Iconic wrestling announcer ‘Mean’ Gene Okerlund has died, aged 76

Quite literally the voice of a generation.

WWE Hall of Famer 'Mean' Gene Okerlund has passed away at the age of 76. WWE confirmed the news on Wednesday afternoon, extending their condolences to Okerlund's family, friends and fans. A key fixture of the World Wrestling Federation and World Championship Wrestling, Okerlund boasted a commanding voice and admirably kept pace with the larger-than-life superstars he was tasked with interviewing backstage. He got his start in the American Wrestling Association in 1970 before moving to the WWF in 1984. WCW was next in late 1993 before a return to the WWF at WrestleMania X-Seven in 2001. A hugely popular figure, Okerlund was often just as charismatic a performer as those who towered over him and was always game to wind up in increasingly over-the-top situations, even taking to the ring itself a couple of times. His last WWE appearance came in January of 2018 when he interviewed AJ Styles on the 25th anniversary episode of Monday Night Raw. For many a wrestling fan growing up, Okerlund truly was the voice of a generation. Tributes were quick to pour in from his peers on social media: https://twitter.com/TripleH/status/1080494046924193792 https://twitter.com/WWEBigE/status/1080494344203837440 https://twitter.com/bullyray5150/status/1080491549702664192 https://twitter.com/WWERobinson/status/1080490460156694528 Enjoy the man in action doing his best to keep up with an especially lively and spirited Hulk Hogan at WrestleMania IV: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UT9lK9jZ5P0 Clip via WWE