Wrestlers React To The Passing Of Mean Gene Okerlund

TheSportster

By Josh Coulson

Published Jan 3, 2019

In the 24 hours that have passed since the news of Mean Gene Okerlund was broken by WWE, tributes have been pouring in on social media.

For the past 24 hours, the wrestling world has been reacting to the tragic news that 'Mean' Gene Okerlund passed away at the age of 76.

After a year that was sadly packed with far too many wrestler deaths in 2018, fans will have been hoping to start 2019 off on the right foot. Unfortunately, that was not possible. Less than 48 hours into the new year, WWE broke the news that legendary announcer and interviewer 'Mean' Gene Okerlund had passed away suddenly at the age of 76.

When someone from the wrestling business passes, some groups of fans are normally more upset than others. That's not a slight on anyone, it's just a case of fans growing up during different times and in different eras. What makes Mean Gene unique is his career wasn't confined to one particular era. He broke into the business in 1970 and worked with WWE as recently as Raw 25 less than a year ago.

Due to Okerlund's career spanning such a massive amount of time, he has touched an awful lot of lives. He has also influenced a lot of careers as has been evident by the thoughts and well wishes pouring out on social media since news of his death broke. Current stars doing the same job he did such as Renee Young and Charly Caruso took to social media to thank Mean Gene for the invaluable advice he gave them on their way up the WWE ladder.

Of the hundreds of tributes to Okerlund from the wrestling industry that continue to pour in, our favorite so far has come from Drake Maverick. The 205 Live GM recalled the first time he ever met Okerlund while he was working at Impact. Mean Gene asked if Maverick knew who was talking about him at WWE. When Maverick excitedly asked who it was, Okerlund replied with absolutely nobody.

More tributes to the Hall Of Famer than we could ever have room for in one article have been posted in the last 24 hours alone. Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair, even Vince McMahon himself. WWE has also been posting clips of some famous Okerlund interviews demonstrating exactly why he is considered the best ever at what he did. We already miss you Mean Gene, and you will never be forgotten.

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