Jerry "The King" Lawler is one of the most well-renowned names in the history of professional wrestling. He was a big deal in Memphis, Tennessee, and WWE signing him in late 1992 was shrewd business. Whilst, the majority of newer wrestling fans are accustomed to Lawler being a color commentator, he was a wrestler before he moved into the commentary booth.
The early stages of Jerry "The King" Lawler's WWE career saw him wrestle consistently, and fans got to witness what Lawler could bring to the table. Lawler is at his best when he is a heel, and whilst some of his matches in WWE were not instant classics, Lawler showed what he is capable of when given the chance to compete.
10 Jerry Lawler Vs. The Ultimate Warrior - King Of The Ring 1996
In classic Jerry Lawler fashion, he mocked the crowd before his upcoming bout with The Ultimate Warrior at King of the Ring 1996. Lawler got the upper hand by choking Warrior with the scepter. Warrior was troubled by this and he was struggling to breathe.
Lawler was in the ascendency, and he planted Warrior flush on his head with a piledriver. That did not affect Warrior as he no-sold it, and got back up as nothing had happened. The pendulum swung, and Warrior shoulder tackled Lawler to pick up a win in a dreadful match.
9 Jerry Lawler Vs. Jake Roberts - SummerSlam 1996
At SummerSlam 1996, Jerry Lawler collided with Jake Roberts. Lawler mocked Jake Roberts' issues with alcoholism, and Roberts heard enough, and he made his way down the aisle with a snake in tow. Roberts put the snake on Lawler, and the bell finally sounded.
It was an old-school type of match, but the contest was underwhelming. It's a shame considering both Lawler and Roberts are talented in-ring performers. Nonetheless, Lawler hit Roberts in the throat with a bottle of liquor for the all-important win.
8 Royal Rumble Match - Royal Rumble 1996
Spending 36 minutes in a Royal Rumble match is a great feat but Jerry Lawler's performance in the 1996 Royal Rumble match was sketchy. He entered the Rumble as the fourth entrant, and he was displeased with the Burger King chants. Jake Roberts brought his snake to the ring, and wrestlers fled the ring, except for Lawler who was unfortunate to meet Roberts' snake.
Nevertheless, Lawler hid underneath the ring, and he almost pulled off a masterclass. Occasionally, he popped his head out of the ring now and then. That was until eventual Royal Rumble winner Shawn Michaels crawled under the ring, pulled Lawler out, and eliminated him from the match.
7 The Royals Vs. The Darkside - Survivor Series 1995
Jerry "The King" Lawler was a member of The Royals at Survivor Series 1995. Lawler, Isaac Yankem DDS, King Mabel, and Triple H were on the same team. Their adversaries were The Darkside which was comprised of a returning Undertaker, Savio Vega, Fatu, and Henry Godwinn.
Undertaker sported a Phantom of the Opera-like mask as King Mabel broke Undertaker's orbital bone. The heels had a lot of offense in this match. The match was slow-paced until Undertaker got involved. Moreover, Lawler was left to his own devices with his teammates refusing to save him from Undertaker's clutches. The Darkside registered a clean sweep with Lawler being the first victim as he was eliminated by the Tombstone.
6 Jerry Lawler Vs. Roddy Piper - King Of The Ring 1994
Somehow Jerry Lawler and Roddy Piper's match got the nod to close out King of the Ring 1994. The WWE Championship match featuring Bret Hart and Diesel would have been a better option to go on last. Nevertheless, the match was underwhelming and was not worthy of closing out the show.
Lawler and Piper are excellent wrestlers but this match failed to get out of first gear. Lawler nailed Piper with his trademark piledriver but it wasn't enough to keep him down. Nonetheless, "Hot Rod" was victorious with a back suplex in a lackluster main event.
5 Jerry Lawler Vs. Bret Hart - King Of The Ring 1995
Jerry Lawler and Bret Hart's rivalry spanned on and off for two years. Once again Lawler was in action at King of the Ring in 1995, and he met the Hitman in a Kiss My Foot match. Bret took the initiative in the early stages of the match. They battled on the outside, and Lawler launched Bret into the steel steps.
The King inflicted punishment on Hart with three piledrivers in succession. Moreover, Lawler had a helping hand with Hakushi and Shinja interfering. Unfortunately, Lawler's plans were thwarted as Hakushi accidentally punched Lawler in the face. Bret weathered the storm, and he picked up the win with his patented sharpshooter, but the referee almost reversed the decision with Hart refusing to break up the hold.
4 The Royal Family Vs. Clowns R' Us - Survivor Series 1994
It was an interesting night in Jerry Lawler's career at Survivor Series 1994 as he was the leader of the Royal Family. He led Cheesy, Queasy, and Sleazy into battle, who were all little people. On the opposing side of the ring was Clowns R' Us with Doink the Clown as the team captain with Dink, Pink, and Wink as his partners.
The Royal Family was dominant, and it was leadership by example from Lawler. He eliminated Doink, and the rest of his team ensured that they would not get eliminated by registering a clean sweep.
3 Jerry Lawler Vs. Bret Hart - In Your House 1, 1995
Jerry Lawler and Bret Hart collided at the inaugural In Your House event in May 1995. This was the Hitman's second match of the night. Hart limped to the ring but he played possum. Hart was in the ascendency with Lawler failing to get a stranglehold on proceedings.
Lawler found a way to fight back, but Hakushi and Shinja interrupted to ensure that Lawler had the advantage. The referee's foot was stuck in the rope and he was dangling on the outside. That allowed Hakushi to nail Bret with a couple of diving headbutts, and Lawler earned a huge win over Bret with a jackknife cover.
2 Royal Rumble Match - Royal Rumble 1993
The 1993 Royal Rumble match was the sight of Jerry Lawler's first match in a WWE ring. Lawler was the 7th participant, and he unloaded some stiff punches on Ric Flair. Naitch needed a timeout by going under the bottom ropes. Lawler was almost eliminated by Virgil and Bob Backlund until Ted DiBiase stepped in and saved him.
Max Moon was eliminated by Lawler, and Mr. Perfect brought an end to Lawler's debut outing in the Rumble. Lawler took exception to this, and he helped Koko B. Ware and DiBiase eliminate Perfect, whilst he was on the outside in a true example of displaying sour grapes.
1 Jerry Lawler Vs. Bret Hart - SummerSlam 1993
Despite the match ending with a disqualification finish, Jerry Lawler and Bret Hart had an excellent match at SummerSlam 1993. Lawler feigned injury, and he came down the aisle in crutches. The Hitman was competing in his second match of the night, all thanks to Lawler, who had Doink the Clown step in as his replacement.
President Jack Tunney was one step ahead of the game and he forced Lawler to compete. Neither man held back, and the crutch was used as a weapon. Ultimately, Lawler was in agony as Hart refused to release the Sharpshooter. Lawler was awarded the victory by disqualification in a decent contest.