Jerry Lawler

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Jerry Lawler
An image of Jerry Lawler.
Statistics
Ring name(s) Jerry "The King" Lawler
Billed height 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)[1]
Billed weight 236 lb (107 kg/16.9 st)[2][1]
Born November 29, 1949 (1949-11-29) (age 58)
Memphis, Tennessee[1]
Resides Memphis, Tennessee
Billed from Memphis, Tennessee[2]
Trained by Jackie Fargo[3]
Debut 1970[1]

Jerry Lawler (born November 29, 1949) is an American musician, film actor, politician, professional wrestler and wrestling commentator, known throughout the wrestling world as Jerry "The King" Lawler. He is currently signed to World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), working and wrestling on its RAW brand as the color commentator. He also wrestles and occasionally commentates for the Memphis Wrestling promotion.

Jerry Lawler has the distinction of having, arguebly, the most wrestling championship reigns of all time[citation needed]. He has won a total of 129 titles in his career, including 1 reign as American Wrestling Association World Heavyweight Champion and 30 reigns as American Wrestling Association Southern Heavyweight Champion. Lawler held the latter championship another 13 times when the National Wrestling Alliance controlled it. He is also a 3 time World Class Wrestling Association World Heavyweight Champion (United States Wrestling Association Unified World Heavyweight Champion in the third case). He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2007.

Contents

Professional wrestling career

1970s - 1990s

As a young adult, Lawler had a job as a disk jockey, which garnered the attention of local wrestling promoter Aubrey Griffith.[1] The two made an agreement in which Lawler would help give Griffith free publicity in exchange for free wrestling training.[1] Lawler debuted in 1970 and won his first championship in September 1971 by winning a battle royal.[1] He soon won the NWA Southern Tag Team Championship under the managerial service of Sam Bass with partner Jim White.[1] In 1974, Lawler began feuding with Jackie Fargo, who had been his trainer and mentor. This led to a match for the AWA Southern Heavyweight Championship. On July 24, 1974, Lawler was booked to win the belt and the title of "King of Memphis."[1][3] While Lawler began his career as a heel, he became a face after splitting from Bass at the end of 1974.[1] On November 12, 1979, while working in the Continental Wrestling Association (CWA), Lawler defeated Billy Graham to become the CWA World Champion.[1] In 1980, his career was put on hold due to a broken leg, but he returned to the ring after several months.[1]

In 1982, Lawler had a notorious feud with comedian Andy Kaufman.[1] At the time, Kaufman wrestled women as part of his skits and had declared himself the Intergender Heavyweight Champion.[1] On April 5, Lawler, who had taken exception to the skits, wrestled Kaufman in Memphis.[1] During the course of the match, Lawler delivered two piledrivers to his opponent, sending him to the hospital.[1] On July 29, Lawler slapped Kauffman in the face on an episode Late Night with David Letterman.[1][4] Kaufman responded by throwing his coffee on Lawler.[1]

On March 7, 1983, Lawler won the AWA International Championship by defeating Austin Idol.[1] He also defeated Ken Patera on July 25 to begin his second reign as the International Champion.[1] Lawler became the NWA Mid America Champion on April 12, 1984 when he was booked to defeat Randy Savage for the title.[1] In 1985, Lawler traveled to Japan, where he won the Polynesian Pacific title on January 25, 1986.[1] He later returned to the United States, where he defeated Bill Dundee on July 29, 1986 to begin a new reign as the AWA International Champion.[1] Lawler feuded with Tommy Rich, Austin Idol and Paul E. Dangerously throughout early 1987.[1] The animosity began after controversy over an AWA World Championship title shot involving Nick Bockwinkel.[1] During the feud, the trio defeated Lawler in a steel cage match and cut his hair, which caused a riot in the Mid-South Coliseum.[1]

