Robert James Marella

Nacimiento : 1937-06-04, Rochester, New York, USA

Muerte : 1999-10-06

Historia

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 the World Wrestling Federation, as commentator and backstage manager during the 1980s and 1990s. He also portrayed the on-screen role of WWF 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 WWF 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 the WWF 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 WWF 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 WWF 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".

Películas

Biography: Wrestlemania I
Self (archival footage)
Chronicling the making of the first WrestleMania when Hulk Hogan, Mr. T, Iron Sheik, Roddy Piper, and others took over Madison Square Garden and created this wrestling event.
Andre the Giant
Self (voice) (archive footage)
Una mirada a la vida y la carrera del luchador profesional André Roussimoff, que ganó notoriedad en la década de 1980 como Andre the Giant.
WWE: Undertaker 20-0 - The Streak
Gorilla Monsoon (archive footage)
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 - The True Story of WrestleMania
Gorilla Monsoon (archive footage)
It is the most anticipated yearly event in Sports Entertainment, an annual pop culture touch point. For more than 25 years, WrestleMania has hosted the biggest matches, the biggest stars, and the biggest celebrities. Now for the first time ever, the story of WrestleMania is told from its early beginnings through the week-long spectacular it has become, routinely drawing fans from all 50 states and around the world. This documentary feature includes new and insightful interviews from the superstars and creative forces behind the event.
WWE: Top 50 Superstars of All Time
Gorilla Monsoon
.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: The Best of Raw 15th Anniversary
Gorilla Monsoon
A collection of the greatest moments of the first 15 years of Monday Night Raw.
WWE: Hulk Hogan: The Ultimate Anthology
Gorilla Monsoon
The best and most memorable matches from Hulk Hogan's career.
Hitman Hart - Wrestling With Shadows
Gorilla Monsoon (archive footage)
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.
WWE In Your House 15: A Cold Day in Hell
Gorilla Monsoon (WWE President)
A Cold Day In Hell features Hunter Hearst-Helmsley vs. Flash Funk, The Rock vs. Mankind and The Nation Of Domination vs. Ahmed Johnson. The Undertaker defends the WWE Championship against Stone Cold Steve Austin. Plus, Vader faces Ken Shamrock in a No Holds Barred match and more!
WWE Hall Of Fame 1996
WWF Hall of Fame (1996) was the event which featured the introduction of the fourth class to the WWE Hall of Fame. The event was produced by the WWF on November 16, 1996 from the Marriott Marquis in New York City, New York. The event took place the same weekend as Survivor Series. Due to Vincent J. McMahon's passing in 1984, he was posthumously inducted by the McMahon family.
WWE Bloopers Bleeps and Bodyslams
Gorilla Monsoon (Host)
See the wild and wacky world of WWE with your hosts Gorilla Monsoon, Johnny Polo, Stan Lane and "Lord" Alfred Hayes!
WWE Hall Of Fame 1994
Gorilla Monsoon
WWF Hall of Fame (1994) was the event which featured introduction of the second class to the WWE Hall of Fame. The event was produced by the WWF on June 6, 1994 from the Omni Inner Harbor International Hotel in Baltimore, Maryland. The event took place the same weekend as King of the Ring.
WWE SummerSlam Spectacular 1992
Writer
SummerSlam Spectacular '92 aired on the USA Network on August 23, 1992 (taped August 11, 1992) from the Nashville Municipal Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee. Although Bret Hart was the WWF Intercontinental Champion, his match against Skinner was a non-title match.
WWE Crunch Classic
Gorilla Monsoon
Join "Rowdy" Roddy Piper for a collection of incredible matches, as The Hot Rod hosts WWE's Crunch Classic. In this exclusive presentation, witness "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan & Sgt. Slaughter take on The Natural Disasters in a Tag Team Match, "The Model" Rick Martel facing off against "The Texas Tornado" Kerry Von Erich, and many more exciting in-ring battles!
WWE U.K. Rampage 1992
Writer
