Gene Okerlund
March 30, 1998
by RichInKC

RichInKC: What are your thoughts on the new style that the WWF is using, the more adult oriented and "hardcore" style? Do you think this is a good move by McMahon or is it something he may regret down the road?

Gene: Well, I think in the long run, he is going to regret it. This is offensive to people watching and, even if the kids think they are getting away with something by watching it, the policing authorities in television, and that includes cable, are going to put the kibosh on this thing. It would be a turnoff for me if I were a television sponsor.

I think this thing is going to bite him in the ass and it's just a matter of when and where. We stay away from it because we know that the advertising community on Madison Avenue find it pretty hard to put kids toys or soft drinks or hamburgers, whether it is Mean Gene Burgers, McDonalds or Burger King or Wendys, in there and it doesn't look like it is the right kind of advertising atmosphere. In the long run, to answer your question, it is going to have a negative effect on him.

RichInKC: Do you think it's the hardcore aspect of ECW that has kept them from becoming mainstream as well, and from growing substantially outside of the borders of Pennsylvania?

Gene: The same thing is true. Some of the unorthodox and violent things they do, with a lot of juice, keeps them off mainstream television, at least in time periods where they could get some exposure. To have that thing cleared at two o'clock in the morning on a UHF station in Milwaukee doesn't do you a lot of good. You've got to get it out in prime time like World Championship Wrestling, like the WWF. With that kind of programming, I don't think Paul Heyman is going to get that kind of clearance.

RichInKC: I would like to close out the interview by giving you the names of some wrestlers and have you tell us your thoughts on them. I guess we should start off first with the man who arranged this interview, Diamond Dallas Page.

Gene: Diamond Dallas Page is respected for a fantastic work ethic and, if you think about it, he has come so far in a short period of time that he is now one of the marquee names in this sport, and I think he will be for a long time to come.

RichInKC: What about Shawn Michaels?

Gene: Shawn Michaels - a good, good hand. I don't think there is any two ways about it, and I don't think anyone would deny it. I think he has had a lot of pressure put on him there at the World Wrestling Federation. He's really the only guy that has kind of survived all of this. If you take a look at all of the other guys, they have all fallen by the wayside with the possible exception of the UnderTaker. Shawn should be getting some rest, so he can freshen it up. He's a big name and a good wrestler.