The departure of Jerry Lawler from WWE in 2001 created a huge shock when the color commentator was gone for nigh of the yr. Lawler walked out of the company when they fired his married woman Stacy "The Kat" Carter and WWE called his bluff. Paul Heyman replaced Lawler on commentary as another partner to have stiff chemistry with Jim Ross.

The time away from WWE saw Lawler belongings his ground for months before eventually returning and never leaving again. WWE was surprised at how far Lawler was willing to go since he was viewed as a loyal employee. There were also some interesting attempts at finding new opportunities in wrestling that didn't piece of work out. Lawler's WWE walkout is one of the most fascinating WWE stories and deserves to exist examined.

Lawler's Wife, The Kat, Was Fired From WWE

Jerry Lawler getting his then-wife Stacy Carter hired with minimal wrestling feel was a risky move in many ways. Most wrestlers are taught to avert getting too personal in a globe of business concern. Lawler learned that at his former age when Carter was fired in early 2001. In that location were rumors of WWE not liking Carter's backstage mental attitude and feeling her bending with the Correct to Censor was not living upwardly to expectations.

Lawler quit on the spot and left the visitor with The Kat. Loyalty to his married woman was the main upshot, but there is some conventionalities that Lawler's ego took a striking having his wife fired without even running information technology by him. WWE didn't expect him to exit the task after forming a very successful commentary team with Jim Ross during the Attitude Era.

Stacy Carter

The acrimony and betrayal felt by Lawler towards WWE made it an easier decision to leave rather than the right ane since he concluded up regretting information technology. One decision from WWE was all that Lawler needed to feel justified in his choice. WWE did not budge and instead permit them both walk instead of bringing back Carter to keep Lawler on lath.

Lawler Spent Some Time Away From WWE

WWE was without Jerry Lawler from March to November 2001, missing the epic WrestleMania 17 event and the Invasion storyline. Lawler connected to look for other avenues to keep his career outside the biggest promotion. WCW was a couple of weeks abroad from being purchased by WWE, but Lawler reached out to Eric Bischoff. Bischoff'south goal was to put together a grouping to buy WCW would take likely seen Lawler involved if the company continued that year.

Vince McMahon purchasing WCW and ECW took abroad the viable options for Lawler to keep getting booked in a major promotion. A couple of other promotions tried to start the early process of replacing WCW and brought in Lawler for commentary. XWF put together the commentary squad of Lawler and Tony Schiavone, but the promotion ended upwards going nowhere.

Jerry Lawler

Word Wrestling All Stars was another huge projection with international tours meant to create buzz as a #two promotion. The Australian shows saw Lawler on commentary with Jeremy Borash, simply that also failed to live upwardly to expectations. Commentary gigs in wrestling are ever hard to notice due to how few jobs are available. Two of the three viable promotions going under right when Lawler quit WWE made it the worst possible timing.

Lawler Eventually Returned To WWE

The relationship between Jerry Lawler and Stacy Carter ended during the short interruption from WWE. Lawler returned to WWE in November 2001 when the couple separated. However, it wasn't an easy situation since WWE moved on without Lawler. Paul Heyman had peachy chemistry with Jim Ross and added something new to the commentary team.

WWE was allowed to have a traditional heel and confront dynamic later Lawler became likewise respected to be a true heel. Heyman could have easily thrived in the color commentator office for some other decade, merely WWE felt he was better off in other roles. The desire to have Heyman every bit a managing director and backstage employee made it easier to bring Lawler back for his erstwhile position at ringside with JR.

Paul Heyman

Vince McMahon didn't hold annihilation against Lawler and had the right timing to bring him back. Heyman was "fired" on-screen as 1 of the figureheads of The Alliance after they lost the Invasion storyline. Lawler getting to laugh at Heyman while taking his chair dorsum was also a cool moment for fans at the time. The controversial difference of Lawler and his failed time away culminated with a return in the aforementioned year to go on as if the walkout never happened.

eight Storylines Where Someone Got Fired & Came Dorsum Immediately After

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