Jerry Lawler Collapses At Ringside During WWE Raw

Wrestler Jerry the King Lawler collapsed at ringside while taping an episode of WWE Raw.

According to WWE’s Michael Cole, Lawler’s collapse was not part of WWE storyline and he was receiving CPR backstage.

Earlier in the live episode, Lawler participated in and won a tag team match alongside Randy Orton.

Lawler is 62 years old.

UPDATE: Former WWE announcer Jim Ross sent out a message on Twitter asking for “prayers for the King.”

I’m shaken by the news of my friend Jerry Lawler’s medical emergency in Montreal. Hands shaking. Prayers for the King. I feel helpless.

— Jim Ross (@JRsBBQ) September 11, 2012

UPDATE 2: Montreal sports radio host Tony Marinaro says that he was ringside at the WWE Raw taping and Lawler “grabbed his arm & collapsed” and that “His face was blue.”

UPDATE 3: The WWE’s website reports that “Lawler was then taken from the arena to a medical facility in Montreal.”

UPDATE 4: WWE’s Michael Cole says Lawler is breathing on his own at the hospital.

The situation has reminded many of the death of wrestler Owen Hart, who fell to his death from the rafters before a WWE pay-per-view event in 1999. The WWE went on with the Over The Edge event, even after it was known that Hart had died.

Some viewers on Twitter wondered why, even though commentary was halted on the program, it was allowed to proceed after Lawler’s incident.

UPDATE 5: Photo of WWE announcer Michael Cole after Lawler was taken from ringside.

UPDATE 6: Michael Cole reports that Lawler is in isolated E.R., awaiting a CAT scan and is responsive to stimuli.

Jerry Lawler famously fought comedian Andy Kauffman during an appearance on Late Night with David Letterman. Here is video of that incident:

UPDATE 7 (11:14PM EST): At the close of WWE Raw, Michael Cole announced that Lawler was breathing on his own and his heart was beating on its own, and his condition has stabilized.

UPDATE 8 (9/11/12 7:49AM): WWE has confirmed in a statement that Jerry Lawler had a heart attack: “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.”