Tom Prichard has written a piece about Jerry Lawler that he has posted on his website. You can check out the whole piece (which is very well-written) here; below are some highlights:
On his immediate reaction to the incident: “I was watching along with everyone else when I got a phone call about an hour into the show. I went outside to get better reception. When I came back, I wasn’t hearing any commentating. It was odd until Michael Cole did the on camera explaining what happened. I missed the tag with King and Orton against Ziggler and Punk. I record RAW every week just in case I do miss something and want to watch it the next day. Just like everyone else, I was in shock. I could tell the tone in Michael’s voice that this was a real life situation and I was going to wait until the show was over and then watch what I missed. Nothing seemed out of sorts or like anything was wrong with the King. I did notice after the Kofi/R Truth VS. Cesaro/Miz match, Michael and King did an on camera and King coughed and sold his chest as though he had “heart burn.” I wouldn’t have thought twice about it.”
On his relationship with Lawler: “I’m not going to sit here and write about what great friends and best buddies the King and I are or were. I worked for the Memphis office many times in my career. I wrestled King in the Memphis territory, even tagged with him when his regular partner had a bad back and didn’t care to work against the Moondogs. The Moondogs were doing hardcore matches before they were called hardcore matches. They would consist of coming to the ring with chairs, trash cans and anything they could get their hands on. Lawler took every shot full on (as did I) and gave it back without one complaint. He wasn’t always the most popular guy with some in the crew, but no boss ever is. He led by example and worked hard if not harder than anybody on the card. He wasn’t the top guy because he was part owner. He was the top guy because he IS a top guy. I and many others don’t call him Jerry. He’s King. I can’t remember calling him anything else.”
On wrestling at an older age: “I just turned 53. Earlier this year somebody called me an old man. He was joking around (I think) and meant no disrespect (again, I assume) but the hair on the back of my neck stood up. I challenged this 30 year old “kid” to a one hour match! Brilliant idea! I’ve done one hour matches at developmental practices before as a teaching exercise, talking and slowing the “less experienced” talent down. It had been a while since I’d been in the ring. I have a bad back and neck. We ALL have bad backs and necks! It comes with the territory! But once I made this stupid “challenge” in front of everybody, there was no backing out! I had the match. I even ended it with a moonsault off the top rope in front of a handful of developmental students. Why? I don’t have anything to prove. But to be considered an “old man” and I can’t “go” anymore?? Right, wrong or indifferent, I felt the urge to test myself and prove I’m not an “old man.” Well, if you don’t wrestle on a regular basis your body isn’t in “ring shape” and I felt every bump and shot I took. There’s not that many left who are able to get in the ring and help young talent slow down and relax. That’s why Jerry The King Lawler was and is such a valuable part of WWE and developing young talent. Timing, psychology and feeling are something that takes time to learn. Having a guy like Jerry Lawler who has literally done it all was invaluable. I don’t think the King would take too kindly to being called an old man. But human, yes. The schedule he kept over hiscareer is enough to wear down anyone. Athlete or not, the body can only take so much.”
On his immediate reaction to the incident: “I was watching along with everyone else when I got a phone call about an hour into the show. I went outside to get better reception. When I came back, I wasn’t hearing any commentating. It was odd until Michael Cole did the on camera explaining what happened. I missed the tag with King and Orton against Ziggler and Punk. I record RAW every week just in case I do miss something and want to watch it the next day. Just like everyone else, I was in shock. I could tell the tone in Michael’s voice that this was a real life situation and I was going to wait until the show was over and then watch what I missed. Nothing seemed out of sorts or like anything was wrong with the King. I did notice after the Kofi/R Truth VS. Cesaro/Miz match, Michael and King did an on camera and King coughed and sold his chest as though he had “heart burn.” I wouldn’t have thought twice about it.”
On his relationship with Lawler: “I’m not going to sit here and write about what great friends and best buddies the King and I are or were. I worked for the Memphis office many times in my career. I wrestled King in the Memphis territory, even tagged with him when his regular partner had a bad back and didn’t care to work against the Moondogs. The Moondogs were doing hardcore matches before they were called hardcore matches. They would consist of coming to the ring with chairs, trash cans and anything they could get their hands on. Lawler took every shot full on (as did I) and gave it back without one complaint. He wasn’t always the most popular guy with some in the crew, but no boss ever is. He led by example and worked hard if not harder than anybody on the card. He wasn’t the top guy because he was part owner. He was the top guy because he IS a top guy. I and many others don’t call him Jerry. He’s King. I can’t remember calling him anything else.”
On wrestling at an older age: “I just turned 53. Earlier this year somebody called me an old man. He was joking around (I think) and meant no disrespect (again, I assume) but the hair on the back of my neck stood up. I challenged this 30 year old “kid” to a one hour match! Brilliant idea! I’ve done one hour matches at developmental practices before as a teaching exercise, talking and slowing the “less experienced” talent down. It had been a while since I’d been in the ring. I have a bad back and neck. We ALL have bad backs and necks! It comes with the territory! But once I made this stupid “challenge” in front of everybody, there was no backing out! I had the match. I even ended it with a moonsault off the top rope in front of a handful of developmental students. Why? I don’t have anything to prove. But to be considered an “old man” and I can’t “go” anymore?? Right, wrong or indifferent, I felt the urge to test myself and prove I’m not an “old man.” Well, if you don’t wrestle on a regular basis your body isn’t in “ring shape” and I felt every bump and shot I took. There’s not that many left who are able to get in the ring and help young talent slow down and relax. That’s why Jerry The King Lawler was and is such a valuable part of WWE and developing young talent. Timing, psychology and feeling are something that takes time to learn. Having a guy like Jerry Lawler who has literally done it all was invaluable. I don’t think the King would take too kindly to being called an old man. But human, yes. The schedule he kept over hiscareer is enough to wear down anyone. Athlete or not, the body can only take so much.”
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