Jerry Lawler

Jerry Lawler's life was a perpetual motion machine, fueled by a hunger for victory and a disdain for mediocrity. Born in 1949, Lawler's first taste of success came on the mat, where he excelled as a high school wrestler. But it was in the squared circle that he truly found his calling.

As "The Hawaiian Flash," Lawler burst onto the professional wrestling scene in the late 1960s, his All-American looks and charismatic persona making him an instant fan favorite. Over the years, he'd don many masks – literally, as "Masked Superstar #2" – but it was his unapologetic swagger that earned him the moniker "The King."

Lawler's Memphis roots ran deep. He cut his teeth in the city's storied wrestling scene, where the likes of Tommy Rich and Bill Dundee served as both mentors and rivals. It was during this period that Lawler honed his signature moves: the piledriver, which left opponents reeling; and the diving fist drop, a high-flying flourish that showcased his daredevil spirit.

As much as he reveled in the spotlight, Lawler's greatest triumphs came behind the mic. As a color commentator for World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), his sharp wit and irreverent humor made him a beloved fixture of Monday Night Raw. His on-air persona – equal parts curmudgeon and charmer – endeared him to fans and colleagues alike.

Yet, beneath the bravado and bluster lay a complex individual, haunted by personal demons and driven by an insatiable need for validation. Lawler's life was marked by both triumph (he married his high school sweetheart, Paula, in 1966) and tragedy (his son, Brian Christopher, died in a wrestling accident in 2018).

Throughout it all, Lawler remained the consummate showman – a larger-than-life figure whose outsized personality left an indelible mark on the world of professional wrestling. In his twilight years, as he looked out upon the WWE's modern landscape, one couldn't help but wonder: What would "The King" do next? Only time – and perhaps another piledriver or two – would tell.

• Born 1949
• Began wrestling career in the late 1960s
• Became a color commentator for WWE in the early 2000s

• Interviews with Lawler and those close to him
• Archival materials from the WWE and other professional wrestling organizations
• Published accounts of Lawler's life and career