WWE mourns after death of legendary announcer ‘Mean’ Gene Okerlund

JANUARY 3, 2019

Legendary professional wrestling ringside interviewer “Mean” Gene Okerlund has died, World Wrestling Entertainment announced Wednesday. He was 76.

Okerlund was a familiar face and voice for generations of wrestling fanatics, chronicling the exploits of larger-than-life figures including Hulk Hogan and “Macho Man” Randy Savage over his nearly half-century career.

“Mean Gene was the voice of millions of childhoods. Mine certainly,” tweeted current ring warrior Ettore “Big E” Ewen. “An honour to meet him.”

Okerlund got his start as an announcer and interviewer for the American Wrestling

Association in 1970, taking rapt viewers inside the minds of the sport’s stars, among them Hogan, Bobby “The Brain” Heenan and fellow Minnesota native Jesse “The Body” Ventura, according to WWE.

It was Ventura who bestowed upon Okerlund a moniker of his own: “Mean Gene.”

In 1984, Okerlund made the jump to the WWE, endearing himself to a national audience as host and commentator on shows including “Tuesday Night Titans” and “Prime Time Wrestling.”

At the inaugural WrestleMania in 1985, it was the versatile Okerlund who belted out the National Anthem.

“As an interviewer, pitch man, announcer, or host, he was untouchable. Simply the best,” tweeted “Stone Cold” Steve Austin. “Total professional with quick wit, sarcasm, humour, and that golden voice.”

Okerlund was on the move again in 1993, joining World Championship Wrestling as lead interviewer, but in 2001 returned to WWE, where he inked a lifetime contract.

He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2006, by longtime subject Hogan.

“Mean Gene,” tweeted Hogan on Wednesday, “I love you my brother.”

A cause of death was not released, but Okerlund has suffered serious health setbacks, including kidney transplants in 1995 and 2004, according to reports.

https://amp.news.com.au/sport/more-sports/wwe-mourns-after-death-of-legendary-announcer-mean-gene-okerlund/news-story/e71e809748b39593965e23067bffe93d


1) Gene Okerlund and Andre the Giant.

2) Gene Okerlund and Hulk Hogan.

3) WWE announcer Gene Okerland attends the 25th Anniversary of WrestleMania's WWE Hall of Fame. (Photo by Bob Levey/WireImage)

chai
RIP

R.I.P. legend.
I didn’t know he was so young. I thought he was 80+. He lived well. It’s time for him to serve in the afterlife.

Rip

RIP

I hope he finds peace

Y

Not a big fan of wrestling, so I don't know em.
But RIP anyway s.

naptu2:


https://amp.news.com.au/sport/more-sports/wwe-mourns-after-death-of-legendary-announcer-mean-gene-okerlund/news-story/e71e809748b39593965e23067bffe93d


1) Gene Okerlund and Andre the Giant.

2) Gene Okerlund and Hulk Hogan.

3) WWE announcer Gene Okerland attends the 25th Anniversary of WrestleMania's WWE Hall of Fame. (Photo by Bob Levey/WireImage)

Rest well sir.

A world without women ,,would have been such a pain in the ass

What of some Nigerians that zleeps with goats and most of dem are afonjas living in a zoo and still supports their leader called jubril

Rest in peace

Iconic announcement/interviewer.R.I.P

This man I saw on an Andrew 'the giant' documentary just yesterday

Aye le

RIP

legend....his voice was unique

RIP Mean Gene!

I remember this man in the days of Hulk Hogan, Macho Man, Andrew the Giant etc.

But the man suffer sha...e fit dey interview one wrestler and the person go just carry vex jack am up!

Those were the days when wrestling was interesting to watch!

Not all this nonsense script wey today's wrestlers dey act

He was the face of WWF wrestling most of my childhood. RIP Mean Gene.

RIP

RIP
The old WWF Makes me to reminisce on childhood memories.

Indomie generations can’t relate though

spartoo:


This man I saw on an Andrew 'the giant' documentary just yesterday

Aye le

exactly. maybe they were showing his videos just to respect him, he had died then.
RIP though

RIP

The good old days

naptu2:


https://amp.news.com.au/sport/more-sports/wwe-mourns-after-death-of-legendary-announcer-mean-gene-okerlund/news-story/e71e809748b39593965e23067bffe93d


1) Gene Okerlund and Andre the Giant.

2) Gene Okerlund and Hulk Hogan.

3) WWE announcer Gene Okerland attends the 25th Anniversary of WrestleMania's WWE Hall of Fame. (Photo by Bob Levey/WireImage)

RIP Boss

Awww... So Mean Jean is gone?

RIP, sir

'Well, you know something Mean Gene"...thatz exactly how Hulk Hogan used to respond to Mean Gene's interviews then
Watch the clip below at time 1:01
RIP


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxUGK6CdQbM

Hulk usually say " you know mean gene"

RIP Big E Gene

post=74397674:
RIP Big E

Hian! Where did this one see Big E in the OP? Big E kor, Kofi Kingston nii

RIP Hall of Famer!