Remembering Mean Gene Okerlund
I woke up this morning and looked at my phone. It was flooded with messages about work and bookings. In a bit of a panic, I rushed out of bed and to my laptop to start checking my calendar and responding to the aforementioned messages. The first thing I saw was a picture of Mean Gene Okerlund grinning ear-to-ear with the all too familiar caption, "RIP". I want to be clear; I never met Mr. Okerlund. We were never in the same room. Even still, the impact he's had on my life is such that something shifted in that moment. I was no longer worried about getting back to people to tell them I couldn't take music bookings because they would conflict with my wrestling schedule. In that moment, I longed for the opportunity I was never afforded to meet Mean Gene and to thank him. Some months back, A promoter told me in confidence that he was having conversations with people close to Mr. Okerlund and was confident he would be able to book him. It frustrates me to this day that I was privy to that information and it never panned out.
During my childhood of wrestling fandom, Okerlund was a trusted voice. Whether it was via his wrestling hotline or on camera, holding the microphone for the biggest stars in the business, Mean Gene delivered information with a class that made it seemless to believe him. He framed questions like a true professional. He was unique. He stood out. Those are just a few of the qualities that made Gene Okerlund the inspiration he became for me later in my life.
As an adult, I decided to pursue a place in the crazy world of professional wrestling. Through some false starts and a few bumps in the road, I landed an opportunity to do backstage interviews. To say that I studied Okerlund's work to prepare for this opportunity is a vast understatement. I wanted to project class and professionalism. I wanted to frame questions in a way that was uniquely my own. As I forged my path in wrestling, became a fixture at the announce desk in multiple promotions, and landed a spot as 'lead announcer', Mean Gene's influence continued to inspire and invigorate me. "The Handsome Devil with the Voice of an Angel" was in many ways built with elements borrowed from Mr. Okerlund. I have at various times emulated his look, his approach. Hell, I've even watched old interviews and borrowed direct quotes from the man.
In closing, I just want to thank Mr. Okerlund posthumously for inspiring me. There are days when it's frustrating to be a personality in independent wrestling who doesn't wrestle. On days like that, I think about Mean Gene Okerlund. I remember the lasting mark he made on professional wrestling and many of the people closely associated with it. I reflect on the level of respect he has garnered over the years from the fans. Mean Gene Okerlund, thank you for your great influence that will no doubt continue and thank you for helping me push through the days when I want to give up and veer from the unique path I'm on in wrestling. May you rest easy and may your family and friends find peace without you here. Thanks for everything.
During my childhood of wrestling fandom, Okerlund was a trusted voice. Whether it was via his wrestling hotline or on camera, holding the microphone for the biggest stars in the business, Mean Gene delivered information with a class that made it seemless to believe him. He framed questions like a true professional. He was unique. He stood out. Those are just a few of the qualities that made Gene Okerlund the inspiration he became for me later in my life.
As an adult, I decided to pursue a place in the crazy world of professional wrestling. Through some false starts and a few bumps in the road, I landed an opportunity to do backstage interviews. To say that I studied Okerlund's work to prepare for this opportunity is a vast understatement. I wanted to project class and professionalism. I wanted to frame questions in a way that was uniquely my own. As I forged my path in wrestling, became a fixture at the announce desk in multiple promotions, and landed a spot as 'lead announcer', Mean Gene's influence continued to inspire and invigorate me. "The Handsome Devil with the Voice of an Angel" was in many ways built with elements borrowed from Mr. Okerlund. I have at various times emulated his look, his approach. Hell, I've even watched old interviews and borrowed direct quotes from the man.
In closing, I just want to thank Mr. Okerlund posthumously for inspiring me. There are days when it's frustrating to be a personality in independent wrestling who doesn't wrestle. On days like that, I think about Mean Gene Okerlund. I remember the lasting mark he made on professional wrestling and many of the people closely associated with it. I reflect on the level of respect he has garnered over the years from the fans. Mean Gene Okerlund, thank you for your great influence that will no doubt continue and thank you for helping me push through the days when I want to give up and veer from the unique path I'm on in wrestling. May you rest easy and may your family and friends find peace without you here. Thanks for everything.