RAW THREAD FOR 9/10/12 - Bret Hart 1st Time in MTL since ScrewJob, Punk+Heyman, & Other Misc BS in 3 HOURS!!!

[Eklipse]

Cody Rhodes > Ziggler/Miz

Just sayin...

[#1-norm-fan]

So much for having Raw's audio on in the background while watching football. No idea what happened in that match.

[Savio]

Very glad to hear he's ok.

[Keith]

It's weird this happens and Bret Hart is in the building.

[Shisen Kopf]

I bet the Blue Blazer saved Jerry

[Crazy Nick]

I really hope he will be alright. He was the very first wrestler I had the privilege to meet, very nice guy. Hopefully he makes a full recovery.

[Keith]

http://i.imgur.com/95XE5.jpg

[ooTin]

This is rough guys. Wife is a nurse according to what i have read on hear sound like a heart attack. Please be ok jerry.

[Savio]

They should do commentary to keep out minds off it.

[KyleEmmott]

I think this is much more serious than what Cole and everyone is reporting, he seems way to shaken up for this. This is bad.... and just eerie.

[Savio]

http://i.imgur.com/95XE5.jpg
The only reason he is face palming is because it was an Otunga match.

[Tom Guycott]

Out of respect for Jerry no commentary but the show goes on?

I don't get it.

Not knocking him, but the "out of respect for Jerry" thing was likely a PR move.

More likely, he wouldn't be able to properly invest himself into his job worrying about King, and elected to keep silent/update us on his friend.

Show goes on because that's what it does. Unless Jerry passed away, and even then, he's one of those old school guys who would have wanted them to finish the show.

[WikkidRevenge]

ziggler> rhodes/Miz

Just sayin...

Totally

[ooTin]

More responsive. Thank goodness.

[Cool King]

Cole looks like he's been crying. :-\

I don't blame him.

[Keith]

It is so ironic Bret knocked WWE for continuing with Over The Edge 1999 when Owen died, and here he is participating on a RAW that's continuing after Jerry Lawler passed out.

What the FUCK is going on.

[CSL]

wish the crowd would have stayed quiet

top work from Cena tho working around them

[Cool King]

http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ma606rhjKg1r8f0t8o1_1280.png

http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ma607k5i9L1r9fn1ro1_1280.png

[#1-norm-fan]

I think this is much more serious than what Cole and everyone is reporting, he seems way to shaken up for this. This is bad.... and just eerie.

I think Cole's reacting the way he should be. He's making it sound pretty serious.

[ClockShot]

Back again.

[Theo Dious]

It is so ironic Bret knocked WWE for continuing with Over The Edge 1999 when Owen died, and here he is participating on a RAW that's continuing after Jerry Lawler passed out.

What the FUCK is going on.

Well to be fair Lawler hasn't died.

[#1-norm-fan]

The only reason he is face palming is because it was an Otunga match.

lol

[Shisen Kopf]

Fucked up thing is that it happens at a 'ratings mark' of the broadcast.
Heart Attacks = Ratings

[#1-norm-fan]

I seriously thought Bret was gonna mention his feud with Lawler as opposed to Shawn. Then go on about how he made him kiss his feet and such. Would have been completely inappropriate. lol

[Cool King]

http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ma60hl6P8a1qeexwyo1_1280.jpg

[CSL]

is it just because I haven't watched for a month or so or has Punk developed a Cody Rhodes lithp?

[Keith]

It's weird how CM Punk criticizes Bret yet he's wearing his "tribute to Bret" gear.

This night is all fucked up.

[dronepool]

Oh snap, he mentioned AUSTIN.

[KyleEmmott]

The emotion is just.....gone.

[#1-norm-fan]

Seeds planted for Punk vs Austin at WrestleMania?

[ClockShot]

Kinda feeling like Punk is moving into Orton's "Legend Killer" gimmick.

[CSL]

It's weird how CM Punk criticizes Bret yet he's wearing his "tribute to Bret" gear.

This night is all fucked up.

you're reading far too much into things

[CSL]

am I srsly the only person hearing a lisp coming from Punk rn? is the sound on my stream just a bit off or something?

[#1-norm-fan]

It's weird how CM Punk criticizes Bret yet he's wearing his "tribute to Bret" gear.

This night is all fucked up.

He's criticizing him in character while his gear is a subtle little wink of respect. Not that weird.

[Keith]

you're reading far too much into things

He's going after Bret and he's wearing his Bret Hart gear.

How am I reading too much into things?

[#1-norm-fan]

Kinda want Raw to go another hour just so I don't have to read about Jerry Lawler.

[el bobbo]

Taking a jab at the Obama administration here.

[Keith]

I can't get into this shit, man.

Any other Monday, I'd be all in.

Can't do it tonight.

[el bobbo]

I enjoy these Cena promos when he speaks like a real person.

[ClockShot]

Whoa. Going a bit too far there, Cena.

