The Howard Cosell of wrestling. The voice that every promoter wanted, the experience to make it valuable, and the chops to work with even a sack of potatoes and make 'em shine.
On the surface, the deal Vince offered Verne sounds great but, after hearing about some of Vince's business practices over the past year, there's no guarantee he would've paid Verne that money. Both Bret Hart and Renee Dupree have said Vince made deals with their fathers to buy their territories and, after finding some loophole, Vince put them out of business and they didn't see a dime.
Didn’t Hart admit in his auto biography that Bruce was basically salty about not getting a hand in the deal and tried to go rogue with a new Stampede so Vince didn’t pay his end of the agreement? Honestly this is why you draw things up in writing. As crazy as Stu could be, he knew he was old and Bret, Davey Boy, Dynamite and Anvil had big paydays ahead of them so he wasn’t about to screw the pooch for those guys.
Vince always said his shady business practices were just fair market stuff and good for the fans etc, but when you literally pay stations to NOT pay the competition's shows, you're not competing fairly on your products merit and doing what's best for fans. And that's just the open, legal stuff he did.
I love Mene Gene and wish he lived long enough to get into this golden era of shoot interviews because he has so much knowledge and couldn’t bullshit you to save his life
Keep in mind Greg Gagne was one of the very few who flew to Miami from Minneapolis to be at Gene's funeral. Diamond Dallas Page and Jim Brunzell were also there.
3:54 _"[Vince McMahon] called Verne Gagne, and offered him a deal [in early 1984]. And it was a sweetheart deal... It was a 10 million dollar buyout. It was a guaranteed $500,000/year for five years for both Verne and [his son] Greg. And why fight the battle? Join us, we'll collaborate, we'll do this together. And probably give you a couple of towns to run. And also give you some exposure on national TV."_ *Let me get this straight:* So Vince's deal to Verne was to buy and dissolve the AWA, and have both Verne and Greg work in the WWF/E front office for five years? If Vince had instead offered the Gagnes guaranteed lifetime employment (as rumored that's what Gorilla Monsoon got), perhaps Verne might have jumped at it if he had an open mind.
Ted Turner offered to buy the AWA video library and ESPN slot in 1990 for a few million and give Greg employment... Verne turned it down because WCW wouldn't continue to recognize the AWA Title.
I remember Verne Gagne on local TV hawking vitamins and some kind of elixir that was about about 20 % alcohol. He was an old school rassler but he didn't adapt with the times. I love the Mad Dog!
To balk at a 10 million dollar offer, 500k a year for you and your son, in the early to mid 80s is just crazy. That's a really good offer and it shows that when egos get involved poor choices are made.
True that, sir💯 That's a lotta cheddar to offer on a sweerheart deal like the one Mr. McMahon made to Mr. Gagne💵💴 Of course, that's assuming Vince would've kept his word to Verne
@@michaelvaughn8864and keep in mind that this was 1984! That would have been worth around $30 million in today’s money! And the $500,000 each for Verne and Greg for 5 years in ‘84 would be worth around $1.5 million today. I thought Verne was nuts to turn it down because the AWA of the 80’s wasn’t anything special to watch, too many older veterans and most of the younger stars were in the WWF.
What' heat between Verne and the NWA? He had his own champion, but attended the NWA conventions and even owned part of the St. Louis office with Bob Geigel and that consortium out of Kansas City. He was part of the old guard territory mafia syndicate.. And he, Crockett, and some of the other promoters collaborated to do Pro Wrestling USA in 84 to try and fight Vince. He was doing co-pronotions with Crockett until 86 or so. The only thing I heard was Greg saying that David Crockett was trying to "steal" some of the AWA guys and get them to go work for JCP while they were doing the joint shows together.
if Vern was being honest he'd be saying something along the lines of "well, you know I got to go on that Christmas trip to Aspen with all my skiing buds, that's really expensive you know".
Is it really Crazy that Verne didn't want to change? Who wants change when they're ruling a roost. Do anyone think Vince would have thrown Kayfabe out the window if he wasn't getting his arse kicked by WCW. That's where the expression "NECESSITY being the mother of INVENTION"
Vince threw kayfabe out the window because he didn't want to pay licensing fees to state athletic commissions anymore. That was in 1989. It was to save money; it had nothing to do with WCW.
