Wrestling commentator Jerry Lawler in hospital after suffering heart attack during broadcast
Professional wrestler Jerry 'The King' Lawler address the fans prior to to Game Seven of the Western Conference Quarterfinals in the 2012 NBA Playoffs between the Memphis Grizzlies and the Los Angeles Clippers at FedExForum on May 13, 2012 in Memphis, Tennessee. / Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
(CBS/AP) MONTREAL - Professional wrestling commentator Jerry Lawler collapsed during a World Wrestling Entertainment event on Monday night.
A statement from the WWE said that Lawler suffered a heart attack at the announcers' table and was taken from the Bell Centre to a hospital.
Broadcast partner Michael Cole addressed the television audience and said that the situation is "serious," but that Lawler was breathing on his own.
"Jerry "The King" Lawler suffered a heart attack while commentating during last night's broadcast of Monday Night Raw in Montreal," the WWE said in its statement. "We are hopeful Jerry makes a full recovery and returns to WWE in the near future. Our thoughts are with Jerry and his family."
Though the 62-year-old Lawler occasionally wrestles, he mainly works on WWE broadcasts as a commentator.
According to FoxSports.com, the event continued with its scripted storylines but without commentators calling the action.
Longtime broadcast partner Jim Ross tweeted:
I'm shaken by the news of my friend Jerry Lawler's medical emergency in Montreal. Hands shaking. Prayers for the King. I feel helpless.
— Jim Ross (@JRsBBQ) September 11, 2012
Popular in Sports
- Sergio Garcia apologizes to Tiger Woods for "fried chicken" remark
- NFL's Top 100 Players of All-Time: Debate
- "Egyptian Popeye" says 31-inch arms all-natural
- Study: College athletes denied $6.2B over four years
- Phelps wins record 19th Olympic medal
- Beaten S.F. Giants fan attends World Series
- Lance Armstrong admits doping to Oprah
- Watch: 7-foot-5 teen basketball player dominates
I hope the best for Jerry Lawler and his family because no one likes to see people in pain or worse. He is an alright guy.
What about the dozen plus WWE performers who were dead before they were 40 years old, McMahon?...it certainly wasn't a "scripted, make-believe soap opera" for them...it was more like a living hell since they had to do potent steroids to keep their muscular definition in front of a camera, and many of them were also forced to take powerful painkillers for the constant beating they took (lethal combo)...
One former WWE performer talked openly about the living hell he went through as a contract performer (he's the Harvard grad, and he went public with the behind-the-scenes truth about the WWE)...