In his AWA days, Okerlund was given the nickname "Mean Gene" by Jesse "The Body" Ventura – an irony, considering that throughout the years many wrestlers and promotion staff considered Okerlund the friendliest person in the game. Okerlund was close friends with the late Bobby Heenan, Hulk Hogan and The Iron Sheik. Okerlund served as best man at the Iron Sheik's wedding.
The Sheik absolutely did that, now that you mention it, hahahaha.Sad day for all wrestling fans. RIP, legend.
I wanted to know the back story on his moniker....I mean, for a man as beloved as "Mean" Gene Okerlund was, I don't remember there ever being anything remotely mean about him.
Apparently Jesse Ventura gave it to him and it just stuck, I guess.
Speaking of the Sheik, didn't he use to twist it around and call him "Gene Mean"?
damn, thats a pretty big piece of my childhood gone.
remember being a little kid and watching Saturday AM wrestling like Superstars. Squash matches and multiple taped promos/interviews all featuring Mean Gene.
His smirks and comments when things went awry in those taped promos were gold