Jerry “The King” Lawler suffers heart attack
WWE Hall of Fame wrestler and commentator Jerry Lawler suffered a heart attack live on the company’s flagship show RAW late Monday night. “The King”, 62, is no longer a regular in ring talent for the WWE but was involved in an ongoing storyline with champion CM Punk and the two were opponents in a tag team match.
Following the match Lawler conducted a commentary segment, shortly after which he reportedly collapsed at ringside. He is said to have fallen to the floor clutching his arm. He was then taken to the backstage area to receive medical treatment and shortly after, was rushed to a nearby Montreal hospital for further examination. Broadcast partner Michael Cole confirmed that this was not part of any professional wrestling angle and that Lawler was being administered oxygen and was breathing independently, and later on in the evening that Lawlers condition had stabilised.
News emerged Tuesday morning that Lawler had been clinically deceased for around twenty minutes before the EMT’s were able revive him. He was given a CAT scan which would indicate that they are also worried, or at least cautious of a stroke, as well as a cardiac ailment.
Lawler, a legend in the southern professional wrestling territory of Memphis had incredible, memorable feuds with the likes of Kerry Von Erich, Randy Savage and Curt Hennig. Most famously perhaps, he was known for his public feud between with the late comedian Andy Kaufmann, in which he slapped Kaufmann live on the David Letterman show in 1982.
Ten years later, he joined the WWF as a commentator and eventually worked as a talent in which he brought us a brilliant rivalry with the Hart Family, Bret and Owen Hart.
What disturbs this writer slightly is that only Lawler and Bret Hart survive all of this history, further highlighting the gravity of a business that is so often labelled as “fake”. There is nothing fake about the tragic ends that all of these men have succumbed to, and Lawler was lucky to not add his name to that list last night.
I, for one believe that Lawler is one of the greatest performers in the history of the professional wrestling industry and can only hope that this incident is just another chapter in the storied career of The King, a chapter that is certainly not to be his last.
Mack with the most
Buttered up toast
Cinnamon ham…with the marshmellow coat
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