Bob Marella

Bob Marella

Born: June 4, 1937
Died: October 6, 1999
in Rochester, New York, USA
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".

Movies for Bob Marella...

Biography: Wrestlemania I
Title: Biography: Wrestlemania I
Character: Self (archival footage)
Released: September 4, 2022
Type: Movie
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.
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Andre the Giant
Title: Andre the Giant
Character: Self (voice) (archive footage)
Released: April 10, 2018
Type: Movie
An ambitious and wide-ranging documentary exploring Andre’s upbringing in France, his celebrated career in WWE, and his forays in the entertainment world.
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WWE: Undertaker 20-0 - The Streak
Title: WWE: Undertaker 20-0 - The Streak
Character: Gorilla Monsoon (archive footage)
Released: July 23, 2012
Type: Movie
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.
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The True Story of WrestleMania
Title: The True Story of WrestleMania
Character: Gorilla Monsoon (archive footage)
Released: March 13, 2011
Type: Movie
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.
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WWE: Top 50 Superstars of All Time
Title: WWE: Top 50 Superstars of All Time
Character: Gorilla Monsoon
Released: December 7, 2010
Type: Movie
.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.
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WWE: The Best of Raw 15th Anniversary
Title: WWE: The Best of Raw 15th Anniversary
Character: Gorilla Monsoon
Released: December 26, 2007
Type: Movie
A collection of the greatest moments of the first 15 years of Monday Night Raw.
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WWE: Hulk Hogan: The Ultimate Anthology
Title: WWE: Hulk Hogan: The Ultimate Anthology
Character: Gorilla Monsoon
Released: October 17, 2006
Type: Movie
The best and most memorable matches from Hulk Hogan's career.
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WWE: Shawn Michaels - Boyhood Dream
Title: WWE: Shawn Michaels - Boyhood Dream
Character: Gorilla Monsoon
Released: September 14, 2004
Type: Movie
In 1996, Shawn Michaels won the Royal Rumble for the second year in a row. It set the stage for the year that would see Shawn Michaels evolve into "The Showstopper, The Main Event." When he won the Iron Man Match vs. Bret Hart as WrestleMania XII, his boyhood dream of being WWE Champion was realized. Holding onto the dream took guts & determination. Featuring matches from 1996:, WrestleMania XII vs. Bret Hart, In Your House vs. Diesel, In Your House vs. British Bulldog, In Your House vs. Sycho Sid, Summer Slam vs. Vader, In Your House vs. Mankind, Survivor Series vs. Sycho Sid, Royal Rumble 1997 vs. Sycho Sid
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Hitman Hart: Wrestling With Shadows
Title: Hitman Hart: Wrestling With Shadows
Character: Gorilla Monsoon (archive footage)
Released: December 20, 1998
Type: Movie
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.
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WWE In Your House 15: A Cold Day in Hell
Title: WWE In Your House 15: A Cold Day in Hell
Character: Gorilla Monsoon (WWE President)
Released: May 11, 1997
Type: Movie
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!
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WWE Hall Of Fame 1996
Title: WWE Hall Of Fame 1996
Released: November 16, 1996
Type: Movie
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.
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WWF Sunday Night Slam • November 20th, 1994
Title: WWF Sunday Night Slam • November 20th, 1994
Character: Gorilla Monsoon
Released: November 20, 1994
Type: Movie
On this USA special, you get to see some of the biggest superstars of the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) in 1994 do battle.
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German Fan Favorites 2
Title: German Fan Favorites 2
Character: Gorilla Monsoon
Released: October 24, 1994
Type: Movie
Gorilla Monsoon hosts another exciting lineup of in-ring action with WWE's German Fan Favorites II. In this Home Video Classic, you'll see Shawn Michaels and Bret Hart go head-to-head in a Steel Cage Match, Bam Bam Bigelow take on The Undertaker, and much more!
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WWE Bloopers Bleeps and Bodyslams
Title: WWE Bloopers Bleeps and Bodyslams
Character: Gorilla Monsoon (Host)
Released: June 29, 1994
Type: Movie
See the wild and wacky world of WWE with your hosts Gorilla Monsoon, Johnny Polo, Stan Lane and "Lord" Alfred Hayes!