UK Rampage 1992 was an event produced by World Wrestling Federation. On April 19th 1992 live from the Sheffield Arena, The British Bulldog battled IRS, Intercontinental Champion Bret Hart met Rick ‘The Model’ Martel, Shawn Michaels challenged Macho Man Randy Savage for the WWF Championship and The Undertaker squared off against Sid Justice.
WWE U.K. Rampage Tour '92: Munich
Writer
The biggest and brightest of WWE Superstars battle it out on the WWE UK Rampage Tour as it stops on Munich, Germany
WWE WrestleMania VIII
Writer
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 March to WrestleMania VIII
Writer
The Road to WrestleMania runs through Biloxi as top WWE Superstars vie for position and honor before the showcase of the immortals!
WWE Survivor Series 1990
Gorilla Monsoon
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 Hulkamania 2
Gorilla Monsoon
Hulk-a-mania is running wilder than ever with more of the world's greatest athlete!
WWE WrestleMania III
Executive Co-Producer
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 Detroit.
WWE's Inside the Steel Cage
Gorilla Monsoon
Join Gorilla Monsoon and Johnny Valentine for a journey through time to relive the most exciting battles to take place inside a steel cage. Witness several action-packed Steel Cage Matches featuring the likes of Hulk Hogan, Jimmy Snuka, Andre the Giant, and many more!
WWE The Big Event
Executive Producer
The Big Event was a Canada-only professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), which took place on August 28, 1986, at the Exhibition Stadium in Toronto, Ontario. The event drew a legitimate crowd of 74,000 fans which was an outdoor attendance record at the time. The event set an attendance record for a wrestling show that would not be beaten until WrestleMania III. The main event heading into the event was between WWF Champion Hulk Hogan and Paul Orndorff for the WWF Championship.
WWE Villains of The Squared Circle
Gorilla Monsoon
The most memorable rule benders and rule breakers of the 1980s are all here, as Mean Gene Okerlund and Bobby "The Brain" Heenan host Villains of the Squared Circle. In this exclusive presentation, witness André the Giant meet Ernie Ladd in singles competition, Jake "The Snake" Roberts in action against Scott McGhee, and much more!
Wrestling's Living Legend Bruno Sammartino
Gorilla Monsoon
Truly in a class by himeself! Once Bruno on the mat - watch out! Relive some of Bruno Sammartino's greatest moments, including encounters with Roddy Piper, Paul Orndorff, and much more.
Tag Team Champions
Gorilla Monsoon
A tribute to the WWF's dynamic duos precision, timing, and teamwork that make them champions.
Rowdy Roddy Piper's Greatest Hits
Gorilla Monsoon
"Mean" Gene Okerlund begrudgingly hosts this collection of "Rowdy" Roddy Piper's greatest hits; from memorable editions of "Piper's Pit" to thrilling matches with Hulk Hogan and Jimmy Snuka, it's an exciting look at the one-and-only Hot Rod.
WWE WrestleMania
Gorilla Monsoon
WrestleMania fue el primer evento de pago por visión de lucha libre profesional de WrestleMania, producido por la World Wrestling Federation. Tuvo lugar el 31 de marzo de 1985 en el Madison Square Garden en la ciudad de Nueva York. La asistencia al evento fue de 19,121 aficionados. El evento fue visto por más de un millón de fanáticos a través de la televisión de circuito cerrado, lo que lo convirtió en la mayor muestra de un evento en la televisión de circuito cerrado en los Estados Unidos en ese momento. El espectáculo contó con nueve partidos de lucha profesional. El evento principal enfrentó a Hulk Hogan y Mr. T contra Roddy Piper y Paul Orndorff. Hogan y el Sr. T ganaron el partido después de la interferencia de "Cowboy" Bob Orton. También en el evento, Wendi Richter derrotó a Leilani Kai para ganar el Campeonato Femenino de la WWF, y Nikolai Volkoff y The Iron Sheik derrotaron a The US Express para ganar el Campeonato del Equipo de Etiqueta de la WWF.
WWF's Biggest, Smallest, Strangest, Strongest
Gorilla Monsoon
Some of the most astonishing stars the WWF has to offer.
Best of the WWF Volume 2
Gorilla Monsoon
Gorilla Monsoon hosts this second volume of some of the best WWF has to offer.
Best of the WWF Volume 1
Gorilla Monsoon
The best action that the WWF has to offer.
Wrestling's Bloopers, Bleeps and Bodyslams!
Gorilla Monsoon
WWF Wrestling bloopers.
The Super Bowl of Wrestling
Gorilla Monsoon
The biggest match in the history pits WWWF World Champion "Superstar" Billy Graham against NWA World's hampion Harley Race in a epic confrontation in Miami's Orange Bowl!