Lawler won the AWA World Heavyweight Championship from Curt Hennig.[1] During his reign, Lawler feuded with World Class Championship Wrestling's Champion Kerry Von Erich.[1] He defeated Von Erich on December 15, 1989 at Superclash III to unify the two titles.[1] Soon after, Lawler's issues with Verne Gagne led to his departure from the AWA.[1] In 1991 and 1992, while working in the United States Wrestling Association (USWA), Lawler teamed with Jeff Jarrett in a feud against The Moondogs over the USWA Tag Team Championship.[1] The feud was named Pro Wrestling Illustrated's feud of the year in 1992.[1]

World Wrestling Federation

Lawler began his WWF career as an announcer on WWF Superstars of Wrestling.[1] From 1993 to 1995, he feuded with Bret Hart and the rest of the Hart family. The feud began at King of the Ring 1993 when Lawler interrupted Hart's victory ceremony and attacked Bret.[1][5] Lawler claimed that he was the only true king in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), and the two were scheduled to wrestle at SummerSlam 1993 to settle the dispute. When the event arrived, however, Lawler came to the ring on crutches and claimed that he could not wrestle because of injuries suffered in a car accident.[6] Hart faced Lawler's "court jester," Doink the Clown instead, and beat him by submission. Lawler then attacked Hart, revealing that he was not injured.[6] Hart defeated Lawler by submission but refused to release the Sharpshooter. As a result, the referee reversed the decision and awarded the title of "Undisputed King of the World Wrestling Federation" to Lawler.[7]

Simultaneously, in a form of cross-promotion, Lawler engaged in a bitter feud with Vince McMahon (who at the time was never acknowledged as the actual owner of the World Wrestling Federation) back in the USWA where Lawler played the babyface to his hometown Memphis audience, whereas McMahon (who had always played face in the WWF) was being portrayed as a smug heel intent on dethroning Lawler as the king of professional wrestling. As part of the cross-promotion, McMahon, Bret and Owen Hart, Giant Gonzalez, Tatanka, and "Macho Man" Randy Savage would begin appearing on USWA television to further the feud. While the program continued in the USWA, the feud between Lawler and McMahon would not be acknowledged on WWF television.

The Hart Family (Bret, Owen, Bruce and Keith) were scheduled to face Lawler and three other wrestlers in an elimination match at Survivor Series 1993, but Shawn Michaels had to take Lawler's place because Lawler was facing legal troubles.[1][8] As a result, the feud between Lawler and Vince McMahon back in the USWA was also abruptly discontinued. Lawler did not face Bret Hart at another pay-per-view until the first In Your House show, when he beat Hart after Hakushi and his manager Shinja interfered.[9] This set up a "Kiss My Foot" match at King of the Ring 1995, which Bret won.[5] As a result, Lawler was forced to kiss Bret's feet. The feud took one final turn when Lawler introduced his "dentist" Isaac Yankem, D.D.S.. After Hart defeated Yankem by disqualification,[10] however, the feud quickly disappeared.

Following the end of his legal troubles which kept him out of Survivor Series 1993, Lawler eventually returned to the WWF at WrestleMania X, which was also the first WWF pay-per-view he ever commentated at. During the main event of the night, "Rowdy" Roddy Piper served as special guest referee for the second WWF championship match, during the course of which, Lawler began making disparaging remarks about him. Lawler would continue to berate Piper on later episodes of Monday Night RAW, including bringing a skinny kid into the ring dressed as Piper and forcing him to kiss his feet. This ultimately led to a match between the two at King of the Ring 1994 which Lawler lost.

In the fall of 1994, Lawler initiated a feud with Doink the Clown. Lawler popped the balloons carried by Doink's midget sidekick, Dink.[11] After Doink and Dink retaliated, Lawler introduced a midget sidekick of his own, who he named Queasy.[11] In the following weeks, Doink added two more sidekicks, Wink and Pink, while Lawler introduced Sleazy and Cheesy.[11] This led to an elimination match at Survivor Series 1994, which Lawler's team won.[12] After the match, however, Lawler's team turned on him, joining with Doink's team to attack Lawler.[13]

