100 Greatest WWE WrestleMania Moments
90. Heenan’s Commentary Comeback (WrestleMania X-Seven)
Think of this as a twin sister entry to the previous one, but it's worth exploring in-depth.
The WWF brought Bobby Heenan and 'Mean' Gene Okerlund back for commentary duties during the previously examined 'Gimmick Battle Royal' at 'Mania X-Seven. Their timeless banter worked a treat, and it was clear that Gene (in particular) had been enjoying a few cocktails backstage whilst waiting for his spot. No harm done. That only warmed the pair up and made them even funnier.
It was hardly like they had to be razor sharp anyway. This was a match filled with older stars who could barely move around the ring (or, for Iron Sheik, take bumps). So, Bobby and Tony erm…Gene had a blast as they ripped everyone to shreds and reminisced about days of yore. Heenan even mocked Sheik's slow walk to the ring: "By the time he gets to the ring, it'll be WrestleMania 38".
So much fun.
JR told a sweet story on an episode of his podcast about this night. He and Paul Heyman had a rare chance to run backstage for a toilet break between matches, but neither wanted to move from ringside. Jim said he fancied sitting next to Heenan and Okerlund so he could listen in on what they were saying. There's something unbelievably cool about that. One of wrestling's greatest announcers ever is a fan just like you.
This was one for the nostalgia buffs out there. It also gave everyone a brief respite from the tension of high stakes matches, and that was sorely needed at X-Seven.