During the Kane and Daniel Bryan vs. Darren Young and Titus O’Neil tag team match on Monday Night Raw in Montreal, an incident appeared to take place off camera involving WWE Hall of Famer Jerry “The King” Lawler. Earlier during the match Lawler was fine and was spotted in noticeable pain and appeared to collapse at the announce table next to Michael Cole. WWE officials then took Lawler to the back. Wrestleview.com’s Owner/Webmaster Paul Nemer (who is at the show tonight) just called us saying most of the crowd turned their attention to Lawler who appeared to be in pain and collapse.
We will continue to follow this story as it develops.
Update (10:22 p.m. ET):
Paul Nemer just called in the following update: “I spoke with eight different security people. One security official said Lawler was physically shaking and it was very serious. They all confirmed it wasn’t part of the show. Head of security confirmed this. I spoke briefly with Randy Orton asking what was going on. Orton didn’t know and seemed visibly upset saying, ‘I don’t know what to tell you.’ Lots of confusion inside the arena.”
Michael Cole moments ago on Raw said they were performing CPR on Lawler backstage.
Update (10:41 p.m. ET):
Michael Cole just stated on air (prefacing before that this was not part of the show) that Jerry Lawler was taken to a local hospital and is now breathing on his own. Cole said out of respect for Lawler, they would no longer be providing commentary for the rest of the program and hope to provide an update on Lawler’s health at the end of the show.
Update (10:49 p.m. ET):
WWE.com has posted the following update below:
During the tag team match between Kane & Daniel Bryan and The Prime Time Players tonight on Raw, viewers may have noticed members of the audience and WWE production team staring toward the commentary booth, as well as the absence of Jerry “The King” Lawler’s voice. WWE.com has learned that the WWE Hall of Famer collapsed at the announcers’ table and was tended to in the locker room area by WWE medical staff. Lawler was then taken from the arena to a medical facility in Montreal.
We will have updates on Lawler’s condition as this story progresses.
UPDATE: Here is the full text of Michael Cole’s address to the WWE Universe.
“I’m sure you’ve noticed Jerry Lawler hasn’t been active in the past couple of matches. A little bit earlier tonight, Jerry passed out here at ringside. Jerry collapsed and was helped to the back. He was stretchered to the back to the locker room area. We understand now that Jerry is receiving medical attention as we speak. They are performing CPR. This is not part of tonight’s entertainment. This has happened. Again, Jerry Lawler collapsed at ringside tonight and they are performing CPR as we speak in the locker room area and we will have more information as Raw rolls on tonight.”
UPDATE: Michael Cole addressed the WWE Universe again and informed the audience that Lawler is breathing on his own but that the situation is “serious.” Out of respect to “The King,” there will be no further commentary on the show this evening.
Update (10:55 p.m. ET):
Michael Cole just stated on Raw that Lawler is now more responsive and in the isolated emergency room of the hospital.
Paul Nemer said it was just announced live that Pat Patterson Appreciation Night has been postponed out of respect for Lawler.
Update (11:15 p.m. ET):
Michael Cole closed Raw tonight saying Lawler is still breathing on his own, his heart is beating on its own and he is set to undergo a CAT scan on his chest and head. Cole emphasized that Lawler was now in stable condition.