WWE lets iconic commentator’s contract expire after 30 years on the microphone

Jerry ‘The King’ Lawler’s time with the WWE has come to an end.

After serving as a commentator and broadcaster for the WWE for 32 years, the company decided not to renew Lawler’s broadcasting contract, the New York Post confirmed on Monday.

Despite the end of his tenure on the booth, the 72-year-old remains under a ‘Legends deal’ with the company – meaning he could still make money from the WWE using his image on merchandise and video games.

Lawler joined the WWE as a commentator in 1992, working on ‘Superstars’ and mostly remained in that role for Raw, SmackDown, and WWE pay-per-views until 2016.

In over three decades with the company, The King’s most notable work came from his partnership with play-by-play broadcaster Jim Ross. The pair provided some of the most memorable soundbites from the fabled ‘Attitude Era’ from the late 1990s to the early 2000s.

WWE allowed Jerry Lawler’s commentary contract to expire after 32 years with the company

Lawler became a WWE commentator in 1992, working on Superstars, Raw and SmackDown

Lawler spent about nine months away from the company in 2001 and returned to commentary for a short stretch between 2019 and 2020.

After stepping away from in-match commentary, Lawler spent much of the past decade getting involved in the pre and post-match shows for WWE’s pay-per-views. However, his appearances have become more sparse in recent years.

Last year, Lawler suffered a ‘massive stroke’ after getting ill while having lunch with his friends in Florida.

Fortunately, he recovered enough from the medical emergency to appear on Raw in his native Memphis last year and again on the WWE’s developmental show, NXT.

Lawler suffered a ‘massive stroke’ while having lunch with friends in Florida last year 

Lawler recovered from the emergency and appeared on Raw in his native, Memphis 

Lawler earned his stripes as a wrestler in the Memphis regional scene before his in-ring career took him to the WWF in 1992. His time with Vince McMahon’s company – before moving to a commentary role – was highlighted by his feuds with Bret Hart and Doink the Clown.

Despite suffering a heart attack in 2012, Lawler continued to wrestle for various independent promotions into his 70s.

Additionally, he made a losing effort to run for mayor in Memphis in 1999.