Late last month, legendary pro wrestling promoter Verne Gagne passed away at the age of 89. He was one of the most influential men in the history of the sport, running the Minnesota-based American Wrestling Association for 31 years and introducing the country to future WWE stars like Hulk Hogan, Shawn Michaels and Scott Hall.
Gagne was laid to rest on Tuesday in Eden Prairie, MN. Eulogies were given by Mean Gene Okerlund and Verne’s son, Greg. That’s where things get weird.
According to a report from the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, things started off well. Okerlund’s eulogy ended with an interview introduction for “the heavyweight champion of the world, Verne Gagne,” and earned a standing ovation. Greg’s eulogy didn’t go as well thanks to an interruption from one of the funeral guests — former WWF Champion and legitimate crazy person Bob Backlund.
From the report:
“The lone negative thing is that Backlund started yelling out what was described as a heel promo at Greg Gagne while Greg was delivering the eulogy that was described as ridiculously out of place.”
It takes a special kind of insane wrestler to start cutting heel promos on a guy while he’s delivering a eulogy for his father. There obviously isn’t video of this (thank God), but we imagine it was a lot like this, only sadder and more confusing:
