Bob Marella

Bob Marella

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".

  • Title: Bob Marella
  • Popularity: 1.953
  • Known For: Acting
  • Birthday: 1937-06-04
  • Place of Birth: Rochester, New York, USA
  • Homepage:
  • Also Known As: Gino Marella, Gorilla Monsoon
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Bob Marella Movies

  • 1998
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    Hitman Hart: Wrestling With Shadows

    Hitman Hart: Wrestling With Shadows

    7.5 1998 HD

    This documentary follows superstar Bret Hart during his last year in the WWF. The film documents the tensions that resulted in The Montreal Screwjob,...

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  • 1994
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    WWE Bloopers Bleeps and Bodyslams

    WWE Bloopers Bleeps and Bodyslams

    10 1994 HD

    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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  • 1994
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    German Fan Favorites 2

    German Fan Favorites 2

    1 1994 HD

    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...

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  • 1986
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    WWE Villains of The Squared Circle

    WWE Villains of The Squared Circle

    1 1986 HD

    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...

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  • 2006
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    WWE: Hulk Hogan: The Ultimate Anthology

    WWE: Hulk Hogan: The Ultimate Anthology

    7.4 2006 HD

    The best and most memorable matches from Hulk Hogan's career.

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  • 2004
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    WWE: Shawn Michaels - Boyhood Dream

    WWE: Shawn Michaels - Boyhood Dream

    1 2004 HD

    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...

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  • 1994
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    WWF Sunday Night Slam • November 20th, 1994

    WWF Sunday Night Slam • November 20th, 1994

    1 1994 HD

    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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  • 1997
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    WWE In Your House 15: A Cold Day in Hell

    WWE In Your House 15: A Cold Day in Hell

    5 1997 HD

    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...

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  • 1985
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    Wrestling's Bloopers, Bleeps and Bodyslams!

    Wrestling's Bloopers, Bleeps and Bodyslams!

    10 1985 HD

    WWF Wrestling bloopers.

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  • 2022
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    Biography: Wrestlemania I

    Biography: Wrestlemania I

    6 2022 HD

    Chronicling the making of the first WrestleMania when Hulk Hogan, Mr. T, Iron Sheik, Roddy Piper, and others took over Madison Square Garden and...

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  • 1986
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    WWE's Inside the Steel Cage

    WWE's Inside the Steel Cage

    1 1986 HD

    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...

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  • 1987
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    WWF Hulkamania 2

    WWF Hulkamania 2

    1 1987 HD

    Hulk-a-mania is running wilder than ever with more of the world's greatest athlete!

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  • 1987
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    The Best of the WWF: volume 12

    The Best of the WWF: volume 12

    1 1987 HD

    Your favorite WWE superstars in the hottest action from the squared circle

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  • 1990
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    WWE Survivor Series 1990

    WWE Survivor Series 1990

    8.2 1990 HD

    Survivor Series (1990) was the fourth annual Survivor Series pay-per-view professional wrestling event produced by the World Wrestling Federation...

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  • 1985
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    WWF's Biggest, Smallest, Strangest, Strongest

    WWF's Biggest, Smallest, Strangest, Strongest

    1 1985 HD

    Some of the most astonishing stars the WWF has to offer.

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  • 1985
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    Rowdy Roddy Piper's Greatest Hits

    Rowdy Roddy Piper's Greatest Hits

    1 1985 HD

    "Mean" Gene Okerlund begrudgingly hosts this collection of "Rowdy" Roddy Piper's greatest hits; from memorable editions of "Piper's Pit" to thrilling...

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  • 1992
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    WWE Crunch Classic

    WWE Crunch Classic

    1 1992 HD

    Join "Rowdy" Roddy Piper for a collection of incredible matches, as The Hot Rod hosts WWE's Crunch Classic. In this exclusive presentation, witness...

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  • 2010
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    WWE: Top 50 Superstars of All Time

    WWE: Top 50 Superstars of All Time

    8.3 2010 HD

    .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...

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  • 2018
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    Andre the Giant

    Andre the Giant

    7.331 2018 HD

    An ambitious and wide-ranging documentary exploring Andre’s upbringing in France, his celebrated career in WWE, and his forays in the...

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  • 2007
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    WWE: The Best of Raw 15th Anniversary

    WWE: The Best of Raw 15th Anniversary

    9.5 2007 HD

    A collection of the greatest moments of the first 15 years of Monday Night Raw.

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  • 2012
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    WWE: Undertaker 20-0 - The Streak

    WWE: Undertaker 20-0 - The Streak

    8.8 2012 HD

    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...

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  • 2011
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    The True Story of WrestleMania

    The True Story of WrestleMania

    8.3 2011 HD

    It is the most anticipated yearly event in Sports Entertainment, an annual pop culture touch point. For more than 25 years, WrestleMania has hosted...

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  • 1996
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    WWE Hall Of Fame 1996

    WWE Hall Of Fame 1996

    1 1996 HD

    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...

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  • 1994
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    WWE Hall Of Fame 1994

    WWE Hall Of Fame 1994

    1 1994 HD

    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...

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  • 1986
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    Wrestling's Living Legend Bruno Sammartino

    Wrestling's Living Legend Bruno Sammartino

    1 1986 HD

    Truly in a class by himeself! Once Bruno on the mat - watch out! Relive some of Bruno Sammartino's greatest moments, including encounters with...

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  • 1986
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    Tag Team Champions

    Tag Team Champions

    1 1986 HD

    A tribute to the WWF's dynamic duos precision, timing, and teamwork that make them champions.

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  • 1978
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    The Super Bowl of Wrestling

    The Super Bowl of Wrestling

    1 1978 HD

    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...

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  • 2022
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    Biography: D-Generation X

    Biography: D-Generation X

    7.5 2022 HD

    The faction known as D-Generation X and its impact on the '90s; although they could be offensive, profane and rebellious, they were always...

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  • 1987
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    WWE Wrestling at The Meadowlands: January '87

    WWE Wrestling at The Meadowlands: January '87

    1 1987 HD

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  • 1992
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    WWE U.K. Rampage 1992

    WWE U.K. Rampage 1992

    5 1992 HD

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  • 1992
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    WWE U.K. Rampage Tour '92: Munich

    WWE U.K. Rampage Tour '92: Munich

    1 1992 HD

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  • 1992
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    WWE SummerSlam Spectacular 1992

    WWE SummerSlam Spectacular 1992

    1 1992 HD

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  • 1986
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    WWE The Big Event

    WWE The Big Event

    8 1986 HD

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  • 1987
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    WWE WrestleMania III

    WWE WrestleMania III

    7.5 1987 HD

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  • 1992
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    WWE March to WrestleMania VIII

    WWE March to WrestleMania VIII

    1 1992 HD

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  • 1992
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    WWE WrestleMania VIII

    WWE WrestleMania VIII

    8.1 1992 HD

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  • 1986
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    WWF Wrestling Challenge

    WWF Wrestling Challenge

    6.8 1986 HD

    WWF Wrestling Challenge was a professional wrestling television program produced by the World Wrestling Federation. It was syndicated weekly and...

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  • 1993
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    WWE Raw

    WWE Raw

    6.7 1993 HD

    A regularly scheduled, live, year-round program featuring some of the biggest WWE Superstars.

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  • 2024
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    Mr. McMahon

    Mr. McMahon

    8.1 2024 HD

    WWE experienced record-breaking highs and crushing lows under Vince McMahon's leadership. This docuseries delves into the mogul's controversial reign.

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