In late 1994 and early 1995, Lawler wrestled briefly in Smoky Mountain Wrestling while still continuing to commentate sporadically for the WWF.[1] During his absences, Shawn Michaels filled in for him as color commentator on Monday Night RAW. He defeated Tony Anthony for the promotion's top title in January 1995.[1] By 1996, Lawler wrestled occasionally on WWF Superstars where he would take on jobbers while holding a microphone in the ring to, essentially, "do the commentary on (his) very own matches" while occasionally serving as the official cornerman for Isaac Yankem D.D.S. After a brief feud with The Ultimate Warrior, Lawler began feuding with Jake Roberts in summer 1996 after making fun of Roberts' drug and alcohol problems.[1] The two met in a match at SummerSlam 1996, which Lawler won. After the match, Lawler poured Jim Beam whiskey down Roberts' throat.[14]

In 1997, Lawler became heavily involved in the working relationship between the WWF and Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW). In interviews and commentary, he referred to the promotion as "Extremely Crappy Wrestling."[1] His frequent insults toward ECW eventually led to the promotion "invading" Monday Night RAW in February 1997 and ultimately to a match with ECW wrestler Tommy Dreamer at ECW Hardcore Heaven 1997, which Dreamer won.[15]

In mid-1997, Lawler entered the King of the Ring tournament for the first time and advanced to the semi-final round where he was defeated by Mankind. By the fall, the WWF introduced a new "light-heavyweight division" to compete with World Championship Wrestling's "cruiserweight division." Lawler's son, Brian Christopher, was one of the major light-heavyweight superstars in the division, although, the WWF played up an angle where both Lawler and Christopher would deny their family relationship, even though the two would aide each other in matches and so on.

By 1998, Lawler rarely wrestled in the WWF and focused on commentary. Despite their feud in the USWA in 1993, by 1998, Vince McMahon had turned heel in the WWF for the first time and left the announce position, to which Lawler began praising McMahon's name on commentary as part of his own heel persona, much to the chagrin of Jim Ross. It was McMahon's departure from the commentary team which led to the strong on-screen chemistry between Lawler and Ross in subsequent years. At SummerSlam 2000, The King wrestled Tazz in defense of Ross.[1] With the creation of the XFL in 2001, Lawler was given the job as an announcer for the new football league.[16] Lawler claims that he never wanted to announce for the XFL, but that he agreed to it after Vince McMahon and Kevin Dunn asked him.[16]

Independent circuit

In February 2001, Lawler's then-wife Stacy Carter (p/k/a "The Kat") was released by the WWF, and Lawler quit the company in protest.[17][16] In his account, there was no clear notice as to why she was fired; when Jim Ross broke the news to him, he stated that the Creative Team simply said that Stacy had "an attitude problem." While questioning Vince McMahon, McMahon told Lawler that he did not know exactly what the attitude problem was, and failed to straighten the issue to the Lawlers. Considering that McMahon was Head of the Talent Creative Team, Lawler found it highly suspicious that McMahon then allowed him simply to quit, as if McMahon knew it would happen.

Lawler has stated several theories as to why he was allowed to leave. His first involves the ascent of Carter's career alongside the downfall of Chyna's. In his contention, Chyna was jealous of his wife's push inside the company, in part due to the Right to Censor storyline, and in part because of his wife's offer to pose for Playboy magazine. Until that time, Chyna had been the second major wrestling star from the World Wrestling Federation to have done a Playboy piece (after Sable); during Chyna's debut on the adult magazine, she had suddenly broken her friendship with Carter.[18]

In interviews, he has also stated that there may have been an alternate reason, namely, that the company wanted to fire him. He strengthens this view by mentioning the cavalier, business-like demeanor Vince had given him on his quitting-day. In his recollection, Jim Ross was fired by McMahon with the exact same demeanor while struck with a bout of Bells Palsy in 1994, a time when Ross's "usefulness" had run out. Lawler felt that Carter's release was an attempt to remove him as well, stating that the company was well-aware that he would walk-out alongside his wife. The hasty replacement of Jerry Lawler with Paul Heyman launched a theory where Heyman was promoted at Lawler's expense. Internet rumors circulated that the company was in better terms with Heyman than Lawler, and used remarks Lawler had made in criticism of ECW to launch a theory whereby Heyman wanted Lawler out. Lawler has stated repeatedly that he has no resentment towards Paul Heyman, accusing the media and internet theorists of spreading false information.[19]

During this time, Lawler made appearances on the independent circuit in both Australia and North America,[1][20] as well as joining the fledgling World Wrestling All-Stars promotion as a color commentator.[1] After Carter divorced Lawler in November, he returned to the WWF that same year.

