Legendary wrestling interviewer Gene Okerlund passed away this morning at the age of 76.
The Associated Press reports that Okerlund passed at a hospital in Sarasota, Florida, near his home in Osprey. His wife Jeanne was by his side. Todd Okerlund said his father fell a few weeks ago and "it just kind of went from bad to worse.” Okerlund had undergone three kidney transplants during his life.
Funeral arrangements for Okerlund are pending.
Wrestlers have taken to social media all day to remember Okerlund. Ric Flair, Hulk Hogan, Steve Austin and more shared their memories, which you can read here and here. WWE has been uploading classic footage of "Mean" Gene to their YouTube page all day as well. Okerlund's last appearance on WWE television was at Raw 25 when he interviewed AJ Styles.
It was impossible not to crack a smile whenever “Mean” Gene Okerlund entered a room. He was the voice behind so many of WWE’s most iconic and entertaining moments, and the WWE family will miss him immensely. pic.twitter.com/zbrkQAvtug
— Vince McMahon (@VinceMcMahon) January 3, 2019
RIP "Mean" Gene.
