Ric Flair was recently a guest on Busted Open Radio and had plenty to say about Mean Gene Okerlund. You can read the highlights below and listen to the entire interview as well.
On Mean Gene Okerlund:
Let’s just say I’ve more fun with him on a social level than anyone. We had a tremendous relationship and he was a great guy. I don’t mean disrespect to anyone else but nobody else was a better announcer than him. He could articulate and was extremely intelligent. I’ve never seen him upset or down he always carried momentum and excitement. I can’t say enough about him. Gene was a featured part of every show.
On being personal friends outside of wrestling:
Yes. We talked at least once a month. I’m told that he fell and took a bad hit and that is what put him in the hospital. I’m still waiting to hear what finally got to him. Wendy just talked to him 2 weeks ago and he was still laughing and having fun. The most entertaining guy outside of the wrestler themselves ever. Nobody is even close.
On numerous websites talking about him after his passing:
Yes it was amazing. Many people do not realize that he had an opportunity years ago to go to the NFL because he would have been a great guy for something like MNF. They were afraid that people would just associate him with wrestling.
On his favorite era with Mean Gene Okerlund:
I look back and I cannot pick out an era. I enjoyed every moment with him in WCW and WWE. He did some of those skits that were so far ahead of its time and the NBA, NFL, and more were all just trying to keep up. Vince would put together a package just because Gene had the talent to do it and it was so far ahead of other sports. Gene just made the segments better with his humor and his wit.
You can see the complete interview below.
