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Gene Okerlund

[Gene Okerlund GALLERY]

Check out Gene Okerlund’s WWE Alumni profile here!

Career Highlights

American Wrestling Association:

World Wrestling Federation:

  • 1984: Vince McMahon Jr raided the AWA signed up such names as Mean Gene, Hulk Hogan, Jesse Ventura and Bobby Heenan.
  • Mean Gene’s role increased dramatically and became one of the most recognizable faces (and voices) in wrestling.
  • March 31, 1985 – WrestleMania I: Mean Gene Okerlund sang the Star Spangled Banner!
  • Mean Gene once teamed with Hulk Hogan to defeat Mr. Fuji and George “The Animal” Steele in Madison Square Garden.
  • Mean Gene hosted many WWF Madison Square Garden cards alongside the late Gorilla Monsoon.
  • Mean Gene also hosted WWF TV programs such as WWF All American Wrestling with Bobby Heenan.
  • Mean Gene also hosted numerous WWF Coliseum Home Video tapes.
  • Mean Gene was most often seen on a WWF Superstars of Wrestling segments the “Event Center” and “Update”.
  • Mean Gene formed a strong on-air partnership with both Bobby Heenan and Gorilla Monsoon, who became close personal friends.
  • SummerSlam 1993: Mean Gene Okerlund’s last pay per view with the company and is phased out and replaced by Joe Fowler.
  • Mean Gene jumped to World Championship Wrestling after nine long years in the WWF.

World Championship Wrestling:

  • September 1993: Mean Gene debut in WCW and is immediately pushed as WCWs top interviewer.
  • Mean Gene hosted the WCW Hotline every week and delivered plugs (teasers) during every WCW Television program.
  • 1999: Mean Gene aligned himself with the Millionaires Club and feuded with fellow interiewer Pamela Paulshock of the New Blood.
  • 2000: Mean Gene started a feud with new Nitro announcer Mark Madden, and even has a match with him on Nitro.
  • August 9, 2000 – Thunder: Buff Bagwell and Gene Okerlund defeated Mark Madden and Positively Kanyon.
  • August 16, 2000 – Thunder: Gene Okerlund defeated Mark Madden in a street fight.
  • Mean Gene remained with WCW until it was sold to Vince McMahon and the WWFe.

World Wrestling Entertainment:

  • WrestleMania X-7: Mean Gene Okerlund & Bobby Heenan made appearances as guest commentators for the Gimmick Battle Royal.
  • May 2002: Mean Gene Okerlund returns to the WWE to host it’s new show WWE Confidential.
  • March 2003: Mean Gene renewed his contract expanding his duties from Confidential to again becoming a backstage interviewer.
  • March 2004: Mean Gene Okerlund hosts the WWE’s 2004 Hall of Fame Ceremony in New York City.
  • September 2004: Mean Gene Okerlund is in dire need of a kidney donation.
  • ~~~UPDATE: Gene Okerlund’s operation is a success.
  • 2005: Mean Gene Okerlund hosts WWE 24/7’s Hall of Fame program.
  • April 2, 2005 – Hall of Fame Ceremony: Mean Gene Okerlund hosted the 2005 Hall of Fame ceremony in Los Angeles, California.
  • April 3, 2005 – WrestleMania XXI: Mean Gene Okerlund introduced the 2005 Hall of Fame Iductees to the live crowd.
  • April 25, 2005 – RAW: Mean Gene interviews Shawn Michaels & Hulk Hogan about their upcoming tag match on PPV.
  • October 3, 2005 – WWE Homecoming: Mean Gene Okerland interviewed Hulk Hogan in the ring as Hogan challenged Steve Austin!
  • February 27, 2006 – RAW: They announced that Mean Gene Okerland would be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame on April 1.
  • April 1, 2006: Mean Gene Okerland was officially inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame by his buddy Hulk Hogan..
  • June 11, 2007 – Vince McMahon Appreciation Night: Mean Gene Okerland made unscripted comments on Mr. McMahon.
  • ~~~Later that night: Mr. Vince McMahon exited the building and got into his private limousine just before it exploded into flames!
  • April 4, 2009 – WWE Hall of Fame: Howard Finkel was officially inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame by Mean Gene Okerland!.
  • March 28, 2010 – WrestleMania 26: Mean Gene had a brief cameo doing a comedy sketch with Santino Marella plugging Slim Jim!
  • June 7, 2010 – WWE Viewer’s Choice: Mean Gene Okerland made a brief cameo for a backstage skit and he was hilarious as usual.
  • November 15, 2010 – WWE : Mean Gene Okerland returned to reprise his role as on stage interviewer for a special “Old School RAW”.
  • April 10, 2012 – SmackDown: World Heavyweight Champion Sheamus and Mean Gene Okerlund defeated Daniel Bryan and Alberto Del Rio.
  • January 2, 2019: WWE.com has announced the passing of Mean Gene Okerlund at the age of 76.
Updated: February 2, 2024 @ 9:59 am

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Trained By

Debut

1974

Birthday

November 29, 1942

Hometown

Robbinsdale, Minnesota

Gender

Male

Height

5'9"

Weight

212 lbs

Finishing Move(s)

Favorite Move(s)

Notable Feuds

Mr. Fuji,
Mark Madden

Status

Deceased