WWE Hall of Famer Jerry Lawler Withdraws From Appearance After Medical Emergency
Lawler, 75, reportedly suffered his third stroke in seven years and is said to be on the road to recovery, according to TMZ Sports
Jerry "The King" Lawler, a WWE Hall of Famer and longtime figure in professional wrestling, withdrew from a scheduled public appearance this week after suffering a serious medical emergency, U.S. media reported Thursday.
According to TMZ Sports, the 75-year-old experienced a stroke at one of his homes in Florida last Friday and has been described as on the road to recovery. The outlet reported that Lawler did not attend the event because of the medical episode.
If confirmed, the incident would mark the third stroke Lawler has suffered in the past seven years. Lawler was hospitalized in 2023 after what was described by some outlets as a "massive" stroke. ESPN has reported that he also suffered a stroke approximately five years ago.
Lawler's medical history includes a high-profile collapse during a live broadcast of WWE's Monday Night Raw in 2012, when he suffered a heart attack. He later recovered and continued to make occasional appearances in the wrestling world, both as an in-ring performer earlier in his career and as a color commentator and personality.
Lawler's career in professional wrestling spans decades; he earned the nickname "The King" and was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. He is widely known for his work in regional promotions and with WWE, where he became a prominent on-screen presence and commentator.
Details about Lawler's current condition and plans for treatment have not been published beyond the TMZ report. No hospital or family statement was included in the reports cited, and there was no immediate public confirmation from WWE in the accounts reviewed by this outlet.
Medical episodes among retired professional wrestlers have drawn attention in recent years, with discussions about long-term health risks tied to careers involving repeated physical trauma. Lawler's recent reports of strokes and earlier heart problems underscore the continuing scrutiny of athlete health after retirement.
Further updates are expected as more information becomes available regarding Lawler's health and any future appearances. WWE history and sports outlets are likely to monitor developments given his long-standing role in the sport.