WWE Hall of Famer ‘Mean’ Gene Okerlund Dead at 76

Wrestling Hall of Fame interviewer “Mean” Gene Okerlund, has passed away at the age of 76, the WWE reported Wednesday.

Okerlund came to the world of wrestling when he joined the WWF in 1984 and made his way through the WCW and then the WWE becoming one of the most recognizable faces in wrestling, Awful Announcing reported.

“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,” the WWE said in its statement.

“WWE extends its condolences to Okerlund’s family, friends, and fans,” the WWE added.

“Mean” Gene was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2006.

Okerlund was last seen on screen in January interviewing WWE Champ AJ Styles.

Several members of the world of wrestling jumped to Twitter to mourn the passing of the great interviewer.

Follow Warner Todd Huston on Twitter @warnerthuston.