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WWE Hall of Famer “Mean” Gene Okerlund Passed Away

By Russ Joy

Published: Jan 2nd, 2019 · 12:00 PM EST

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I checked my phone this morning and saw messages of “RIP” and “Surprised he was only 76.” in Slack. I figured Bernie Sanders had passed away (he’s 77 for the record). When I saw the name I had misidentified – that of WWE Hall of Famer “Mean” Gene Okerlund – I got a sinking feeling in my stomach:

WWE is saddened to learn that WWE Hall of Famer Gene Okerlund, the most recognizable interviewer in sports-entertainment history, has passed away at age 76. https://t.co/DyPiEiVLoV

— WWE (@WWE) January 2, 2019

Mean Gene was a stalwart in my childhood years, not for his work with then-World Wrestling Federation (now World Wrestling Entertainment), rather with their biggest competitor, World Championship Wrestling. As a little kid, I was drawn to the company’s superhero (Goldberg) and the villainous nWo; plus, I wasn’t allowed to watch the edgier WWE. Mean Gene had a way about him. Even as WCW devolved into pointless dreck, Mean Gene brought some class to the joint. How many guys do you think could keep up with Ric Flair stripping down to his boxers? –

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqD3X3t1GEA

Like any wrestling fan, I’ve taken advantage of YouTube and the WWE Network to go back and appreciate the matches and pageantry leading up to pay-per-views from before my time. This one, also shown in the HBO Documentary “Andre The Giant”, was classic Okerlund: setting up a rising star in the AWA with the gravitas of a true professional, while mixing in some humor, after the jump:

Former and current WWE superstars and announcers took to Twitter to express their respect:

A voice and sound track to an entire era of our industry. He was the star of some of @WWE’s most memorable segments. “Mean Gene” was beloved by all who got to work with him. Our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time. https://t.co/9ddj6372eE

— Triple H (@TripleH) January 2, 2019

Just heard Mean Gene Okerlund has passed away. As an interviewer, pitch man, announcer, or host, he was untouchable. Simply the best. Total professional with quick wit, sarcasm, humor, and that golden voice.
Condolences to his friends and family.

— Steve Austin (@steveaustinBSR) January 2, 2019

WWE universe has lost one of its greatest announcers and truly one of the nicest guys you’d ever know. “Mean” Gene Okerlund, RIP my friend pic.twitter.com/u3bS6pePmY

— Ted DiBiase (@MDMTedDiBiase) January 2, 2019

So sad today to hear of the sudden passing of my dear friend @TheGeneOkerlund

I just saw Mean Gene in North Carolina at WrestleCade.

It’s so true that our tomorrow’s are never guaranteed.

Say hello to Jan, Mean Gene. 🙏 pic.twitter.com/PQ4ZZGmXnx

— Jim Ross (@JRsBBQ) January 2, 2019

Of the very few regrets I harbor in my career, one was never getting to scream "Mean Gene" when answering the queries of a man who presence was larger than life and ingrained in the better memories of my childhood.
RIP Mean Gene.
My condolences to the Okerlund family.

— Samoa Joe (@SamoaJoe) January 2, 2019

Coggin had some thoughts on the loss of Mean Gene:

To this day I still find myself saying “Well let me tell you something, Mean Gene!” If you watched professional wrestling in the 80s and 90s you’re very familiar with the sight of Gene Okerlund holding a microphone up to an enraged wrestler or trading barbs with his longtime friend and color announcer Bobby “The Brain” Heenan. One of the good guys passed away today. Hopefully he and Randy Savage can rib each other about their crooked facial hair in heaven. Take a few minutes today if you were a fan to relive some of his best moments on YouTube. You will be missed, Gene.

The aforementioned clip:

He will certainly be missed.