Gorilla Monsoon

Gorilla Monsoon
Monsoon in 1977
Birth nameRobert James Marella
Born(1937-06-04)June 4, 1937
Rochester, New York, U.S.
DiedOctober 6, 1999(1999-10-06) (aged 62)
Willingboro Township, New Jersey, U.S.
Cause of deathComplications of diabetes
Alma materIthaca College
Spouse(s)
Maureen Marella
(m. 1959)
Children4, including Joey Marella and Víctor Quiñones
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Gino Marella[1]
Gorilla Monsoon
Bob Marella
Manchuria Giant
Billed height6 ft 7 in (201 cm)[1]
Billed weight401 lb (182 kg)[1]
Billed fromManchuria[1][2]
Willingboro, New Jersey
Trained byStu Hart[3]
Debut1958
Retired1997

Robert James "Gino" Marella (June 4, 1937 – October 6, 1999), 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 villainous super-heavyweight main eventer, and later as the voice of the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), as commentator and backstage manager during the 1980s and 1990s. He also portrayed the on-screen role of WWF 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 WWF shows late in his career, is named the "Gorilla Position" in his honor.

  1. ^ a b c d Cite error: The named reference wwebio was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference Legends was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Hornbaker, Tim (2 July 2012). Legends of Pro Wrestling: 150 Years of Headlocks, Body Slams, and Piledrivers. Sports Publishing. p. 252. ISBN 978-1-61321-075-8. Retrieved 24 February 2023.