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The UK Sun has posted an interview with Jerry Lawler. Some highlights from this interview:
On working with Jim Ross again at the Royal Rumble: It was fun – JR and I have a great rapport and a great relationship. A lot of people say ‘I bet you really miss JR now he’s on Smackdown’, but the truth of the matter is we still get to see each other quite often. We also talk on the phone and we text. But by the same token, I tell everyone I really enjoy working with Michael Cole as well. Michael might be a little easier, maybe a little less demanding than JR. JR is so passionate, and such a huge fan which is a great. It’s what makes JR one of the best in the business. But because of that he’ll want us to go to production meetings and run through things. Whereas Michael and I like to show up and go in and get the thing done and head out as quickly as possible. And I know that may sound like we’re slackers, and taking the easy way out, but the truth of the matter is it works better for me in the way that I do my job. I don’t want to go to production meetings and I don’t want to be too prepared. I like to watch the matches like a fan. I like to be surprised by the things I see. I like to not know what’s going to happen next. I feel like my commentary is more honest that way – it’s more sincere in the way that I’m as surprised as the fans are!
On Mick Foley's claims that Vince McMahon shouts in the headsets of announcers too much during the show: Let’s face it, Vince is the man who owns the company and he has definite ideas about how he wants things done. And if you do something that he doesn’t approve of, then he’s going to let you know it. I don’t know if I’m fortunate, or if Vince is just a big fan of my work, but he absolutely in the 15 years of me doing it has never ever yelled at me. Not even once. I was surprised when I heard that from Mick. But Vince has a direct line to every announcer. If we’re doing a broadcast and Vince wants to say something to me, Michael Cole doesn’t hear it, and the same goes with Michael Cole. So occasionally, after a show, Michael will say: “Oh man, Vince yelled at me when I screwed this up.†But if you’re out there doing a good job, and saying what you’re supposed to say, he’s not going to yell at you!
On his numerous championship over the course of his career: Well I was shocked not too long ago when WWE magazine had a big article saying I had won more championships than anybody in the history of wrestling. I didn’t even realize it, but I guess there haven’t been many guys who have had a 37-year career in wrestling. Apparently in that time span I have won something like 156 championships.
On the infamous Chris Jericho YouTube video of the fan incident: I have not seen it but I heard them talking about it last week at the show – Vince (McMahon) was kinda chuckling about it. Vince and I were talking and Jericho walked by and he said: “Watch out! Jericho will hit you! He’ll knock you right down!†Then he adds: “Especially if you’re a girl!†Everybody is having a joke about it and to me it’s not a big deal, because that used to be very prevalent in the past. We used to be able to get the fans so riled up that they literally wanted to physically attack you after the matches. That hasn’t happened in a long time, so it’s almost like hats off to Chris Jericho – for doing his job. He’s being the best bad guy that he can be. And it’s working as he’s making the people so mad at him that they want to get physical with him themselves.
The interview also discusses Jerry Lawler avoiding drugs and alcohol problems (by not taking drugs or drinking) in wrestling, his upcoming cruise event, continuing to work independent events, and more. You can check out the full interview at this link.
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