The Context 

Here we have Bobby Heenan in 2002, discussing the AWA, almost two full decades after leaving the promotion. 

First, Bobby was very complimentary of Verne, saying he wasn’t difficult to work for. He said Verne paid well, and guys didn’t like him because he expected professionalism and put that on the wrestlers more than on Verne. The one thing he did say is that Verne didn’t push Greg Gagne enough, because he should have pushed him right off a cliff. Classic Bobby. 

Overall, Bobby made it sound like he had a blast and listed several of the boys in the locker room as guys he had a good time with. When asked why the AWA couldn’t stay in business, he said Verne was a wrestler and didn’t see the show-business aspect the industry was moving towards. In fact, he said Vince was the only one who could see it. He named several promoters that ended up going out of business and pointed out that they were all wrestlers, and that’s all they saw the business as. It really is a point that has probably gotten lost over time, but yes, since Vince didn’t grow up around the business because he didn’t grow up around his dad, he came in with fresh eyes. Bobby also said he left because nothing was going on in the AWA anymore and called it the Alzheimer’s Wrestling Alliance. Ironically, Verne was diagnosed with that disease a couple of years after this. 

Analysis

There’s no real truth to decipher here; it’s more about Bobby giving his perspective on why the company couldn’t succeed. To his credit, he made a really strong point about how Vince

was able to take over the business. 

Also, it’s Bobby Fucking Heenan, so watch it.