Post by LWPD on Sept 24, 2012 19:08:23 GMT -5
An interesting article looking at reactions to Jerry Lawler's heart attack, and the age old question of how long is it safe for a wrestler to continue to work in the ring.
Courtesy of Miami Herald
How old is too old?
By Scott Fishman
Court Bauer, Sonjay Dutt, Dory Funk Jr., Hurricane Helms, JBL, Lance Storm, FOW, R-Pro, Steve Keirn, TNA, Triple H react to Jerry Lawler incident
An NFL football player in his late 30s is viewed as past his prime. Baseball, basketball, hockey, same thing. However, in pro wrestling, you see the likes of Terry Funk, Ric Flair and Mae Young competing in the ring in their 60s and beyond.
The heart attack Jerry The King Lawler, 62, suffered during WWE Monday Night Raw’s live TV show in Montreal has begged the question: how old is too old to still be wrestling?
For former WWE writer Court Bauer, the answer isn’t simple. A decade ago Bauer launched Major League Wrestling, which included stars such as Dusty Rhodes, Funk and even Lawler.
“I wish it was as simple as my belief that everyone has a right to work,” Bauer said. “If you can pass your meds, then you should have the right to work. However, there’s no criteria that requires such in pro wrestling. The majority of states have deregulated wrestling, and even those that still maintain a commission are a farce when it comes to their meds and monitoring the wellness of talent.”
Former ECW, WCW and WWE wrestler Lance Storm has seen wrestling evolve in his more than two decades in the business. The veteran currently heads the Storm Wrestling Academy in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. A handful of his students signed with WWE’s developmental group Florida Championship Wrestling (WWE NXT).
When it comes to Lawler, Storm believes it’s important to stress the fact that King worked a fairly full-time schedule on the independent scene with an occasional WWE match. He did all this performing with no known issues.
“To this end I think everything has to be on a case-by-case basis, and at the end of the day if a person can pass the required medicals and wants to wrestle, I don’t see how anyone has the right to stop them,” Storm said.
“If WWE stopped booking Jerry [or anyone else] from wrestling, and they still want to wrestle, they will just get booked somewhere else. Adults are responsible for their own heath, and if you are able, willing and can pass the medicals, why not let them wrestle.
“The key to this for me is passing a physical and getting medical clearance. I think from a safety standpoint, especially someone big like WWE, probably once guys get late 40s, maybe past 50, they should make sure they’ve passed a full medical annually before they allow them to wrestle.”
For high-flyer Sonjay Dutt, currently seen on TNA Impact Wrestling, just because someone is older doesn’t necessarily mean they are unfit to perform in the ring.
“I don’t think there should be an age restriction across the board, but each case should be judged on its own,” Dutt said. “Not every 20-year-old is healthy, and not every 60-year-old is unhealthy. It’s certainly up to each individual.”
Former WCW and WWE wrestler Shane Hurricane Helms added: “I would have to say it’s a case by case basis. It’s still a free country, and everyone deserves the right to make a living as long as they’re capable. If their health is a risk factor, then for sure, a case can be made to limit or not allow them to compete.
“But contrary to a very popular cliché, not everyone is created equal, and if a person still has the ability to perform, then they deserve the right to make that decision for themselves. We all have our limits, and hopefully we realize for ourselves what they are.”
WWE Hall of Famer Dory Funk Jr. is the coach of the Funking Conservatory Wrestling School in Ocala, Fla. A longtime pro wrestler, he made his debut at age 21 in 1963. He is now 71. Not only does he train wrestlers, but he runs shows and occasionally gets in the ring.
Does age matter?
Funk responded: “How old is too old to run track, play basketball, do karate, work out at the gym, swim 200 meters, snow ski in the mountains, surf the big waves, throw a football, jump on a trampoline, play tennis or walk the high wire? If you are happy and enjoy doing what you do, why would you ever quit?”
Former WWE world champion John Bradshaw Layfield feels age hasn’t stopped some of the greatest athletes from performing at a high level. Why should pro wrestlers be any different?