Vince offered 2 million in 1983, not 10 mil in early 1984. What exactly would Vince be buying anyway? He already was in the process of stealing all the AWA talent.
@@brtang Basic logic would tell you that. Tell me what he offered Stu and what he paid for Georgia. Start doing some research and stop believing bullshit!
@@curthennig9448 Your name isn't Curt Hennig, you weren't there, and regardless of the offer YOU Never Heard, Verne still cut off his nose to spite his face, instead of taking the chance to make more money than he did. Your "facts" are as irrelevant as you're "name". SMH even more.
That's the propaganda, but anyone who can look at the AWA with a objective eye will know that that was simply not the case. As Gene said, Verne did not WANT to change, but that doesn't mean that he didn't know that inevitable change was coming. One thing killed the AWA, and that was racketeering, one of the first major crimes that they should have put Vince away for. He used the money and influence he gained from Wrestlemania I, and forced the local TV stations around the country to not run any content from any other promotion. That is 100% illegal, and he should have been strung up for it. Not that Verne and the others were any kind of boy scouts, but Vince was a criminal of another level.
@@princeofcupspoc9073 Verrne had all of the pieces for success under one roof. He did NO want to change and neither did most of the decision makers in the NWA, by the time they acknowledged that Vince was a threat, it was too late. And yes Vince is a crook and that mess he pulled if not illegal, unethical at best. The thing is both sides had pulled that stunts like that before and that lousy Vince just bested them on that one. It's all there in black and white for anyone to look at. It's not 'propaganda' if it's called down the middle. Verne Gagne and thecNWA leadership is the reason they were run out of business, not Vince McMahon, The clowns that are still around still can't take responsibility for their mistakes and lousy decisions now. That right there should tell you and anyone else something.
RIP to the late great Mean Gene Okerlund
Stream the Full Shoot Interview (2006)
➡titlematchnetwork.com/wrestling-shoot-interviews-results/
Best powerful voice that will NEVER be replaced! RIP
Ain't that the truth
The Howard Cosell of wrestling. The voice that every promoter wanted, the experience to make it valuable, and the chops to work with even a sack of potatoes and make 'em shine.
That's a great comparison.
Totally agree, would have been awesome to see him work with Gordon Solie.
His blooper backstage interviews are humorous.
SummerSlam 89. Sign falls down when Gene is interviewing Rick Rude. Vince McMahon in background, saying nice move. Mean Gene saying Fck it.😅
Mene Gene! That voice can be heard over a packed room!
I miss Mean Gene. Nothing but great memories 💯🙏🏽
As Flair would say "MEEEEAAANNNN WHOOOOO BY GOD GENE"
On the surface, the deal Vince offered Verne sounds great but, after hearing about some of Vince's business practices over the past year, there's no guarantee he would've paid Verne that money. Both Bret Hart and Renee Dupree have said Vince made deals with their fathers to buy their territories and, after finding some loophole, Vince put them out of business and they didn't see a dime.
Didn’t Hart admit in his auto biography that Bruce was basically salty about not getting a hand in the deal and tried to go rogue with a new Stampede so Vince didn’t pay his end of the agreement? Honestly this is why you draw things up in writing.
As crazy as Stu could be, he knew he was old and Bret, Davey Boy, Dynamite and Anvil had big paydays ahead of them so he wasn’t about to screw the pooch for those guys.
vince will meet his maker one day, and see if he can talk his way out of that
All Vince wanted was the ESPN timeslot. He’d have found some way out of laying anyone but the network.
@@CarbiesChroniclesI saw that match Vince won 😂
Vince always said his shady business practices were just fair market stuff and good for the fans etc, but when you literally pay stations to NOT pay the competition's shows, you're not competing fairly on your products merit and doing what's best for fans. And that's just the open, legal stuff he did.
I love Mene Gene and wish he lived long enough to get into this golden era of shoot interviews because he has so much knowledge and couldn’t bullshit you to save his life
He would have had an amazing podcast.
@@Dr.JHamilton Agreed and would have made a great host, too!
That 10 million dollar story is a bunch of BS!
You cant expect a man to stay especially with No counter offer..
Not at all, Mr. Draven👍
Keep in mind Greg Gagne was one of the very few who flew to Miami from Minneapolis to be at Gene's funeral. Diamond Dallas Page and Jim Brunzell were also there.
