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Jerry O'Neil Lawler (born November 29, 1949 in Memphis, Tennessee) is a professional wrestler and wrestling commentator, known throughout the wrestling world as "The King". He currently works for World Wrestling Entertainment as a color commentator for its RAW brand. He also wrestles for the Memphis Wrestling promotion and occasionally commentates.

Career

Lawler may be best known for a publicized feud with Andy Kaufman, that was later revealed to be completely contrived (a total "work" in wrestling parlance). This feud included a widely-seen confrontation between the two on Late Night with David Letterman. The bad blood between the two men seemed so convincing that it came as a surprise when in 1999 it was revealed that it was all a work.

Jerry Lawler has made history as being the wrestler with the most championship reigns of all time. He has won 112 titles in his career; 42 of which were the AWA Southern Heavyweight Championship. In fact, between them, Lawler and his son Brian have held a combined 68 Southern heavyweight championships.

Lawler unified the American Wrestling Association World Heavyweight Title (defeating Curt Hennig on May 9, 1988) with the WCCW World Heavyweight Title (defeating Kerry Von Erich on December 13, 1988), creating the United States Wrestling Association Unified World Heavyweight Championship. He was a co-owner, along with Jerry Jarrett, of the now-defunct promotion. From its start in 1989 to its end in 1997, Jerry Lawler held the USWA heavyweight title a total of 28 times. He began working for the WWF (now WWE) in 1993. Entering the federation as a heel, Lawler soon began a lengthy feud with Bret "The Hitman" Hart over the latter's winning of the inaugural King Of The Ring tournament. The feud ended when Hart defeated Lawler in a "Kiss My Foot" match at King Of The Ring 1995. Despite some brief feuds with other faces, such as the The Ultimate Warrior and Jake "The Snake" Roberts, in 1996, Lawler gradually began to settle into a role as the primary color commentator for WWF TV telecasts.

In 1997, as part of a WWF cross-promotional deal with Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW), Lawler insulted the credibility of ECW as a commentator on RAW. Later in the evening, ECW owner Paul Heyman personally called him over the air and gave a rebuttal. This led to several ECW wrestlers making appearances (and even wrestling matches) on WWF television, with Lawler all the while insulting ECW and its wrestlers. He was booked to wrestle Tommy Dreamer at ECW's Hardcore Heaven pay-per-view in August 1997, and lost.

In 1999, perhaps inspired by fellow wrestler Jesse Ventura's successful run for the governorship of Minnesota, Lawler ran for mayor of Memphis, finishing third in a field of 12 candidates.

Earlier in his career, like many wrestlers, Lawler took his turns as both face ("good guy") and heel ("bad guy"). Perhaps the best-known gimmick of this period was his on-and-off feud with an erstwhile tag-team partner, Australian wrestler "Superstar" Bill Dundee. A celebrated "grudge match" between the two at Memphis' Mid-South Coliseum represented a rare example of theatrical make-up blood actually being found in use at a pro wrestling event, since the match was being taped for an NBC television program documenting the rise in popularity of pro wrestling.

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. So close are the two men that on April 2, 2005, when Hart was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, Lawler performed Hart's induction.

Lawler as commentator

Throughout most of his stay in the WWE, Lawler has served as a color commentator, first with the promotion's syndicated programs and later on WWE RAW. Originally, Lawler would often root for the heel wrestlers. During this time, whenever he would walk down the aisle, whether to wrestle or go to the commentator booth, the fans would chant "Burger King" at him (ironically, in 2005 Lawler dressed as The Burger King for the Halloween edition of RAW.) This practice was recently resurrected for ECW One Night Stand on June 11, 2006 after he slapped former RAW announce partner Joey Styles.

Over the past few years, however, Lawler has headed into a direction of mostly praising face wrestlers. This can be attributed to Lawler having had feuds with various heels (most notably Daivari, an Arab-American heel who insults Americans) often in defense of fellow RAW commentator Jim Ross; and the rise of Jonathan Coachman as the heel color commentator on "WWE RAW." Looking back on Lawler's broadcasts from a decade ago, one can notice that today he has become much less acidic and mean spirited, and slightly more level headed and fun-loving.

