Sad to say that the great Jerry The King Lawler ended his 30-year run with the WWE, not by choice, mind you. After all, it’s a “New Era” for World Wrestling Entertainment Paul “Triple H” Levesque is helming — time for new blood.
The good news is we can still celebrate the man with one of the best regal entrances in any pro wrestling ring with five very little-known facts. We’re not talking about the more outrageous urban legends we’ve heard of already, such as the feud with Andy Kaufman and the antics on the Letterman show, his induction into the Hall of Fame along with Jimmy “Mouth of the South” Hart, or his corny fight with Doink the Clown in WWE (not Lawler’s best moments, although Doink will always be fondly remembered!).
Nope. These five facts? Chances are no one’s heard of these. Starting with:
Jerry “The King” Lawler Was Actually a Commercial Artist (Among Other Things)
What I mean by that was he did graphic design (and before he got into wrestling, he was a disc jockey!). Dare I say; he painted ‘stuff’! Bet you didn’t know he went far above and beyond the typical performance ‘art’ that is pro wrestling with his effective heel turns and insanity.
We know this, in fact, given his contributions to several companies, including the WWE, where you could catch some of his work in 2007 for the pro wrestling comic book Headlocked. Guy knows his way around a pencil, ink, color, line, and chiaroscuro.
Jerry The King Lawler Has His Own “Bloodline”
Not that Bloodline! But honestly, he might as well be in line with the likes of the Rock, Roman Reigns, and Solo Sikoa. Yet that sort of flavor was never Lawler’s MO.
His ‘bloodline’ came from the likes of one cousin of his, the one and only Roy Wayne Farris. And just in case you don’t recognize that name, Roy went by the wrestling moniker, the Honky Tonk Man!
Other family members, either by blood or by heart, may surprise you, too. Recall one wrestler by the name of “Grandmaster Sexay”? Crazy name, yes. Before Sexay’s sad suicide, he was, believe it or not, Lawler’s proud son, Brian. Another son of Lawler’s, by the name of Kevin, went to become one of pro wrestling’s referees and wrestlers, under the respective names “Kevin Christian” and “Freddie Gilbert.”
And, lastly, no one would ever expect that he went to high school with another WWE alum… Jimmy “Mouth of the South” Hart.
Speaking of Jimmy Hart, Lawler Recorded Music With Him
Wait, a musician, too? What did Jerry The King Lawler not do?
It was a fact that Jimmy Hart recorded many entrance themes for wrestlers in the WWF/WWE. So music wasn’t uncommon to these two. Back in the ’70s, Lawler released two singles — “Cadillac Man/Memphis” and “Bad News.” He even released a CD entitled Memphis’ Other King. But Lawler didn’t stop there.
He even called up his buddy Hart to participate in a feud, parodying the “Mouth of the South” with a version of Ray Parker Jr.’s iconic “Ghostbusters” hit. The track was aptly titled “Wimpbusters.” A music video was even shot, featuring Lawler, among others such as legendary announcer Lance Russell, “Macho Man” Randy Savage, Jimmy Valiant, Dutch Mantel, Tommy Rich, and Rufus R. Jones.
Jerry The King Lawler Even Ran For Mayor of Memphis, TN
Who said politics was only for terminators like Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jesse “The Body” Ventura? Not Jerry Lawler. He not only made a go of it, but was rather professional about it. Vowing to attract businesses toMemphis, part of his plan was to improve traffic, build more parks, and decrease property taxes.
And he almost got elected.
Ending up with a hefty 11.7 of the ballots, beating out twelve of fifteen candidates, he ultimately lost to the mayor running again for the seat, Willie Herenton. Guess once you’re mayor, it’s hard for you to lose even against the self-proclaimed King of Memphis.
Lastly, You Would Not Even Believe Jerry The King Lawler Won More Wrestling Championships Than Even Ric Flair
That’s saying something. But to be fair, winning world championships in one promotion often gets recognized — not multiple promotions. And definitely not promotions in the independent wrestling circuit.
It is a fact, however, that in Lawler’s entire time at WWE, he never held a championship. However….
Lawler, in his earlier days, won not just a few world titles and tag team titles but the USWA title more than 50 freakin’ times! He also became the AWA World Champion in Memphis and was a 10-time Heavyweight Champion with NWA Mid-America.
That’s Plenty to Remember and Be Proud of, Lawler
Truly the king of WWE, or any promotion thus far. Even after his stroke, guy’s still kicking. Who knows — maybe Jerry “The King” Lawler will run again for mayor. Or maybe even…. President of the United States?
Watch out, Donald Trump.
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