George Steele and Mean Gene's Hilarious Detroit Zoo Adventure

In a 1985 wrestling segment, Mean Gene Okerlund humorously searched for George 'The Animal' Steele at the Detroit Zoo, blending wrestling antics with local baseball humor.

Feb. 25, 2026 at 4:33pm

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In a playful 1985 segment on Saturday Night's Main Event, WWE personality "Mean" Gene Okerlund went searching for the eccentric wrestler George "The Animal" Steele at the Detroit Zoo. The humorous video package featured the two men interacting with various zoo animals and making jokes about the struggling Detroit Tigers baseball team that year.

Why it matters

This video package represents the over-the-top, cartoonish nature of professional wrestling in the mid-1980s, when the WWE (then known as the WWF) produced off-the-wall content that blended wrestling characters with local culture and sports references. It also showcases the unique personality of George Steele, a highly educated wrestler who played up a wild, animalistic persona in the ring.

The details

In the video, "Mean" Gene Okerlund goes searching for the elusive George "The Animal" Steele at the Detroit Zoo. The two men interact with various zoo animals, with Steele playing up his "Animal" persona. At one point, Okerlund asks Steele what kind of tiger he is, and Steele replies "Detroit", a joking reference to the struggling Detroit Tigers baseball team that year.

  • The video package aired on October 5, 1985 during an episode of Saturday Night's Main Event.

The players

George "The Animal" Steele

A professional wrestler known for his wild, animalistic persona in the ring. Steele was actually highly educated, with a Bachelor's degree from Michigan State University and a Master's degree from Central Michigan University.

"Mean" Gene Okerlund

A longtime WWE personality who conducted interviews and hosted various shows, known for his humorous and engaging on-screen persona.

Detroit Tigers

The Major League Baseball team based in Detroit, Michigan. In 1985, the Tigers finished 15 games behind the first place team and failed to make the playoffs, a year after winning the World Series.

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What they’re saying

“We are here looking for the most elusive creature on this entire planet. No, it's not Bigfoot, The Loch Ness monster or Judge Crater. I could only be talking about about George 'The Animal' Steel. Now we've had reports that he's been seen here at the Detroit Zoological Park and if anybody could find him, I can. Come along.”

— "Mean" Gene Okerlund, WWE Personality

“Detroit Tiger? He does seem a little sleepy this season...”

— "Mean" Gene Okerlund, WWE Personality

The takeaway

This humorous wrestling segment from the 1980s showcases the over-the-top, cartoonish nature of professional wrestling at the time, as well as the unique personalities of performers like George "The Animal" Steele. It blends wrestling antics with local culture and sports references, providing a glimpse into the entertainment landscape of that era.