10 Things You Didn't Know About 'Mean' Gene Okerlund

9. The AWA Tried To Call His Bluff

Mean Gene Okerlund
WWE.com

Soon after discussing Jesse Ventura's light-hearted ribbing, Okerlund admitted that he might've stayed in the AWA had Verne Gagne bothered to make him an offer. Maybe; Vince McMahon and the WWF were offering superb money, and it would've been career suicide to stick with Verne's already-flagging outfit.

Still, Gene wanted to give Verne and Greg the option.

Once it became clear they weren't going to even make a counter offer, Okerlund informed them he was leaving. That's when Greg piped up and asked the announcer how he could turn his back on the AWA after 13 years of service. When Gene stood his ground, Gagne petulantly said, 'Fine, leave'.

Okerlund did, and he never looked back. At that time in 1984, he was one of the first to make the leap and join McMahon's ever-expanding operation. Soon after, a ton of talent flocked through the same door, and the WWF's march towards global domination began.

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Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.