American professional wrestler Jerry Lawler: biography, achievements and interesting facts

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:46

Millions of people, especially men, have watched exciting wrestler fights at least once. The fight of the representatives of the stronger sex, athletically built and full of courage and desperate drive, can be watched endlessly. Each fight is a small theatrical performance, accompanied by loud music and the screams of the fans. A fight in the ring is not only a demonstration of male strength and aggression, but also resourcefulness, dexterity and, of course, charisma.

What do we know about wrestling stars? A rare person will name at least a couple of names of famous heroes of this sport. Jerry Lawler is perhaps one of the brightest characters who has built a sports career in the ring and beyond. He knows both the sweet taste of victory and the bitterness of defeat. But, despite all the twists of fate, he defended and continues to defend the title of king of the ring.

Biography

Jerry Lawler was born on November 29, 1949, in the USA, the city of Memphis (Tennessee). From childhood, he was distinguished by a lively character and a strong physique. Jerry lived most of his life inhometown, from a young age he worked as a disc jockey and did not even dream of a career as a wrestler. But in the 1960s, a meeting with Aubrey Griffith, a promoter of local wrestlers, turned his life upside down. Jerry received an offer to participate in training. And already in 1970, Lawler made his debut in the ring. A year later, the wrestler won the championship title. This victory was followed by the next - at the NWA Southern Tag Championship.

In 1974, already twice champion Jerry Lawler went to battle with his trainer Jackie Fargo. This victory was not easy for the wrestler, but became crucial in his career. Now Jerry is not just the owner of the AWA Southern Heavyweight Championship belt, but also the title of "King of the Ring".

5 years after this momentous victory, Jerry "The King" Lawler takes part in the CWA (Continental Wrestling Association) Championship. And again victory! This time the fight was with Billy Graham.

From 1983 to 1986, Jerry Lawler continued to have a happy streak in his career. He becomes the AWA Champion for the second time (fight with Ken Pater), wins the NWA Mid America Championship (fight with Randy Savage) and once again confirms the title of King, but this time in the AWA International Championship (fight with Billy Dundee).

Achievements

Jerry Lawler had a very busy life in the ring. It cannot be said that he was an absolute champion and did not know defeat at all. But during his active career, the American wrestler won 140 championships (local and international). Moreover, Jerry Lawler is a three-time world champion (WorldClass Wrestling Association). But perhaps the most significant and happiest event in the wrestler's career was his entry into the WWE Hall of Fame.

Private life

Parallel to a successful career, Jerry Lawler's personal life was no less eventful. He was married three times. Marriage with his first wife, Kay, gave the wrestler two sons - Brian and Kevin. The eldest son (Brian) followed in his father's footsteps and became a professional and quite successful wrestler. In the sports world, he is known as Grandmaster Sexay. The second son (Kevin) was also involved in wrestling, but did not advance far in it and changed the field of activity.

In 1982, Jerry Lawler married a second time. Only the name of his wife (Paula) and the fact that they lived together for about ten years are known about this marriage.

The third wife of the king of the ring was Stacy Carter, also a professional wrestler, known by the name of Cat. They met at a charity softball game. Jerry Lawler was still married to Paula and did not consider Stacy as a future passion. However, over time they became closer. This was largely facilitated by common interests and hobbies, including wrestling. It was Jerry who helped Stacy in the formation and development of a sports career.

Game or reality

Jerry Lawler's record of wins is huge. He was not afraid to fight wrestling legends (Terry Funk and Hulk Hogan) and prevailed. But his most famous rival was artist Andy Kaufman. The clarification of the relationship between these men took place both in the ring and on television, and, possibly, inreal life. So, in one of the series of programs by David Letterman, Lawler slapped Kaufman in the face, which became one of the brightest and most memorable moments of the American show. And it was this incident that helped Jerry get a role in the film "The Man in the Moon", dedicated to the life and work of E. Kaufman.

King of the ring today

Jerry Lawler is 66 today. He works as a commentator for WWE fights. Jerry is considered the most sincere and emotional commentator. He knows the ring very well and is familiar with the microphone.

And although Lawler is long retired by age and athletic standards, his proud disposition haunted him for a long time. Loud music sounds, wrestling, “Jerry Lawler” is displayed on the running scoreboard … The famous fighter, 183 cm tall and weighing 110 kg, again performed in the ring, exciting the fans. Of course, these fights were less aggressive and rather symbolic. But it seems that Jerry was unable to sit in the commentator's chair and even today he is eager for new victories.

Interesting facts

• Pro wrestler known to everyone as Jerry King Lawler. His real name sounds like Jerry O'Neil Lawler.
• In 1980, Lawler was forced to take a break from his career due to a broken leg. Only a few months later, the wrestler was able to return with renewed vigor to his favorite ring.
• The brilliant career and life of Jerry Lawler has long attracted the attention of the media and ordinary viewers. In 2002, the wrestler made a gift to his fans and wrestling fans and released his autobiography "It's good to be a king …". Bookwas enthusiastically received by critics and readers. Until now, the demand for it has not subsided, and it remains one of the most popular in the WWE autobiography series.
• Jerry Lawler has always been in good he alth, which was greatly facilitated by a sports lifestyle. However, on September 11, 2012, he suffered a heart attack. The incident took place live, in front of millions of viewers. Unconscious, Jerry fell onto the commentator's table. Colleagues carried him backstage and put him in an ambulance. On the way to the hospital, Jerry went into respiratory arrest. Only 10 minutes later, the doctors managed to resume the heart rhythm. It was clinical death. At the hospital, Lawler underwent emergency surgery, during which the cardiac aorta was artificially expanded. After that, the wrestler was injected with a complex of sedatives to maintain the work of the heart and reduce the load on it.

• Besides sports, Jerry proved to be a good actor, musician and politician. In the cinema, the most serious picture was the film "The Man in the Moon" (1999), where the wrestler played himself, and the main role was played by Jim Carrey, who played the role of Jerry's rival in the ring and comedian Andy Kaufman.
• Also, as an actor, Lawler was invited to the film Dead Girls (2012) and TV series Soup and Honey, I Shrunk the Kids.