World Wrestling Entertainment

Lawler and Jim Ross calling the action for WWE.
Lawler and Jim Ross calling the action for WWE.

In November 2001, Jerry Lawler returned as color commentator for Raw and PPV events, working alongside Jim Ross. He had briefly worked on SmackDown! with Michael Cole until the brands were separated. On Lawler's debut, Heyman was angrily forced out, representing the end of both him and the entire Alliance angle. Upon Jerry Lawler's return, ratings rose, in due part to his entertainment style complementing Ross's informational approach.[original research?] Lawler stated that his well-worked chemistry with Jim Ross has been a result of their different styles; according to Lawler, Jim Ross is a fine storyteller and keeps fans well-versed with current storylines, whereas he provides reaction and emotion to liven the commentary.[21]

In addition, he has had sporadic matches with up-and-coming Raw superstars, especially Randy Orton.

In 2003, Raw's announce team of Lawler and Jim Ross feuded with Sunday Night Heat's team of Jonathan Coachman and Al Snow.[1] At Unforgiven 2003, Lawler and Ross lost a match against Coachman and Snow, thus losing their right to do commentary on Raw.[1] In a rematch, however, Ross defeated Coachman, winning Lawler and Ross their position back.[1]

In June 2006, ECW invaded WWE again. ECW and WWE went head to head for several weeks on Raw, which included the SmackDown! superstars. This created tension between the Raw and Smackdown announce teams. Tazz insulted and criticized Jim Ross until Lawler came to Ross' defense. The feud concluded when Tazz and Lawler faced each other in a match at One Night Stand 2006, which Tazz won in only 30 seconds by making Lawler pass out to the Tazzmission.[22]

In July 2006, Randy Orton began a feud with Hulk Hogan. Lawler attacked Orton in defense of Hogan,[23] which set up a match between them on Raw.[24] Orton defeated Lawler after a low-blow and an RKO.[25]

On March 31, 2007, Lawler was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame by William Shatner, whom Lawler had a memorable altercation with on a January 1995 episode of Monday Night RAW. In August, King Booker claimed to be the only one entitled to be known as "King".[26] After being defeated by Booker in the ring,[27] Lawler was supposed to be forced to crown his opponent at an August 13 show in Madison Square Garden.[28] During the ceremony, however, Lawler announced Triple H as a new opponent for Booker, leading to a worked brawl between Lawler and Booker.[28]

Memphis Wrestling (2007)

In 2007 it was announced that Lawler would be participating in a 'dream match' with Hulk Hogan which had been set to take place in the Memphis Wrestling promotion on April 27. The match had been heavily-hyped by promoter Corey Maclin as Hogan had competed in the Memphis territory early in his career.[29] However, on April 12 Lawler pulled out of the event citing his contractual obligations to WWE rendering him unable to appear on a show that was due to be filmed by VH1 for the television show Hogan Knows Best.[30] On 11 January 2008, Maclin revealed he has recently filed a lawsuit against WWE, claiming that pressure on Lawler (and others) to withdraw from the event violated section two of the Sherman Antitrust Act.[31]

Non-wrestling endeavors

Lawler has created some musical recordings. Among these are two late-70s singles: "Cadillac Man/Memphis", and "Bad News". During his feud with manager Jimmy Hart (Jerry Lawler is a factor for "The Mouth of the South" Jimmy Hart entering professional wrestling. Lawler wanted to record a wrestling album with him singing and, since they had gone to school together, he called Hart and asked him to be a part of it) in the mid-80s, Hart became known as "The Wimp", a nickname given to him by Lawler and chanted by fans. Hart was the subject of the song "Wimpbusters", which was sung by Lawler to the tune of the popular hit Ghostbusters by Ray Parker Jr.. A music video was also made, featuring Lawler, legendary announcer Lance Russell, and wrestlers such as Randy Savage, Jimmy Valiant, Dutch Mantel, Tommy Rich, and Rufus R. Jones, along with footage of "The King" beating Hart and his "First Family." A very young Brian Christopher also made an appearance as a young child being bullied, and another child is seen wearing a replica of Tully Blanchard's West Texas State jersey. He also recorded a CD titled "Memphis' Other King".[32]

