Lawler's journey into professional wrestling began as a devoted fan and talented artist. He would send drawn renditions of live events to announcer Lance Russell, who, to Lawler’s surprise, showcased them on air. Russell then invited Lawler to visit, opening the door to his career. Lawler convinced promoter Aubrey Griffith and the late Jackie Fargo, creator of the famous 'strut' adopted by wrestlers like Ric Flair and Jeff Jarrett, to train him. Fargo took him under his wing, and Lawler debuted in 1971.
A Versatile Performer and Memphis Champion
Throughout his extensive career, Lawler demonstrated remarkable versatility as a performer, excelling as a wrestler, talk show host, announcer, promoter, booker, and even a Mayoral candidate. He is described as one of the most versatile performers of all time, capable of being a babyface hero, an evil villain, a comedic supporting personality, an announcer, or an interviewer. Lawler could transition from silly to intense within a segment and from babyface to heel over a single weekend.
As 'The King,' Lawler was often the ultimate hero, defending Mid-Southern Wrestling against villains like Dutch Mantel and Dr. Frank. His storied rivalries included Bill Dundee, who was both a tag team partner and a hated enemy. Their heated 1977 feud in Memphis saw Dundee lose not only his own hair but also his wife’s hair to Lawler.
Many notable wrestlers, including Terry Funk, Hulk Hogan, Jeff Jarrett, Randy Savage, and The Snowman, stepped into the ring to face Lawler in Memphis. Lawler finally achieved a long held dream in 1989 when he put his career on the line against Curt Hennig and became the AWA World Heavyweight Champion. He then headlined the first ever non WWF or Jim Crockett pay per view against Kerry Von Erich, unifying the AWA and World Class Championships. Lawler is also noted for winning countless CWA, NWA Mid Southern, and USWA Championships, capturing titles in nearly every promotion he worked, with the exception of WWE.
When Memphis' relationship with Verne Gagne deteriorated, Lawler refused to return the Unified title, continuing to defend it in Memphis. He even sued WWF and after they promoted Harley Race as the 'King of Wrestling,' a distinction Lawler had used for decades.
Beyond Memphis: WWF/WWE Tenure
Eventually, Lawler joined the competition, appearing as a personality on Prime Time Wrestling, a move that stunned long time fans. He had also taken turns booking the Memphis promotion with Jerry Jarrett. In WWF, he became a fierce rival for Bret Hart, attacking him during a King of the Ring coronation and mocking Hart’s parents and family on programming. Legal issues led to Lawler being pulled from storylines leading up to the 1993 Survivor Series.
Lawler returned in March 1994 at Wrestlemania XX, transitioning into a role as a cackling heel announcer alongside Vince McMahon and Jim Ross. Lawler and Jim Ross formed a definitive broadcasting team for the WWF/WWE, becoming the ultimate Monday Night Raw announcing duo for many fans.
With the exception of his hiatus due to legal issues and a period where he quit after his then wife Stacy Carter was fired, Lawler was with the company for over three decades. He eventually wrestled his good friend Michael Cole at a Wrestlemania. WWE inducted Lawler into their Hall of Fame in 2007, with William Shatner handling the honors in Detroit.
The Andy Kaufman Angle
Lawler's most notable contribution to pop culture was his "is it real?" storyline with the late Andy Kaufman. A devoted wrestling fan, Kaufman was reportedly more excited to be in the WMC Studios than filming his series Taxi . He befriended Pro Wrestling Illustrated editor and photographer Bill Apter and expressed interest in getting involved in wrestling. After Vince McMahon Sr. rebuffed the idea of Kaufman joining WWF, Apter arranged a phone call between Lawler and Kaufman one night from Apter’s Queens, NY apartment.
The storyline gained attention far beyond Memphis borders due to Kaufman’s celebrity. Kaufman appeared on Memphis TV as a Hollywood star who looked down upon women, wrestling fans, and Southerners. Eventually, Lawler confronted Kaufman in the ring at the Mid South Coliseum, where Lawler offered him a free headlock. Kaufman accepted the offer, only to be hit with a back suplex and a piledriver. Kaufman was then stretchered out and rushed to the hospital, reportedly feigning injury for days and appearing with a neck brace, promising revenge. The entire Lawler Kaufman incident was staged.
The angle culminated in Lawler slapping Kaufman on The David Letterman Show . Following the slap, Kaufman began screaming and cursing, threatening to sue. For decades, David Letterman never admitted he was in on the angle. Kaufman later died from lung cancer.
Lawler last wrestled for WWE in a tag team match in September 2012. After returning to his commentary position that same month, he suffered a massive heart attack, with Dr. Michael Sampson present at the time.