[CSL]

He's going after Bret and he's wearing his Bret Hart gear.

How am I reading too much into things?

pretty much this:

He's criticizing him in character while his gear is a subtle little wink of respect. Not that weird.

it's a nod, no real acknowledgement, an "Easter egg", it means nothing

[#1-norm-fan]

Damn. Cena getting deep.

[Theo Dious]

Whoa. Going a bit too far there, Cena.

Oh boo fucking hoo.

[Corndad]

Wished this promo was happening a different night

[Keith]

DAMN.

Cena.

[CSL]

this segment would have been reddddddd hot without the King stuff

[GD]

Cena is fucking amazing.

[#1-norm-fan]

lol. Fuck Cena haters. Cena is amazing on the mic when he's involved in a good storyline.

[Tom Guycott]

This Cena promo is similar to Shawn Michaels' "You have to be the Hitman 24 hours a day." one to Bret.

[GD]

Cena verbally raped CM Punk. Wow!

[CSL]

lol how fickle wrestling fans are tho "remember to boo him remember to boo him remember to bo-YAYYYY THAT'S OUR LANGUAGE!!"

[Crimson]

Wow..that's one of the best mic moments by both of those men. Just awesome..Bret was there enjoying it

[Tom Guycott]

...and in that, he's more like Shawn than Bret, and Punk is correct in wearing Hitman pink.

[#1-norm-fan]

Cole's mood seems to have improved drastically. That's encouraging.

[el bobbo]

Jerry sounds stabilized. Good.

[ClockShot]

King sounds better. I can sleep easy.

I'm kinda concerned that it might have something to do with getting in the ring tonight and having effects.

Good night guys.

[McLegend]

That was an excellent Cena promo that no one is going to remember tomorrow.

[Innovator]

Stabilized is a good word to hear

[Emperor Smeat]

Great promo between Punk and Cena. In a way, no commentary made it feel a lot more better and personally between the two.

Good news on the Lawler situation and hopefully it doesn't take a sudden turn for the worse.

[Corndad]

Yea I don't see King wrestling in the Ring for a LONG time if ever after this.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Cole sounded way more upbeat there. Good sign.</font>

[Cool King]

Good news on Lawler and good to hear Cole being less shaken/somber.

[Corndad]

That end promo was amazing and would have had this site buzzing right now but I think a lot of us are just still in shock really

[PorkSoda]

I'd love to see a Lawler promo next week LIVE on Monday Night Raw

[#1-norm-fan]

Regardless of what happens, I'm pretty sure we just saw the last match of Jerry Lawler's career.

And it happened to be his first win in who knows how long ironically.

[GD]

Glad to hear that Lawler is stable. Great last segment.

[Tom Guycott]

That was an excellent Cena promo that no one is going to remember tomorrow.

But understandable as to why. It's not like it'll be from unwarranted Cena hate... he's up against Jerry having what is likely a heart attack ak ak ak you oughtta know by now.

[Keith]

I hope WWE and wrestlers all over the world learn that there's no fucking reason for a 62 year old man to get in a ring and wrestle.

[Tom Guycott]

Regardless of what happens, I'm pretty sure we just saw the last match of Jerry Lawler's career.

And it happened to be his first win in who knows how long ironically.

Yeah, that could've been soo much worse... having that happen in the ring, I mean.

[Cool King]

For some reason, ESPN are reporting that Lawler has died, even though Cole has been constantly updating us all on Lawler's condition and that's he's improving.

http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ma60ovsBeB1rtj2q8.jpg

[CSL]

guessing fake given the Monday Night BAW part and that it's not actually on ESPN.com

[Tom Guycott]

For some reason, ESPN are reporting that Lawler has died, even though Cole has been constantly updating us all on Lawler's condition and that's he's improving.

http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ma60ovsBeB1rtj2q8.jpg

the possibility still exists. Remember, there's still a delay on when RAW is taped and when it's aired. If true, it could be a simple matter of "he's stable", then it goes off the air, then he takes a turn.

I hope this is an error on the part of ESPN, but still... my mom went that quick, so it's possible.

[#1-norm-fan]

I've seen "Owen Hart" and now "Michael Cole" trend on Twitter but not "Jerry Lawler".

[Savio]

which page?

[GD]

This is messed up.

[KyleEmmott]

AMAZING PROMO

[Tom Guycott]

guessing fake given the Monday Night BAW part and that it's not actually on ESPN.com

Didn't notice that part. Also, since it wasn't Bill Cosby, I didn't look for trolling.

[Savio]

I've seen "Owen Hart" and now "Michael Cole" trend on Twitter but not "Jerry Lawler".He is trending.

[CSL]

the possibility still exists. Remember, there's still a delay on when RAW is taped and when it's aired. If true, it could be a simple matter of "he's stable", then it goes off the air, then he takes a turn.

