Jerry “The King” Lawler’s reign has come to an end.
The Post has confirmed that WWE did not renew Lawler’s broadcasting contract.
However, contrary to the tenor of reports in the wrestling space, a source said that Lawler, 74, remains on a “Legends deal” with the company.
Lawler first joined WWE as a color commentator on “Superstars” in 1992 and would mostly remain in that role, working the flagship shows “Raw” or “SmackDown”, as well as the pay-per-views, until 2016.
His partnership with play-by-play broadcaster Jim Ross during the fabled “Attitude Era” formed the soundtrack of countless memorable moments in pro wrestling lore.
Lawler was away from the company for about nine months in 2001.
He also returned to commentary for a stretch between 2019 and 2020.
For much of the past decade, he has been involved in pre- and postgame shows for WWE’s premium live events (the rebranded PPVs), although appearances have been more sparse in recent years.
Last year, Lawler suffered what was described as a “massive stroke” after he became ill while having lunch with friends in Florida.
He recovered enough from the medical emergency to make one appearance at “Raw” in his native Memphis last year, and another on NXT, WWE’s developmental promotion.
Lawler made his bones as a wrestler in the Memphis territory, and continued to wrestle for various independent promotions into his 70s, despite suffering from a heart attack in 2012.
He mounted an unsuccessful run for mayor in 1999.
He also had an infamous feud with the comedian Andy Kaufman in the early 1980s.