Yep no flair or Hogan.
@@tupacchamberlian8556 None of the McMahon family also
@@AlwaysHalloween000Not surprised to hear that concerning The McMahons, sir👌
Booker T & Mrs. Huffman were there
Gene was a pleasure to listen to
3:54 _"[Vince McMahon] called Verne Gagne, and offered him a deal [in early 1984]. And it was a sweetheart deal... It was a 10 million dollar buyout. It was a guaranteed $500,000/year for five years for both Verne and [his son] Greg. And why fight the battle? Join us, we'll collaborate, we'll do this together. And probably give you a couple of towns to run. And also give you some exposure on national TV."_
*Let me get this straight:* So Vince's deal to Verne was to buy and dissolve the AWA, and have both Verne and Greg work in the WWF/E front office for five years? If Vince had instead offered the Gagnes guaranteed lifetime employment (as rumored that's what Gorilla Monsoon got), perhaps Verne might have jumped at it if he had an open mind.
Okerlund must have been drinking when he told this story. Vince never offered the Gagnes 10 mil and McMahon never would have paid it anyway.
Ted Turner offered to buy the AWA video library and ESPN slot in 1990 for a few million and give Greg employment... Verne turned it down because WCW wouldn't continue to recognize the AWA Title.
I remember Verne Gagne on local TV hawking vitamins and some kind of elixir that was about about 20 % alcohol. He was an old school rassler but he didn't adapt with the times. I love the Mad Dog!
@@ExplisitHipHophis talent was happy they were just being offered 3 times the money .. Heenan said it was great less time on the road pay was good ..
I wouldn't mind drinking that elixir 😂
Nice to hear about Da Crusher.
Yup he reneged on every buyout because he realized after WrestleMania 1 they all were dying territories so just take over by force
Good interview
Mean gene was awesome.
His reactions were so funny to heels crazy comments.
This interview is very interesting.
Come visit "Da Crusher" statue here in Milwaukee. Have a shot & a beer for ol' Reggie.😆👌
To balk at a 10 million dollar offer, 500k a year for you and your son, in the early to mid 80s is just crazy. That's a really good offer and it shows that when egos get involved poor choices are made.
True that, sir💯 That's a lotta cheddar to offer on a sweerheart deal like the one Mr. McMahon made to Mr. Gagne💵💴 Of course, that's assuming Vince would've kept his word to Verne
@@michaelvaughn8864and keep in mind that this was 1984! That would have been worth around $30 million in today’s money! And the $500,000 each for Verne and Greg for 5 years in ‘84 would be worth around $1.5 million today. I thought Verne was nuts to turn it down because the AWA of the 80’s wasn’t anything special to watch, too many older veterans and most of the younger stars were in the WWF.
@@SirManfly You make very valid points, sir👍💯
@@SirManfly Verne could've been mad rolling in dough if he'd taken the offer and it was firm on Vince's end, sir💵💴
What' heat between Verne and the NWA? He had his own champion, but attended the NWA conventions and even owned part of the St. Louis office with Bob Geigel and that consortium out of Kansas City. He was part of the old guard territory mafia syndicate.. And he, Crockett, and some of the other promoters collaborated to do Pro Wrestling USA in 84 to try and fight Vince. He was doing co-pronotions with Crockett until 86 or so. The only thing I heard was Greg saying that David Crockett was trying to "steal" some of the AWA guys and get them to go work for JCP while they were doing the joint shows together.
Gene Mean was AWA,WWF and WCW..never lost it.
Did Gene have a book? These stories are terrific.
I remember him as a DJ.
RIP mean gene. Let me tell you something!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!MEAN GENE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rest in peace Mean Gene.
Gean Mean
Thanks
"Well, you know, Mean Gene!"
if Vern was being honest he'd be saying something along the lines of "well, you know I got to go on that Christmas trip to Aspen with all my skiing buds, that's really expensive you know".
vince never paid the money he owed for stampede, pretty sure he would have screwed verne. vince didn't even honor the money in his NDAs
Show the video of why Gene went to WCW!
Mean Gene Okerlund🛎🛎🛎🛎🛎🛎🛎🛎🛎🛎
Did Vince even have 10 million to offer at the time?!
