV rather than going on the road for house shows. Anderson explained, “He would just be at TV. He didn’t go on the house shows…all of his guys were, you know, on TV.” This approach allowed WCW to feature different talent on their live events while still utilizing Heenan’s managerial skills on television.
Bobby Heenan’s departure from WWE and subsequent move to WCW was a significant moment in wrestling history. It showcased the competition between the two promotions and highlighted the value of top talent like Heenan. His presence in WCW added credibility to the promotion and further solidified his status as one of the all-time greats in the industry.
As wrestling fans, we can look back on this period with appreciation for the contributions of Bobby Heenan and the impact he had on the industry. His legacy lives on, and his decision to leave WWE for WCW remains a memorable chapter in the history of professional wrestling.