WWE Superstars And Legends Remember Mean Gene Okerlund

WWE

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:

— 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:

— 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.

— 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

— #WOKEN, yet #BROKEN, 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

I’m so heart broken to hear of the passing of Mean Gene!! Thank you Gene for the laughs, advice, and most of a wonderful friendship! #wwe. #legend. #friend pic.twitter.com/hM7E9VoDIa

— Vickie Guerrero (@VickieGuerrero) January 2, 2019

The inimitable Iron Sheik was characteristically demonstrative in his feelings about Okerlund, not limiting himself to one tweet.

— 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:

— 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.

— Seth Rollins (@WWERollins) January 2, 2019

The voice of my youth. Condolences to his friends and family. https://t.co/NoRha36c9k

— Mustafa Ali / Adeel Alam (@MustafaAliWWE) 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

— Florida Man (@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 (@HEELZiggler) January 2, 2019

Legend https://t.co/iAT7I1UnkL

— $asha Banks (@SashaBanksWWE) January 2, 2019

— 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

— TJ Perkins (@MegaTJP) January 2, 2019

This is heartbreaking! Mean Gene is a voice that’ll live on forever! #RIPGeneOkerlund https://t.co/DeqG3Ffl7l

— Tegan Nox (@TeganNoxWWE_) January 2, 2019

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

— Aiden English (@WWEDramaKing) 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

— Dana Brooke WWE (@DanaBrookeWWE) January 2, 2019

Extremely sad news to hear of the unfortunate passing of Mean Gene Okerlund. One of the most iconic interviewers and personalities of my childhood, and one of the very best in the business.

Rest In Peace Gene.

— Ligero (@Ligero1) January 2, 2019

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.