WWE interviewer 'Mean Gene' Okerlund dies at 76
WWE broadcaster "Mean Gene" Okerlund has died at age 76.
WWE confirmed Okerlund's death Wednesday, remembering him as "the most recognizable interviewer in sports-entertainment history." A cause of death was not specified.
After beginning his career in radio, Okerlund started as a fill-in ring announcer for the American Wrestling Association in 1970, transitioning over to the World Wrestling Federation (later renamed World Wrestling Entertainment) in 1984. He left WWF a few years later to join its competitor, World Championship Wrestling, only to rejoin in 2001. He was a regular presence in the world of WWE, sometimes serving as commentator and once even performing the National Anthem before a show.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
In recent years, Okerlund had narrated a WWE Network original animated show called WWE Story Time, and he appeared on Raw as recently as January 2018 to conduct an interview with AJ Styles. His longtime colleagues paid tribute on Wednesday, with wrestler Triple H calling him "a voice and sound track to an entire era of our industry" and WWE Chief Brand Officer Stephanie McMahon saying he was an "incredibly rare talent" who "made everything and everyone better." Hulk Hogan, who in 2006 inducted Okerlund into the WWE Hall of Fame, wrote, "Mean Gene I love you my brother."
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
'Why would anyone look to the United States as a model?'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Kristi Noem and the politics of puppy killing
Talking Point Revelations in Republican's upcoming memoir may have doomed her political career
By The Week UK Published
-
Death toll in Brazil flooding tops 100
Speed Read The record rainfall is linked to El Niño, which has been exacerbated by climate change
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Puffed rice and yoga: inside the collapsed tunnel where Indian workers await rescue
Speed Read Workers trapped in collapsed tunnel are suffering from dysentery and anxiety over their rescue
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
More than 2,000 dead following massive earthquake in Morocco
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Mexico's next president will almost certainly be its 1st female president
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
North Korea's Kim to visit Putin in eastern Russia to discuss arms sales for Ukraine war, U.S. says
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Gabon's military leader sworn in following coup in latest African uprising
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstances
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governor
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published