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Jerry 'The King' Lawler back on announce team for WWE 'Raw'; here's how the deal happened

Posted: Sep 27th 2019 By: www.commercialappeal.com

Jerry Lawler on growing up in Memphis, racism, urban sprawl and why he's ultimately decided to stay in his hometown Memphis Commercial Appeal

Memphis' Jerry "The King" Lawler is back on "Raw."

WWE announced Thursday that Lawler will serve as an analyst on the Monday night announce team, which also includes play-by-play from Vic Joseph and analysis from Dio Maddin.

Lawler's official return to a WWE commentary desk, which is set for Monday in Phoenix, is part of an open-ended agreement, he told The Commercial Appeal on Thursday evening.

"I got a call about it Tuesday morning from Kevin Dunn (WWE's executive vice president of television production)," Lawler said. "He said, 'I've got a proposition for you. It may be good news, and it may be bad news.' He knows I don't like to travel a whole lot anymore, so that was the bad part. I said, 'What's the good part?' He said, 'We want you back on Raw.'

"He told me it's for however long I want to do it, so that sealed the deal."

The legendary wrestler has entertained fans for decades — both in the ring and behind the announce table.

Lawler, 69, made his professional wrestling debut in 1970. He began his WWE commentary career in 1992 alongside the company's chairman Vince McMahon. He left WWE briefly in 2001, only to return later that year.

He moved to "SmackDown" in 2015 and was replaced in 2016. He has made guest appearances at pay-per-views and other shows since then.

Lawler is a member of the WWE Hall of Fame.

The announce team changes coincide with WWE Premiere Week.

Lawler said he's only met Joseph a few times and that he's never met Madden.

"It was (Raw's executive director) Paul (Heyman's) idea to put Vic and Dio on Raw," Lawler said. "Apparently, what I was told, Vince (McMahon) said, 'You can't throw these two new, young guys on our flagship show. Call King.' That's how it happened."

The season premiere of "Raw" is set for 7 p.m. CST Monday on USA Network. Among the show's highlights, The Miz will host WWE Hall of Famers Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair, who was born in Memphis, on a special edition of Miz TV, according to WWE.com.

"All I've been able to think about is what Vince told me when I first started over 25 years ago, 'It's live TV — nothing can go wrong,'" Lawler said. "I feel real confident it'll be like riding a bike. I'll treat it exactly the way I always have — like I'm watching the show in my living room with my neighbor.

"The name of the company is World Wrestling Entertainment. And I've always thought the commentators are an important part of the entertainment."

Commercial Appeal sports writer Jason Munz contributed to this report.