“You look at [boxer] George Foreman who won a world championship in his mid-40s,” Layfield said. “[Boxer] Bernard Hopkins is still fighting and still fighting very well. [UFC fighter] Randy Couture is another one. [Golfer] Tom Watson wins a major at almost age 60. I think it’s a case-by-case basis.
“When you look at some guys who are in their early 20s, you see it in the NFL, you see it in boxing and all kinds of sports where they should not be continuing. Jerry is a non-smoker, a non-drinker and what everybody thought was a pretty healthy guy. He never drank from what I understand. I certainly never heard of it. He never smoked, and he wrestles every single weekend. So I really do think you have to take it on a case-by-case basis.”
Of course, health is important.
Funk added: “I am under the care of a doctor with regular physicals. With the help of my wife, Marti, I am very careful on watching my diet. No salt, no trans fats, maintain my wrestling weight of 220, no alcohol, don’t smoke, don’t do drugs.
“In addition to training our wrestlers four nights a week, I am in the gym every other day for one hour with a weight and cardio program that far exceeds what I do in the wrestling ring. Complete warm up and stretching before going into the ring are a must. If I am wrestling, no food later than lunch at noon.”
Bauer believes the closest thing to any kind of company program to monitor the health of talent so intricately is WWE. He says the company has done an incredible job in being proactive and not reactive when it comes to their talents’ well being.
“MVP had his life saved due to the WWE’s enhanced medical testing,” Bauer said.
“They are also proactive in rehabilitation for talent dependent on drugs and prescription pills. There’s not an organization more dialed in to this issue than WWE. Could they even get more proactive? Sure, but the rest of the industry has a lot of catching up to do before they can even touch WWE’s comparatively high standards.
“No other organization, whether it’s TNA or the local indy [promotions] does wellness testing ranging [from] prescription and illegal drugs [to] cardio and neurological baseline med testing.”
Bauer understands not everyone has the immense capital of WWE.
“If you care about the sport, the talent, the fans and the brand you’re building, you should be doing all you can, but it often becomes a matter of economics,” Bauer said. “Should a promoter spend their budget on drug testing or cable TV advertising? Cardiograms or bringing in a former WWE wrestler fresh off TV? The answer is easy for a promoter. They’re desperately hustling to build their company and that means profit, profit, profit.
“Drug testing and baseline medical testing is cost prohibitive, even if they don’t spend the money on advertising or bringing in big names. The industry remains in a state of contraction coupled with a severely depressed economy. Plus, promoters and decision makers tend to have a relatively short-sighted point of view on these matters.”
Paul Levesque, better know to fans as WWE superstar Triple H, stood backstage in his executive position — executive vice president of Talent and Live Events — when Jerry Lawler passed out at the announce table on Raw. Thankfully, WWE has the resources to medically assist their talent, and they also help former wrestlers.
“We’ve said it a million times; we’re all like a tight family,” Triple H said.
Steve Keirn (Fabulous Ones, Skinner, Doink the Clown), president of FCW, the feeder group to WWE, added: “There’s a mutual admiration and respect for everybody in this industry. When one of our guys goes down with a heart attack or something life threatening, it puts us all in that eye awakening situation, ‘That could have been me.’ Jerry Lawler’s only a few years older than me. Anytime anybody could have a serious health issue. So my sympathies are with his family, and my prayers are with Jerry to recover, and I’m sure he will. He’s a really tough guy.”
That night on Raw was eye opening for everyone.
Triple H continued: “You watch somebody [Lawler] who you’re very close with, and something tragic happens to him, and we’re backstage. When something like that happens, there’s mass confusion. No one knows what’s going on, and they’re looking for answers, and they’re watching this guy get worked on, and then he gets wheeled out. Is he going to make it? Is he not going to make it? No one seems to know, and there’s a lot of chaos.
“When you’re in [business] roles that you’re in, you have to hold it together. You have to be that straight line. If they see you panic, then all bets are off.”
