May 7th 2024 02:20pm

Sign Up / Sign In|Help

 

Jerry "The King" Lawler Looking To Prove Himself When Wrestlefest XII Hits Bristol

Jerry "The King" Lawler Looking To Prove Himself When Wrestlefest XII Hits Bristol

Posted: Apr 15th 2008 By: CMBurnham

When Jerry ?The King? Lawler steps into the ring for WrestleFest XII at Bristol Central High School, he knows full well he will have a huge target on his back. But that knowledge may not help come Saturday night, especially when ?Maniac? Michael Sane is waiting inside a steel cage ready to make a name for himself at the wrestling legend?s expense.

Lawler, however, isn?t the least bit worried about taking on the giant inside a cage ? he actually relishes the chance to teach the up-and-comer a lesson he won?t soon forget.

?These young guys, they have dreams that when they beat me they?ll get the call from Vince McMahon and get a big contract for a ton of money,? Lawler said in an exclusive interview with The Bristol Press. ?But this is my opportunity to show everyone why, for the past 30 years, they call me ?The King.??

Wrestling in a cage match, however, is something Lawler is going to have to get used to all over again, as it?s been a long while since he last took part in one.

?It?s been quite a few years,? Lawler said from the road in Richmond, Kentucky. ?But we need to keep us inside the ring, and stop those outside the ring from interfering.?

While Lawler wants to teach Sane a thing or two about wrestling inside the cage on Saturday night, he also wouldn?t mind showing the fans of Bristol some moves they might not expect from the Monday Night Raw commentator.

?I?ll throw in a piledriver, I?ll go to the top rope; Bristol is going to see some things they would never expect from me,? he said.

The crowd that will fill the seats at the Central gym would expect nothing less from a Northeast Wrestling show. And Lawler is ready to give NEW and its fans a performance to remember

Lawler, who has been working with NEW for the past six years, loves the way the group does business. He points to Michael O?Brien, the promotion?s president, as reason why he keeps coming back for more.

?I?ve never been part of an unsuccessful show,? Lawler said of NEW. ?Michael is probably the best at producing independent shows. They are always sold out. Plus, Indy shows don?t usually lead to grudge matches or a return match. But that?s what I?m going to have here with Michael Sane. A cage match is a very unique thing to have at an Indy show.?

These independent shows are a lot different than a WWE or TNA event. But the more intimate showcase is something Lawler is looking forward to. After all, when wrestling or commentating in front of 20,000 fans, the personal touch just isn?t there.

?This is a throwback to old school wrestling,? he said. ?There?s nothing like a WWE show. But when they?re as big as they are, it?s a little impersonal. There is no interaction. Here the fans are so up close and personal. It?s an intimate venue. Fans will get a chance to meet and greet the wrestlers, get a photo taken, get an autograph.?

And, once again, NEW will be bringing the biggest names in the business with them to Bristol. In addition to the Lawler-Sane cage match, the event will feature WWE Hall of Famer Rowdy Roddy Piper, TNA heavyweight champion Samoa Joe, TNA women?s champion Awesome Kong, ?The Velvet Sky? Talia Madison and Bristol?s own Kurt Adonis.

Last year NEW brought Kurt Angle, Christian Cage and more to the Mum City.

?There is a lot of Indy shows where I?m the only well-known name at the event, and the rest are local guys,? Lawler said. ?It?s different with Michael O?Brien. His events are loaded with stars. He brings in TNA wrestlers, WWE guys. NEW shows have the big names.?

Lawler is one of the bigger names in the history of wrestling, and a great deal of that notoriety comes from a feud that took place outside the ring. Lawler gained national fame when he slapped comedian Andy Kaufman in the face on the Late Night with David Letterman show in 1982. It is still considered one of the top moments in the history of television.

?That?s probably the highlight of my career,? Lawler said. ?I was suddenly in the national spotlight ? and so was wrestling. The Letterman people still call that episode their ?famous show.??

Now, a new generation of wrestling fans may best know Lawler for his role as color commentator on WWE television and pay-per-view events. But ?The King? still sees himself as simply a wrestler.

?I never dreamed of being a commentator,? he said. ?When the Monday Night Wars were going on, Macho Man Randy Savage was doing color commentary on Raw, but he soon jumped ship to WCW. I was a last-minute replacement. I remember Vince McMahon coming up to me and asking if I wouldn?t mind doing it. Fifteen years later and I?m still the main color commentator.

?But I still think of myself as just a wrestler watching a match and talking about it.?

