For two generations of wrestling fans, when you refer to a backstage interviewer, the first name they will recall is that of Mean Gene Okerlund.
Okerlund is best known for the decade he worked in WWE from the mid-1980s and the subsequent decade he was employed by WCW in this same role. For 20 years he was witness to the birth of Hulkamania, the inaugural WrestleMania, the formation and split of the Mega Powers, the debut of Monday Night Raw and was front and centre as the rise of the New World Order took hold in WCW.
Okerlund studied broadcast journalism as a youngster and initially worked in radio before receiving an opportunity to work for the American Wrestling Association (AWA) wherein he eventually replaced longtime announcer, Marty O'Neill.