Paid Members BomberPat Posted January 3, 2019 Paid Members Share Posted January 3, 2019 12 hours ago, jazzygeofferz said: He was great. How many times has he had to get some coked up superstar back on track during a segment? He was a brilliant straight man, obviously had a good mind for the business and knew how to get someone or something over. This was his brilliance. WWE interviewers now just say "joining me now, my guest at this time..." then maybe ask one question before standing there like a mannequin and letting the wrestler cut a promo, but Gene was a director. If someone's promo wasn't working, or they'd veered off-topic, he'd bring them back around. If a key point wasn't given enough emphasis, he'd repeat it for effect. Some of the best promos of the era wouldn't have been half as good without Mean Gene to beat them into shape - to say nothing of the experience gained from recording countless pre-taped promos for different local markets, one after the other. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paid Members Bus Surfer Posted January 3, 2019 Paid Members Share Posted January 3, 2019 Despite being a fantastic interviewer and mouthpiece, Gene always had that air of authority about him. For such a unimposing little man, he came off as someone to be respected backstage and didn't take any shit when being potentially threatened. Not something you see much of these days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
returner82 Posted January 3, 2019 Share Posted January 3, 2019 2 hours ago, BomberPat said: This was his brilliance. WWE interviewers now just say "joining me now, my guest at this time..." then maybe ask one question before standing there like a mannequin and letting the wrestler cut a promo, but Gene was a director. If someone's promo wasn't working, or they'd veered off-topic, he'd bring them back around. If a key point wasn't given enough emphasis, he'd repeat it for effect. Some of the best promos of the era wouldn't have been half as good without Mean Gene to beat them into shape - to say nothing of the experience gained from recording countless pre-taped promos for different local markets, one after the other. I forget who said it, possibly Corny, but it's the difference between acting and reacting. The guys today just recite lines. Gene got something up and running and reacted appropriately and within character. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JakeRobertsParoleOfficer Posted January 3, 2019 Share Posted January 3, 2019 Genuinely gutted! Legit 1 off - best at what he did ever! Have to go back and watch the "hulk train vino" skits For some reason seeing the diminutive gene shaking and struggling to move a whisker up bleachers with a 320lb roided to the hilt Hulkster clung to his back never ceases to bring a smile to my face. Hulk really beasted him here! https://youtu.be/1e3xF_A7S64 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paid Members WeeAl Posted January 3, 2019 Paid Members Share Posted January 3, 2019 An absolute titan of the game, who had an incredible skill at doing a job way more important than many fans will have ever given him credit for. RIP Mean Gene, for we have you to thank for an incredible amount of hours of enjoyment, laughter and craziness over the years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paid Members BigJag Posted January 4, 2019 Paid Members Share Posted January 4, 2019 On 1/2/2019 at 7:26 PM, PowerButchi said: The hghlight of 2000 WCW Are there anymore examples of baddass Mean Gene. I was half expecting him to hulk up there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paid Members wandshogun09 Posted January 4, 2019 Paid Members Share Posted January 4, 2019 These make me happy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paid Members BigJag Posted January 4, 2019 Paid Members Share Posted January 4, 2019 Hulk will be on RAW to pay tribute to Mean Gene. https://www.wwe.com/amp/shows/raw/2019-01-07/article/hulk-hogan-return-honor-mean-gene-okerlund?__twitter_impression=true They cover the genesis of the Mean Gene moniker. I also remember Jesse calling him scheme Gene. is there any information on how that name came about? Mattie wrote a nice piece about Mean Gene. https://calgarysun.com/sports/other-sports/natalya-neidhart-mean-gene-okerlund-had-fun-while-making-everyone-appear-larger-than-life/amp?__twitter_impression=true Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paid Members tiger_rick Posted January 16, 2019 Paid Members Share Posted January 16, 2019 The Mean Gene tribute on the Network is a fun half hour. Skirts over his time in WCW a bit as they're wont to do but he does talk about it as the best thing he could have done as opposed to your Bobby Heenans. Interesting footage of Gene and Savage preparing a promo. I did chuckle at Michael Cole saying "If it wasn't for Mean Gene, I wouldn't be in WWE now" as I imagine everyone watching it just screaming "you bastard Okerlund!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paid Members IANdrewDiceClay Posted January 16, 2019 Paid Members Share Posted January 16, 2019 Fine little half an hour. Makes you think what is in that vault that we'll never see, because this company seemed to tape everything! Really showcased Gene's talent in a wonderful way. His chemistry with Hogan, Savage and Flair especially would get the 5 star treatment if one was to rate that type of thing. Bollocks to the part where they said "Gene would never try and steal the limelight." That's exactly what Gene did! His attitude was always, if you cant keep you then go fuck yourself. And thankfully, back in the cartoon era, there was a lot of people who could keep up. And that wasnt a bad thing. Gene was a good character, so people seemed more than happy for him to get his shit in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paid Members BigJag Posted January 16, 2019 Paid Members Share Posted January 16, 2019 Eric Bischoff and Conrad tell us about Gene. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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