Can Lawler still do anything of worth?

[mrbananagrabber]

I was watching a bunch of old promo's and interviews with Lawler, some as a face and some as a heel, and it's easy to forget just how great Lawler was on the mic.

His greatest work in WWE was obviously his amazing feud with Bret Hart, that was SO intense the young Mr Bananagrabber thought it was the only real fight in wrestling.

Lawler has been flat out terrible for over 10 years. Uninspired, phoned in commentary that just isn't anywhere near what he used to be able to do. I'm not saying Lawler should be in the ring, but would you buy Lawler as anything other than what he is now? Heel manager for a Memphis based stable, maybe?

[Amazing Kitsune]

He's certainly still capable on the mic when he's motivated--and he's better off as a heel.

With the right angle, I can buy Jerry Lawler in anything. In fact, the WWE missed the boat by not giving him a short WWE title reign when he feuded with the Miz. I think it would have been a very cool thing to do--even if he dropped it back to Miz the next night or in a few weeks time.

Now I know some people think he ruined Miz's title reign, but I thought they had a great feud with some really good matches.

Would I want him in the ring now? I would not mind seeing him in the ring--but probably not in the WWE. Last time I saw him live at an indy show, he did a whole lot by doing very little. It's probably been about 4 years ago now. I was very impressed by his work. He still had great punches and a very good mind for simple psychology.

Sadly though, I think Lawler's days in the WWE may be coming to a close sooner rather than later--I hope I'm wrong.

If we have to have a face authority figure at some point--why not a King?

[The Ichi]

He's a taylor made heel made to play a face and just doesn't give a shit anymore.

[Mid-Carder]

I'm going to go extreme here and say I haven't found him the slightest bit entertaining since he left in 2001.

[paperbackhero]

Probably could have one of the best matches of the night, and can cut a better promo than most of the roster.

That being said, he's an awful commentator.

[Main Eventer]

He can get up and leave.

[The Beast Disincarnate]

The answer is obviously no. He's terrible on every aspects. He's one of those old WWE dinosaurs that I wish to see retire and never come back.

[PTBartman]

The answer is obviously Yes. The man has forgotten more about the psychology of wrestling than most people have learned. He'd make a great manager. Speaking of obvious yesses, I'd bring him back as Daniel Bryan's face manager and then have a slow burn culminating with him turning on Bryan and supporting an NXT wrestler coming up. Maybe Fin Baylor or even Samoa Joe.

[tms]

Sept 5, 2015 9:18:19 GMT -5 Main Eventer said:

He can get up and leave.

But first...he'll think about it! (Cues his music as he walks 5 steps back to the announce booth).

[Ryback on a Pole!]

When he cuts a promo he's usually fairly good. He's a shit commentator but I reckon he'd be a cracking manager for somebody. Like King Barrett's own personal town crier/ring announcer or whatever.

[mrbananagrabber]

Sept 5, 2015 9:18:19 GMT -5 Main Eventer said:

He can get up and leave.

Maybe next week, YOU can get up and leave.

[TWERKIN' MAGGLE]

He could stand up and walk away looking real sad.

[FinalGwen]

He's not JBL? It's not a ringing endorsement but it has to count for something.

[Magic knows Black Lives Matter]

Sept 5, 2015 12:35:43 GMT -5 FinalGwen said:

He's not JBL? It's not a ringing endorsement but it has to count for something.

Seriously, JBL is horrible. Useless commentator in every sense of the word.

[Final Countdown Jones]

I think the more pressing question is if he wants to. He seems to be very clearly just hanging around every week looking for a paycheck and phoning everything in, down to those midlife crisis design tees he finds at Walmart or wherever. I just don't buy that he has the motivation in WWE to do anything anymore and is willing to half-ass his way to retirement. Even putting him as a manager won't accomplish much if he sleepwalks through the role.

[rippo]

I just wish he would become a heel manager or something. Lawler is brilliant when they give him the green light to be as offensive and annoying as possible.

I hate the way every "Legend" is a face. Even Ted DiBiase is a face...

[walterharrow]

I still think he is a decent commentator compared to everyone else they have. I just find him easy to listen to whereas JBL can be too loud and annoying and Saxton is dull and pointless. Corey Graves and Rich Brennan are by far my favourite announce team, but I think Brennan and Lawler would work well as a two man team on Smackdown

[Ruthless Pessimism]

Not sure what people want from Lawler. He's got Vince in his ear every week, feeding him things to say. And half (if not more) of the things he would say in a promo from 10 years ago would draw massive heat from a lot of sponsors and parents groups, claiming he was a bully or whatever. I mean Lawler's gimmick was to clown people mercilessly on the mic. Randy Orton insinuated Kevin Owens was fat and people lost their minds.

[Deleted]

I'd like to see a heel Lawler managing Barrett to finally get him back on track.

[Stu]

Unless he's fully healed from that heart attack, I'd rather he take a break or stay behind the scenes.