10 Shocking Moments from Wrestlemania 1

#8 Mean Gene volunteers to sing 'Star Spangled Banner' at the last minute

Last minute replacement.

Some of the biggest names in music have been invited into Wrestlemania to sing the USA's national anthem. Amongst these names, perhaps the most famous have been Aretha Franklin at Wrestlemania 3, and Ray Charles a year earlier at Wrestlemania 2.

With that in mind, it has never really made sense that the person entrusted with the opening rendition of Star Spangled Banner at Wrestlemania I was none other than Mean Gene Okerlund. Far from questioning the talents of the man, Mean Gene has never been seen as an all-out singer and his performance at the event, while not disastrous, didn't exactly set the world alight.

If rumours are to be believed, Mean Gene was actually standing in at the last minute after an un-named musical outfit pulled out just before the show's recording. If this is true, it would at least explain why the WWF's signature interviewer was placed in such an awkward position by his employers.

Credit has to go to Okerlund for stepping in and avoiding a potentially damaging situation for McMahon. Mean Gene may have provided us with a multitude of memorable moments over the years, but his singing performance at Mania I probably isn't one he would like us to remember too quickly.