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WWE Hall Of Fame 1994
Title: WWE Hall Of Fame 1994
Character: Gorilla Monsoon
Released: June 9, 1994
Type: Movie
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.
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Title: WWE Raw
Character: Gorilla Monsoon
Released: January 11, 1993
Type: TV
A regularly scheduled, live, year-round program featuring some of the biggest WWE Superstars.
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WWE Crunch Classic
Title: WWE Crunch Classic
Character: Gorilla Monsoon
Released: May 28, 1992
Type: Movie
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!
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WWE Survivor Series 1990
Title: WWE Survivor Series 1990
Character: Gorilla Monsoon
Released: November 22, 1990
Type: Movie
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.
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The Best of the WWF: volume 12
Title: The Best of the WWF: volume 12
Character: Gorilla Monsoon
Released: August 15, 1987
Type: Movie
Your favorite WWE superstars in the hottest action from the squared circle
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WWF Hulkamania 2
Title: WWF Hulkamania 2
Character: Gorilla Monsoon
Released: May 1, 1987
Type: Movie
Hulk-a-mania is running wilder than ever with more of the world's greatest athlete!
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WWE's Inside the Steel Cage
Title: WWE's Inside the Steel Cage
Character: Gorilla Monsoon
Released: December 11, 1986
Type: Movie
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!
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Title: WWF Wrestling Challenge
Character: Gorilla Monsoon
Released: September 6, 1986
Type: TV
WWF Wrestling Challenge was a professional wrestling television program produced by the World Wrestling Federation. It was syndicated weekly and aired from 1986 to 1995. The show became simply known as WWF Challenge in 1995. The show featured matches, pre-match interviews, and occasionally, summarized weekly events in WWF programming. Matches primarily saw top tier and mid-level talent versus jobbers. At times, there was a "feature" match between main WWF talent. As with other syndicated WWF programming, the show promoted WWF event dates and house shows in local media markets.
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Wrestling's Living Legend Bruno Sammartino
Title: Wrestling's Living Legend Bruno Sammartino
Character: Gorilla Monsoon
Released: June 6, 1986
Type: Movie
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.
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WWE Villains of The Squared Circle
Title: WWE Villains of The Squared Circle
Character: Gorilla Monsoon
Released: June 6, 1986
Type: Movie
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!
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Tag Team Champions
Title: Tag Team Champions
Character: Gorilla Monsoon
Released: March 1, 1986
Type: Movie
A tribute to the WWF's dynamic duos precision, timing, and teamwork that make them champions.
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Rowdy Roddy Piper's Greatest Hits
Title: Rowdy Roddy Piper's Greatest Hits
Character: Gorilla Monsoon
Released: September 15, 1985
Type: Movie
"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.
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WrestleMania
Title: WrestleMania
Character: Gorilla Monsoon
Released: March 31, 1985
Type: Movie
The first annual WrestleMania professional wrestling pay-per-view event taking place on March 31, 1985, at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The show featured nine professional wrestling matches with the main event match pitting Hulk Hogan and Mr. T against Roddy Piper and Paul Orndorff.
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Wrestling's Bloopers, Bleeps and Bodyslams!
Title: Wrestling's Bloopers, Bleeps and Bodyslams!
Character: Gorilla Monsoon
Released: January 1, 1985
Type: Movie
WWF Wrestling bloopers.
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WWF's Biggest, Smallest, Strangest, Strongest
Title: WWF's Biggest, Smallest, Strangest, Strongest
Character: Gorilla Monsoon
Released: January 1, 1985
Type: Movie
Some of the most astonishing stars the WWF has to offer.
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The Super Bowl of Wrestling
Title: The Super Bowl of Wrestling
Character: Gorilla Monsoon
Released: January 25, 1978
Type: Movie
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!