Lawler has had a long and historic wrestling career. He has held the most championships in wrestling history (127), was elected to the WWE Hall of Fame in 2007, and has feuded with some of the biggest names in the sports-entertainment world ? including Roddy Piper.

?I think a lot of people think I?m semi-retired,? Lawler said. ?I could still wrestle full time, but it?s the travel that kills you. I?m tired of wrestling and traveling five days a week. Commentating on Raw and wrestling occasionally is perfect for me.?

Make no mistake; Lawler is ready for his match with Sane at Bristol Central High School. Even though he may only wrestle part time now, that doesn?t mean he wants the fans leaving the arena disappointed in his performance.

?I?m hopefully going to show everyone that I?ve still got what it takes,? Lawler said.

?Maniac? Michael Sane gets to experience that first hand on Saturday night.

 

Tags: Jerry Lawler, WWE, TNA, Roddy Piper

Printable version Email to a friend

Supplemental Information

Latest News

1
The Scoop

The Scoop

NEWS Footage revealing Carlito as Dragon Lee’s mystery attacker was shown on the April 26th episode of “WWE Friday Night SmackDown”. There had been... Read More

All Columns

1

Spotlight in History

  • 1984 Killer Khan became the WCCW Television Champion
  • 2010 Cody Jones became the NWA-OK Texoma Champion
  • 2010 Jack Legacy def. Jeff Starchild for the MWA Heavyweight Champion
  • 2010 Dustin Heritage def. Shane Morbid for the MWA MAX-Division Champion
  • 2010 A. T. F. (Al Farat & Gurkha Singh) became the NWA-OK Oklahoma Tag Team Champion
  • 2010 La Reina de Corazones became the NWA-OK Women's Champion
  • 2011 Rudy Edwards def. Ryan Styles for the SWCW All-American Champion
  • 2011 Bernie D & Max McGuirk def. Nemesis (Rage Logan & Damien Morte) for the IZW Tag Team Champions
  • 2016 Tyson Jaymes def. Brandon Groom for the BCW Heavyweight Champion
  • 2018 Jack Swagger became the WCR Heavyweight Champion
  • 2018 The Von Erichs (Marshall Von Erich & Ross Von Erich) became the WCR Tag Team Champions
  • 2018 Damon Windsor became the WCR Revolutionary Champion
  • 2021 Jerome Daniel Griffey def. Tino Valentino for the ASP Heavyweight Champion
  • 2022 Drake Gallows def. Oxley for the RDW Heavyweight Champion
  • 2022 Derek James became the AWE Lion Heart Champion
  • 2022 Luna Nightshade became the RDW Women's Champion
  • 2022 Brandon Groom def. Derek James for the AWE Lion Heart Champion
  • 2022 Becky def. Luna Nightshade for the RDW Women's Champion

