Mean Gene Okerlund Remembered
If you're a wrestling fan, you know who this guy is.
Mean Gene Okerlund died on New Year's Day at the age of 76 and left a legacy that is unmatched in sports entertainment history.
If you're as old as I am you remember the beginning of Hulkamania and his role as the interviewer. "Mean Gene" as Hulk use to call him, was a natural fit for the role of being Hogans mouthpiece to the world.
Here's what Hogan had to say:
The best partner I ever had. We never rehearsed or did anything scripted from a writer. Gene would ask me “hey big man what do u want to do?” I would always answer “just follow you brother” and it worked from 1980 - 2017. RIP my brother HH
The Announcer born in Sisseton, South Dakota mistakenly was tagged in a tag team match Hogan had against Mr. Fuji and George the Animal Steele in 1984. As he climbed into the ring and before he got hit, he smartly tagged out avoiding injury. As wrestling goes though, he wound up pinning Mr. Fuji for the victory.
Look for Hogan to lead a retrospective on Gene when he visits Monday night Raw this upcoming week.