5. Jerry Lawler And Andy Kaufman Appear On David Letterman (1982)
I personally love Andy Kaufmans work, but he was certainly a polarising figure in the world of comedy. Hating to be called a comedian, he blurred the lines of fantasy and reality and enjoyed messing with peoples minds. He was also a huge wrestling fan. During his live shows in the 1970s, he would end the night by wrestling a female member of the audience, describing himself as the Intergender Wrestling Champion of the World and offering $1,000 to any woman who could pin him. By the early 1980s, Kaufman wanted to move into actual wrestling, and contacted Vince McMahon Sr about performing with the WWF. McMahon was not interested and so Kaufman approached legendary magazine writer and photographer Bill Apter, who arranged a meeting with the main man of Memphis wrestling, Jerry Lawler. In April 1982, a match between the two in Memphiss famous Mid-South Coliseum was arranged. Kaufman insulted the crowd, instructing them on how to use soap, but was eventually beaten soundly by Lawler. Kaufman was stretchered off after taking Lawlers finishing move, the piledriver. Blurring the lines of reality again, it was later revealed that Kaufman was genuinely taken to hospital that night and medical records show that he did sustain an injury, it was exaggerated heavily for the angle. For months afterwards, Kaufman wore a neck brace in public, even on the set of Taxi, the sitcom he was a regular in. A few months later, the two men appeared together on Late Night with David Letterman. The interview started off relatively civilly, with Kaufman explaining that he thought itd make a good joke and Lawler responding that wrestling was not a joke. Letterman asked if they were really friends and that this was all a work. They both denied it. Eventually, tempers boiled over and Lawler delivered an almighty slap to Kaufman, knocking him off his chair and onto the floor as they went to a commercial break. Upon returning, an irate Kaufman was prowling around the set and offloaded on Lawler with an obscenity laden rant, which he ended by throwing the contents of Lettermans coffee mug onto Lawler. This was huge mainstream, national coverage for a regional wrestling promotion from Memphis. It got people, wrestling fans and non-fans alike, talking. Now Memphis wasnt just famous for Elvis. It was later revealed that Lawler and Kaufman were, of course, good friends but they kept Letterman in the dark about the whole angle. The angle was reprised in the biopic of Kaufmans life, Man on the Moon, where Lawler played himself and Jim Carrey portrayed Kaufman.
Dean Ayass is a well known name to British wrestling fans. A commentator, manager, booker and ring announcer who has been involved in the business since 1993, Dean's insight into the business is second to none.
