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Gorilla Monsoon began his career in Rochester, New York under the name
of Gino Marella but quickly took on the gimmick of Gorilla Monsoon and
claimed to hail from Manchuria, China. Monsoon formed a lasting friendship
with the McMahon Family and became a shareholder in the World Wide Wrestling
Federation, owning 1/6 of the company and controlling bookings in several
territories.
In one of his most well known ring moments, Monsoon picked up Mohammud
Ali and gave him the Airplane Spin in Madison Square Garden during a wrestler
versus boxer confrontation. Monsoon's active career ended during the Intercontinental
Title reign of Ken Patera where he vowed that if he did not win the title,
he would retire. The match was stopped when Monsoon suffered a serious
cut on his face and Monsoon, true to his word, retired from active wrestling.
He would wrestle a few more matches, substituting for Andre the Giant in
some instances, before defeating the Baron Mikel Scicluna in his final
match in March of 1980. Monsoon became the lead colour commentator for
the World Wrestling Federation and hosted Madison Square Garden cards and
served as a booker and road agent. Before Vince McMahon Sr passed away,
he asked his son, Vince Jr, to take care of certain employees and friends
who had been instrumental in his success. Gorilla Monsoon was among the
list that included Freddie Blassie and the Fabulous Moolah, and Monsoon
stayed on the WWF payroll until his death. Monsoon returned the favour
by selling his stake in the company to Vince Jr, who took the company national
and gave Monsoon a healthy return on the investment. Gorilla Monsoon made
history in 1983 by being the first man to accept Big John Studd's Body
Slam Challenge, as well.
Monsoon made history in 1985 as the lead broadcaster for Wrestlemania I
and there formed one of the greatest broadcast teams in wrestling history
with Jesse "The Body" Ventura. Monsoon also hosted Wrestling Challenge,
Prime Time Wrestling and All-American Wrestling. Another great partner
at the booth was the legendary Bobby "The Brain" Heenan, who Monsoon feuded
with in the WWF on an ongoing basis, which lead to Monsoon "kicking Heenan
out of the WWF" in storyline terms, as Heenan was headed to WCW. Monsoon
stepped down from being the lead broadcaster for WWF pay-per-view events
and Vince McMahon, Jim Ross, Jerry Lawler and others took his place, opting
to work primarily for Coliseum Video and occasional appearances, including
at Wrestlemania IX. Monsoon would become the on-air WWF President in 1995,
replacing outgoing Jack Tunney, and had his last in-ring physical confrontation
with Vader, who brutalized Monsoon and gave him the Vader-Bomb on an edition
of RAW. Monsoon stepped down in 1997 as his health began to fail and was
replaced by a series of Commissioners and General Managers. Monsoon was
inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 1994, as well. His final appearance
in the WWF was at Wrestlemania XV where he served as a judge for the Butterbean/Gunn
Brawl for All match and there received a rousing and emotional standing
ovation. In 1999, Gorilla passed away after a long cancer battle.
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Gorilla Monsoon began his career in Rochester, New York under the name
of Gino Marella but quickly took on the gimmick of Gorilla Monsoon and
claimed to hail from Manchuria, China. Monsoon formed a lasting friendship
with the McMahon Family and became a shareholder in the World Wide Wrestling
Federation, owning 1/6 of the company and controlling bookings in several
territories.
In one of his most well known ring moments, Monsoon picked up Mohammud
Ali and gave him the Airplane Spin in Madison Square Garden during a wrestler
versus boxer confrontation. Monsoon's active career ended during the Intercontinental
Title reign of Ken Patera where he vowed that if he did not win the title,
he would retire. The match was stopped when Monsoon suffered a serious
cut on his face and Monsoon, true to his word, retired from active wrestling.
He would wrestle a few more matches, substituting for Andre the Giant in
some instances, before defeating the Baron Mikel Scicluna in his final
match in March of 1980. Monsoon became the lead colour commentator for
the World Wrestling Federation and hosted Madison Square Garden cards and
served as a booker and road agent. Before Vince McMahon Sr passed away,
he asked his son, Vince Jr, to take care of certain employees and friends
who had been instrumental in his success. Gorilla Monsoon was among the
list that included Freddie Blassie and the Fabulous Moolah, and Monsoon
stayed on the WWF payroll until his death. Monsoon returned the favour
by selling his stake in the company to Vince Jr, who took the company national
and gave Monsoon a healthy return on the investment. Gorilla Monsoon made
history in 1983 by being the first man to accept Big John Studd's Body
Slam Challenge, as well.
Monsoon made history in 1985 as the lead broadcaster for Wrestlemania I
and there formed one of the greatest broadcast teams in wrestling history
with Jesse "The Body" Ventura. Monsoon also hosted Wrestling Challenge,
Prime Time Wrestling and All-American Wrestling. Another great partner
at the booth was the legendary Bobby "The Brain" Heenan, who Monsoon feuded
with in the WWF on an ongoing basis, which lead to Monsoon "kicking Heenan
out of the WWF" in storyline terms, as Heenan was headed to WCW. Monsoon
stepped down from being the lead broadcaster for WWF pay-per-view events
and Vince McMahon, Jim Ross, Jerry Lawler and others took his place, opting
to work primarily for Coliseum Video and occasional appearances, including
at Wrestlemania IX. Monsoon would become the on-air WWF President in 1995,
replacing outgoing Jack Tunney, and had his last in-ring physical confrontation
with Vader, who brutalized Monsoon and gave him the Vader-Bomb on an edition
of RAW. Monsoon stepped down in 1997 as his health began to fail and was
replaced by a series of Commissioners and General Managers. Monsoon was
inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 1994, as well. His final appearance
in the WWF was at Wrestlemania XV where he served as a judge for the Butterbean/Gunn
Brawl for All match and there received a rousing and emotional standing
ovation. In 1999, Gorilla passed away after a long cancer battle.