During the latest edition of the TV show , Monday Night RAW, Jerry “The King” Lawler appeared in front of WWE audience for the first time after his serious illness.
The wrestling promotion WWE has had the saddest week in many years – this moment has lightened the depressed mood.
In the course of the current edition of the TV show Monday Night RAW, which continued even with the recent passings of Bray Wyatt and the legend Terry Funk, another legend made a touching return: Jerry “The King” Lawler, recovered from a severe stroke.
Jerry Lawler Surprises Fans in Memphis
During a commercial break, tag team champions Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn surprised the audience at Lawler’s Memphis home by saying they saw someone behind the scenes who lifted their spirits.
Amid cheers from local fans, among whom the 73-year-old Lawler has ranked as a folk hero for decades, the royal music of “The King” rang out, Lawler stepped through the entranceway in a casual outfit and let himself be celebrated.
It was Lawler’s first appearance in front of an audience since suffering what was described as a “massive” stroke in February. Because of the illness, Lawler was unable to induct his early deceased friend and rival, wrestling comedy genius Andy Kaufman, into the WWE Hall of Fame during WrestleMania weekend.
Lawler came forward with a video interlude at the time, and now his recovery is apparently further along.
Lawler’s Legendary Feud with Andy Kaufman
The loudmouth Lawler is best remembered by WWE fans as the longtime co-commentator and congenial partner of legend Jim Ross, but his legacy is far broader.
In the seventies and eighties, Lawler became a regional folk hero as the biggest crowd favorite in the wrestling hotbed of Memphis. The “King” (who also bowed to Elvis Presley, also from Memphis, with his nickname) became known beyond the wrestling fan community for his feud with actor and wrestling idol Kaufman.
The staged skirmish – played out on David Letterman’s late-night show, among others – was even immortalized in Hollywood: In the biopic “Man on the Moon” Lawler played himself and recreated the rivalry together with Kaufman actor Jim Carrey.
Longtime institution at WWE
In WWE, Lawler had a big feud with Bret “The Hitman” Hart in the mid-nineties and became an institution after that, mainly as a commentator – but also continued to climb into the ring at regular intervals.
In 2011, at the age of over 60, he even challenged the then WWE Champion, The Miz, in a pay-per-view title match, after which he also got involved in feuds with CM Punk and fellow commentator, Michael Cole.
After the 2012 heart attack shock – which was preceded by a fight – WWE stopped using Lawler in the ring. However, Lawler remained active in minor leagues for nostalgia matches until the end, and continued to make appearances with WWE as an analyst before major events.
-Lenny Wrestling
*Photo courtesy of YouTube
WE LIKE SPORTZ SHOW 