We were all terribly sad to hear about the passing of legendary wrestling interviewer Mean Gene Okerlund, whose death was announced this morning in a somber post on WWE.com. As is usually the case these days, many of his friends and co-workers took to Twitter to remember Mean Gene. We’ve gathered some of those tweets here.
Naturally Triple H and Stephanie McMahon spoke not just for themselves, but for the company:
A voice and sound track to an entire era of our industry. He was the star of some of @WWE’s most memorable segments. “Mean Gene” was beloved by all who got to work with him. Our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time. https://t.co/9ddj6372eE
— Triple H (@TripleH) January 2, 2019
Gene Okerlund was an incredibly rare talent. He made everything and everyone better. #ThankYouMeanGene for all the incredible memories. Our condolences to his family and loved ones. https://t.co/IxpjiLo9UN
— Stephanie McMahon (@StephMcMahon) January 2, 2019
On the other hand, one of the most striking tweets was from Charlotte Flair, who remembered the time that Gene interviewed her entire family when she was a kid:
Goodbye, old friend. Thank you for the memories ♥️🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/EMDrs0ozGP
— Charlotte Flair (@MsCharlotteWWE) January 2, 2019
Then there were the tweets from the still-living legends of wrestling, some of whom worked with Mean Gene back in the day.
One Of My Closest Friends Since 1972 Until This Very Sad Day In 2019. Not Only The Greatest Voice And Personality In The History Of Announcing, But A Man Who Touched Everyone’s Life Who Were Fortunate Enough To Know Him. Rest In Peace Knowing No One Will Ever Replace You. pic.twitter.com/i7illbxQgw
— Ric Flair® (@RicFlairNatrBoy) January 2, 2019
WWE universe has lost one of its greatest announcers and truly one of the nicest guys you’d ever know. “Mean” Gene Okerlund, RIP my friend pic.twitter.com/u3bS6pePmY
— Ted DiBiase (@MDMTedDiBiase) January 2, 2019
Just heard Mean Gene Okerlund has passed away. As an interviewer, pitch man, announcer, or host, he was untouchable. Simply the best. Total professional with quick wit, sarcasm, humor, and that golden voice.
Condolences to his friends and family.— Steve Austin (@steveaustinBSR) January 2, 2019
Very seldom does an interviewer become just as popular, and at times even more popular than the superstars he/she interviews. Gene Okerlund was that person. Im saddened to hear of Gene’s passing. It was an honor to know you Gene! #RIPGene
— Kurt Angle (@RealKurtAngle) January 2, 2019
RIP to an absolute legend of our industry, @TheGeneOkerlund. "Mean Gene" was incredible in many roles, as he wore many hats throughout his iconic career in pro wrestling. My thoughts are with his family & friends today. https://t.co/qB9FHJFx63
— MATT HARDY (@MATTHARDYBRAND) January 2, 2019
RIP “Mean” Gene. Thanks for the memories and being a Gentleman.
God Bless. 🙏 pic.twitter.com/AJn3HsY7Am
— Bully Ray (@bullyray5150) January 2, 2019
https://twitter.com/VickieGuerrero/status/1080500471377338368
The inimitable Iron Sheik was characteristically demonstrative in his feelings about Okerlund, not limiting himself to one tweet.
RIP MY BROTHER GENE MEAN. YOU PUT ME OVER LIKE NOBODY. I LOVE YOU AND YOUR FAMILY SINCE THE MINNESOTA. GIVE MY BROTHER NIKOLAI BUG HUG. GOD BLESS YOU. CAMERA MAN ZOOM IT. pic.twitter.com/5k0VRXbKMI
— The Iron Sheik (@the_ironsheik) January 2, 2019
I MAKE THE GENE MEAN LAUGH SO HARD HERE HE TELL ME I MAKE HIM CRY. HE HELP ME WHEN I DONT REMEMBER THE JABRONIS NAMES I WRESTLE. I LOVE YOU BROTHER. https://t.co/YFnuEWVFn6 pic.twitter.com/YvgpApVeTE
— The Iron Sheik (@the_ironsheik) January 2, 2019
GENE MEAN WAS BEST MAN AT MY WEDDING. WE DO HE SING HE DANCE HE ALWAYS WAS THERE FOR ME. ALWAYS LEADING THE WAY AT THE BAR WITH THE LEGEND. GOD BLESS HIM.
