Jerry Lawler collapses on Raw

Taken from slam sports


MONTREAL - During Monday Night Raw, announcer Jerry "The King" Lawler collapsed and ringside, was stretchered to the backstage area and is receiving CPR.

"Jerry passed out here at ringside," said a distraught Michael Cole to the audience, Lawler's seat vacant beside him. "He was stretchered to the back."

"He is receiving medical attention as we speak. They are performing CPR. And again, this is not, not part of tonight's entertainment," confirmed Cole.

SLAM! Wrestling's Patric Laprade is at Raw at Montreal's Bell Centre, and filed this report:

"Lawler grabbed his arm, collapsed and his face was blueish. Something like 7-8 people rushed to over to him, lifted him backstage. The medics were clearly told by the production to go backstage as they didn't want anything to happen in front of the fans.

"Right after, people were running everywhere, not seeming to know what to do exactly. Cole looked like he saw a ghost and seemed very shaken.

"The staff cleaned the floor near the announcers booth, I'm not sure if that's because he threw up or not.

"There was definitely a moment of panic during those few minutes.

"During every commercials, the fans here are chanting 'Jerry.' They didn't tell us anything here and what Cole said on TV about Lawler getting CPR in the back and that not being part of the show didn't air live."

Twitter is going wild with the news, including a tweet from Lawler's long-time broadcast partner, Jim Ross: "I'm shaken by the news of my friend Jerry Lawler's medical emergency in Montreal. Hands shaking. Prayers for the King. I feel helpless."




WWE.com posted a huge news alert: "During the tag team match between Kane & Daniel Bryan and The Prime Time Players tonight on Raw, viewers may have noticed members of the audience and WWE production team staring toward the commentary booth, as well as the absence of Jerry 'The King' Lawler’s voice. WWE.com has learned that the WWE Hall of Famer collapsed at the announcers' table and was tended to in the locker room area by WWE medical staff. Lawler was then taken from the arena to a medical facility in Montreal."

Through its Twitter account, WWE announced that Lawler is going to have a CAT scan at the hospital and "more responsive" and "reacting to lights."

It's now been confirmed as a Heart Attack.

Well presumably now that he's had a heart attack on air, he cannot be risked to be on TV (same as JR).

Silver lining and all that.

That's a pretty shocking story to read at this time in the morning.

I guess he may retire from the ring entirely now.

I caught it on Twitter as i don't bother with the show anymore and couldn't believe what i was reading, i thought it was an angle with Punk.

Crimey, wait till the mans recovered first eh!

I for one am appalled by Crimey's comment and hope the mods take swift action.

Apparently he's breathing on his own and his heart is beating normally now.

Glad to hear he's doing ok, thats the peril of live TV.

Yeah pretty inappropriate Crimey.


I've just watched the segment on YouTube with headphones.


The last thing Lawler says is something about O Neill's forearms being like sledgehammers. He sounds a bit drowsy at this point. A few seconds later, you can hear a snorting/snoring type noise. The camera angle then switches to near the ramp so you can see the announce table in the background. Lawler is slumped down, then it switches away, back to that camera and Lawler is out of view on the floor and Cole is looking down on him.


Obviously the crowd picks up on this and nobody is watching the match and looking towards the announce table. A "Jerry" chant breaks out and even Kane keeps taking quick glances towards the announcers looking very concerned.


It's a huge shock, a heart attack live on air! It will be interesting to see what happens with Lawler now. There's no way he will back full time. It's not worth the risk.


Get well soon Lawler.

You could see he wasn't feeling great for a while before he collapsed. Probably couldn't have happened in a better place though, I'd imagine they have a lot of medical staff present who got to him quickly.

Lowlandbrit wrote:I'd imagine they have a lot of medical staff present who got to him quickly.

And its in Canada so its all free eh.

Theres probably a good chance he'd be cleared to return to commentary, but its definitely the end of his wrestling spots on tv

There's no way Vince would take the risk.

you reckon beer?

well im shocked to hear this, i watched raw aswell up to the end of the kane bryan match :S how could i have missed that?? even though i was only half watching it! he will return as a commentator should he make a full recovery but yeah, thatll be it for his wrestling career.

