Tag: Jerry Lawler

Lita, JBL, Jerry Lawler to pick Iron Survivor Challenge qualifiers for WWE NXT

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Three more WWE Hall of Famers will announce Iron Survivor qualifying matches.

It was revealed in a video package that Lita, JBL, and Jerry Lawler will announce future qualifying matches for the Iron Survivor Challenge, which will take place at NXT Deadline on December 9 in Bridgeport, Connecticut. The video revealed that Lita will make the next qualifying matches for next week’s NXT.

Over the weekend, a video by Mick Foley was posted on social media where he made the first qualifying matches. On Tuesday’s NXT, Tiffany Stratton and Dijak went on to become the first to qualify, defeating Fallon Henley and Tyler Bate respectively.

For last year’s Iron Survivor Challenge matches, a panel consisting of Shawn Michaels, Road Dogg, X-Pac, Alundra Blayze, and Molly Holly determined who would compete in the matches. Roxanne Perez and Grayson Waller went on to win the Iron Survivor Challenge at last year’s Deadline. Perez would go on to win the WWE Women’s Championship, while Waller failed to capture the NXT title.

Jerry ‘The King’ Lawler provides update on recovery from February stroke

Posted on by Joseph Currier

While speaking with Bill Apter, Jerry “The King” Lawler gave an update on his recovery from a February stroke.

Lawler suffered a massive stroke on February 6. Less than two months later, he was able to appear via video at the WWE Hall of Fame ceremony. Lawler later made an in-person appearance during a commercial break when Raw was in Memphis this August.

Lawler told Apter that he’s still going to rehab three times per week. Working on his speech is the biggest obstacle Lawler has.

“I’ve had a bunch of different things done, and I’m still going to rehab three times a week. And probably the main thing that’s drawing me back now that you could probably tell as you hear me talk, my voice is not the same as it was beforehand,” Lawler said. “It’s slowly coming back, but it needed to come back a little more before I could go and do — just making sense with my speech and vocabulary.”

Lawler explained what the rehab process entails.

“One is speech. That’s my main one. That’s three times a week. When I just started this right after I had the stroke, I could barely talk,” Lawler said. “Well now I go in and I sit down with this rehab lady and we just talk about different things and she had me read stuff. All of this stuff has just helped me day in and day out to get my vocabulary better. And then I do, oh gosh what’s it called, anyway it’s where my right arm and my right leg and everything on the right side of the body is still, it’s not hurting me where I can’t walk around, I can still walk around, but I don’t have really good control of writing my autograph.”

Lawler said he can write his autograph pretty good, but he’s always been proud of his artistic ability and it’s taken a while to come back.

Apter asked Lawler what he’d like to say to the fans who have been wanting to hear from him.

“I would like to say thank you for being concerned and worried about my upkeeping and what I’ve had going on,” Lawler responded. “It’s just awesome to know that there are fans out there that really are wondering what am I doing during my time off and it’s nice to talk to them.”

Last month, Lawler was able to make his first convention appearance since suffering the stroke. He appeared at the Memphis Comic Expo.

Lawler previously suffered a stroke in 2018.

Wrestling Observer Live: A trip back to 1993

Posted on by Jim Valley

Since I’m gone on vacation, I pulled an old Wrestling Observer Live show from the archives: 30 years ago this week.

Hear what it was like way back in 1993. Lex Luger beat Yokozuna at WWF SummerSlam, but he didn’t win the WWF World title. Bret Hart made Jerry Lawler submit, but he didn’t win the title of King of the WWF ring.

There was an exciting week of WWF television as there were three competitive marquee matches featuring such top notch stars as Virgil, Marty Jannetty and Bastion Booger. Wrestling on TV just can’t get any better than this!

Plus, you won’t believe what happened with The Shockmaster! All the news and insight from 1993. Check it out!

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Jerry Lawler makes WWE Raw appearance during commercial break

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Jerry Lawler made an appearance during a commercial break on Monday’s Raw.

After Damian Priest had defeated Sami Zayn in a match, Zayn returned to the stage and said that while he was in a bad mood over his loss, his mood changed when he saw someone in the back. He introduced Lawler to a major reaction from the Memphis crowd.

Lawler, 73, has been battling health issues in recent months. Back in February of this year he suffered a stroke, his second after previously suffering one in 2018. He hasn’t appeared on WWE television since aside from a videotaped appearance at the WWE Hall of Fame, where he shared a brief message celebrating Andy Kaufman who was inducted that night.

Back in 2012, Lawler suffered a heart attack during a live episode of WWE Raw. He eventually recovered and continued as a color commentator on and off until 2019. Up until his stroke, he had been part of WWE pre-show panels.

DragonKingKarl Classic Wrestling Show: The last great Memphis angle

Posted on by Karl Stern

Straight out of 1986-87, this week’s DragonKingKarl Classic Wrestling Show takes a deep dive into the Jerry Lawler vs. Austin Idol steel cage hair vs. hair match which also included Tommy Rich and Paul Heyman.