No way...not back then.
It was going to be paid in yearly payments
BS story!
Best vignette ever was when they caught Mean Gene & Bobby Heenan in a closet with Moolah & Mae Young
Sad the funeral attendance was so low for a popular person
Most of the guys he was popular with her long dead - and hogan and the like were never going to show up anyway.
Greg Gagne and Jim Brunzell had the class to show up as did Diamond Dallas Page ~That was about it
@@antonchigurh7227Diamond Dallas Page rules.
#RIPMeanGene
#RIPVerneGagne
Is it really Crazy that Verne didn't want to change? Who wants change when they're ruling a roost. Do anyone think Vince would have thrown Kayfabe out the window if he wasn't getting his arse kicked by WCW. That's where the expression "NECESSITY being the mother of INVENTION"
Vince threw kayfabe out the window because he didn't want to pay licensing fees to state athletic commissions anymore. That was in 1989. It was to save money; it had nothing to do with WCW.
Wow, the story about Vince's offer to Verne says it All .... Verne was a FOOL who cut his own nose off to spit his face.
Vince offered 2 million in 1983, not 10 mil in early 1984. What exactly would Vince be buying anyway? He already was in the process of stealing all the AWA talent.
@@curthennig9448 Oh, Yea, I forgot YOU were there "Curt Hennig" SMH
@@brtang Basic logic would tell you that. Tell me what he offered Stu and what he paid for Georgia. Start doing some research and stop believing bullshit!
@@curthennig9448 Your name isn't Curt Hennig, you weren't there, and regardless of the offer YOU Never Heard, Verne still cut off his nose to spite his face, instead of taking the chance to make more money than he did. Your "facts" are as irrelevant as you're "name". SMH even more.
@@brtang You get stupider by the sentence. Hope you don't have anything else to say. Where are your facts? I'm waiting.
Verne and Greg Gagne lived in a bubble, those men were the textbook definition of 'delusional'.
That's the propaganda, but anyone who can look at the AWA with a objective eye will know that that was simply not the case. As Gene said, Verne did not WANT to change, but that doesn't mean that he didn't know that inevitable change was coming. One thing killed the AWA, and that was racketeering, one of the first major crimes that they should have put Vince away for. He used the money and influence he gained from Wrestlemania I, and forced the local TV stations around the country to not run any content from any other promotion. That is 100% illegal, and he should have been strung up for it. Not that Verne and the others were any kind of boy scouts, but Vince was a criminal of another level.
@@princeofcupspoc9073 Verrne had all of the pieces for success under one roof. He did NO want to change and neither did most of the decision makers in the NWA, by the time they acknowledged that Vince was a threat, it was too late. And yes Vince is a crook and that mess he pulled if not illegal, unethical at best. The thing is both sides had pulled that stunts like that before and that lousy Vince just bested them on that one. It's all there in black and white for anyone to look at. It's not 'propaganda' if it's called down the middle. Verne Gagne and thecNWA leadership is the reason they were run out of business, not Vince McMahon, The clowns that are still around still can't take responsibility for their mistakes and lousy decisions now. That right there should tell you and anyone else something.
Verne Gagne was both a genius and a fool. Should have taken that Vince Jr deal.
I wonder why nobody showed up to Mene Gene Funeral only DDP showed up
Jim Brunzell was there. Greg Gagne too.
Hello
Best decision Bald Gene made was leaving AWA.
Without question
Worst decision was leaving WWF
@@Nostalgia9478Agreed
Very true
Wasn't Gene's call. Vince pushed him out. He did it to most of the old regime. McMahon wanted new blood. Fresh faces.
8:00 Gene is full of crap. Wrestling wasn't small time before Vince went national. It was in arenas, on national TV.
Sceam Gene
Scheme gene.
Did you call his deceptive hotline too?
I want to know why he sold out and left WWF in 1993
Money, like everyone else who did it 🤷🏻♂️
@@ADAMdinho1 At least Taker was loyal and didnt sell out
@@Nostalgia9478Worked out pretty well for Mean Gene I would say
@@Nostalgia9478- Taker was Mean Mark Callus in WCW before going to the WWF/E.
It's a business.
@@The_Bad_Guy. How so!
Greg is putz
5:00 Spreads that false rumor.