I can't see it. Can you imagine the bad publicity? He has a heart attack, is clinically dead for 20 minutes but as soon as he's fit and ready Vince sticks him back on live tv?!

He'd get absolutely slaughtered. It's bad enough the amount of wrestlers that die from heart related illnesses, this would be a step too far.

I don't think he'd keep him off TV for the sake of not getting stick, but more for the sake of the effect something like this happening on air would have on his production.

If JR is considered a health risk for Bell's Palsy, then someone with heart issues would definitely be taken off air - unless there are precedents?

It's hardly like he ever gets excited whilst commentating on the wrestling anymore as it is so I can't see that role causing him much strain.
Though at his age and carrying the extra pounds from going into the ring cold would be a massive burden upon his heart and that shouldn't happen again.

Be interesting to see if Linda's opponents pick up on it.

Vince sets his own precedents, but he and JR had issues, they've never really got on.

There's a reason Lawler has been with WWE for so long. Vince wouldn't be stupid enough to risk that.

If the doctors give the all clear and King wants to return after a break, I don't think its insurmountable that he does part ti me at least

Even if it comes in a sad way, I think it has clearly been time for a change for some time. I think JBL should be brought back in (although he may not be interested), him and Cole on Smackdown were great.

Id like to see JBL, one of the comms should be an ex wrestler imo. Gives it more creibility

Vince doesn't like the play by play aspect of it. Its why he was never fond of JR. He wants personality. He prefers substance over style.

I can see them doing 'Guest' commentators now in a similar vein to what they did with GMs and have random Z list celebrities at ringside promoting their film etc whilst the match is on.

Snooki & Cole on commentary next week then?

Could always bring back Striker lol

Or JR?

Massive long shot that one though.

Have Jeremy Piven doing play by play at Summerfest.

someone i knew had a heart attack and got bought back after 15 minutes of being "dead" then the medical staff got his heart going again and he was taken to hospital but unfortunatly he died a month or so after that......i hope this doesn't happen to the king but once you have been dead for any amount of time then your on borrowed time from my experience of people who have had something similar..........fabrice muamba being an exception.

hope the king of memphis makes a full recovery

Possible replacements for Jerry Lawler:

Mick Foley
JBL
Ric Flair ( )
Paul Heyman
Edge
Kevin Nash
Matt Striker
William Regal
Josh Matthews
Todd Grisham
Mike Adamale
Joey Styles

Some of those guys are actually on WWE contracts like Foley, Nash, Striker, Styles without doing much on air.

people on here dont care much for someones health obviously.......first thing some people on here think of when they see lawler has had a heartattack......who can replace him? really? thats low. i care more for the mans health at this point i couldnt give a **** who should replace him

Striker won't get the job as like JR he is too play by play.

Heyman would be too heelish and needs to be in a more prominent role. It would also mean Cole turning face.

sjh5678 wrote:people on here dont care much for someones health obviously.......first thing some people on here think of when they see lawler has had a heartattack......who can replace him? really? thats low. i care more for the mans health at this point i couldnt give a **** who should replace him

I have to agree - I do find the discussion on this thread a little crass

Well not to be too heartless, but he it's the only reason I know who he is, because of his commentating, so naturally I'm interested in that part.

It's sad that he's had a heart attack but it's not really that interesting to discuss.

agree there sjh

Beer wrote:Striker won't get the job as like JR he is too play by play.

Heyman would be too heelish and needs to be in a more prominent role. It would also mean Cole turning face.

On Smackdown they have Josh Matthews and Michael Cole who are both play by play guys. I imagine that might be because Vince doesn't care that much about Smackdown.

Of course people care. That doesnt mean we cant be interested in wwho will replace in the short term

Crimey wrote:

Beer wrote:Striker won't get the job as like JR he is too play by play.

Heyman would be too heelish and needs to be in a more prominent role. It would also mean Cole turning face.

On Smackdown they have Josh Matthews and Michael Cole who are both play by play guys. I imagine that might be because Vince doesn't care that much about Smackdown.