Lawler often shows a code of morality in his commentary; for example, even when he was decidedly pro-heel at the announcer's table, he would show respect for a face wrestler who was legitimately injured. His tune has always changed, however, when one of the WWE's valets are involved, in which case he often uses innuendo to hype the valet ("Puppies!") and has been nicknamed "Puppy Patrol." Lawler's commentary began in 1988, while with the CWA, and since that time Lawler`s core routine has not changed.

On May 1, Lawler briefly returned to his classic heel-style color commentary (in Coachman's absence), culminating in a segment where he played along with the Spirit Squad's insistence that play-by-play announcer Joey Styles proclaim Kenny as the new WWE Champion with the proper "spirit" should Kenny win their title bout. (Styles would have to wear a cheerleader outfit on the next RAW episode if he was found to not be showing the proper enthusiasm). Styles refused, began insulting Lawler and slapped him. Lawler knocked down Styles, who angrily retreated to the back of the arena. Lawler quickly apologized to the crowd, insisting his kidding around was all in good fun, but Styles refused to accept Lawler's apology or rejoin him on commentary. Instead, Styles delivered a hard-hitting shoot-style promo, where he bashed WWE, Vince McMahon, sports entertainment and the fans before saying he was quitting. Lawler — who was joined by Todd Grisham — returned to his current face-praising routine for the rest of the broadcast. It was announced on Wednesday 3rd May 2006 that Lawler would be rejoined at the Raw announce table by former partner Jim Ross. On May 22, 2006, Lawler reverted to his status as a tweener personality, rooting for heels, yet somewhat rooting for the faces. This is most likely due to the absence of Coachman.

Lawler was most recently involved in a feud with Gregory Helms, whom he defeated at New Year's Revolution 2006 with a diving fist drop from the top rope. He also faced The Coach in a Royal Rumble 2006 qualifier, which he lost due to interference from the debuting Spirit Squad.

He quit the WWF on February 21, 2001 in protest over then-wife Stacy "The Kat" Carter's dismissal, and was rehired on November 19 of the same year, sometime after he separated from her.

Lawler holds the record for most times appearing on the WrestleMania commentary team. He has done color commentary at every WrestleMania since 1994, except WrestleMania X-Seven. In a Byte This interview before WrestleMania XIX he stated that he's yet to do it all till he wrestles a match at WrestleMania.

Lawler hosted the WWE Hall of Fame ceremony on April 1, 2006.

Lawler was defeated by Tazz at ECW One Night Stand 2006 after passing out from the Tazzmission.

Personal life

Lawler has been married three times. He has two children from his first marriage. His son Brian, who has previously wrestled in WWE, is now performing in independent promotions. His other son, Kevin, has dabbled in professional wrestling as both a referee and wrestler. In his book It's Good to Be the King ... Sometimes, Lawler believes Kevin's small height has prevented him from reaching success similar to Brian.

His third ex-wife Stacy "The Kat" Carter also made a few in-ring appearances. His second ex-wife Paula was dragged into a feud with him for the Memphis Wrestling promotion. Currently, his girlfriend Renee has appeared with him in under the "Queen Renee" moniker for Memphis Wrestling.

Jerry claims to have never touched alcohol, preferring Coca-Cola instead. This has led to his extensive Coca-Cola merchandise collection. This also, however, contradicts his after-match celebration with Jim Ross after the latter beat Jonathan Coachman in a Whipping Match in late 2003, in which Ross and Lawler shared a beer.

Lawler is a Cleveland Browns fan and has often said on WWE TV that outside of his hometown of Memphis, Cleveland is his favorite city to visit. He did, however, recently congratulate the Browns' archrivals, the Pittsburgh Steelers, on winning the Super Bowl at a recent WWE RAW in Pittsburgh.

David Letterman

On the David Letterman show in the early 1980s Jerry was in an interview with late comedian Andy Kaufman. The two engaged in a shouting match, and Jerry got up and slapped him. No suit was filed. Video seen here It was later stated by The King in his book It's Good To Be The King....Sometimes that the entire incident was staged, at the request of Andy, in order to further the wrestling angle between the two.

