This Day in Wrestling History

Paul Heyman replaces Jerry Lawler as the new announcer on RAW with Jim Ross.
March 5, 2001

This Day in Wrestling History

Jerry Lawler quit the WWF(E) over the firing of his wife, Stacey (The Cat) Carter
February 27, 2001

Jerry Lawler Comments on the "Memphis Heat" DVD, Compares Memphis Booking to WWE Creative Process

WWE announcer Jerry Lawler talked in-depth about the must-watch "Memphis Heat" DVD in a recent NPR interview. Lawler also compared today's WWE Creative process to taking turns booking the Memphis territory with Jerry Jarrett. "For Monday Night Raw, WWE has a creative staff of about 16 or so writers who sit down and collaborate all week long what’s going to happen, who’s going to appear on the show and what they’re going to say. In other words, their job is to write the show, just like writers who write a movie or write a soap opera or sit-com. So they have a big staff of writers who write the entire show. They collaborate and have meetings and discuss things all week long, until we finally get to that final product on Monday night, and then the show goes on the air live. Jerry Jarrett and I used to take turns booking our Saturday morning Memphis TV show six months at a time," Lawler said. "It took me an hour-and-a-half to book an hour-and-a-half show, and somehow it always turn out good. I just could think of stuff spontaneously and put into action, and it always turned out pretty darn good.”

source: miamiherald.com

WWE-Mattel Updates

Representatives from Mattel appeared at the Ringsidefest in New York City this week to take questions from fans in attendance. Below are some highlights:

* Sin Cara’s first figure will be released in April or May of next year. Other new figures debuting in the near future include Jinder Mahal, The Bella Twins, Jerry Lawler and CM Punk with a cloth version of his Best in the World t-shirt.

* Mattel reps have spoke with Zack Ryder about including his Internet Title on a future Ryder action figure. In regards to a replica Internet Title, Mattel said they would have to get Ryder’s permission first.

* New versions of the Diva figures are also being worked on, including Beth Phoenix and Kelly Kelly.

* As noted before, Jim Ross is working with Mattel on a new project but it’s too early for details. Ross will be helping them promote a new product.

* There will be a Miss Elizabeth figure available towards the end of this year online and if her figure sells well, they’re looking at doing one for Sherri Martel and others. Mattel had a good relationship with Randy Savage before he passed so his estate will allow them to produce new figures in the future.

* Mattel can’t make figures that break bones, bleed or bruise due to WWE’s PG content.

* Mattel is doing a series of figures with Toys R Us where each figure in a set comes with a piece and when you buy all the figures, the pieces assemble to make a Michael Cole figure. Mattel figured people would want a Cole figure but would not buy him.

* Mattel doesn’t have the rights to do Brock Lesnar figures as those are held by Jakks Pacific right now. They also don’t have rights to Matt Hardy figures and have no plans to do a figure on him.

* There will be no Owen Hart figure because Owen’s widow asked them not to do anything with him.

* They will be doing a Tribute to the Troops set with four Superstars next year through K-Mart that will be sold for charity. A Troops ring will also be available.

* Mattel wanted to do a figure for Steve Austin’s old Ringmaster gimmick but WWE wants the figures to represent their iconic versions, not the older versions right now.

source: pwinsider.com

WWE Tag Team Division Lacks Focus

On Monday, the announcing duo of Jim Ross and Jerry "The King" Lawler pointed out the blandness of the current WWE tag team division on RAW, as tag team champions David Otunga and Michael McGillicutty squared off against Evan Bourne and Kofi Kingston in a non-title match. Their criticisms are dead on.

"David Otunga and Michael McGillicutty are WWE tag team champions for quite some time and I'm just waiting for these guys to do something big, something special. I mean really excite people," said Lawler. "I know they are champions and you know what ... I mean ... they're just ... I don't know ... it's like the bland leading the bland up there. I want these guys to do something. I want them to excite me."

The commentators, including Michael Cole, went on to give their take on the two participating tag teams.

"I think that Bourne and Kingston could make a very good team if they are regular partners, get some dynamic, chemistry, development," said Ross. "I think that Otunga and McGillicutty could use some stiff competition for the WWE tag team titles and quite frankly I haven't seen that occurring on a regular basis."

"I'd like to see them (Otunga and McGillicutty) put their titles at stake a little more often," Lawler added, which good ol' JR agreed with. Bourne and Kingston would go on to win the match in exciting fashion and JR closed out the segment by saying, "Well maybe business will pick up now in the tag team division. Give Bourne and Kingston a title opportunity; let's heat this tag team division up."

It was almost obvious that JR and Lawler were poking at an idea for the WWE to re-focus some attention on the tag team division; inject some energy and money into the division, make it successful once again...More?

source: slam wrestling

This Day in Wrestling History

Jerry Lawler and Andy Kaufman were on the Late Night Show with David Letterman. Lawler and Kaufman started yelling at each other. Lawler started pushing Kaufman and Kaufman was cussing him out, which led to Andy Kaufman walking off the set. The incident made headlines everywhere and basically gave huge publicity to the two men. We later found out that it was all a work and that they were friends.


July 29, 1982

WWE Hall of Famer Jerry Lawler to Appear at Bowie Baysox Game; Trivia Contest to Win Tickets

WWE Hall of Famer Jerry "The King" Lawler will appear at the Bowie Baysox minor league baseball game next Thursday night. He will throw out the ceremonial first pitch and also sign autographs and take photos with fans.

Kevin Eck of Ring Posts is running a trivia contest to win tickets. He will ask three Lawler-related trivia questions over the next three days (beginning later today), and each winner will receive two lower reserved tickets to the 7:05 p.m. game against the Reading Phillies at Prince George's Stadium in Bowie, Md.

For more information, go to baysox.com.