Week of Sun 05-05 to Sat: 05-11

  • 05-05 1941 Maurice Shapiro became the TSW Missouri Junior Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-05 1958 Jim LaRock became the TSW United States Junior Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-05 1958 Jim LaRock def. Sandor Kovacs for the TSW Oklahoma Junior Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-05 1978 Jerry Brown & Bobby Jaggers def. Ray Candy & Steven Little Bear for the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
  • 05-05 1982 King Kong Bundy def. Kerry Von Erich for the WCCW American Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-05 1982 Junkyard Dog & Mr. Olympia def. The Wild Samoans (Afa & Sika) for the MSW Mid-South Tag Team Champion
  • 05-05 1986 Rick Rude def. Lance Von Erich for the WCCW Television Champion
  • 05-05 2002 Red Eagle def. Terry Montana for the OCW Oklahoma Hardcore Champion
  • 05-05 2002 Terry Montana def. Red Eagle for the OCW Oklahoma Hardcore Champion
  • 05-05 2007 The Compound Varsity (Romero Contreras & Justin Lee) became the FCW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-05 2012 Kareem Sadat def. David Kyzer for the SWCW Hardcore Champion
  • 05-05 2017 El Greengo Loco & Karnage def. Team Dean Machine (Christopher Dean & Jerry Dean) for the BPPW Oklahoma Tag Team Champion
  • 05-05 2024 Tzuki def. Guerrerito for the EDW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-06 1959 Pretty Boy Collins & Duke Scarbo became the TSW Louisiana Tag Team Champion
  • 05-06 1969 Ramon Torres & Alberto Torres def. Karl Von Stroheim & Treacherous Phillips for the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
  • 05-06 1974 Rip Tyler def. Bob Sweetan for the TSW Brass Knucks Champion
  • 05-06 1984 The Rock & Soul Connection (Buck Zumhofe & King Parsons) def. The Super Destroyers (Super Destroyer 1 & Super Destroyer 2) for the WCCW American Tag Team Champion
  • 05-06 1984 The Von Erichs (Fritz Von Erich & Kevin Von Erich & Mike Von Erich) def. The Fabulous Freebirds (Terry Gordy, Michael Hayes, & Buddy Roberts) for the WCCW World 6-Man Tag Team Champion
  • 05-06 1984 The Von Erichs (Kerry Von Erich & Kevin Von Erich & Mike Von Erich) became the WCCW World 6-Man Tag Team Champion
  • 05-06 1985 The Fantastics (Tommy Rogers & Bobby Fulton) became the WCCW American Tag Team Champion
  • 05-06 2005 Shane Morbid def. Kenny Campbell for the SRPW X Division Champion
  • 05-06 2005 The 918 Boyz (Timmy J & Cade Sydal) became the SRPW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-06 2011 Jeff Starchild became the MWA Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-06 2017 Lone Star, Inc. (Cody Burns & Trey Cole & The Longhorn Outlaw) def. Simply the Future (J. D. & Alex) for the WFC Tag Team Champions
  • 05-06 2017 Team Dean Machine (Christopher Dean & Jerry Dean) def. El Greengo Loco & Karnage for the BPPW Oklahoma Tag Team Champion
  • 05-06 2023 Thrash def. Jason Jones for the WFC Prime Champion
  • 05-06 2023 MLP def. Red James for the RDW Brass Knucks Champion
  • 05-06 2023 Red James def. MLP for the RDW Brass Knucks Champion
  • 05-07 1984 Killer Khan became the WCCW Television Champion
  • 05-07 2010 Cody Jones became the NWA-OK Texoma Champion
  • 05-07 2010 Jack Legacy def. Jeff Starchild for the MWA Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-07 2010 Dustin Heritage def. Shane Morbid for the MWA MAX-Division Champion
  • 05-07 2010 A. T. F. (Al Farat & Gurkha Singh) became the NWA-OK Oklahoma Tag Team Champion
  • 05-07 2010 La Reina de Corazones became the NWA-OK Women's Champion
  • 05-07 2011 Rudy Edwards def. Ryan Styles for the SWCW All-American Champion
  • 05-07 2011 Bernie D & Max McGuirk def. Nemesis (Rage Logan & Damien Morte) for the IZW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-07 2016 Tyson Jaymes def. Brandon Groom for the BCW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-07 2018 Jack Swagger became the WCR Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-07 2018 The Von Erichs (Marshall Von Erich & Ross Von Erich) became the WCR Tag Team Champions
  • 05-07 2018 Damon Windsor became the WCR Revolutionary Champion
  • 05-07 2021 Jerome Daniel Griffey def. Tino Valentino for the ASP Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-07 2022 Drake Gallows def. Oxley for the RDW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-07 2022 Derek James became the AWE Lion Heart Champion
  • 05-07 2022 Luna Nightshade became the RDW Women's Champion
  • 05-07 2022 Brandon Groom def. Derek James for the AWE Lion Heart Champion
  • 05-07 2022 Becky def. Luna Nightshade for the RDW Women's Champion
  • 05-08 1970 The Hollywood Blondes (Jerry Brown & Buddy Roberts) became the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
  • 05-08 1985 The Snowman became the MSW Television Champion
  • 05-08 1988 Kerry Von Erich def. King Parsons for the WCCW World Champion
