**UPDATED** RIP to Mean Gene Okerlund (Some of my Favorite Moments)

UPDATED RIP to Mean Gene Okerlund (Some of my Favorite Moments)

Received a notification about the passing of Mean Gene Okerlund. Check out this link for WWE's announcement of his passing:

WWE on Passing of Mean Gene

How can anyone not consider Mean Gene Okerlund as the best interviewer in wrestling history? His work in helping wrestlers cut promos was second to none as he guided even the most verbally-challenged wrestlers to at least decent promos. His history is the history of professional wrestling: AWA, WWF, WCW, and as a legend talent back in WWE. And let's never forget the hotline: "1-900-909-9900. Kids, have your parents' permission before calling."

As you can tell by one of my memes, I loved Gene Okerlund's work in the old WWF especially. Here are some of my favorite Gene Okerlund memories...

1) "PUT THAT CIGARETTE OUT"

Gene was hilarious at the right time. See this moment...

2) "Longfellow couldn't have said it better."

Sometimes, Gene didn't need to do much. But he would add in that one line that would put the cap on already great promo. This is an example of that with Jake cutting an absolutely great promo and Gene just getting in this great line.

3) (BLEEP)

This was the infamous SummerSlam 1989 botch where the sign fell down behind Gene, Rick Rude, and Bobby Heenan. This was a taped botch, but the production crew played it by accident during the actual broadcast. In WWF's G era of wrestling, this was definitely a unique situation. And it is hilarious to look back on 30 years later.

4) The Voice of the People

This last one is from Hulk Hogan's heel turn in WCW that created the nWo. Here, Mean Gene represents the fans in the arena and at home who feel betrayed by Hulk Hogan's actions. Subtly here, through his comments and interjections, Gene helps guide the interview to where it needed to go. Plus, he's got a fleet of lawyers. Lol.

I'm leaving off so much that I probably could go back to, including his escapades on Legends House. So, raise a glass to Mean Gene. Thank you Gene for all the memories.

Until next time, take care of yourselves. Spread some awesomeness.

**UPDATE** I am somewhat upset with myself for the fact that in doing a Mean Gene tribute, I forgot to include this!!!! I used to turn over to Nitro during the Monday Night Wars just to hear Ric Flair do this every week. Seriously, if I saw Ric Flair coming down the aisle, I stopped switching channels at least long enough to hear him go "Mean... WOOOOO! BY GOD! .... Gene!" So, yes: Ric Flair made me turn the channel much more than Goldberg or Hulk Hogan did in 1998. And a good bit of that reason is Mean Gene playing straight man to Flair's antics.

Comments

UnWrest Focus- The Rock vs. Stone Cold at WrestleMania Part II- WrestleMania X-Seven

Welcome to the second of three posts looking at the epic rivalry between The Rock and Stone Cold at WrestleMania. This edition will look at the iconic encounter between the two at WrestleMania X-Seven. As previously mentioned on the first post, their encounter in 2001 was a culmination of different paths coming together to reunite a classic feud. While The Rock and Stone Cold had met at WrestleMania XV and Backlash in 1999, their next major epic match was not until this show. While the end of No Mercy 1999 hinted that these two and Triple H would be involved in a Triple Threat match, Stone Cold needed to get his neck surgery that he had put off for a couple years. While Austin went out for his neck surgery, the company turned to The Rock as the sole lead face on WWF programming. The Rock was the central attaction of WWF programming from 1999-2000 and helped the company maintain its position as the #1 wrestling promotion in the world. (WCW's own internal problems helped with that...

UnWrest Focus REWIND: Vader vs. Cactus Jack (WCW Halloween Havoc, 10/24/1993)

Spin the Wheel, Make The Deal. That was the gimmick going into this iconic match between two of the hardest hitting wrestlers of all time. It was the storyline months in development: Cactus Jack had just returned after Vader mauled him with a battery of injuries and a concussion to get his revenge. Vader, a merciless monster who delivers pain and punishment to all his vicitms, faced Cactus Jack, the one guy who would take Vader's assault and like the orphan Annie would ask for more. And if Vader wanted to brawl, no one could take Vader's offense and return it in spades quite like Cactus Jack. So, WCW billed the match as "Spin the Wheel, Make the Deal." The idea being that the actual stipulation of the match would be determined on Halloween Havoc by the spin of a big wheel. (If only wrestling could take the "Big Wheel" from The Price is Right. And of course, we'd have to make sure it goes all the way around.) So, the wheel landed that night on a Texas D...

UnWrest Focus- Survivor Series: Team Cena vs. Team Authority (Survivor Series 2014)

A feud between those who abuse power and those who try to overcome their abuse. It's a classic storytelling trope that has been used time and time again throughout fiction and history. In 2014, that trope was brought back as The Authority looked to cement its power through their "Chosen One" Seth Rollins and his team. Meanwhile, John Cena and other disgruntled WWE employees sought to end the "Reign of Terror" of The Authority once and for all. Putting their jobs on the line, Team Cena hoped to get an opportunity to send Stephanie and Triple H away. However, fans didn't expect a traitor in the midst of Team Cena or the debut of the Franchise of WCW in a WWE ring. This is the latest edition of UnWrest Focus: Survivor Series, and it's going to be a memorable one at that. Let's do this! WWE Survivor Series 2014 11/23/14 Survivor Series Match Team Cena (John Cena, Big Show, Ryback, Erick Rowan, and Dolph Ziggler) vs. Team Authority (Seth Rollins, ...

UnWrest

Search This Blog