Bob Marella
Acting
Biography
Robert James Marella better known by his ring name of Gorilla Monsoon, was an American professional wrestler, play-by-play commentator, and booker. Monsoon is famous for his run as a super-heavyweight main eventer, and later as the voice of WWE, as commentator and backstage manager during the 1980s and 1990s. He also portrayed the on-screen role of WWE President from 1995 to 1997. In professional wrestling, the staging area just behind the entrance curtain at an event, a position which Marella established and where he could often be found during WWE shows late in his career, is named the "Gorilla Position" in his honor. Although remembered fondly by many viewers, Monsoon was voted Worst Television Announcer a record six times by readers of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter in the publication's annual awards poll. Marella was married to his wife, Maureen, for more than 40 years and had three children: Sharon (born 1960), Joey (adopted, 1963–1994), and Valerie (born 1966). Victor Quinones (1959-2006) was listed in Gorilla's obituary as his son as well. This was never confirmed officially by Gorilla but the Marella family has acknowledged this after Gorilla's death. Along with Linda McMahon, Marella was considered as a possible replacement for Vince McMahon as the owner of WWE if McMahon had been found guilty during his 1994 legal trial for illegal steroid use in the company. On July 4, 1994, his adopted son, Joey Marella, fell asleep at the wheel and died in a car accident on the New Jersey Turnpike, while returning from refereeing a WWE event in Ocean City, Maryland. He was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash. For years, Marella had a custom New Jersey license plate which read "kayfabe Death and legacy Marella died on October 6, 1999, of heart failure brought on by complications of diabetes, at his home in Willingboro Township, New Jersey. He was 62 years old. In a tribute that aired on October 11, 1999, on an episode of Raw Is War from the Georgia Dome, McMahon described Marella as "one of the greatest men I have ever known." He is interred next to his son, Joey Marella, at Lakeview Memorial Park in Cinnaminson, New Jersey. WCW commentator Tony Schiavone acknowledged Marella's death on the October 11, 1999, episode of WCW Monday Nitro. Bobby Heenan insisted on doing a tribute to Marella, even though Marella never worked for WCW. Heenan said on-air: "Gorilla will be sadly missed. Now he was one big tough man. He was a decent honest man. And we're all gonna miss him very much. And you know the pearly gates in heaven? It's now gonna be called 'the Gorilla position.' Goodbye, my friend." Robert Marella was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, class of 1994, on June 9. When Heenan was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2004, he ended his acceptance speech with a very emotional, "There's only one thing missing, I wish Monsoon was here." In 2007, when Anthony Carelli made his debut with WWE, as a tribute to Marella, he was given the ring name "Santino Marella".
Known For
A regularly scheduled, live, year-round program featuring some of the biggest WWE Superstars.
Raw
The biggest WWE Superstars of the late 1980s and early '90s settle their differences in the ring on "Wrestling Challenge"; featuring exciting matches and memorable interviews, this weekly television series captures an important era of WWE history.
WWF Wrestling Challenge
Discover rarely-seen matches from the 1970s, '80s, and '90s featuring countless WWE Hall of Famers such as Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair.
WWE Old School
The American professional wrestling promotion WWE has been broadcasting PPV events since the 1980s, when its classic "Big Four" events (Royal Rumble, WrestleMania, SummerSlam, and Survivor Series) were first established with the company's very first PPV being WrestleMania in 1985. The company's PPV lineup expanded to a monthly basis in the mid-1990s following the introduction of the In Your House series of pay-per views before expanding even further in the mid-2000s during the first WWE brand extension. Following WWE's original brand extension in 2002, the company promoted two touring rosters, Raw and SmackDown, representing its television programs, Raw and SmackDown. The traditional "Big Four" continued to showcase the entire roster, while the remaining PPV events alternated between Raw and SmackDown cards. In March 2007, WWE announced that all subsequent PPV events would feature performers from all brands. In 2008, all WWE PPV events began broadcasting in high-definition.
WWE Pay Per View
WWE experienced record-breaking highs and crushing lows under Vince McMahon's leadership. This docuseries delves into the mogul's controversial reign.
Mr. McMahon
Hosts Vince McMahon and Lord Alfred Hayes welcome the popular WWE Superstars and feature entertaining segments in WWE's original talk show.
Tuesday Night Titans
WWF Prime Time Wrestling was a professional wrestling television program produced by the World Wrestling Federation. It aired on the USA Network from 1985–1993. A precursor to Monday Night Raw, Prime Time Wrestling was a two-hour long, weekly program that featured stars of the World Wrestling Federation. The program featured wrestling matches, interviews, promos featuring WWF wrestlers, updates of current feuds and announcements of upcoming local and pay-per-view events. WWE Hall of Famers Gorilla Monsoon and Bobby "The Brain" Heenan highlight the best of early-1985s WWE in Prime Time Wrestling.