Quotes

  • "What?!" (uttered whenever there is a surprising moment in a match, or when a surprising decision is made, also used whenever Stone Cold Steve Austin is stomping a mudhole in someone)
  • "Puppies!"
  • "Uh-Oh!"
  • "Latino Heeeeeeeeeeeeat!" (referring to Eddie Guerrero)
  • "I love RAW! So many puppies!"
  • "Don't blow it. Show it!"
  • "This isn't exactly a Kodak moment"
  • I like girls that like girls!
  • Where does she get her ring attire, Victoria's secret? (pertaining to the divas)
  • "J.R., you're so full of it, you've got diarrhea of the mouth and constipation of the brain!" (from SmackDown vs. RAW 2006)
  • "I'm not superstitious, J.R., because I know that's unlucky." (from SmackDown! vs. RAW 2006)
  • "He looked a lot bigger on the Lucky Charms box, eh McMahon?" (talking about Tazz)
  • Oh, look at him and his cheap pops!"(pertaining to Mick Foley giving a thumbs up to the crowd)
  • "Girls are like parking spots, all the best ones are taken."
  • "Once again you hit the nail right on the thumb."
  • "The last time you felt a breast was in a Kentucky Fried Chicken Box." (He told that to J.R. at WWE New year's Revolution 2005 during the Poolside Chicken Fight and Smackdown vs. Raw 2006)
  • "Did you put both your contacts in the same eye?"
  • "Panties aren't the best thing in the world but they're next to it."
  • "So many curves and me with no brakes."
  • "You can't look at her with no hard feelings."
  • "I hate to see her go, but I love to watching her leave."
  • "I've got more wrestling ability in one of my farts than you do in your entire body!" WWE vs ECW - Head To Head during an on-going argument with Tazz
  • "This has got to be the blackest moment in the WWE. (When ever something shocking happens in the WWE.)
  • "So, since you're a frog, why don't you come on and jump over." WWE vs ECW Head To Head during an on-going argument with Tazz
  • "Extremely Crappy Wrestling" Referring to Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW).
  • "His idea of a balanced meal is a beer in each hand" Referring to Stone Cold Steve Austin and The Sandman
  • "When he sits down, chairs beg for mercy."
  • "Her Body gives me roman fingers. My fingers want to roam all over her."
  • "You know why puppies have wet noses? Because I like to lick them."
  • "If I told her she had a nice body, do you think she'd hold it against me?"

In Wrestling

Signature moves

Dirty Attacks

  • Lawler also would spray fire into his opponent's face, using flash powder.
  • Lawler sometimes would dig into his tights remove a "foreign object" (in reality, nothing at all), and close 'it' in his fist to injure his opponent. This was mainly used as a way to generate heel heat (as the opponents would sell the punches as if Lawler were wearing brass knuckles, for example) without having to actually use a real foreign object. An example of this is evident in a match against The Undertaker, available on He Buries them Alive DVD or on Coliseum Home Video.

Championships and accomplishments

1-Time CWA Tag Team Champion
  • 3-Time CWA/AWA International Champion
  • 2-Time NWA Mid-America Heavyweight Champion
  • 1-Time CWA World Heavyweight Champion
  • 1-Time CWA Heavyweight Champion
  • 11-Time AWA Southern Tag Team Champion (4 with Bill Dundee, 2 with Jim White, 2 with Plowboy Frazier/Uncle Elmer, 1 with Jos LeDuc, 1 with Austin Idol, and 1 with Big Bubba)
  • Winner of 1988 CWA Lord of the Ring

  • 1-Time JAPW Heavyweight Champion

  • 2-Time MCW Southern Heavyweight Champion

  • 1-Time NWA United States Junior Heavyweight Champion

  • Pacific Polynesian Wrestling
  • 1-Time PPW Heavyweight Champion

  • Power Pro Wrestling
  • 1-Time PPW Tag Team Champion (with Bill Dundee)

  • Pro Wrestling Illustrated

  • He is a member of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame (inducted in 1996)
  • 1987 Feud of the Year (vs Austin Idol and Tommy Rich)
  • 1992 Feud of the Year (with Jeff Jarrett vs The Moondogs)
  • 1993 Feud of the Year (vs Bret Hart)
  • 2002 Worst Television Announcer

Books

  • Lawler, Jerry It's Good to Be the King... Sometimes (2003) ISBN 0743457676 Autobiography.

External links

1949 births | American professional wrestlers | AWA alumni | Memphians | Professional wrestling announcers | American color commentators | SMW alumni | Living people | Memphians | World Class Championship Wrestling alumni

ジェリー・ローラー | Jerry Lawler

 

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