WWE Announcer Jerry Lawler Suffers Heart Attack on Live TV

WWE's on-air personality is hospitalized after being stricken ringside

By Josh Grossberg Sep 11, 2012 3:21 PMTags
Professional Wrestler,  Jerry LawlerKevin C. Cox/Getty Images

WWE announcer Jerry Lawler suffered a heart attack and collapsed midway through calling a match on Monday night's live telecast of Monday Night Raw in Montreal.

Per the Los Angeles Times, the 62-year-old former pro wrestler was providing commentary when his heart suddenly stopped beating and he slumped over at his ringside table. 

An emergency medical team responded immediately and began CPR before moving him backstage on a stretcher. He was later taken to a nearby hospital, where he remains in serious condition.

Lawler, a 40-year grappling veteran who had wrestled just 45 minutes before, was calling a tag-team contest between Kane and Daniel Bryan versus the Prime Time Players when he was stricken.

His stunned announcing partner, Michael Cole, gave viewers a few updates as to his condition, telling them Lawler was breathing on his own. But the show ended up finishing without commentary.

The WWE said in a statement early Tuesday: "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."

Lawler, who holds more championships than any current WWE wrestler, is perhaps best known for faux-feuding with comedian Andy Kaufman, whom he wrestled in 1982. The two made headlines when Lawler slapped the funnyman in the face in an episode of Late Night With David Letterman, a bit that turned out to be staged as part of a promo blitz for their upcoming match. In fact, the two were really good friends.

Lawyer began his color commentary stint in 1998 before taking over full-time in 2001.