I think your missing the point slightly.

JR would call the moves as he saw them, using their technical names. Cole and Matthews don't really do that. Its more an ongoing discussion around the events in the match.

Striker actually received rave reviews from the IWC for his commentary, however Vince didn't like it.

If you want crass, then read the tweets that New Jack posted over Jerry Lawler

Some people are just overly sensitive these days

Beer wrote:

Crimey wrote:

Beer wrote:Striker won't get the job as like JR he is too play by play.

Heyman would be too heelish and needs to be in a more prominent role. It would also mean Cole turning face.

On Smackdown they have Josh Matthews and Michael Cole who are both play by play guys. I imagine that might be because Vince doesn't care that much about Smackdown.

I think your missing the point slightly.

JR would call the moves as he saw them, using their technical names. Cole and Matthews don't really do that. Its more an ongoing discussion around the events in the match.

Striker actually received rave reviews from the IWC for his commentary, however Vince didn't like it.

Yeah, I get what you mean. JR and Matt Striker's commentary is informative and descriptive while Cole and Matthews commentary is just pointless, inane drivel.

Cole got good heat tbf and the ongoing banter between him and King was entertaining. Dont see the point of Matthews tho

Cole hit his peak a few years ago, then Vince made Cole the 'Voice of the WWE' putting him on all programming, on commentary and storylines and in the ring and Cole got up his own bottom and he's been pretty poor since.

I think Lawler has suffered with Cole. The don't have the chemistry that Lawler and JR had.

Crimey wrote:Cole hit his peak a few years ago, then Vince made Cole the 'Voice of the WWE' putting him on all programming, on commentary and storylines and in the ring and Cole got up his own bottom and he's been pretty poor since.

Thing is, Vince had to do something to get people to stop talking about JR. Sadly it's not worked, when you've got talent taking to social media asking JR to call their match at Mania it's obviously a big kick in the teeth to Cole and Vince.

I'm sure I read nothing about "who will replace Fabrice Muamba" in the Bolton line-up a few hours after he had a heart attack at work. I think the overwhelming feeling was "who cares about football".

Likewise, I don't care about any aspect of the Raw production in this instance, and am genuinely surprised that that is the main crux of the conversation. From the same people who lambast WWE for continuing on with the show when Owen Hart died, you are exhibiting the same "on with the show" mentality. It didn't even cross my mind. In fact, I've deleted it off my TiVo already, unwatched. They'll do what they need to do next week and it really doesn't matter.

Whether his standard has slipped or not, Jerry Lawler is an absolute legend in his field - both in wrestling, and commentating, and I think he deserves a bit more respect from WWE "fans", than to have them putting a million and one candidates into his still warm chair. I would be surprised if this was even on the minds of any of these candidates right now.

I hope he DOES come back, and most of all hope he gets well soon. As someone has already pointed out, these things are notorious for additional complications during recovery. We don't even know if he's going to be OK yet.

I think I saw more sympathy for Benoit

Electric Demon wrote:I'm sure I read nothing about "who will replace Fabrice Muamba" in the Bolton line-up a few hours after he had a heart attack at work. I think the overwhelming feeling was "who cares about football".

Likewise, I don't care about any aspect of the Raw production in this instance, and am genuinely surprised that that is the main crux of the conversation. From the same people who lambast WWE for continuing on with the show when Owen Hart died, you are exhibiting the same "on with the show" mentality. It didn't even cross my mind. In fact, I've deleted it off my TiVo already, unwatched. They'll do what they need to do next week and it really doesn't matter.

Whether his standard has slipped or not, Jerry Lawler is an absolute legend in his field - both in wrestling, and commentating, and I think he deserves a bit more respect from WWE "fans", than to have them putting a million and one candidates into his still warm chair. I would be surprised if this was even on the minds of any of these candidates right now.

I hope he DOES come back, and most of all hope he gets well soon. As someone has already pointed out, these things are notorious for additional complications during recovery. We don't even know if he's going to be OK yet.