I had so much fun putting this show together and I encourage not only fans of classic wrestling to listen to this show, but also modern fans who don’t understand why we keep harping on good promos and continuity today.

This show is a masterclass in how to do an angle right with some of the best promos you’ve ever heard in addition to peak Tommy Rich.

Click Here to Listen for free

Jim Ross provides update on Jerry Lawler’s recovery from February stroke

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Jerry “The King” Lawler continues to make progress following the stroke that he suffered this February.

In a tweet on Monday, Jim Ross provided an update on his former broadcast partner after speaking with Lawler for an hour. Ross wrote that Lawler’s voice seemed to get stronger the longer they spoke — and Lawler will be undergoing a procedure next week to help with the situation.

“Had a great one hour convo today with ⁦@JerryLawler who’s recovering from the affects of a stroke,” Ross tweeted. “Jerry’s voice seem to get stronger the longer we spoke. The King will undergo a procedure next week to help his situation.”

The 73-year-old Lawler suffered a massive stroke while in Florida on February 6. Lawler’s speech was limited after the stroke, but it was said that he was expected to make a full recovery with rehabilitation.

Less than two months after suffering the stroke, Lawler appeared on WWE programming via a taped video that aired at the WWE Hall of Fame ceremony. The video was part of Andy Kaufman’s induction into the WWE Hall of Fame.

Lawler previously suffered a stroke in 2018.

Lawler sent out a tweet last week thanking everyone who has sent their prayers and well-wishes during his stroke recovery.

Jerry Lawler appears via video at WWE Hall of Fame ceremony

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Less than two months after suffering a massive stroke, Jerry Lawler made an appearance on WWE programming on Friday night.

A pre-taped video from Lawler was shown at Friday’s WWE Hall of Fame ceremony. The video was part of Andy Kaufman’s induction into the WWE Hall of Fame.

Lawler said he wished he could be at the ceremony in person, but he was at home recovering. Lawler then introduced Jimmy Hart, who gave an induction speech for Kaufman. Members of the Kaufman family also spoke about Kaufman’s posthumous induction.

Kaufman, an actor and comedian who starred in the television show “Taxi,” famously took part in a pro wrestling feud with Lawler in Memphis. The feud included an angle where Lawler slapped Kaufman on the David Letterman show in 1982.

The 73-year-old Lawler suffered a massive stroke on February 6. In a social media post on February 8, it was said that Lawler was expected to make a full recovery: “Update on Jerry: After suffering a massive Stroke Monday. He is now recovering in a Fort Myers, FL hospital. His speech is limited, but with rehabilitation will regain a full recovery. He thanks everyone for the continued prayers and will be back in the near future.”

Lawler previously suffered a stroke in 2018.

DragonKingKarl Classic Wrestling Show: What’s so special about 1983?

Posted on by Karl Stern

1983 was one of the most important years in the history of professional wrestling.

Here’s some examples:

  • The building of the WWF national expansion
  • The fall of the territories
  • The eventual birth of the major yearly event
  • Hulkamania
  • The fall of Jimmy Snuka
  • The success of Mid-South Wrestling
  • The best year of Southeastern Wrestling
  • An era of flux for Memphis
  • The red-hot Von Erichs vs. Freebirds war in World Class
  • The 1980s peak and beginnings of the fall of the AWA
  • The massive shows in Mexico
  • The birth of the IWGP title in Japan

There’s a lot to talk about. 

Check out my new book DragonKingKarl Stern’s 1983 Pro Wrestling Omnibus available now at Amazon.

Click Here to Listen

February 13, 2023 Observer Newsletter: Jerry Lawler suffers stroke, Nick Khan talks WWE sale

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

Jerry Lawler, one of the all-time legends of pro wrestling, suffered what was reported as a serious stroke, one that in its early hours was feared the worst, but over the next few days, his recovery seems positive.

Longtime broadcasting partner Jim Ross noted on Twitter, “I spoke very briefly with Jerry Lawler tonight” (Tuesday). He’s obviously weak, but I could understand his affected speech. Jerry’s prognosis is positive, but he needs all our thoughts and prayers.”

Lawler was out to lunch with friends when he seemed ill and was found in the parking lot of his condo in Fort Myers, FL, and rushed to the hospital.

There are conflicting versions from those close to him as to what happened but he was rushed into emergency surgery from what was reported as a major stroke that at first left him with no movement on the right side and unable to talk. There was fear among those close to him that the massive stroke could have had terrible repercussions, with fear of being unable to move on his right side.

Subscribers can click here to read this week’s issue.

Jerry Lawler out of ICU, returning home for outpatient rehab

Posted on by Ian Carey

Jerry Lawler is out of the ICU. 

Lawler is expected to be discharged from the hospital tomorrow and will return to his Florida residence for outpatient treatment. His social media accounts posted an update regarding the Hall of Famer’s condition on Thursday afternoon. 

