Jerry Lawler UK Interview

Jerry "The King" Lawler recently spoke to a UK magazine about various issues, including Chris Jericho's "Fan Incident" saga.



RAW REUNION AT THE RUMBLE

On commentating with Jim Ross (pictured above, right) again at the 2009 Royal Rumble:

"It was fun – JR and I have a great rapport and a great relationship. A lot of people say ‘I bet you really miss JR now he’s on SmackDown, but the truth of the matter is we still get to see each other quite often. We also talk on the phone and we text. But by the same token, I tell everyone I really enjoy working with Michael Cole as well. Michael might be a little easier, maybe a little less demanding than JR.

JR is so passionate, and such a huge fan which is a great. It’s what makes JR one of the best in the business. But because of that he’ll want us to go to production meetings and run through things. Whereas Michael and I like to show up and go in and get the thing done and head out as quickly as possible. And I know that may sound like we’re slackers, and taking the easy way out, but the truth of the matter is it works better for me in the way that I do my job.

I don’t want to go to production meetings and I don’t want to be too prepared. I like to watch the matches like a fan. I like to be surprised by the things I see. I like to not know what’s going to happen next. I feel like my commentary is more honest that way – it’s more sincere in the way that I’m as surprised as the fans are!"

HEADSET DRAMA

On Mick Foley's (pictured above, left) claims that Vince McMahon (pictured above, right) shouts in the headsets of announcers too much during the show:

"Let’s face it, Vince is the man who owns the company and he has definite ideas about how he wants things done. And if you do something that he doesn’t approve of, then he’s going to let you know it. I don’t know if I’m fortunate, or if Vince is just a big fan of my work, but he absolutely in the 15 years of me doing it has never ever yelled at me. Not even once. I was surprised when I heard that from Mick.

But Vince has a direct line to every announcer. If we’re doing a broadcast and Vince wants to say something to me, Michael Cole doesn’t hear it, and the same goes with Michael Cole. So occasionally, after a show, Michael will say: “Oh man, Vince yelled at me when I screwed this up.” But if you’re out there doing a good job, and saying what you’re supposed to say, he’s not going to yell at you!"

KING REIGNS

On his numerous championship over the course of his career:

"Well I was shocked not too long ago when WWE magazine had a big article saying I had won more championships than anybody in the history of wrestling. I didn’t even realize it, but I guess there haven’t been many guys who have had a 37-year career in wrestling. Apparently in that time span I have won something like 156 championships."

REGARDING THE JERICHO / FAN INCIDENT

On the infamous Chris Jericho YouTube video of the fan incident:

"I have not seen it but I heard them talking about it last week at the show – Vince (McMahon) was kinda chuckling about it. Vince and I were talking and Jericho walked by and he said: “Watch out! Jericho will hit you! He’ll knock you right down!” Then he adds: “Especially if you’re a girl!”

Everybody is having a joke about it and to me it’s not a big deal, because that used to be very prevalent in the past. We used to be able to get the fans so riled up that they literally wanted to physically attack you after the matches. That hasn’t happened in a long time, so it’s almost like hats off to Chris Jericho – for doing his job. He’s being the best bad guy that he can be. And it’s working as he’s making the people so mad at him that they want to get physical with him themselves."

You can view the full interview at this link.

FINAL THOUGHT

The King has always delivered solid, down to earth interviews.

All hail the king! (Sorry, had to be said)

TNA President Dixie Carter in UK Newspaper

TNA President Dixie Carter has been hard at work, promoting TNA's upcoming European Tour.


TNA UK

TNA President Dixie Carter was interviewed by The Daily Star in Great Britain as part of the promotional push for the company's European tour, which kicks off today with the first of two shows in Dublin, Ireland before moving onto the UK:

Highlights of the interview:

On The UK Tour: “I think this is a special and important market for us,” she said. “It’s where the fans have embraced our product on an equal level with the competition – and much quicker. On a weekly basis to be above or on par in the ratings is a huge victory for us. It’s an incredible response, and to come back and be greeted by this number of fans is a wonderful accomplishment for us. We are very grateful.”

On TNA's Growth: "We had a great year – we quadrupled our revenues. To do that in a year when world economies are crashing, well, it’s a testament to our product and our fans. How do you grow it from here? Interaction... allowing the fans that sense of touching the product, touching the talent, being a part of the TNA experience. We have to get out to these countries that have put us on a par with others and show our gratitude."

On Christian Cage: "I’m very disappointed. I like him as a person as well as a talent. It’s interesting, he was the first big name to jump ship to us and he’s been the first to jump back. I wish him all the best."

To read the entire interview visit this link.