— The Iron Sheik (@the_ironsheik) January 2, 2019
HELLO TOYOTA. YOU WELCOME ME AND GENE MAKE YOUR CAR #1 THE GENE MEAN AND I HAD LOTS OF FUN DOING THIS. https://t.co/V4hWAh6P30
— The Iron Sheik (@the_ironsheik) January 2, 2019
As of this writing, most of WWE’s current backstage interviewers haven’t had a chance to respond on social media, with the exception of Cathy Kelly:
💔 RIP Mean Gene pic.twitter.com/oDZASdcOh5
— Cathy Kelley (@catherinekelley) January 2, 2019
And then there are the current WWE Superstars, many of whom grew up watching Mean Gene in the ’80s and ’90s, just like so many of us did.
Super bummed about Mean Gene. Literally JUST sat down last week to do an interview about his legacy. He was the most iconic backstage interviewer in wrestling history in my opinion. #RIPMeanGene
— Seth Rollins (@WWERollins) January 2, 2019
The voice of my youth. Condolences to his friends and family. https://t.co/NoRha36c9k
— Mustafa Ali (@MustafaAli_X) January 2, 2019
Mean Gene was the voice of millions of childhoods. Mine certainly. An honor to meet him. Condolences to his family. pic.twitter.com/krsMtbeNIl
— Ettore “Big E” Ewen (@WWEBigE) January 2, 2019
Of the very few regrets I harbor in my career, one was never getting to scream "Mean Gene" when answering the queries of a man who presence was larger than life and ingrained in the better memories of my childhood.
RIP Mean Gene.
My condolences to the Okerlund family.— Samoa Joe (@SamoaJoe) January 2, 2019
I was always a big mean gene fan, as a character and much more importantly, as a person. We should say positive things about good people more often. never know when you won’t get another chance. #RIPMeanGene
— Nic Nemeth (@NicTNemeth) January 2, 2019
💔 Legend https://t.co/iAT7I1UnkL
— Mercedes Moné Varnado (@MercedesVarnado) January 2, 2019
💔 Rest easy #MeanGene your Legacy shall live in forever 💋
— Mickie James~Aldis (@MickieJames) January 2, 2019
When I was younger and just starting out in wrestling all the guys at the wrestling gym went by 2 rules to pick a name..
1) You had to be able to imagine Vince McMahon saying the name on commentary
2) You had to be able to hear Mene Gene saying it with a question#RIPMeanGene
— Aswang TJP (@MegaTJP) January 2, 2019
https://twitter.com/TeganNoxWWE_/status/1080508036333096962
One of the CLASSIEST Men I’ve Ever had the opportunity to meet and know. Always told me how proud he was to have me in the wrestling business and appreciated what I stand for. Yes I like many others Was a Huge Fan Of His “Work” But I was more Honored to see His WORTH to Everyone https://t.co/biOKHr2OPt
— Titus O'Neil (@TitusONeilWWE) January 2, 2019
#RIP to a man who made us all more involved fans, who brought the drama of the characters on screen to life with his charm and delivery. You will be missed, Gene
— Matthew Rehwoldt (@DramaKingMatt) January 2, 2019
A voice of my childhood, and one of the greatest of all time — you will be missed, Gene. 🙏 https://t.co/15kNprnbRd
— Nattie (@NatbyNature) January 2, 2019
One of the most respected & never will be forgotten! Thank you for always being so kind when I would see you! Legends never die 💔 https://t.co/2A8p3xoeLj
— Ash By Elegance (@Ashamae_Sebera) January 2, 2019
https://twitter.com/Ligero1/status/1080491123070717952
As the day and the week go on, there are bound to be more and more tributes to Mean Gene on Twitter and elsewhere. Feel free to post any good ones you’ve seen in the comments below.