The post included an image with the caption:

Update on @realJerryLawler: He has been moved from ICU & as of now being discharged tomorrow to return to his Florida home for outpatient rehab for his limited speech and cognitive skills. Doctors hopeful for full recovery and Jerry is looking forward to returning to his fans very soon. 

The 73-year-old Lawler suffered a massive stroke on Monday but is expected to make a full recovery. He was discovered in the driveway of his Fort Myers home and rushed to the hospital. 

His longtime commentary partner, Jim Ross, posted to social media on Tuesday evening that he had spoken with Lawler and while he was “obviously weak,” Ross was still able to understand him despite his limited speech. 

Wrestling Observer Radio: Jerry Lawler update, AEW and NXT reviews, tons of news

Posted on by Bryan Alvarez

Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer is back with tons to talk about including an update on Jerry Lawler, New Japan in Osaka, MLW, ratings, what AEW really needs right now, full reviews of Dynamite and NXT, and more. A fun show as always so check it out~!

Timestamps:

Start: Jerry Lawler update

6:00: NJPW in Osaka this weekend

8:21: MLW, other ratings notes

20:36: AEW Dynamite recap

54:39: NXT recap

1:11:30: AEW Rampage spoilers

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Wrestling Observer Live: Wrestling network homes, NXT TV report, Rockers break up

Posted on by Bryan Alvarez

Wrestling Observer Live with Bryan Alvarez and Mike Sempervive is back with tons to talk about including a new look at how many homes all the major networks that carry pro-wrestling are in, NXT from last night with the Rockers breaking up on the Barber Shop, tons of news and more. A fun show as always so check it out~!

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Jerry Lawler will make ‘full recovery’ from stroke with rehabilitation

Posted on by Josh Nason

With rehabilitation, Jerry “The King” Lawler will make a full recovery following a massive stroke he suffered Monday.

The update came via Lawler’s Twitter account.

The 73-year-old is still recovering in a Fort Myers, Florida, hospital, and while his speech is still limited, there is hope for his recovery.

An update posted to Lawler’s Instagram Stories said:

Jerry had a massive Stroke on monday afternoon in ft. myers Florida. He is stable now in a Ft. Myers hospital and now able to walk and groom himself. His speech is limited, but he will regain a full recovery with rehabilitation. He thanks all of his friends, family & fans for the continued prayers and looks forward to seeing everyone and getting back to work in the near future. Jerry received a nice visit with long time friend, Jimmy Hart today.

News broke on Tuesday that Lawler was rushed to the hospital after being found in the driveway of his Fort Myers home on Monday. He had surgery and was initially struggling with being able to speak and a lack of feeling in the right side of his body afterward, slowly improving since then.

Lawler’s former commentary teammate Jim Ross tweeted that he spoke with Lawler Tuesday night and while he was “obviously weak,” Ross could still understand him despite his affected speech.

Lawler has gone through heart issues in the past and suffered his first stroke in 2018. He also suffered a heart attack during an episode of WWE Raw in 2012 while on commentary that nearly killed him. He had competed in a tag team match earlier on the show.

Wrestling Observer Live: Jerry Lawler updates, Cody vs. Heyman, WWE Raw

Posted on by Bryan Alvarez

Wrestling Observer Live with Bryan Alvarez and Mike Sempervive is back with tons to talk about including all the latest on Jerry Lawler and the medical emergency he suffered yesterday, a full WWE Raw recap with the Cody Rhodes vs. Paul Heyman promo, WWE SmackDown and AEW Rampage ratings from last Friday, and tons more. 

A fun packed as always so check it out~!

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Jerry Lawler suffered medical emergency on Monday, underwent surgery

Posted on by Josh Nason

WWE Hall of Famer Jerry “The King” Lawler suffered a medical emergency on Monday and is recovering in a Florida hospital after undergoing surgery.

Florida TV station Action News 5 first reported the story, stating the 73-year-old suffered a stroke in his Fort Myers, Florida, home. Our Dave Meltzer reports that Lawler was found outside his home face down and was rushed to the hospital. 

As of now, no further update has been given regarding Lawler’s health. Meltzer said Lawler awoke from surgery and tried to talk, but couldn’t and has no feeling on the right side of his body.

Later in the afternoon, Dutch Mantell tweeted that he has regained partial use of his arm and his speech is still affected, “but he’s improving.”

Lawler’s son, Kevin, is flying to Florida and is in contact with WWE.

Lawler has had heart issues in the past and suffered a stroke in 2018. He also suffered a heart attack during an episode of WWE Raw in 2012 while on commentary that nearly killed him. He had competed in a tag team match earlier that night.

The Memphis legend was last seen on WWE TV during the Royal Rumble pre-show, but hasn’t been a regular on the Raw commentary team in several years.

Even with his past health issues, Lawler was still active in the ring and working indie shows. He had last wrestled in January after a 2022 that saw him in ten matches, mainly in the Southeastern U.S.