  • 05-08 2004 Brandon Groom def. Michael Barry for the NWA-OK Oklahoma Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-08 2004 John O'Malley became the IZW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-08 2004 Kenny Campbell became the IZW Impact Division Champion
  • 05-08 2004 Luc Lapointe & Se7en became the IZW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-08 2010 Excellence Personified (Dustin Heritage & Se7en & Michael Barry & Jack Legacy) became the TAP Tag Team Champions
  • 05-08 2010 Wage def. Eric Rose for the IZW Impact Division Champion
  • 05-08 2010 John O'Malley def. Kevin Morgan for the IZW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-08 2010 Michael H def. Tex for the 412PE Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-08 2010 J. R. Orullian & The Unknown def. The Trenchcoat Mafia (Ryan Reed & Dennis Williams) for the 412PE Tag Team Champions
  • 05-09 1967 Gorgeous George, Jr. & Jack Brisco def. The Assassins (Assassin #1 & Assassin #2) for the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
  • 05-09 2004 John O'Malley def. Chris Matthews for the ACW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-09 2004 Se7en became the ACW Hardcore Champion
  • 05-09 2004 Bernie Donderwitz def. Se7en for the ACW Hardcore Champion
  • 05-09 2009 Crazy Beautiful (Brett Taylor & Michael York) def. Team SuperBad (El Super Colibri & Justin Lee) for the ComPro Tag Team Champions
  • 05-09 2009 Dane Griffin def. Dustin Heritage for the IZW Impact Division Champion
  • 05-09 2009 BLK-OUT (Jermaine Johnson & Montego Seeka) def. Impact, Inc. (Johnny Z & Bernie D) for the IZW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-09 2015 The Trenchcoat Mafia (Ryan Reed & Billy Ray [1st]) def. Hurricane Ross & J. R. Orullian for the NAW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-09 2021 Erica def. Brandon Barricade for the ASP All Time Champion
  • 05-10 1966 The Assassins (Assassin 1 & Assassin 2) became the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
  • 05-10 2008 Jerry Bostic became the 3DW Violent Division Champion
  • 05-10 2014 Billy Ray [1st] def. Running Wolf for the NAW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-10 2014 American Made def. Tim Rockwell for the UWE United States Champion
  • 05-10 2019 Kody Lane def. Latrell Upton for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Champion
  • 05-10 2023 Leo Fox def. The Wolf of War for the RDW Iron Man Champion
  • 05-11 1976 Karl Kox & Bob Sweetan def. Ted DiBiase & Dick Murdoch for the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
  • 05-11 1981 Ernie Ladd def. Kerry Von Erich for the WCCW American Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-11 2008 The Midnite Rider def. Outlaw for the MSWA Oklahoma Champion
  • 05-11 2008 Limited Edition (Les Mayne & Dane Griffin) def. The South Side Soul Assassins (Tyson Jaymes & 3rd Rail) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Champion
  • 05-11 2013 Billy Ray [1st] became the NAW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-11 2013 The Trenchcoat Mafia (Ryan Reed & Billy Ray [1st]) def. Pretty In Pink (Mike Rose & Michael Duplanti) for the NAW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-11 2019 Drake Gallows became the KCW National Champion
05-07
  • Hercules May 7th Today!
  • Richie Adams May 8th
  • Jake Danielsson May 9th
  • Rook Tyler May 10th
  • Tito Santana May 10th
  • Jerry Brown May 10th
  • Billy Brown May 10th
  • Sunny War Cloud May 10th
  • Charming Charles May 11th
  • Psycho May 11th
  • Big J May 11th
  • Brock Baker May 12th
  • Sol Yang May 12th
  • Sensei Jamo May 12th
  • Bill Howard May 12th
  • Prince Mahalli May 13th
  • Karl Krupp May 13th
  • Lars Manderson May 13th
  • Little Boy Blue May 13th
  • Maggie Rae May 13th
  • Pete Maguire May 13th
  • Stan Kowalski May 13th
  • Dave Ryda May 13th
  • Payton Scott May 13th
  • Danny Hodge May 13th
  • Shawn Bragan May 14th
  • Big Van Vader May 14th
  • C. M. Burnham May 14th
  • Steve Williams May 14th
  • Scott Irwin May 14th
  • Robert Fuller May 14th
  • Tommy Rogers May 14th
  • Joe Cuedo May 15th
  • Erwin IV May 15th
  • Andrew Bridge May 15th
  • Oscar Amazing May 15th
  • Koko May 15th
  • Kevin Von Erich May 15th
  • Ryan Martin May 16th
  • Buddy Knox May 16th
  • Buddy Roberts May 16th
  • Ryker James May 16th
  • Alan Jefferson May 16th
  • Wage May 17th
  • J. B. Pain May 17th
  • Billy Red Lyons May 17th
  • Mike Pappas May 17th
  • Dan Maestro May 17th
  • Kyle Hawk May 17th
  • Matt Riviera May 18th
  • Luna Nightshade May 18th
  • Gajo May 18th
  • Jimmy Snuka May 18th
  • Akuma Jones May 18th
  • Kristopher Haiden May 18th
  • J. R. Wind May 18th
  • Dick Slater May 19th
  • Andre the Giant May 19th
  • Mongol May 19th
  • Bateman May 19th
  • Buzz Markley May 19th
  • Will Chambers May 19th
  • Dale Veasey May 20th

More Look Back In History

Card Results

1