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http://www.charleston.net/stories/032804/moo_28wrestle.shtml

8:10 a.m. Sunday, March 28, 2004 
 
Heenan hits the bookshelf 

BY MIKE MOONEYHAM 
Of The Post and Courier Staff 

Bobby Heenan entertained wrestling audiences for four decades as a
wrestler, a manager and a color commentator. Now he's doing it in the
form of book writing.

In "Chair Shots and Other Obstacles: Winning Life's Wrestling
Matches," his second literary offering in as many years, the
quick-witted Heenan gives his unique views and opinions on a variety
of subjects.

Although he makes it clear that his wrestling persona, Bobby "The
Brain" Heenan, and the real-life Ray Heenan are two different
characters, readers will discover that the two merge at points
throughout the narrative. Wrestling has always been a major part of
Heenan's life, and that fact is reflected in his writing.

Heenan made the monikers "The Brain" and "The Weasel"
household names
in the sports entertainment industry. No veteran mat fan can forget
the delightful banter and on-camera chemistry between Heenan, the
bombastic mouthpiece for some of the biggest stars in the business,
and the late WWE wrestler and announcer Gorilla Monsoon (Gino
Marella).

Their adversarial relationship in the broadcasting booth was purely
show; the two were close friends behind the scenes and respected one
another greatly. Heenan broke down at the end of his WWE Hall of Fame
induction speech during Wrestlemania XX weekend, lamenting the fact
that Monsoon, who passed away in October 1999 at the age of 62, wasn't
there to share the moment with him.

The book contains plenty of road stories that longtime mat followers
are sure to enjoy. The wit of one of wrestling's most memorable
characters extends to asides about wrestling payoffs.

"I was driving from Indianapolis to Detroit with Baron Von Raschke,
during a 300-mile trip," he writes.

"In Jackson, Mich., there is a state penitentiary that we passed by
all the time. I told the Baron, 'Jim, you know those guys make seven
cents a day in there.' Baron said, 'Wait a minute, Heenan. Is this
another of your get-rich quick schemes?'"

The book is funny, in Heenan's inimitable style, but it's not without
its poignant moments. Heenan shares with readers his struggle with
throat cancer and relates how it's been the most important match of
his life. He devotes an entire chapter to "Cancer, The Ultimate Heel,"
a disease he says he battles with humor.

"Not humor at someone else's expense, but humor that makes each day
better, no matter what situation I find myself or someone else in," he
writes. "There's no right or wrong way to face possible tragedy. I
live with it by telling jokes about it."

-- "Stone Cold" Steve Austin (Steve Williams) was involved in a
domestic dispute with his ex-girlfriend Thursday night, according to a
San Antonio television station.

Tess Broussard, 37, reportedly told police that Austin shoved her to
the ground during an argument in Austin's home, causing her to land on
her "hands and knees," according to the report. The two, who have been
togther for a year, were in the process of separating. Broussard told
officers she had pictures taken for evidence, and planned on pursuing
charges against Austin.

Austin, 39, pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge of assault for
allegedly striking then-wife Debra Williams during a June 2002
argument in their San Antonio home. He was sentenced in November 2002
to one year probation, fined $1,000, ordered to attend a domestic
violence counseling course and directed to perform 80 hours of
community service. Austin, who has played the role of a beer-swilling
"sheriff" on Raw in recent months, also was not allowed to drink until
his probation had been completed.


--- Internet Rex 2.29