MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – WWE Hall of Famer and Minnesota Wrestling Hall of Fame member Gene Okerlund has passed away at age 76.
Okerlund was a native of Sisseton, S.D. 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 wrestling.
Okerlund spent summers on Big Sandy Lake in McGregor Minnesota, a spot he frequented since the early 70’s.
