King Lawler: His kingly moments
By COREY CLAYTON
July 25, 2007
“All hail The King!” It’s a phrase all too familiar to WWE Hall of Famer Jerry Lawler.
Lawler has been known as “The King” for more than 30 years, and has compiled a long list of legendary matches as a testament to his reign as one of the most popular sports-entertainers in history. Lawler also has thrilled our fans for years with his antics and hilarious wit at the commentator’s table beside fellow Hall of Famer Jim Ross on Monday Night Raw.
But after King Booker’s challenge last Monday night, the time for talking is over. It’s time for Lawler to defend the honor of the throne.
And a glance back through history at Lawler’s illustrious resúmé shows The King is more than able to put Booker in his place.
Here’s a look back at some of Lawler’s most memorable moments on the throne:
Jerry Lawler vs. Andy Kaufman
Continental Wrestling Association, 1982-1983
Dramatized in the 1999 Jim Carrey movie Man on the Moon, Lawler’s battles with Taxi actor/comedian Andy Kaufman became part of early 1980s pop culture. Kaufman was a fan of sports-entertainment, and had always wanted to be part of the business since he was a child.
Known as “The Man From Hollywood,” Kaufman brought his fictional Inter-Gender Wrestling Championship to the Mid-South Coliseum in Memphis in 1982, and offered a cash prize to any woman that could beat him. He also taped a variety of promotional videos insulting southerners, which rankled Lawler.
Kaufman accepted a challenge from Lawler to face him one-on-one April 5, in which Lawler broke Kaufman’s neck with two trademark piledrivers. Later that year, a neckbrace-wearing Kaufman and Lawler appeared together on Late Night with David Letterman, and a heated exchange ensued, leading to The King slapping Kaufman out of his chair. Kaufman launched into a profanity-laced tirade and threw coffee at Lawler in return. Watch the moment in Lawler's Hall of Fame induction highlights...
The scene garnered national media coverage, and helped make Lawler a household name outside the ring. The two continued to battle until summer of 1983.
Jerry Lawler def. Curt Hennig for the AWA World Heavyweight Championship
Memphis, May 9, 1988
In his hometown of Memphis, Lawler was truly the king. Perhaps no one in sports-entertainment history has ever had a “home-court” advantage to the extent Lawler had in this Tennessee city.
The charismatic Lawler brought packed houses weekly to Memphis’ Mid-South Coliseum, and May 9, 1988 was one of the biggest nights of his legendary career.
Facing off against AWA World Champion Curt Hennig, Lawler took haymaker after haymaker from the champion. Then, turning the tide, Lawler tripped up Hennig, and catapulted him over the turnbuckle and into the ring post, knocking him out. Lawler quickly covered Hennig for the pin, ending the Minnesota grappler's year-long reign as champion. Watch highlights...
Soon after his loss to Lawler, Hennig would leave the AWA and head to WWE to start his Hall of Fame career as “Mr. Perfect."
Jerry Lawler def. Kerry Von Erich to unify the AWA and WCCW World Championships
AWA SuperClash III, December 13, 1988
The King showed his mettle once again by surviving one of the bloodiest matches in sports-entertainment history at AWA SuperClash III.
Unifying the American Wrestling Association and World Class Championship Wrestling Heavyweight Championships, Lawler beat WCCW Champion Kerry Von Erich.
In an extremely controversial decision, the referee stopped the match and awarded the decision to The King due to Von Erich’s heavily bleeding eye – despite the fact that Von Erich had Lawler in his feared Iron Claw at the time of the stoppage. Watch highlights...
Jerry Lawler attacks King of the Ring winner Bret Hart
King of the Ring, June 13, 1993
One moment of the King’s illustrious career in WWE almost mirrors his battle with King Booker today.
After Bret “Hit Man” Hart defeated Bam Bam Bigelow to win the King of the Ring tournament in Dayton, Ohio, a royal coronation was to take place – one that did not sit too well with sports-entertainment’s long-time King, who felt that WWE only had room for one on the throne.
Sound familiar?
As the Hit Man wore the crown and robe signifying his tournament victory, Lawler interrupted Mean Gene Okerlund’s interview. The furious Lawler attacked Hart from behind with his own scepter, destroying Hart’s crown and ruining his moment of glory. Watch the moment...
Lawler would be a pest in Bret’s life until the Hit Man was able to defeat The King in a “Kiss My Foot” match at King of the Ring two years later.
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