'Mean' Gene Okerlund - An OG Announcer

Legendary professional wrestling announcer, Gene Okerlund, has passed away at 76. If you were around to witness Mean Gene in his heyday, you saw one of the original disc jockey style announcers with style, rhythm and a voice made for entertaining. Mean Gene was the Howard Cosell of Wrestling and was equally loved by both professional wrestlers and fans of the sport.

Today while watching NFL wildcard playoff games I could've sworn I heard one, if not two, Mean Gene impersonators calling incredible plays. Definitely, the announcer who called the Chicago Bears missed field goal for the win with seconds left on the clock was a Mean Gene alumnus. It's was all in the excitable voice.

Gene had that commanding tone of voice and showman's timing that had us fans eating out of the palm of his hands and wanting more. He had his own trademark sense of humor that worked so well. Some actors and interviewers today could take a few cues from Gene's interactions with celebrity wrestler's the likes of; Hulk Hogan, Randy "Macho Man" Savage, Rick Flair, and the list goes on and on. You could almost say that Gene, with his showman's moxie, helped create the eclectic persona of the wrestler's he'd interview. He did this by playing the straight man to their impulsive/aggressive behavior; never rattled, always on point. And it worked out for all. 

Through it all, Gene was always respected and appreciated for his unique position in the wrestling world. You could say he was a courageously true gentlemen in a sport that featured brute strength and aggressive attitude. And you'd almost never see him without a tie or bowtie. A standup guy.

Thanks for giving us fans the times of our lives Mean Gene. Rest Well!

- just a fan