Jerry Lawler 'It's Good To Be The King' DVD Review: 17 Interesting Observations

12. Lying His Way Into The Ring

This has to be one of the most unique beginnings to a wrestling career in the history of the business. Lawler was approached by a man called Jerry Vickers, a professional wrestler who was looking for Jackie Fargo. While the pair spoke, young Jerry asked older Jerry how he got his start in the business. Vickers made Lawler aware of a small promotion in West Memphis called Outlaw Wrestling where would-be stars went to gain experience, and has beens went to make a buck or two. Essentially, it was backyard wrestling where anyone could walk in and get booked. Vickers arranged a meeting with the promotion's booker where Lawler was asked whether he had wrestled before. Jerry, of course, said he had despite never lacing up a pair of boots before. The promoter then asked where Lawler had wrestled to which he replied "Florida." The promoter then asked who he wrestled for which stumped Lawler. However, his quick whit was in full force even when he was that young so instead of turning himself in, he brought up the radio show he presented and sold the promoter the fact that he could easily promote any match he would be involved in. Unfortunately for the greener-than-green Jerry, this was enough to convince the promoter to stick Lawler and Vickers in the main event the following Saturday night. Lawler's foot was well and truly in the door. Then, in a fantastic twist of fate for Lawler, Jackie Fargo heard him promoting the Outlaw promotion on the radio and asked Lawler to come over to Memphis Wrestling to appear on TV. Lawler's dream was about to come true. Jerry would become a jobber for a prolonged period. Receiving beat down after beat down, week after week. It's strange how things work out sometimes, isn't it?