Today in Pro Wrestling History (October 6): Saying Goodbye to Gorilla

Today in Pro Wrestling History: On October 6th, 1999, Robert ‘Gino’ Marella, better known as Gorilla Monsoon, passed away from heart failure due to complications from diabetes at the age of 62.

Today in Pro Wrestling History (October 6): When Worlds Collide

Today in Pro Wrestling History (October 6): Saying Goodbye to Gorilla — On October 6th, 1999, Robert ‘Gino’ Marella, better known as Gorilla Monsoon, passed away from heart failure due to complications from diabetes at the age of 62.

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A legendary wrestler, announcer, and executive, Monsoon was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 1994. His name is immortalized in wrestling lore through ‘The Gorilla Position’ backstage, the inspiration behind the name of our website.

On the night of his passing, his former broadcast partner and friend Bobby Heenan paid tribute to Monsoon on Monday Nitro in a moving and rare serious onscreen moment.

Here’s another great story about Gorilla Monsoon: Gorilla Monsoon: Remembering The Manchurian Giant

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Grindhouse, Arthouse, and Wrestling Flicks by Evan Ginzburg

If you love movies and pro wrestling, don’t sleep on this one.

Grindhouse, Arthouse, and Wrestling Flicks by Pro Wrestling Stories Senior Editor Evan Ginzburg dives into the fascinating world where cinema and wrestling collide. Packed with hundreds of reviews, hidden gems, and fascinating turns from wrestlers on the big screen, it covers everyone from André the Giant and Roddy Piper to CM Punk, DDP, Chris Jericho, Pat Roach, and The Rock. Smart, passionate, and endlessly browsable, it’s the kind of book fans will keep returning to. Grab your copy today!