It’s always hard when someone from your childhood passes away. No matter if you know them personally, or somebody you see every week on T.V.

Bobby “The Brain” Heenan, widely considered one of the greatest pro-wrestling managers and commentators of all time, passed away on Sunday at the age of 73 after complications from throat cancer he had been fighting since 2002. In a career that spanned more than four decades, Heenan touched the lives and careers of wrestlers and fans alike.

I remember watching Heenan during his run in World Championship Wrestling as an announcer. He was a heel, or bad guy, and was easy to hate while he was rooting for the other bad guys and attacking the good guys.

Thankfully, now when I understand pro-wrestling, I have been able to rewatch his run in the 1990s and early 2000s in then-WWF. The world of pro wrestling is built on good and bad characters, and Heenan is arguably one of the greatest ever at portraying his character. He went out there every week trying to get the crowd to hate and boo him as much as possible, just so they would love and cheer the good guy that much more. And you have to respect someone willing to be hated.

The outpouring of love and support the Heenan family has received, from current and former wrestlers, just shows how much this man was respected in every aspect of his profession. From the 5-year-old me and the 22-year-old me, you will be greatly missed, Brain.