Remembering WWE's "Mean" Gene Okerlund

If you grew up with the WWF (before it became WWE) you'll remember iconic backstage interviewer, "Mean" Gene Okerlund. 

Okerlund passed away the morning of January 2, 2019, in a Sarasota, Florida hospital, near his home in Osprey, Florida, at the age of 76. He was with his wife, Jeanne, when he passed. Gene received 3 kidney transplants; a few weeks ago he started having complications. The official cause of death hasn't been confirmed. 

Okerlund was a part of some of the most memorable moments in WWF and WWE. He was part of the WWF/WWE legacy standing next to greats such as Hulk Hogan, Randy "Macho Man" Savage, Ric Flair, Andre the Giant, the Ultimate Warrior and many, MANY more since the 1980s. 

Gene Okerlund Career History

Eugene Arthur Okerlund was known by his ring name, "Mean" Gene Okerlund, was an American professional wrestling interviewerannouncer, and wrestler for the World Wrestling Federation and World Championship Wrestling. In 2006, Gene was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame by Hulk Hogan. He was later signed to a lifetime contract with the WWE. He even became the first person to ever sing the National Anthem at WrestleMania back in 1985. 

Gene did a few stints at WWF and WCW (rival company) before it was later acquired by WWF in 2001. 

He was later inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame on April 1, 2006, by Hulk Hogan. He quoted Bobby Knight during his acceptance speech, and requested to be buried face down when he died so that his critics can "Kiss my ass".

On January 22, 2018, Mean Gene Okerlund made his very last appearance on WWE TV, during the 25th-anniversary episode of Raw to interview AJ Styles.


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