I hope this is an error on the part of ESPN, but still... my mom went that quick, so it's possible.

nah, look at the Raiders/Chargers score/time. That's at least half an hour or so ago given they're late in the 2nd rn. It's fake

[#1-norm-fan]

For some reason, ESPN are reporting that Lawler has died, even though Cole has been constantly updating us all on Lawler's condition and that's he's improving.

http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ma60ovsBeB1rtj2q8.jpg

It's not on there anymore.

[Tom Guycott]

nah, look at the Raiders/Chargers score/time. That's at least half an hour or so ago given they're late in the 2nd rn. It's fake

Didn't notice that part. Also, since it wasn't Bill Cosby, I didn't look for trolling.

[#1-norm-fan]

And the scoreboard at the top says 9:26 left in the first quarter of the Chargers-Raiders game which means that would have been posted like a half an hour ago. Would have been during Raw even on a delay.

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

Monday Night Baw? It's a fake.

[#1-norm-fan]

Damn you, CSL.

[Keith]

"On a live WWE event on Monday Night BAW".

Sounds legit.

[#1-norm-fan]

He is trending.

Alright, now he is.

[CSL]

yah, he's been trending on and off since it happened, it's how I found out/wound up in the thread initially

[ooTin]

wow that was some scary shit guys. read that someones mom went that fast. sorry to hear that.
glad to know that he is stable.
Not sure what was up with that ESPN article but I could not find it at all, been on for a while now.
Hope its a fake.
Going to go watch Netflix.
Night peeps.

[Keith]

Jim Ross has got to be a wreck.

I've read some of his tweets and I imagine he doesn't know what to do as his dear friend is fighting for his life.

[Theo Dious]

Jim Ross has got to be a wreck.

I've read some of his tweets and I imagine he doesn't know what to do as his dear friend is fighting for his life.

I bet you it has something to do with barbecue sauce...

[Keith]

I've hated Michael Cole for a while now, in part because his obnoxious commentary when he was a full-heel was so distracting, but after tonight, the guy has my respect.

[Theo Dious]

HUMOR IS MY COPING MECHANISM GOD DAMMIT

[CSL]

#ShouldSaySomethingHumourousThenBruh

[CSL]

http://lowerleaguemanager.com/forum/images/smilies/emoticons/smug.png

[Tom Guycott]

Also by "delay", I was running under the assumption that they still actually start the live event earlier in the day: as in, the actual (2 hour) RAW event started at 7, but they wouldn't actually start airing the show until the 9pm timeslot. By the time the home crowd sees the opening pyro, the actual show at the venue is into it's dark main event. That would put about a 2 hour disparity between "this is happening now" and what actually happened earlier chronologically. It's also how some friends of mine were able to get home and try to see themselves on TV after a Beeghly Center (back when they used to run shows there... too small now)/Covelli Centre RAW.

Moot point, though. Already admitted I got trolled. Wasn't looking for it because it wasn't Bill Cosby. Or Morgan Freeman. Since they both seem to die every 3 days according to the interwebs.

[Keith]

LOL all these "Rest in Peace Jerry Lawler" videos on YouTube.

Fucking people.

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

That's not fucking funny don't LOL.

[#1-norm-fan]

HUMOR IS MY COPING MECHANISM GOD DAMMIT

lol. The fact that you jumped straight to that kinda makes it come off as "I'm gonna show how much of a badass I am by helping everyone out with some comedy" vibe.

[Keith]

That's not fucking funny don't LOL.

Yes, it is, BECAUSE HE'S NOT DEAD.

[Supreme Olajuwon]

Has anybody made a "heart-stopping action!" post yet?


BRB gonna search for one.

[Supreme Olajuwon]

don't see one

[Supreme Olajuwon]

World Wrestling Entertainment: Heart-Stopping Action!

[Supreme Olajuwon]

:'(

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

WWE*: Heart-Stopping Action!

Fixed.

[Theo Dious]

lol. The fact that you jumped straight to that kinda makes it come off as "I'm gonna show how much of a badass I am by helping everyone out with some comedy" vibe.

I am no sort of badass Sir and I will battle to the death anyone who says I am.

[GD]

Not participating.

[Supreme Olajuwon]

can I do one more real quick

[Theo Dious]

Someone on my Facebook said: "There is no Raw without Jerry Lawler." To which I replied: "Well there was in 2001 when he got fired..."

[Supreme Olajuwon]

Breaking News: Jerry Lawler has a http://www.wrestlingvalley.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/The-Hart-Dynasty-hitting-Caylen-Croft-with-Hart-Attack.jpeg

[Supreme Olajuwon]

couldnt find one with Bret and Anvil :'(

[Tom Guycott]

That's not fucking funny don't LOL.


Yes, it is, BECAUSE HE'S NOT DEAD.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Q9owNHrmZT0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Supreme Olajuwon]

probably could've if I searched longer but TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE

[Theo Dious]

Also if it were in any way provable I'd put money on the notion that Lawler, if responsive, has hit on at least 3 nurses since being admitted to the hospital.

