WWE Hall of Famer ‘Mean’ Gene Okerlund has died, aged 76.
A WWE statement issued on Wednesday confirmed the news, paying tribute to a true fan favourite and one of the longest-serving members in the wrestling industry.
“WWE is saddened to learn that WWE Hall of Famer Gene Okerlund, the most recognisable interviewer in sports-entertainment history, has passed away at age 76,” a statement read.
Nicknamed ‘Mean Gene’ by Jesse ‘The Body’ Ventura at the start of his career, Okerlund first worked in the AWA, where he quickly formed a reputation as being one of the biggest characters in sports entertainment.
The legendary ring announcer truly made his name by interviewing the best names in WWE after joining the company in 1984, with the South Dakota-born great continuing to appear on the WWE Network’s Legends’ House until recent times.
Okerlund was also given the honour of singing the American national anthem at WrestleMania I back in 1985, before leaving WWE in order to join WCW as lead interviewer in 1993, only to return to his natural home nine years later.
One of Okerlund’s main sparring partners during his WWE and WCW days was Hulk Hogan, who immediately paid tribute to his close friend.
“Mean Gene I love you my brother,” Hogan wrote on Twitter, joining a number of tributes and messages of condolences from the WWE world.
Long-serving referee Charles Robinson wrote: “So sad to hear of the passing of one of the greatest voices in wrestling. Mean Gene you will be missed and we will continue to love you. What a true class act. I am very fortunate to work with you.”