Jerry The King Lawler, who along with his duties as a broadcaster on Raw and pay-per-views, maintained a schedule of wrestling and appearance dates for a variety of companies.
WWE occasionally uses the WWE Hall of Famer in the ring at events such as Raw on Sept. 10. Fans love nostalgia. However, what happened to Lawler (even though it didn’t happen in the ring) may lead promoters and creative team members to think twice before booking older stars in matches.
“It is the nature of being a wrestler and performer to always pursue opportunities to make money and perform,” former WWE writer Court Bauer said.
“Whether it’s a gimmick battle royal at WrestleMania or a big pay day at an independent event, there’s always going to be temptation. It’s the wrestling company that must resist temptation, and WWE I am sure now more than ever will be very sensitive to this issue and judicious with how they utilize guys getting up there in age.
“The nature of a promoter is such that they make decisions out of convenience and greed. Thusly, I believe you can’t rely on them to be proactive with the well being of talent. They will always be seduced by making that dream match or unique special attraction showcasing a legend. It’s been going on for decades.
“Fortunately, most reputable arenas, such as Madison Square Garden and [Fort Lauderdale] War Memorial Auditorium require per their contracts with event operators that you have medical technicians and an ambulance present for your events. In states where wrestling is still regulated, such as New York, talent is required to obtain a license and much go through a process. This is a great thing, and it could be frankly enhanced.”
Bauer brings up that this isn’t the first time something like this has happened in WWE. Ricky The Dragon Steamboat, who had participated in WWE matches, was hospitalized for a brain aneurism two years ago.
“…And Bret ‘Hitman’ Hart realistically risked neurological trauma by wrestling Vince McMahon at WrestleMania [26] as he cannot take any shots to the head,” Bauer said.
“They crafted a great match that avoided that, but all you need is one slip up, and Bret could’ve been in a precarious situation. Obviously, that WrestleMania wasn’t the last time Bret engaged in a physical exchange with other talent in WWE. You really are playing with fire in these situations.
“Operators of wrestling companies have to be judicious in their utilization of talent and realistic about the risk versus the reward. You cannot be naive or conveniently passive when talent 50 plus years of age says they are ready to go. It’s that simple.”
Once wrestling is in your blood, it’s hard to leave it. WWE Hall of Famer Dory Funk Jr., who debuted in 1963, shares a passion for the business with so many of his colleagues of all ages.
“As Mad Dog Vachon once said, ‘You must love this business,’” Funk Jr. quoted. “Would it be hard for you to stop writing? There is no bigger thrill than to see wrestlers you have had a part in their training appear on Monday Night Raw, TNA or hear about their success overseas.
“For that matter, there is no thrill like I had the privilege so many times of performing for one hour for thousands of fans and millions on television and feeling the response of my opponent and that of the fans in attendance. I am Blessed.
“At the present, I am first a trainer and teacher of wrestlers, but why would I ever quit what I enjoy?”
Bauer thinks guys such as Lou Thesz, Gypsy Joe or Terry or Dory Funk Jr. could compete in their advanced years.
“At times I myself booked and presented older talent, in MLW, like Terry Funk, Jerry The King Lawler and Abdullah the Butcher, and hindsight being what it is, I do not think I would do such again because of the inherit risks,” Bauer said.
“But that’s easy to say from my position since I’m not tempted by the opportunity today because I am not promoting or a matchmaker today. I will say, though that I had an ambulance at 80 percent of my events. We could not fit an ambulance at our site in Orlando but had certified EMTs on hand. That provided talent with instant access to medical care in the event it was ever required. That’s a very rare thing in the wrestling business. I suspect that 90 percent of non-WWE promoted wrestling shows don’t provide a physician, EMTs or an ambulance at their events for talent.”
With this in mind, WWE has a full medical team ready for anything, which may have been the difference between life and death for Lawler.