[Theo Dious]

Breaking News: Jerry Lawler has a http://www.wrestlingvalley.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/The-Hart-Dynasty-hitting-Caylen-Croft-with-Hart-Attack.jpeg

...Lawler has a guy staring uncomfortably at his crotch?

[Supreme Olajuwon]

4 serious tho hope Jerr Bear is ok

[Jordan]

This is horrible. Jerry is King, he has no heir to his throne either.

[#1-norm-fan]

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/GF7MhQSElp8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Wasn't paying attention when it happened. Found the match though. I'm not sure if Lawler's voice cracking at the beginning of the Kane entrance was just him being Lawler or if something was up already.

[Supreme Olajuwon]

...Lawler has a guy staring uncomfortably at his crotch?

they're giving him a Hart Attack-ack-ack-ack-ack-ack
you oughta know by now

[Keith]

Fuck you, Dolph Ziggler!

http://i.imgur.com/gFa3Q.png

[Cool King]

couldnt find one with Bret and Anvil :'(

http://www.wwe.com/f/wysiwyg/image/2012/05/09_Tag_Team_Finishes.jpg

[CSL]

couldnt find one with Bret and Anvil :'(

AMATEUR

http://www.wwe.com/f/wysiwyg/image/2012/05/09_Tag_Team_Finishes.jpg

[Theo Dious]

4 serious tho hope Jerr Bear is ok

Me too. I totally hope he is sitting up complaining about the hospital food in 9 hours time. I also hope that his roommate is a wrestling fan.

"I swear, one minute I was being heimliched in the middle of Red Lobster, the next thing I knew I was sitting up in a hospital bed and Jerry Lawler was sitting next to me!"

[CSL]

brb gonna go slap Cool King's momma

[Supreme Olajuwon]

double burn :'(

[Theo Dious]

Fuck you, Dolph Ziggler!

http://i.imgur.com/gFa3Q.png

...well, someone is fired.

[Supreme Olajuwon]

if Mr. Kennedy gets the axe for hurting someone's shoulder...

[Cool King]

brb gonna go slap Cool King's momma

http://img600.imageshack.us/img600/5013/20183000.png

[Tom Guycott]

they're giving him a Hart Attack-ack-ack-ack-ack-ack
you oughta know by now

already did it

But understandable as to why. It's not like it'll be from unwarranted Cena hate... he's up against Jerry having what is likely a heart attack ak ak ak you oughtta know by now.

[Keith]

Pat Patterson's gotta be like "DAMMIT. My hometown, all my family here, all my friends, I was geared up for this Appreciation Night, and now its been suspended".

[Taker it Easy]

I hope you are ok Jerry

[Keith]

This fucking sucks.

No updates about King's condition.

[weather vane]

Praying for the King.

[Keith]

Well, I guess not everyone's a Jerry Lawler fan or wishes him well:

http://i.imgur.com/heudt.png

[Supreme Olajuwon]

New Jack's tweets to followers ratio is rather paltry

if that's even him

[Tom Guycott]

You know, New Jack's candid shoots are usually pretty entertaining, no matter how wrong they are.

This isn't one of those times.

And in this case, if it isn't him, it's prob'ly what he would say. He's shot on Jerry a bit before... hell, he's shot on a lot of people before. Surprised he has any friends at all.

[itsmeJD]

Do I understand this correctly? New Jack doesn't like Jerry Lawler much?

[Tom Guycott]

To which he would tell me "Fuck friends! I don't need any goddamn friends! And fuck you for implying I need any fucking friends, you mark muthafucka!"

[itsmeJD]

I met New Jack once, drank a beer with him, in Brunswick, GA. I thought it was a pretty cool experience. Then I watched him make out with a 220+ woman and get into her 1992 Honda Civic shitfaced out his mind to go fuck....gangsta ma fucka right there....*sigh*

[Razzamajazz]

lol new jack

[Keith]

Alright, Jerry actually did have a heart attack, yet it looks like the EMT's saved his life, and he is now in stable condition and breathing on his own.

Good stuff.

[Lock Jaw]

This from the FB of Lawler's girlfriend Lauryn Laine McBride:

Thanks everyone for your thoughts and prayers. It has been confirmed that Jerry did have a heart attack...he is in stable condition and breathing on his own & heart is stable. I'm getting on the first flight out of here to be with him & will keep everyone posted. He is a strong man and we will get him back at his best as soon as I can get him home! I love you so so much baby!!

[Supreme Olajuwon]

atta boy, Jerry!

[itsmeJD]

Shit, Jerry will be back next week. Heart attack hell....fuck em up King!

[#1-norm-fan]

Would be pretty kick ass if Raw opens next week with Lawler's theme and him cutting a promo.

[itsmeJD]

Would be pretty kick ass if Raw opens next week with Lawler's theme and him cutting a promo.

blaming Dolph Ziggler for that elbow drop ;)

[James Steele]

Cena's promo was good, but it wasn't "HOLY SHIT!!!!! OMG CENAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA IS THE FUCKING MANNNNNNNNNNNN".

