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The Orlando Sentinel has an interview with “Let me tell you something Mean Gene!” , Mean Gene Okerlund. Here are just s few highlights from the interview:

What are your thoughts on what the business was to what it has become now?

Well, back in the old days, the people around the country can relate to some of the great stars like Gagne, Lou Thesz, Eddie Graham who was a big star in Florida and the southeast United States. The venues where wrestling played were smoky, national guard armories. People were throwing beer on one another. They probably still do that today though. I don’t think I can say that hasn’t changed. But the one thing, you take a lot at it now with all the pyrotechnics and with the tremendous visual aspect of a World Wrestling Entertainment event, I mean, there is no comparison. I think what I’m saying essentially is the production values have just advanced so far that this competes with anything and everything on television.

Go back 25 years – you’re with then World Wrestling Federation and Vince McMahon has this idea that he wants to put on a huge show, an extravaganza called WrestleMania. What were your thoughts about him taking the big risk and putting on that show because some people thought he was crazy to try it?

Well, he has to have a lot of nerve to do be able to even dream up an event of that magnitude and then when he mainstreamed it with Mr. T and Muhammad Ali and Liberace and the Radio City Rockettes - Billy Martin was a guest ring announcer. I just couldn’t believe it. And back then, you know the cable penetration for pay-per-view availability was negligible. It was probably three or four million homes where today we’ve got one hundred or so million homes. Most of it, and WrestleMania I was done closed circuit at small theaters or small venues where you can seat less than 1,000 or 1,200 people.

Obviously a lot of people tie you in with Hulk Hogan as he helped make you famous with the many interviews you conducted with him. Now when you look at wrestling, John Cena is one of the biggest stars in the WWE. How would you compare the two right now and their respective careers?

You know, quite close because the one common denominator they have is both of those pieces of talent appeal to kids – children, kids and families. John Cena is family entertainment. You take a look at some of these other guys – well, I guess you could say even The Undertaker is. Cena is a top hand, he’s always on time, he’s prompt, he’s courteous and he’s one great in-ring performer. Plus, he’s a very articulate young man. I know you’ve probably seen his movie The Marine but there’s another one that’s going to be coming out very shortly (12 Rounds) and he is proving like The Rock before him that he is going to be a force to be reckoned with in Hollywood. To READ THE FULL INTERVIEW, GO HERE>>>>>>