This Day in Wrestling History

Andy Kaufman dies of kidney failure due to large cell carcinoma in Los Angeles, California. Kaufman is best known in the wrestling world for his 1982 match with Jerry Lawler at the Mid-South Coliseum in Memphis, Tennessee, and subsequent expletive-laden appearance with Lawler on the Late Show with David Letterman.
May 16, 1984

This Day in Wrestling History

Rodrick James "Jess" McMahon, grandfather of wrestling mogul Vince McMahon, promotes a boxing match between Jess Willard and Jack Johnson in Havana, Cuba.
April 5, 1915

Happy Birthday to Diamond Dallas Page
April 5, 1949

Andy Kaufman met Jerry Lawler in a Grudge Match at the Mid-South Coliseum in Memphis Tennessee.
April 5, 1982

Video: Legendary Competitors Assess The Game and The Phenom

Austin to Referee Lawler vs. Cole at WrestleMania XXVII

WWE Hall of Famer "Stone Cold" Steve Austin will be the special guest referee for Jerry "The King" Lawler vs. Michael Cole (with Jack Swagger) at Wrestlemania 27. Cole had introduced former WWE Champion JBL (John Bradshaw Layfield) as the special guest referee and as JBL was about to sign the contract, Austin came out and gave JBL a Stunner. Austin then signed the contract.

This Day in Wrestling History

Jerry Lawler quit the WWF(E) over the firing of his wife, Stacey (The Cat) Carter
February 27, 2001

Jerry Lawler on His Feud with Miz, WrestleMania & JR's Future

Jim Ross Comments on Last Nights Raw

Jim Ross shared his thoughts on last night’s RAW via Twitter with the following: “Really enjoyed Raw. HHH & Taker sold PPVs w/ their eyes & their earned legacies. Cole was a mega nerd. Sic em King. WM27 feeling special.”

Raw Results: It's Good to be "King"

Jerry “The King” Lawler has enjoyed quite a storied career, but he’s about to add yet another chapter. The WWE Hall of Famer prevailed in a seven-man Raw Rumble Match against John Cena, King Sheamus, John Morrison, R-Truth, Randy Orton and CM Punk. Full results.

source: wwe.com

Indy Show Outdraws TNA

A Southern All-Star Wrestling independent show at the Nashville Fairgrounds last night headlined by WWE Hall of Famer Jerry Lawler vs. Bill Dundee reportedly drew 1,700 paid fans. In comparison, TNA's recent farewell tribute show at the Fairgrounds only drew 900 fans.

source: f4wonline.com

Jerry Lawler Makes Prestigious Television History List

The infamous David Letterman segment that saw WWE Hall of Famer Jerry Lawler slap the late Andy Kaufman during their feud was named the 30th Greatest Moment in Television history in the new issue of The Hollywood Reporter.
The list of the 80 Greatest Moments was compiled as part of the publication's 80th Anniversary.

The segment is described as "Performance art at its finest."

The Lawler vs. Kaufman incident actually placed higher than Elvis Presley's debut on the Ed Sullivan Show, the debut of the first music video, The OJ Simpson chase and the Fall of the Berlin Wall, among other moments in televised history.

source: pwinsider.com

Raw Results: All Hail, No!

In the first defense of his new title, WWE Champion The Miz faced Jerry “The King” Lawler in a Tables, Ladders and Chairs Match. Although the two exchanged heated words earlier in the evening, once inside the ring, they let their actions do the talking.

Unfortunately for Lawler, Alex Riley would also have a say. The Miz's assistant attempted to intervene, but "The King" fought him off. Later, Michael Cole would also interfere in the dangerous duel when he sensed the WWE Champion might lose. The Miz acolyte halted Lawler's ascent up a ladder, costing him the bout and allowing The "Cleveland Screamer" to bask in the glory of his first successful title defense. Full results.

source: wwe.com

Vince McMahon, Jerry Lawler & More Named to the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame 2011 Class

The Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame issued the following announcement:

The Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame is proud to announce its Class of 2011, which will be enshrined at the tenth PWHF Induction Ceremony known as PWHF-X. The honorees are:

Bronko Nagurski and Everett Marshall in the Pioneer Era category.

The Sheik (Ed Farhat) and Dick the Bruiser in the TV Era category.

Jerry Lawler and Ivan Koloff in the Modern Era category.

Billy Robinson in the International category.

The Road Warriors with Paul Ellering in the Tag Team category.

Vincent K. McMahon in the Colleague category.

Judy Grable in the Ladies category.

The PWHF-X Induction Weekend will take place on May 20-21, 2011, in Amsterdam, NY. Ticket information and other details will be released soon.

PWHF inductees are determined by a distinguished Selection Committee. The 2011 Selection Committee includes: Harley Race, Terry Funk, Oliver Humperdink, Don Leo Jonathan, William Myers, Mae Young, Billy Two Rivers, William Moody, Dick Beyer, Nick Bockwinkel, Jim Cornette, Ted DiBiase, Dan Hodge, Pat Patterson, Les Thatcher, J Michael Kenyon, Steve Johnson, Graham Cawthon, Tom Burke, Zack Arnold, Don Luce, Rich Tate, Koji Miyamoto, Greg Oliver, Mike Tenay, Fred Hornby, Bob Bryla, Dave Cameron, Tim Hornbaker and Mark Hewitt.

www.PWHF.org

WWE Top 50 Superstars of All-Time DVD

Contained in the three-disc box set, due on December 14, 2010, will be names like "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, Rowdy Roddy Piper, The Undertaker, Jerry Lawler, Jake "The Snake" Roberts, Mr. Perfect, Ric Flair, Hulk Hogan, the Rock, Eddie Guerrero, Shawn Michaels, Triple H, and many others, including newer superstars like John Cena.