[#1-norm-fan]

It was pretty fucking good.

[#1-norm-fan]

How many "HOLY SHIT!!!!! OMG ___________________ IS THE FUCKING MANNNNNNNNNNNN" promos do you see anyway?

[Curd]

This is horrible. Jerry is King, he has no heir to his throne either.

Yeah, "Prince" Brian Christopher wouldn't go over too well.

[Keith]

Apparently it's being said Jerry Lawler was clinically dead for 20 minutes before finally reviving.

But the source of this information is Bruce Hart, and he always seems to be drunk, so who knows.

[Paranoid Rattlesnake]

Wow let's hope I never collapse near Michael Cole the company man

[James Steele]

WWE accomplished what it wanted because CM Punk vs Cena will be awesome (they have amazing chemistry) and I honestly don't know who will win. NoC should be a good show.

[Swish]

It's obvious Owen wanted to have a conversation with his friend Jerry.
then revived him :) Owen still haunts the arena didn't you know?

I also think Bret Hart is cursed.

[Sixx]

It's obvious Owen wanted to have a conversation with his friend Jerry.
then revived him :) Owen still haunts the arena didn't you know?

I also think Bret Hart is cursed.

Why would Owen haunt an arena over 1000 miles away from his death scene?

[Shisen Kopf]

I guess this means Lawler won't have any matches anymore if he ever comes back. Hopefully they can get JBL back to do announcing again.

[Cool King]

Well in this day and age, with cameras on pretty much everything and internet access everywhere you go, there's no surprise that there's videos now appearing online of the incident.

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/0Sbva1XHEUA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/BT9obdw71Sc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[DaVe]

Beast promo by Cena; turned the crowd around completely. Really strong by Punk as well. Pretty entertaining RAW even if it went flat after the Lawler situation arose.

[Schlomey]

I kinda liked the lack of commentary .....at least right then and there.

[Ace]

As interesting as it is to see the incident in that detail, its scary to think had the technology existed 13 years ago, there would be video phone footage of Owen on the Internet.

[Big Vic]

I know this is kinda being forgetten about, but I am kinda disapointed of the lack of information on the Paul Heyman/Punk storyline. Whats going on between them? Will Lesnar attack Cena sunday? Is Paul just going to say "We're friends and I hate Cena"

[Autobahn]

Mad respect to the EMTs and staff who were so quick in their response. And to Michael Cole, who was a class act all the way.

[wwe2222]

Mad respect to the EMTs and staff who were so quick in their response. And to Michael Cole, who was a class act all the way.

I wasnt watching the show but was this during a commercial? Cole doesnt miss a beat on the commentary and its hard to figure out when it happened except for the crowd starting to react.

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

How come they waited to perform CPR when he was in the back? Isn't every second important for something like that?

[Team Sheep]

I wasnt watching the show but was this during a commercial? Cole doesnt miss a beat on the commentary and its hard to figure out when it happened except for the crowd starting to react.

You can hear him start to breathe very heavily and then the next camera shot clearly shows him slouched over the table so it's quite clear when it happens.

[Cool King]

I wasnt watching the show but was this during a commercial? Cole doesnt miss a beat on the commentary and its hard to figure out when it happened except for the crowd starting to react.

Do you mean was Lawler's heart attack during a break?

If that's what you're asking, then it wasn't. You could hear Lawler having the heart attack first, then bad timing with a camera angle change a few seconds later meant that we also saw Lawler having the heart attack.

[Cool King]

wwe2222, You can hear Lawler at 7:03.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/PeNtRVg0g70" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Innovator]

I can't imagine what was going through Cole's mind, having Lawler collapse, having to still call a match, checking on a friend, having to relay everything to the audience.

[Jordan]

Apparently it's being said Jerry Lawler was clinically dead for 20 minutes before finally reviving.

But the source of this information is Bruce Hart, and he always seems to be drunk, so who knows.

He also probably spells its Hart Attack

[Cool King]

An eyewitness account of what happened last night.

Last night I was at the Bell Centre in Montreal when Jerry Lawler suffered a heart attack. It was both uncomfortable and concerning.

After Lawler had already competed in a tag-team contest on Raw, he was performing his usual commentary duties with Michael Cole. During a tag-team match between the Prime Time Players and Daniel Bryan/Kane, I looked over to the broadcast table and saw Jerry Lawler hunched over, beginning to shake. It looked like he was choking. Then, suddenly, he collapsed from his chair. Michael Cole was quickly flicking his hand clockwise, as if to say to the cameraman nearby to "get away and get help." EMTs came to check on Lawler. Confusion set in among the fans in attendance, the match in the ring completely being ignored. Lawler was then carried out by several EMTs backstage. I have heard from several sources that the backstage area was cleared for EMTs to attend to Lawler. Initially, before seeing Lawler carted on a stretcher, many backstage thought a fight had escalated in the arena.

