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Remembering Mean Gene Okerlund

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Ite Lemalu looks back at the amazing career of Mean Gene Okerlund, a talent who can never be replaced.

“Well you know something, Mean Gene!” This phrase, made famous by Hulk Hogan is just one of many lines that are associated with ‘Mean’ Gene Okerlund. The legendary wrestling broadcaster was an active part of the wrestling profession for almost 50 years, having worked as the lead interviewer with the American Wrestling Association (AWA), WWE, and WCW.  Sadly, Gene Okerlund passed away on the 2nd of January at the age of 76.

Okerlund’s career in broadcasting began as a disc jockey at a top 40 radio station in the 1960s. In the early ’70s, Okerlund worked in sales at a television network that also housed and broadcasted programmes for Verne Gagne’s AWA. During one weekend when the regular commentator was unavailable, Okerlund was approached by Gagne to fill in on commentary.

Okerlund eventually became a full-time announcer with the AWA where he was positioned primarily as a television interviewer. As part of his role, Okerlund worked with members of the AWA roster to record segments which promoted their matches. It was during his time with the AWA where Okerlund was given the nickname ‘Mean Gene’ by his associate, Jesse Ventura. Okerlund was a pioneer of wrestling interviews, he would skilfully control the dialogue while putting the focus on those that he conversed with. In addition to his ability to guide wrestlers through the process, he was also instrumental in helping them to develop their communication skills. He would continue doing this with many wrestlers throughout his career.

‘Mean’ Gene signed with the WWE at the end of 1983. The WWE had begun taking steps to expand to a larger promotion and therefore they sought after some key players like Okerlund, Hogan, Ventura and Bobby Heenan. These figures were regarded for the ability to appeal to a broader audience and were essential to the WWE’s quest to building a national and international following.

As the WWE became a worldwide promotion, Okerlund remained at the forefront of all the company’s high profiled interview segments for weekly TV and other major extravaganza’s such as Saturday Night’s Main Event on NBC and the first nine WrestleManias.

In November 1993, Okerlund joined WCW as the company was preparing to grow and compete with the WWE. Okerlund became the premier voice for WCW and remained with the company until it closed down in 2001.

Okerlund returned to the WWE as a guest commentator for the Gimmick Battle Royal at WrestleMania 17, however, he did not return as an interviewer on weekly television. Instead, he appeared in a special capacity fronting shows from the WWE studio. These projects included a show called WWE Confidential and history based programmes, Madison Square Garden Classics and Vintage Collection. Okerlund was also the master of ceremonies at the first several WWE Hall of Fame inductions. ‘Mean’ Gene himself was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2006 by Hulk Hogan.

‘Mean’ Gene Okerlund was a significant and recognisable figure in the wrestling profession. He contributed his own flavour to the interviews so that the wrestlers would enhance their appeal with the fans.

 

RIP ‘Mean’ Gene Okerlund

Ite Lemalu Writings

 

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Opinion

Chris King: Is Brock Lesnar Truly Retired?

Brock Lesnar retired at WWE WrestleMania 42, right? Are we totally sure? Chris King asks…

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Brock Lesnar WWE WrestleMania 42 Retirement

Brock Lesnar retired at WWE WrestleMania 42, right? Are we totally sure? Chris King asks…

At WrestleMania 42, ‘The Beast Incarnate’ Brock Lesnar took off his boots and gloves following his loss to Oba Femi. Lesnar has done it all inside of his twenty-four-year career in professional wrestling. He’s a ten-time WWE Champion and former UFC Heavyweight Champion, and he’s one who ended The Undertaker’s undefeated streak at WrestleMania. 

While Lesnar was in the ring, he was visibly overwhelmed with emotion and crying while he thanked the fans in his own way. The Beast even threw up an x to signal to Paul Heyman, his longtime friend and advocate, that this was not scripted and was real. There had been rumors that Lesnar and Oba were supposed to have a series of matches before everything went down at Mania. 

‘The Career Killer’ Gunther was doing Heyman’s bidding as he faced Seth Rollins for a favor. For a while now since Gunther retired Goldberg, John Cena, and AJ Styles, the rumor has been Gunther was set to retire Lesnar in his hometown at this year’s SummerSlam event. There’s been no confirmation if Lesnar is truly retired, but on this week’s episode of Friday Night SmackDown, we saw Heyman talking with General Manager Nick Aldis. Later that night following Rhodes’ match against the debuting Ricky Saints, Gunther choked out the WWE Champion. Could this be the favor from Heyman? 

I know in the world of professional wrestling we live by the mantra of “never say never,” but what if Lesnar is actually retired and this was WWE’s way of shutting down those rumors about Gunther and Lesnar? What if Gunther’s next program is chasing after the WWE title, and where is Randy Orton at in all of these plans? There are so many questions that need to be answered, hopefully soon!

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Opinion

Chris King: Defend The Intercontinental Championship At Backlash!

With WWE Backlash upon us, Chris King wants to see Penta defend the Intercontinental Championship in Tampa!

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Penta WWE Intercontinental Championship WrestleMania 42

With WWE Backlash upon us, Chris King wants to see Penta defend the Intercontinental Championship in Tampa!

This year’s annual Backlash showcase is only a few days away, and while there are many big matches announced, one that definitely should be isn’t on the card. In my opinion, outside of Roman Reigns/Jacob Fatu and Seth Rollins/Bron Breakker, the Intercontinental Championship scene has been stellar over the last month. 

Penta has been an excellent champion, especially after his triumphant title defense in a ladder match against JeVon Evans, Rusev, Dragon Lee, and the Hall of Famer Rey Mysterio at WrestleMania 42. Their ladder match at Mania was one of the best that WWE has produced in a while. 

The momentum never stopped, as on the post-Mania episode of Monday Night Raw, ‘All Ego’ Ethan Page made his debut and was quickly inserted into the Intercontinental title scene. Page had a fantastic showing against his longtime NXT rival Evans and picked up a big win in his debut match thanks to an assist from Rusev. 

All Ego immediately joined forces with ‘The Bulgarian Brute’ Rusev, who was also vying for the Intercontinental Title in his own right. On this week’s episode of Raw, Page and Rusev defeated Evans and Penta. All Ego pinned the champion, making a huge statement and putting him one step closer to getting a title shot. For the past few weeks I’ve been anxiously waiting to see if WWE was going to add this incredible fatal four-way match for the Intercontinental Championship, but it hasn’t happened yet. 

As much as the WWE Universe enjoys witnessing great matches on free television, I truly believe all four superstars deserve the chance to showcase their talents on the PLE. While Penta has done a terrific job as the intercontinental champion, it’s time for a fresh face to hold the prestigious title. Page would make a great braggadocious heel that would help elevate the Intercontinental Championship to new heights!

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CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast: The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history) Unidentified History (Ufology) & Game Gone Wrong (Game of Thrones Universe)


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