WWF Prime Time Wrestling
An ambitious and wide-ranging documentary exploring Andre’s upbringing in France, his celebrated career in WWE, and his forays in the entertainment world.
Andre the Giant
WWE Sunday Night Slam was a television special produced by the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) which aired on the USA Network.
WWE Sunday Night Slam
Walk the dark and hallowed path of he who cannot be buried. The Apocalyptic Warrior who has denied salvation to twenty souls to forge an eternal streak. The dynasty of The Deadman becomes immortal in Undertaker: The Streak. Hear the tales of Shawn Michaels, Triple H, Batista, Big Show, Randy Orton and other victims who have dared to stare across the ring into the cold eyes of The Phenom. From Undertaker's WrestleMania VII debut vs. Jimmy Superfly Snuka to his agonising war with Triple H and the illustrious opponents in between, every chilling encounter is presented here from bell-to-bell.
WWE: Undertaker 20-0 - The Streak
A countdown of the greatest superstars in WWE History. From Hulk Hogan to Randy Savage to The Rock to John Cena enjoy an experience down memory lane for long-time fans, and a new experience for new fans of WWE.
WWE: Top 50 Superstars of All Time
Hulk Hogan goes up against André the Giant for the WWE Championship, while Randy "Macho Man" Savage battles Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat for the WWE Intercontinental Championship at The Pontiac Silverdome in suburban Detroit, Michigan.
WWE WrestleMania III
This documentary follows superstar Bret Hart during his last year in the WWF. The film documents the tensions that resulted in The Montreal Screwjob, one of the most controversial events in the history of professional wrestling, in which Vince McMahon, Shawn Micheals, and others, legitimately conspired behind the scenes to go against the script and remove Bret Hart as champion.
Hitman Hart: Wrestling with Shadows
The best and most memorable matches from Hulk Hogan's career.
WWE: Hulk Hogan: The Ultimate Anthology
WWE's Biggest Party of the Summer features a classic Steel Cage Match between Mankind and Triple H. Goldust faces Brian Pillman. Plus, the Intercontinental Championship is on the line in a match between "Stone Cold" Steve Austin and Owen Hart. The Undertaker faces Bret Hart for WWE Championship with guest referee Shawn Michaels!
WWE SummerSlam 1997
Showcasing the legendary and immeasurable power of the Eighth Wonder of the World, Andre the Giant in this home video classic; Andre is in action against some of his most memorable foes, including Big John Studd, The Wild Samoans and Ken Patera.
Andre the Giant
WWE WrestleMania VIII was the eighth annual WrestleMania. It took place on April 5, 1992 at the Hoosier Dome in Indianapolis, Indiana. The only WrestleMania officially recognized by WWE.com to have featured more than one headlining match, its card included two equally-promoted main events. In the first, WWF Champion Ric Flair defended his title against Randy Savage, and in the second, Hulk Hogan faced Sid Justice. As a consequence of the double main event, WrestleMania VIII carried two taglines: "The Macho/Flair Affair!" and "Friendship Torn Apart!" Notable matches on the undercard included WWF Intercontinental Champion Roddy Piper defending against Bret Hart, and WWF Tag Team Champions Money Inc. defending against The Natural Disasters.
WWE WrestleMania VIII
"Rowdy' Roddy Piper hosts a collection of incredible matches, including Hacksaw Jim Duggan and Sgt. Slaughter vs. The Natural Disasters, Rick Martel facing off against The Texas Tornado, and other exciting battles.
WWE Crunch Classic
Survivor Series (1990) was the fourth annual Survivor Series pay-per-view professional wrestling event produced by the World Wrestling Federation (WWF). It took place on Thanksgiving Day, November 22, 1990 at the Hartford Civic Center in Hartford, Connecticut. This Survivor Series saw the on-screen WWF debut of The Undertaker, who went on to become WWF Champion at the next Survivor Series one year later, and the debut of the Gobbledy Gooker. In addition, Sgt. Slaughter — who was then using an Iraqi sympathizer heel gimmick — delivered a promo where he insulted servicemen stationed in Iraq for Thanksgiving during Operation Desert Shield. Randy Savage, as the "Macho King", was interviewed by "Mean" Gene Okerlund, and issued a challenge to the Ultimate Warrior for the WWF Championship. Ravishing Rick Rude was replaced by Haku after being suspended by WWF President Jack Tunney for insulting the mother of the Big Boss Man.
WWE Survivor Series 1990
Join Renee Young and Mean Gene Okerlund for a special look at the 1995 WWE Hall of Fame Ceremony. The careers and legacies of the inductees of the Class of 1995 are featured including Pedro Morales, "Big Cat" Ernie Ladd, Antonio Rocca, Ivan Putski, George "The Animal" Steele, The Grand Wizard, and the first female inductee, The Fabulous Moolah.