Michael Cole updated the TV audience throughout the night that Lawler had been administered CPR backstage, was being taken to the hospital by ambulance, was being administered oxygen and was breathing on his own, as well as responding to light. Unfortunately, this was not relayed to those in attendance in Montreal. We were told by ring announcer Justin Roberts that the planned Pat Patterson Appreciation night was to be postponed to another date because of Lawler's condition, which was not specified.

The crowd remained silent for much of the event after Lawler's collapse -- only during the last segment of Raw involving Bret Hart, John Cena and CM Punk did the crowd begin to react as loudly as they had in the beginning of the evening, which was often deafening and could easily be categorized as one of the hottest crowds in recent memory.

Michael Cole decided to remain silent during the Raw telecast, except to provide updates on Jerry Lawler. I found this to be a very classy and warranted move, particularly because the collapse happened mere inches away from him. Cole remained at his broadcast position, but his expressions and body language throughout the night (including the picture above) said it best.

In May of 1999, Owen Hart fell to his death live at a WWE pay-per-view event in Kansas City, Mo. That event continued as planned. It was later mentioned on that broadcast that Owen Hart had died. Many criticized WWE's decision to move forward with the show. Similar criticism has appeared in this situation. Many feel that a man's life is in danger and it's both insensitive and disrespectful to keep a program going.

I completely understand the notion that "the show must go on." Raw has an obligation to USA Network and broadcast partners around the world for three hours of content on Monday nights, regardless of what happens in that live environment. While that may seem insensitive, it's also business. If Vince McMahon collapsed and was rushed to hospital during an event, the show would go on. The same would apply for any employee.

It's also a tough situation for the superstars who must perform after an occurrence like this. To the trained eye who sees John Cena every week and can notice a change in his demeanor, it was clear that he was less enthusiastic than normal during his entrance. You must give credit to him and the other superstars for maintaining composure when a fellow colleague is being administered CPR backstage.

Lawler's match didn't seem overly strenuous. In an interview with me a few months ago, Lawler mentioned that despite being 62 years old, he still wrestles on average twice a week, whether it be WWE or independents. Pro wrestling matches can often happen at a blistering pace or at a very slow one. Perhaps Lawler's matches these days fall under the latter, but is it not a touch concerning that a man his age continues to take damage to his body like that? On the same episode of Raw, Bret Hart, a stroke survivor, also got physical, albeit a very small amount.

I'm sure it goes without saying but our thoughts are with Jerry Lawler for a speedy recovery.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/pro-wrestling/ring-posts-blog/bal-eyewitness-account-of-jerry-lawler-s-heart-attack-collapse-at-wwe-raw-20120911,0,6198603.story

[Innovator]

@stacycarterkat Just got a @JerryLawler update. He had a stint & a balloon put in. Right now he is still heavily sedated.

[Big Vic]

I wasnt watching the show but was this during a commercial? Cole doesnt miss a beat on the commentary and its hard to figure out when it happened except for the crowd starting to react.I think he mumbled something about a sledge hammer before he collapsed. I noticed something was up because I came out of the bathroom shortly after and didn't hear Jerry and was thinking that was weird, he came back to commentary after his match.....Was feeling really low when Cole wasn't talking.

[Big Vic]

Lawler should get Otunga to sue Ziggler.

[Jordan]

I don't like this Ziggler joke, just distasteful.

[Razzamajazz]

i could see them using that in a storyline someday in the future, much like when they had his son come back and when cole said that stuff about his dead mother, provided lawler recovers and is comfortable with it.

[itsmeJD]

AJ is the one who made the match. Go for the big money and sue the company. You aren't getting shit from Ziggler but a few bucks and some dirty Amy Schumer panties.

[Gertner]

It's a huge work

The WWE made a mistake sending the old vanilla midget and new vanilla out to start the show. Both are renouned ratings killers. Knowing that they already had Bret Hart who looks like Nick Nolte and is even more boring than he used to be closing the show, Vince had Jerry Lawler fake a heart attack in order to draw back the fans who had left during the opening segment.

[Cool King]

From the WWE's Facebook account.

JERRY LAWLER UPDATE FROM WWE:

"As of this morning, Jerry “The King” Lawler is in a cardiac care unit and all his vital signs are stable. WWE will provide additional information as it becomes available. We continue to wish Jerry all the best for a full recovery.”

[Triple Naitch]

Might be the first Raw in a long time in which Bret Hart wasn't wearing jean shorts and a hockey jersey.

[erickman]

wonder if they will talk jbl into coming back king will be gone for awhile and may never come back.

[Big Vic]

Just thinking about how lucky king was that it happened then and not lets say tomorrow when he is working out by himself.

[Rammsteinmad]

Besides the Lawler thing, that was a pretty good Raw. As always, Punk and Cena do such a great job on the mic, they both always manage to touch upon the right topics, and word each one perfectly, to get the full impact of every promo.

