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Jerry 'The King' Lawler celebrates 50 years of pro wrestling with a steel cage match victory

Posted: Sep 27th 2020 By: Max Garland - CommercialAppeal.com

JACKSON – For the hundreds of fans who came to celebrate 50 years of professional wrestling greatness, WWE Hall of Famer and Memphis icon Jerry “The King” Lawler showed he still had plenty of fight left at 70 years old.

Lawler endured slams, strikes and blows from a baseball bat before emerging victorious in a “Thunderdome Cage Match” with tag team partners The Rock ‘n’ Roll Express, the main event of Lawler’s 50th anniversary celebration at the Ballpark at Jackson. Lawler knocked out opponent Matt Riviera with a megaphone — tossed to him by another legend, Jimmy Hart — and then pinned him for the three count.

While the match showcased Lawler’s ring smarts, his entrance highlighted his regal flair. Lawler rode into the ring on horseback, The King’s crown raised high in his right hand. He dismounted and took in the crowd’s chants of “Jerry! Jerry! Jerry!” before entering the four-ton steel cage.

Pro wrestling legends Ric Flair, 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin among those to offer congratulations

Saturday’s match was just the latest chapter in a 50-year career that includes winning myriad championships in numerous territories, a famous feud with comedian Andy Kaufman that featured a Mid-South Coliseum bout and providing color commentary alongside broadcasting partner Jim Ross for WWE’s “Attitude Era” and beyond.

Prior to the main event, video messages from pro wrestling legends such as Ric Flair and “Stone Cold” Steve Austin and Cleveland sports icons like former Browns quarterback Bernie Kosar honored Lawler’s 50 years of wrestling. Flair said he hopes that he’s looked at and received as well on his 50th anniversary in two years as Lawler was Saturday.

“50 years of celebrating what an awesome man, awesome athlete you are,” Kosar said. “I know I’m a little biased because of what a big Browns fan you are. Love them, love you.”

Lawler wasn’t the only pro wrestling mainstay at the event in-person. Several superstars signed autographs and posed for pictures with fans prior to and during the show. Among those making appearances were Kane (known outside the ring as Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs), Ross, Sgt. Slaughter, Scott Steiner and Lex Luger.

Road Warrior Animal, who was scheduled to make an appearance at the show, died Tuesday night of natural causes, TMZ Sports reported. Fans paid their respects to the Legion of Doom member before the show with a ten-bell salute and an “L-O-D” chant.

New rivalries, old faces featured throughout event

Although Lawler’s legacy is firmly cemented alongside those names, he is still finding new feuds decades into his career. In the weeks leading up to the match, Lawler’s opponents attacked him and his son, Kevin Lawler, on separate occasions in beatdowns involving the baseball bat of Tommy Gilbert, one-third of the opposition Saturday. Lawler also endured what USA Championship Wrestling described “as a vehicular assault incident at the hands of” Riviera and Gilbert.

“If you can make 50 years in this business, you really either got to be a really good worker, a really, really good talker or completely full of you-know-what,” Austin said in his message. “I think you got the combination of all three.”

Masks were required for entry, but most fans and wrestling talent on hand weren’t wearing them within the ballpark as they viewed Lawler’s main event and the night’s eight other matches.

Legends were showcased throughout the matches, including WWE Hall of Famer Tony Atlas, who helped his three-man team emerge victorious after a series of strikes, chops and a headbutt.

“God bless you, Tennessee!” Atlas said after leading the fans in an emphatic Pledge of Allegiance.

The Boogeyman of WWE fame squashed his opponent and, in classic Boogeyman fashion, force-fed him worms after his victory. Boogeyman ran to the stands after his victory, celebrating and high-fiving fans.

Luke Cage, Flawless Lawless take home USA Championship Wrestling titles

The night also showcased younger talent in the thick of their careers. Several USA Championship Wrestling title holders defended their respective championships prior to the main event.

Luke Cage became the new Southern Heavyweight Champion after fighting through outside interference and landing a spear on Matthew Starr for the victory. For the USA Heavyweight Championship, Flawless Lawless took the title from Nathan Starr. Starr had his hands full dispatching Lawless’ ringside manager, giving Lawless an opening he took advantage of.

The night’s lone women’s bout between USA Championship Wrestling women’s champion Miranda Gordy and NWA women’s champion Thunder Rosa ended in a no-contest after a double count-out. After the match’s end, Gordy and Rosa continued to brawl into the ringside seating before being forcibly separated.

But Saturday night ended with and belonged to The King, adding yet another victory to a fifty-year (and running) tally.

“Congratulations on making 50 years in one of the toughest businesses I know, and that’s the bottom line — because I said so,” Austin said.