Long Live The Wrestler...

A week has passed since Jerry Lawler's brush with death. He's ok now, but it got me thinking of those that haven't been as fortunate.

When I was much younger, I remember hearing about Andre the Giant and Kerry Von Erich's deaths. At the time I was surprised but where I bought into the 'realness' of wrestling, it probably didn't affect me as it should have.

I had a few years away from following wrestling from 1993 to 1999; restarting with Wrestlemania XV (15). Not long after this Owen Hart was involved in a tragic accident that cost him his life.

I remember a friend telling me that it'd happened the following morning (Monday after the Sunday night Pay-Per-View) but couldn't believe it until I saw it on the morning news. What surprised me more was that it was on our news, here in the UK. That's how big this was.

It didn't really hit home until I watched Raw that week - the 'Owen Hart Tribute Show'.

I always knew the 'behind-the-scenes' stuff and the predetermined element that there is, but this tribute show really hit home of how real wrestling can be - especially the relationships and friendships that there are.

Guys like Triple H, Road Dogg and Jeff Jarrett showed their real sides in their tributes to Owen. I'd never imagined this side of these performers (Especially Triple H, who had recently turned heel and was completely vicious at the time).

This show really choked me up. It was devastating to see such a great family man, gifted wrestler and joker come to such a premature end.

I didn't know too much about Owen's in-ring ability as he'd mainly performed in my hiatus from watching. I did know that he was from one of the greatest wrestling families and to make it big - especially with big brother Bret about - he'd have to be great, too.

It was after this that I started to borrow previous years PPVs from a friend to see how entertaining and talented he was.

I still miss him now. I hope for a Hall of Fame induction for him one day.

Other premature deaths included Curt Hennig (Mr Perfect), Eddie Guerrero and Chris Benoit.

Curt Hennig put my hero, Bret Hart, on the map as a singles wrestler (see Summerslam '91 for proof!) so I will always be grateful to him. He was also an awesome performer.

Benoit and Guerrero came to the WWE from WCW near the beginning of 2000 and instantly brought something different. Both guys had memorable feuds with fellow legends such as Chris Jericho and Kurt Angle which raised them to main event status.

Eddie died in 2005. I think this was on the lead to Survivor Series that year.

This death hit me hard, too. I'd seen Eddie from his debut up until his end. He was so entertaining, so funny. I'll always remember his last match with Mr Kennedy on Smackdown. It was Eddie at his comical best - almost like the perfect goodbye.

The most shocking and unbelievable death was that of Chris Benoit.

Again, I found out about this on the Monday morning, just after a PPV where Benoit was due to win the ECW Championship.

It turned out that he didn't attend the PPV (causing a last minute change to the card) and was later found dead.

In the next few days it was discovered that he, his wife Nancy and son Daniel were part of a double murder/suicide. I was absolutely confused and shocked all week - how could a guy so well liked and respected do such a thing?

I don't think anyone will ever know the exact details behind this tragic, crazy act. I hate it that it's destroyed his legacy. WWE don't acknowledge him in any way. I know that he did a terrible, inexcusable thing but it just doesn't seem right to erase him from history.

Which brings us back to The King - I instantly thought the worst when I heard about Lawler's heart attack. Wrestlers seemed to have dropped like flies in recent years and I thought he was going to add to the list.

As far as Jerry Lawler goes; I don't know much about his wrestling career - in my time he's been the best (and funniest) colour commentator since Bobby Heenan.

I remember going to a Raw show earlier this year and when Lawler was introduced at the start, I stood and applauded. The hairs on the back of my neck stood up, too. I was in awe of this legend.

My only hope is that nobody else goes before their time.

The King is ALIVE! Long live The King!