[Cool King]

wonder if they will talk jbl into coming back king will be gone for awhile and may never come back.

Lawler will most definitely be out of action for a while now.

JBL won't come back though. Josh Mathews will cover for Lawler.

[Lock Jaw]

That ovation that Bret got when he first came out was the kind I wanted when he made his return to WWE. I am glad he finally returned to Canada. I was waiting that whole run for them to do a show in Canada.

[#1-norm-fan]

Why would Owen haunt an arena over 1000 miles away from his death scene?

You think distance is an issue for a ghost!?!?

[Keith]

Might be the first Raw in a long time in which Bret Hart wasn't wearing jean shorts and a hockey jersey.

Now all he needs is a haircut and he'd look decent.

[Keith]

Why would Owen haunt an arena over 1000 miles away from his death scene?

'cause that's where Vince screwed Bret back in '97, duh!

Owen was like "I'll show all of you!"

[DAMN iNATOR]

Needless to say the whole King incident really took the wind out of my sails Monday. Made me almost not even give a fuck about the rest of the show, dunno if I'll even have much interest in SmackDown! on Friday or Night of Champions for that matter.

Just really hope that this isn't the last we'll have ever seen on commentary or anywhere else for that matter.

Don't believe anyone has posted it (if so, my apologies), so here's a clip of Cole on Fox & Friends:

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/_N8iGa3a2SQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Big Vic]

Has Cena ever beaten punk?

[#1-norm-fan]

He's definitely beaten him at some point. They feuded for a while before Punk's sit down promo. Back when Punk took over The Nexus. I can't imagine Cena never getting one up on him in some fashion.

Though I can't remember them ever having a singles match oddly enough during that feud. Not even a blowoff.

[#1-norm-fan]

Just looked it up. He has beaten him outside dark matches and house shows but it wasn't even in that time.

8-22-11 Raw to decide the #1 contender for the WWE Title against Del Rio.

Cena won after a distraction from Nash.

[#1-norm-fan]

Fucking throwaway matches on Raw between your two top stars. I miss the days when you could point out exactly when two guys at that level had faced. Riiiiiiiidiculous.

[CSL]

Cena went over Punk clean during Punk's straight edge Jesus schtick on a random RAW I remember, not sure if he has since Punk's "big push"

[#1-norm-fan]

Cena went over Punk clean during Punk's straight edge Jesus schtick on a random RAW I remember, not sure if he has since Punk's "big push"

lol. It just goes to show you how much prestige matches have nowadays that you remember the random match they had during Punk's straight edge Jesus thing but not the more current "major" #1 contenders match they had on Raw after just a month after Punk's sit down promo.

[Big Vic]

Punk must be up like 7 - 2 or something then because he beat Cena 3 times while in Nexus Then at MITB, SummerSlam and probably other times I am not remembering

[Corndad]

Remember it was Punk vs Cena on that Raw when the whole Nexus thing went down for first time. So hard to believe that was only time they wrestled during that time frame.

[Cool King]

Michael Cole: Jerry Lawler “in great spirits”


On Wednesday evening, Michael Cole spoke with Jerry Lawler for the first time since the WWE Hall of Fame announcer’s heart attack during Monday Night Raw. In an interview with WWE.com, Cole recounts the incident, describes what it was like to talk with his friend once again and delivers a message from “The King” to the WWE Universe.

WWE.COM: Michael, on Wednesday evening you revealed on Twitter that you spoke to Jerry Lawler over the phone. How did that conversation come about?

MICHAEL COLE: I had just gotten home to Texas after what had been a whirlwind two days dealing with this situation. I actually got a phone call from Jerry’s girlfriend, who’s obviously in the hospital with him. And she said “Michael, I’ve got somebody who wants to talk to you.” She handed over the phone and it’s “The King”!

We immediately had a couple of laughs. He’s weak, but he’s alert. He talked coherently and he’s not completely out of the woods yet and he’s got a long recovery process to come, but he’s awake. Jerry’s in a lot of pain — he said he feels like he’s been through a 60-Minute Iron Man Match, but he’s in great spirits.

The biggest thing Jerry wanted me to do was to let the millions and millions of fans out there that have been tweeting their well wishes to me, WWE and to his account, that the outpouring of support from around the world has really, really touched him. He broke down a little bit and was very emotional in talking about the love of the WWE fans, thanking the company for its support and he had very kind words for the people that helped to save his life: to Dr. Sampson, to [WWE production assistant] Mike Mansury, who was at ringside, to the EMTs in Montreal. Obviously, he doesn’t remember what happened, but he’d been told over the past 24 hours everything that went down, and it’s a miracle. The man had a massive heart attack and he was talking two days later. I never thought I’d hear his voice again, let alone two days after the event.

WWE.COM: Can you take us through what was going through your mind once you realized Jerry was in trouble?

