Jerry “The King” Lawler was in the main event of RAW recently, but this is not the first time he has stepped in the ring since becoming a full time commentator. Lawler was in the main event of RAW against then-WWE Champion The Miz in November 2010. So why does WWE continue to use Jerry “The King” Lawler as a wrestler from time to time? I break down the answer into four reasons:
Reason #1: His Past Experience As An In Ring Performer
[adinserter block=”2″]Jerry Lawler began his wrestling career in 1970 while wrestling in his hometown of Memphis, Tennessee. As WWE.com recently shared, Lawler squared off against many greats early in his career such as “Superstar” Billy Graham, Harley Race, Jesse “The Body” Ventura and others. Lawler’s career highlights also include a number of championships and awards including AWA World Champion, WCCW Champion, multiple-time regional champion in Memphis and Mid-South Wrestling and 2007 WWE Hall of Fame Inductee. There is no question that Jerry “The King” Lawler has had a very successful in ring career.
Reason #2: Crossing Wrestlers With Non-Wrestlers
Another reason why WWE continues to use Jerry Lawler in storylines is include altercations between wrestlers and those in non-wrestling roles. We have seen commentators, managers, general managers and others get involved in the ring and in storylines with WWE superstars. I am thankful that WWE has stopped using Michael Cole as an in-ring performer and allows Lawler to handle those situations. Nonetheless, instead of only using wrestlers in storylines, I enjoy when other employees get involved. As long as it is a once in a while type of situation. We would not want to see Jerry Lawler as a full time wrestler. Most people don’t even want to see him as a full time commentator.
Reason #3: Not Enough Top Faces in WWE
If WWE had enough top babyfaces, then perhaps they wouldn’t feel the need to make a commentator part of the main event of RAW. I see Sheamus and John Cena as the top faces in WWE right now. Bryan and Punk, despite getting more cheers than jeers, are considered heels right now. After Sheamus and Cena, what faces are at the top? Randy Orton and Rey Mysterio are the only other top faces in WWE, however they are highlighted with Smackdown more than RAW. I believe that RAW has more top heels than faces right now and that could be part of the reason why Lawler has had to fill the part of a face wrestler on RAW.
Reason #4: In Order To Make The Other Heel
I was listening to Ring Rust Radio recently and they were discussing the CM Punk-Jerry Lawler situation. An interesting point they made was that Lawler was being used to make CM Punk look heel. As I discussed earlier, Punk has been getting cheered despite WWE trying to turn him heel. By having a commentator in Jerry Lawler involved, Punk was made to look more heel. Babyfaces would never attack a commentator. Babyfaces would certainly not square off in a steel cage match against Jerry Lawler. By including Jerry Lawler in a match against CM Punk, WWE may have just completed Punk’s heel turn. I will be surprised though if people stop cheering for Punk.
[adinserter block=”1″]In conclusion, this article was not about how annoying or terrible Jerry Lawler is as a commentator. I get just as annoyed by his fourteen year old corny joked as anyone else. However, this article was more about why WWE continues to place Lawler in active wrestling roles from time to time. Furthermore, the two more recent times on RAW were both against the WWE Champion. WWE please leave the main event matches to main event superstars. If you don’t have enough top babyfaces, then create another one.
What do you think? Why does WWE continue to use Lawler as a wrestler?
Seth Guttenplan is the writer and editor of GuTTWrenchPowerBlog, a brand new WWE blog. Seth also writes for WrestlingRambles.com and SLTD Wrestling. When Seth is not writing about wrestling, he is a Special Education teacher in New Jersey. To read more from Seth, follow him on twitter ( @sethgutt ) and visit http://guttwrenchpowerblog.com
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one of the greatest ever great showmanship…always treated fans with respect…jerry and jackie will always be my heros
Jerry lawler can barley sell a move and only has one move of his own. Most people find him annoying so would happily see him get a beating from Punk, therefore it wont help Punk's heel turn. He shouldn't wrestle anymore, he annoys me so much that I might even stop watching the show. Its one way to tell that the WWE are running out of ideas when they chuck Jerry Lawler in the ring in a main event!!!
jerry the king lawler is the greatest wrestler of all time.more power to him able to get in the ring and battle.just because your old don't mean you have to give up.he paid his dues. now go lawler.
Reason 5: Even pushing 60, he's still a better worker than two-thirds of the roster.
The guy is already in his 60's. He is 62.
You can look at his accomplishments and say oh he's still so great, but then you also have to say well why didn't they use a younger guy? i think the more of the up and coming guys are heels. WWE could use another top face whos young and at the same level as barrett, cesaro, sandow etc…
Interesting article, Seth. I was listening to a local Philly sports talk radio station on Tuesday afternoon and the host – who never, ever mentions wrestling – happened to comment that he caught a few seconds of Raw the night before. His takeaway? "How the hell can Jerry Lawler stil be wrestling? Isn't he, like, 107 years old?" When even non-fans are noticing, it's time to make a change and put Lawler out to permanent pasture.