In 1998, Lawler began filming the movie Man on the Moon, starring Jim Carrey.[1] The two men allegedly did not get on along on set, which led to an altercation that left Carrey with a neck injury similar to the one suffered by Kaufman.[1]

In 1999, Jerry Lawler ran for mayor of Memphis, Tennessee.[4] His platform focused on making the streets safer for residents, beautifying the city and improving the quality of education.[33] In addition, he vowed to attract businesses to Memphis, improve the flow of traffic, create more parks, and decrease property taxes.[33] Lawler ended up with 11.7% of ballots, beating twelve of the fifteen candidates.[34] Ultimately, however, Mayor Willie Herenton was easily reelected.[34]

Personal life

Lawler has been married three times. He has two children from his marriage to his first wife, Kay.[35] His son Brian, who has previously wrestled in WWE (as "Brian Christopher" and "Grandmaster Sexay"), is now performing in independent promotions. His other son, Kevin, has dabbled in professional wrestling as both a referee and wrestler (under the names "Kevin Christian" and "Freddie Gilbert", kayfabe brother of Eddie Gilbert). In his book "It's Good To Be The King… Sometimes", Jerry Lawler says he believes Kevin's short physical stature has prevented him from reaching success similar to Brian. After divorcing Kay, Lawler married (and later divorced) Paula.[35]

He met his third wife, Stacy "The Kat" Carter, at a charity softball game in Memphis, Tennessee on July 23, 1989.[36] They married in September 2000.[1] In mid-February 2001, Carter (who was a valet and has also made in-ring appearances) was released by the World Wrestling Federation.[37] Lawler then left the company in protest.[37] Carter decided to leave Lawler in July 2001, and they separated not long after.[38] He rejoined WWE in November 2001.[20]

Lawler is the cousin of professional wrestler Roy Farris, better known as The Honky Tonk Man.[39]

In 1993, Lawler was indicted for raping and sodomizing a 15 year old girl, who later admitted she had lied about the incident.[40] Lawler was arrested on March 16, 1999 after throwing a ticket at a police officer and running over the officer's foot.[41]

Though he has spent most of his life in Memphis, Lawler did spend a part of his childhood in Ohio after his dad was transferred to a job in the state. Though his stay in the Buckeye State was brief, it would have an influence on Lawler through this day. He often cites Cleveland, Ohio as his second-favorite city behind only Memphis and is a die-hard fan of both the Cleveland Indians and the Cleveland Browns. When the WWE comes to Cleveland, Lawler will usually wear a Browns jersey or Indians jersey, and during baseball season, he will throw out the first pitch at an Indians game.

In wrestling

  • Dirty attacks
    • Throwing fire[42]
    • Foreign objects (including "phantom foreign objects") removed from either his tights or a hidden area in the ring, sold by his opponent as if they had been attacked by brass knuckles, or causing the referee to reprimand him and allowing him to set up yet another dirty move while the referee removed the object

Championships and accomplishments

1These title changes took place during an AWA hosted card as part of an interpromotional relationship between the American Wrestling Association, World Class Wrestling Association, and Continental Wrestling Association. Lawler also won the championship during a CWA hosted card.
2Lawler won the championship while wrestling on a CWA card in Memphis, Tennessee during the time when the AWA and CWA had a working partnership. It was the same situation during both of Lawler and Dundee's AWA World Tag Team Championship reigns.

References

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Further reading

External links

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Preceded by
Bobby "The Brain" Heenan
Paul Heyman		 WrestleMania color commentator
1994-2000
2002-present		 Succeeded by
Paul Heyman
incumbent