Jerry Lawler suffers heart attack during live 'Monday Night Raw'

September 11, 2012|By Houston Mitchell

<p>Commentator Jerry Lawler suffered a heart attack Monday during a live broadcast of WWE's "Monday Night Raw" in Montreal.</p><p>The 62-year-old Lawler, nicknamed "The King," was stricken as he and announcing partner Michael Cole were providing commentary during a tag-team match featuring Kane and Daniel Bryan versus The Prime Time Players.</p></div></div><div class="float" style="clear:both;height:1px;line-height:1px;"><img src="/images/pixel.gif" height="1" width="1" alt="" /></div><div id="mod-ctr-lt-in-top" class="mod-latarticlesadcpc mod-adcpc with-fourth-cpc"><script type="text/javascript"> var adSkipCounter = 0; </script> <script type="text/javascript"> //<![CDATA[ var loc = window.location.href + ""; var float = ""; google_hints = "jerry lawler heart attack commentary";google_ad_client="pub-0227802054925200"; google_ad_output="js"; google_ad_channel="5212128158,6138855783,8321278795,8261105409"; google_ad_type="text"; google_image_size="300x250"; google_safe="high"; google_feedback="on"; google_max_num_ads="2"; google_skip="" + adSkipCounter + ""; google_adtest="off"; google_page_url=document.URL; function google_ad_request_done(ads) { if (ads.length == 0) { return; } // If no ads are returned then dont build the ad block if (ads[0].bidtype == "CPC") { adSkipCounter += ads.length; } // Increment ad skip counter when cpc google_ad_request_done_internal(ads, "", "", "true", "medium_rectangle", "", "", "pgtp=article&pi=34&ci=33767942&cat=arts+%26+entertainment&pe_id=33767942&tv=ap-LA12-G02&rna=pub-0227802054925200&rn=g&rnrci=5212128158&rnrcn=CMI-A-002&rncci=6138855783&rnccn=CMI-A-009&rnpci=&rnpcn=&rntci=&rntcn=&rnlci=8261105409&rnlcn=8261105409&rnp=c&rt=cpc&paidClick=1&placement_id=ctr-lt-in-top", "", "", "", "", "", "ap-LA12-G02", "Los Angeles Times Articles"); } //]]></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/google_ad_request.js.php"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"></script></div><div id="mod-a-body-after-first-para" class="mod-latarticlesarticletextwithadcpc mod-latarticlesarticletext mod-articletext"><p>Midway through the match, the commentary suddenly stopped and snoring sounds could be heard. In the background of one TV shot, Lawler could be briefly glimpsed slumping over in his chair as several people in the stands turn their attention to the announcers' table.</p><p>Medical personnel at ringside immediately started CPR on Lawler, whose heart had stopped beating. As action continued in the ring, Lawler was taken backstage on a stretcher; CPR continued there and while he was transported to a nearby hospital, where he was listed in serious condition Tuesday.</p><p>A visibly distraught Cole later updated television viewers about what had happened. After a couple more updates, the show continued without commentary until its conclusion.</p><p>Lawler, who still wrestles occasionally, had competed in a match earlier in the show, about 45 minutes before his heart attack.</p><p>In the video above, you can see people working on Lawler, then carrying him to a waiting stretcher.</p><p>The WWE released the following statement early Tuesday morning:</p><p>"Jerry "The King" Lawler suffered a heart attack while commentating during last night’s broadcast of Monday Night Raw in Montreal.  We are hopeful Jerry makes a full recovery and returns to WWE in the near future. Our thoughts are with Jerry and his family."</p><p>Lawler is a veteran "Raw" announcer who has had a 40-plus year career as a pro wrestler. He perhaps is best known for his famous run-in with comedian Andy Kaufman on "Late Night with David Letterman," when Lawler slapped Kaufman in a scripted incident to help promote an upcoming match between the two.</p><p><br /><p> <h2>PHOTOS, VIDEO AND MORE:</h2>   <a href="http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/showtracker/la-et-st-dancing-with-the-stars-all-stars-season-15-pictures,0,5065967.photogallery"> <img src="http://www.trbimg.com/img-5012ea59/turbine/la-et-st-dancing-with-the-stars-all-stars-season-15-pictures/187/16x9" alt=""> </a>  <a href="http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/showtracker/la-et-st-dancing-with-the-stars-all-stars-season-15-pictures,0,5065967.photogallery"> <h3>PHOTOS: 'Dancing With the Stars: All-Stars': Meet the cast</h3> </a>   <a href="http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-et-mg-celebrity-meltdowns-pictures,0,7592350.photogallery"> <img src="http://www.trbimg.com/img-503d3ba2/turbine/la-et-mg-celebrity-meltdowns-pictures/187/16x9" alt=""> </a>  <a href="http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-et-mg-celebrity-meltdowns-pictures,0,7592350.photogallery"> <h3>Celebrity meltdowns</h3> </a>   <a href="http://timelines.latimes.com/la-et-st-fall-tv-preview-2012/"> <img src="http://www.trbimg.com/img-504e4149/turbine/la-et-three-must-read-tv-stories-feature-well/187/16x9" alt=""> </a>  <a href="http://timelines.latimes.com/la-et-st-fall-tv-preview-2012/"> <h3>VIDEO: Watch the latest fall TV trailers here</h3> </a> </p></div><div id="mod-a-body-after-first-para-ad-cpc" class="mod-adcpc"> <script type="text/javascript"> //<![CDATA[ var loc = window.location.href + ""; 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