COLE: We were in the middle of calling the match between Kane & Daniel Bryan and The Prime Time Players, and I didn’t see anything different about Jerry. He was actually cracking his old jokes and we were talking about [Kane & Bryan’s] anger management process. I work from a monitor on my right at the table and Jerry works from a monitor to his left, so a lot of times while we’re calling the action we don’t have much eye contact with one another. We’ve worked together for 15 years and we know each other so well that we don’t have to constantly be looking at each other. When I was looking down at the monitor, all of a sudden I heard what sounded like snoring. For a split second, I thought that it was part of the show. I thought that maybe Jerry was just — like I used to do back in my WWE NXT days — pretending to be bored with the match and was snoring like he was sleeping through it. So I took my headset off and looked at him like “What are you doing?” All of a sudden, his head dropped to the table and his arm started shaking. At that point I realized we had an issue on our hands.

Immediately realizing that he was in trouble, I think instinctively — just because of my news background — I hit my “mute” switch. I didn’t want our fans at home, especially if Jerry’s girlfriend and family were watching, to go into an unnecessary panic because I obviously didn’t know what was wrong with Jerry at the time. Perhaps he had just fainted, we didn’t know.

I jumped up and I started screaming for Dr. Sampson, our ringside doctor who was just about three feet away from Jerry, and our production assistant Mike Mansury. They jumped out of their seats and came over, and at that point Jerry had slumped to the floor. Within 20 or 30 seconds, probably a half dozen security guys jumped over the barricade and were literally carrying Jerry out of the ringside area and placing him onto a stretcher. At this point, my focus returned to the action in the ring, and I decided to continue calling the match as if nothing was going on. Again, I had been ordered not to panic anyone.

During the commercial break when I was getting information from our producers and directors that Jerry was undergoing CPR, was when we made the decision to start updating the fans on the condition of Lawler. And also, it was a team effort to make the determination to suspend commentary for the rest of the broadcast out of respect for Jerry.

I was lost in my emotions and knew that I had a job to do and a duty to fulfill for the members of the WWE Universe, and that was to keep them informed of the health status of Jerry Lawler. I took that duty seriously. This was something that didn’t happen backstage, didn’t happen in the parking lot, it happened live on television to a man who is an icon to not only people in the wrestling business but also people in pop culture and entertainment worldwide. This was a major news story. And I don’t think I nor WWE should have handled it any other way.

WWE.COM: Toward the end of the broadcast, you were able to give the WWE Universe some encouraging news: that Jerry’s condition had stabilized, that he was breathing on his own and that his heart was beating on its own. How relieved were you at that point?

COLE: That hour [from the incident to the conclusion of Raw] seemed like an eternity to me. In fact, Monday night seems like it was last year. That hour sitting at ringside alone, not knowing what was going on from a personal standpoint, it was agonizing. But the guys who gave me the information did so accurately, and there were times there when it didn’t look good. I was deathly afraid that I was going to have to deliver some really bad news. But when I got the news at 11 p.m. ET that Jerry’s heart was beating on its own and that he was breathing on his own, when I got that news I remember specifically I pumped my fist before they came to me on camera. I understood he had a huge road ahead of him, but that was the first good news we’d received in an hour.

It was amazing how that news came to us right as the show was going off the air, so we were able to leave Jerry’s family and friends and the WWE Universe watching with at least a glimmer of hope. And then obviously there was no sleep last night, we were constantly getting updates from the hospital and just really trying to determine how we were going to handle the situation the following day and heading into SmackDown.

It all came to a head on Wednesday night when I got that call from Jerry from his hospital room. That was probably the greatest phone call I’ve ever received in my entire life. He sounded like “The King.” He’s a slower-talking “King” because he’s in a lot of pain, but he’s “The King.”

But again, the big thing I want to let everybody know about is that he’s hanging in there, he’s fighting and he really understands and appreciates the millions and millions of people that have reached out to show their support for him and his family over the past two days. He is completely humbled and broke down a couple of times when discussing the amount of love that has been flowing toward him. I think knowing that is just going to make his recovery stronger and better and faster. We all know Jerry, and we all know that this isn’t going to hold him down.

Jerry’s a consummate professional, a consummate gentleman. I don’t think there’s a person in the world who would have a poor word to say about this guy. Both he and I have shared our greatest professional moments together in WWE — the rivalry leading up to WrestleMania XXVII — that’s a bond that will never be taken away from us.

I think we both gained a tremendous amount of respect for one another over the years and he’s really become a brother to me. He’s someone I deeply love and to have that happen out there is a traumatic thing, but sometimes tragedy becomes enlightenment. And that’s the way I look at this because I feel so fulfilled tonight, and ecstatic and happy and all of those adjectives that you want to use to describe that I was able to talk to my friend again on the telephone when, as early as Tuesday morning, I didn’t know if that was going to happen again.

Continue sending your well-wishes to Jerry Lawler (@JerryLawler) on Twitter by using the hashtag #GetWellJerry.

http://www.wwe.com/inside/cole-update-lawler-interview-26051805