I think I saw more sympathy for Benoit

Sorry, ED. But unfortunately, it's the nature of the business and how the WWE treats it's talent like pieces of meat that the natural angle of conversation is this. And actually, most people will find it difficult to talk about and so this is an easier way of dealing with the situation.

I was shocked when i read it, the hairs stood up on my neck and i genuinely could not believe what happened. I do wish him all the best and sincerely hope he recovers. But until he's out of intensive care i'm not going to sit around and discuss how sorry i am and how much hope i'm sending across. I'd rather discuss trivial matters that move away from the morbid and very sad situation wrestling fans face.

Beer wrote:

Electric Demon wrote:I'm sure I read nothing about "who will replace Fabrice Muamba" in the Bolton line-up a few hours after he had a heart attack at work. I think the overwhelming feeling was "who cares about football".

Likewise, I don't care about any aspect of the Raw production in this instance, and am genuinely surprised that that is the main crux of the conversation. From the same people who lambast WWE for continuing on with the show when Owen Hart died, you are exhibiting the same "on with the show" mentality. It didn't even cross my mind. In fact, I've deleted it off my TiVo already, unwatched. They'll do what they need to do next week and it really doesn't matter.

Whether his standard has slipped or not, Jerry Lawler is an absolute legend in his field - both in wrestling, and commentating, and I think he deserves a bit more respect from WWE "fans", than to have them putting a million and one candidates into his still warm chair. I would be surprised if this was even on the minds of any of these candidates right now.

I hope he DOES come back, and most of all hope he gets well soon. As someone has already pointed out, these things are notorious for additional complications during recovery. We don't even know if he's going to be OK yet.

I think I saw more sympathy for Benoit

Sorry, ED. But unfortunately, it's the nature of the business and how the WWE treats it's talent like pieces of meat that the natural angle of conversation is this.

We're not in the business though.

I'm sure there was discussion almost immediately on whether Fabrice Muamba would play football again though, which is what the discussion started as, the next natural evolution of that discussion is what happens if he doesn't come back?

I don't know what the conversation could be about, other than 'Hope he's okay' from everybody. As Beer said, it's a lot easier to discuss things like that than to consider the implications of the heart attack/stroke.

Exactly Beer, we all hope King pulls through.

Electric Demon wrote:

Beer wrote:

Electric Demon wrote:I'm sure I read nothing about "who will replace Fabrice Muamba" in the Bolton line-up a few hours after he had a heart attack at work. I think the overwhelming feeling was "who cares about football".

Likewise, I don't care about any aspect of the Raw production in this instance, and am genuinely surprised that that is the main crux of the conversation. From the same people who lambast WWE for continuing on with the show when Owen Hart died, you are exhibiting the same "on with the show" mentality. It didn't even cross my mind. In fact, I've deleted it off my TiVo already, unwatched. They'll do what they need to do next week and it really doesn't matter.

Whether his standard has slipped or not, Jerry Lawler is an absolute legend in his field - both in wrestling, and commentating, and I think he deserves a bit more respect from WWE "fans", than to have them putting a million and one candidates into his still warm chair. I would be surprised if this was even on the minds of any of these candidates right now.

I hope he DOES come back, and most of all hope he gets well soon. As someone has already pointed out, these things are notorious for additional complications during recovery. We don't even know if he's going to be OK yet.

I think I saw more sympathy for Benoit

Sorry, ED. But unfortunately, it's the nature of the business and how the WWE treats it's talent like pieces of meat that the natural angle of conversation is this.

We're not in the business though.

No, but we follow it, we understand it, we know what goes on behind the scenes, who does what and when. You don't need to have a WWE Staff badge to understand the ebb and flow of the company.

We've seen it before. Lance Cade classic example. Discovered to have a heart issue. Sacked by the WWE and died about 12 months later. Where was his help and support? Didn't he just get replaced?

My argument is - does it need discussion at all? It is what it is - a news story.

I'm certainly not one for the celebrity death/illness facebook wall splattering of sickening condolence giving/well wishing for complete strangers or the ridiculous laying of digital flowers for dead newspaper images. It makes me want to vom up in my mouth a bit.

But I just think is what it is, and people deserve a bit of respect.