Jerry Lawler

Jerry O'Neil Lawler, known as Jerry "the King" Lawler, is an American retired color commentator and professional wrestler. Born on November 29, 1949, he began his wrestling career in his hometown of Memphis, Tennessee in the 1970s. He became very famous in the Continental Wrestling Association (CWA), winning the AWA Southern Heavyweight Championship 57 times and the CWA World Heavyweight Championship once.

Lawler became well-known nationwide because of his interesting rivalry with comedian Andy Kaufman. This feud even led to an appearance on Late Night with David Letterman in 1982. Besides wrestling, Lawler also helped plan matches in CWA and later in the United States Wrestling Association (USWA). He wrestled in many different places, winning many titles, including being the AWA World Heavyweight Champion once and the WCWA World Heavyweight Champion three times.

In 1992, Lawler joined the World Wrestling Federation, now known as WWE, where he worked as a color commentator and sometimes wrestled. He started by commenting on Superstars and later became a regular on Raw, working closely with Jim Ross and Michael Cole. Even though he never won a WWE championship, he had notable rivalries, such as with Bret Hart, and challenged The Miz for the WWE Championship in 2011 when he was 61 years old.

Lawler is honored by being in the Memphis Wrestling, Professional Wrestling, Wrestling Observer Newsletter, and WWE Halls of Fame. Besides wrestling, he has worked in music, created commercial art, and even ran for mayor of Memphis in 1999. He also appeared as himself in the 1999 film Man on the Moon, which was about Andy Kaufman and starred Jim Carrey.

Early life

Jerry Lawler was born on November 29, 1949, in Memphis, Tennessee. He went to school at Treadwell High School and finished his studies there. When Jerry was 19 years old, his father, Jerome Lawler, passed away.

Professional wrestling career

Jerry "the King" Lawler began his wrestling career in Memphis, Tennessee, in the 1970s. He became a top star in the Continental Wrestling Association, winning the AWA Southern Heavyweight Championship many times and the CWA World Heavyweight Championship once.

Lawler joined the Continental Wrestling Association in 1977 when promoter Jerry Jarrett formed his own group. Lawler became both a co-owner and the top star there. He won the CWA World Championship in 1979 and had notable feuds, including one with comedian Andy Kaufman, which was later revealed to be staged. Lawler also had successful runs in the American Wrestling Association and other wrestling promotions, winning multiple championships along the way.

Other endeavors

Jerry Lawler has tried his hand at many different things outside of wrestling. He made some music, including two songs from the late 1970s called "Cadillac Man/Memphis" and "Bad News." During a disagreement with a wrestling manager named Jimmy Hart in the 1980s, Lawler made a song called "Wimpbusters" that became popular. He also had his own talk show in Memphis during that time.

Lawler acted in a movie called Man on the Moon starring Jim Carrey. He also ran for mayor of Memphis twice, in 1999 and again in 2009, focusing on making the city safer and better. Although he didn’t win, he got a lot of support.

In addition to acting and politics, Lawler has done many other things. He designed covers for wrestling comic books, appeared in video games as a commentator and wrestler, and even opened restaurants. He also started a podcast called Dinner with the King, which later changed its name to The Jerry Lawler Show.

Personal life

Jerry Lawler is related to another professional wrestler, The Honky Tonk Man. He has been married three times and has two sons. One son, Brian, worked in wrestling too, using names like "Brian Christopher." His other son, Kevin, has also been a referee and wrestler.

Lawler grew up in Memphis, Tennessee, but lived in Ohio for a while when he was young. He loves teams from Cleveland, like the Cleveland Guardians, the Cleveland Browns, and the Cleveland Cavaliers. He likes collecting Coca-Cola and Superman items.

Lawler faced some serious health issues, including several strokes, but he is reported to be recovering.

Championships and accomplishments

Jerry "the King" Lawler won many titles during his wrestling career. He won the AWA Southern Heavyweight Championship 57 times and the CWA World Heavyweight Championship once, showing his skill and dominance in the ring.

Lawler also received several awards for his work, including being named to the WWE Hall of Fame in 2007 and winning multiple Slammy Awards for his entertaining personality and comeback stories. He was also recognized as one of the best color commentators in wrestling.

Luchas de Apuestas record

See also: Luchas de Apuestas