10 Wrestlers Who Nearly Died

3. Jerry Lawler Collapses Live On Raw

Michael Cole Announces Jerry Lawlers Heart Attack
WWE Network

Michael Cole doesn't draw a lot of praise from regular watchers of WWE's product, but his performance on 10 September 2012 earned him a huge amount of admiration. During the live broadcast of Monday Night Raw from Montreal, Cole's broadcasting partner Jerry Lawler suddenly stopped calling the match between Team Hell No and the Prime Time Players. He had suffered a massive heart attack.

The King was moved backstage, where he lay clinically dead for some 20 minutes as EMTs attempted to resuscitate him. Meanwhile, a visibly distraught Cole was left to anchor the show alone as he anxiously awaited news on the health of his close friend and colleague. Withholding any play-by-play on the night's entertainment, Cole remained consummately professional, providing updates on Lawler as the night progressed.

Miraculously, Lawler survived, and went on to make a full recovery. On his return to Raw, he met Cole with a heartfelt embrace.

 
First Posted On: 
Editorial Team
Editorial Team

Benjamin was born in 1987, and is still not dead. He variously enjoys classical music, old-school adventure games (they're not dead), and walks on the beach (albeit short - asthma, you know). He's currently trying to compile a comprehensive history of video game music, yet denies accusations that he purposefully targets niche audiences. He's often wrong about these things.