The Wrestling Thread III: WWE Royal Rumble - Sunday 10pm, WWE Network

[KK]

WWE is saddened to learn that WWE Hall of Famer Gene Okerlund, the most recognizable interviewer in sports-entertainment history, has passed away at age 76.

In his early days, “Mean Gene”, as he was named by fellow Minnesotan, Jesse “The Body” Ventura first came to prominence by interviewing the greatest stars of the AWA, including Ventura, Bobby “The Brain” Heenan and Hulk Hogan. In 1984, Okerlund made the move to WWE where he became a staple on national cable television by continuing to interview the biggest names in sports-entertainment like Hogan, “Macho Man” Randy Savage, The Ultimate Warrior and many more.

Okerlund branched out from interviewing by providing ringside commentary and hosting several shows, including All-American Wrestling, Tuesday Night Titans, Wrestling Challenge and Prime Time Wrestling. Announcing wasn’t all that Okerlund could do with a microphone, as his distinct voice sung the National Anthem at the first WrestleMania in 1985. Later that year, Okerlund would sing “Tutti Frutti” on WWE’s The Wrestling Album.

In 1993, Okerlund joined WCW as lead interviewer where he continued to interview many of the legends he had worked with in the AWA and WWE as well as WCW stalwarts, Sting, Diamond Dallas Page, Goldberg and others.

In 2001, Okerlund returned to WWE to call the Gimmick Battle Royal at WrestleMania 17 along with Bobby “The Brain” Heenan and continued to appear on WWE television programming, including being a cast member on WWE Network’s Legends’ House.

WWE extends its condolences to Okerlund’s family, friends and fans.

https://www.wwe.com/article/mean-gene-o ... asses-away

2019 off to a great start.

Wasn’t anyone better.

[Jam-Master Jay]

Just looking at clips of Mean Gene on YouTube after reading the news of his passing. He did an interview with AJ Styles on RAW last year and he still had it. One of the greats.

[KK]

The combination of Ric Flair and Mean Gene in WCW will never be topped.

[captain red dog]

Mean Gene was such a class act. He was like the voice of the viewer when speaking to the heels and calling them out and dishing out a bollocking for their "despicable" antics. Particularly memorable was when he interviewed Jake the Snake after Savage was bitten by the Cobra.

The current interviewers are so faceless and they never get to tackle the heels on their bad deeds without sounding scripted. What made those segments better was because they never put their hands on Gene and couldn't really intimidate him so it felt more realistic like a proper sports interview.

RIP Mean "by god" Gene.

[Floex]

Not Mean Gene One of the best RIP

[Mafro]

Who else is watching Wrestle Kingdom live tomorrow morning

[BAKA]

I'll be watching it tomorrow, but saving it for night. Going to get a Domino's, sit down and watch it around 7pm, hoping to avoid spoilers. It's typically around 5 hours right? 6 with the pre-show? Do they still have an intermission to announce dates and stuff?

[Mafro]

Jericho in New Japan has been phenomenal.

[Pedro]

Wrestle Kingdom was as expected great. Brilliant to get to watch a PPV at a reasonable time of the day.

[Mafro]

Another great Wrestle Kingdom. Wasn't good as the previous four years but probably still a better show you'll see elsewhere.

Can't remember the last time I watched a PPV where every single title changed hands

[Mafro]

This entrance btw https://streamable.com/dku6u

[Dangerblade]

It's a shame Ibushi got strawberry floated up, it was a great match but I reckon they had something special planned for the finish but had to get it over with quickly.

ZSJ vs. Ishii should have been longer

Jay White continues to be awesome

Probably Jericho's best match since the Omega one

Go Ace (that'll do nothing for the Omega to WWE rumours)

[captain red dog]

So Hogan is going to appear on Raw to remember Mean Gene. Good choice in my opinion, and could potentially be the promo of his life.

[KK]

It makes sense (it would have been him or Flair) but it does seem to me like a bit of a cynical attempt to bring him back while knowing he’s not going to get booed.

[Mafro]

WWE off with a bang for the annual Wrestling Observer Most Disgusting Promotional Tactic award

Shithole company.

[captain red dog]

To be fair to WWE I think it's being done with the best of intentions. Would be nice to see Flair cut a promo too, but Okerlund will always be remembered more for his Hogan interviews.

[Poncho]

It's not done with the best intentions. It's not letting a good tragedy go to waste - send Hogan out on American television in a segment you can't boo him in.

[BAKA]

Wrestle Kingdom was ace. When you can't get the likes of Suzuki, Goto and Hangman Page on the main card, you know it's an insane card. Loved Ospreay vs Ibushi (that ring post spot was nasty). I'm guessing it got cut short? Or perhaps I'm just a mark. I was disappointed in the Super Jr Tag match, some nice spots with Takagi, but it paled dramatically to some of the tournament matches. The other 3 way Tag match was much better, so glad to see EVIL and Sanada win. Kushida's entrance was terrifying... Huge fan of ZSJ. Still can't get away with Juice Robinson. I'm not the biggest Jay White fan either to be honest. But he's got the unenviable task of living up to Balor, Styles and Omega. Jericho said his match with Naito wouldn't be a classic, it would be a war, honestly, I disagree. Felt pretty damn class to me. Naito is just so likeable, reminds me of Eddie G. Omega vs Tanahashi was amazing. I literally squealed when Tana hit the Styles Clash. Genuinely a noise I never knew I was capable of... I loved when Tana pointed to the sky that Red Shoes looked up... Red Shoes is gold.

I think the whole AEW kinda hung over the results, it felt obvious the guys involved with that would lose matches / titles. I hope they end up with a working relationship with NJPW.

Looking forward to tomorrow's event, I'll be saving it for Sunday night though. It's usually where they set up new feuds, isn't it? I remember that's where Jericho turned up last year to set up everything with Naito.

So Wrestle Kingdom is over 2 days next year, is that right? Annoying they only partially subbed that video package. I notice they mentioned the UK too, when are they coming here? When can I buy tickets...

[Mafro]

They're coming to London in August I think.

[Mafro]

Yoshi Hashi returned at New Year Dash and managed to make it to the ring without knocking himself out this time.