“They don’t do the bare minimum,” Bauer said. “They have an exceptional medical team, trainers, a physician and an ambulance at all events. And because of those resources, they were able to act swiftly and tend to Jerry and ensure he had a chance to survive this. Had this been at an independent show or anywhere else, be it an airplane or a hotel elevator I fear what the odds of survival would’ve been.
“Frankly, outside of being in a hospital when the heart attack occurred, there probably isn’t a better place for such a catastrophic event to have occurred. This sounds like I’m pandering, but it’s just real talk. WWE is light years ahead of everyone else and even where they were as a company a few years ago. That’s a very good thing.
“What needs to be examined are the requirements by independent companies and TNA. Whether it’s regulating wrestling or arenas requiring a higher level of emergency medical services, I truly believe this is an issue that needs to be addressed. The question is will anyone think twice about what they would do in this situation a week from now? A month from [now]? Doubtful.”
The safety and well being of talent is a top priority of TNA Impact Wrestling, according to Chris Thomas, the company’s public relations manager. He said at TNA Impact Wrestling TV shows at Universal Studios Orlando they have a doctor, a physical trainer, an EMT team and an ambulance.
“Universal Health Services and Fire Department are also on site,” he added. “At all live events we have an EMT team.”
The company also requires health screenings before the wrestlers compete.
“TNA takes the health and welfare of our athletes, staff and fans very seriously,” TNA Impact Wrestling President Dixie Carter said. “We make every effort to ensure their safety. In the unfortunate circumstance something does go wrong, we have experts available to provide the best care possible.”
Smashing Pumpkins music frontman Billy Corgan is attached to Resistance Pro Wrestling, an indie group based in Chicago.
Lissa Druss Christman, a public relations representative for the promotion, says they usually have two doctors on staff for each show. According to Christman, R-Pro has not used stars that are over the age of 60 and has no plans on doing so.
“Veteran stars are still extremely valuable to the business, but not necessarily on an in-ring basis,” she said. “They are far more valuable in mentor, agent or managerial roles where their experience can be put to far greater use.”
Longtime Florida indy manager Fabulous Frank Munguia, also a promoter with (South Florida) FOW, believes having any kind of medical presence at indy shows is rare.
“It is something you would love to have as a promoter, but the cost makes it difficult,” he said. “Most independent promoters are struggling to just try to break even, so a large added expense like that isn’t economically feasible. It would certainly be great to have medical crews at every single little league or youth sport event, but the costs make it impossible to do so. We put ourselves at risk every time we get behind the wheel of a car. While it would be nice to have an ambulance following you on I-95 every day, obviously that can’t be done.
“Certainly, WWE has the means to provide outstanding medical crews, and it is great that they do so. Just like the NFL, where players are bigger, stronger and moving faster than players at lower levels, the WWE superstars are pushing their bodies to much higher limits than the independent wrestler who has a couple of matches a month. It is wonderful that the NFL and WWE are able to have the resources in place to protect their athletes.”
With the added risk, Munguia doesn’t think setting an arbitrary age limit for wrestlers to compete is required.
“The unique thing about pro wrestling is that the participants are engaging in sports entertainment, and the level of physical involvement can be controlled for each participant,” he said.
“Most of the veteran wrestlers have the experience and knowledge needed to entertain a crowd with a minimum of physical exertion. When fans come to see an aging legend at a show, they are mostly going for nostalgic reasons and have limited expectations as to what they will see in the ring.”
Munguia makes a valid point concerning Lawler.
“Given that Jerry Lawler’s heart attack seemed to be something that he was genetically predisposed to, it most likely would have occurred sooner or later, regardless of whether or not he was an active wrestler,” Munguia said. “The fact that it was probably expedited by him wrestling that night would have ended up saving his life most likely. Had he been anywhere other than the arena, he most likely would not have survived. The fact that he maintains excellent health and physical conditioning due to his ongoing wrestling career seems to be the prime factor behind what seems to be a very quick recovery he is making.”
Thanks to the medical expertise at Raw, especially Dr. Michael J. Sampson, who is WWE’s ringside physician, Jerry The King Lawler is alive.
“How many times in life are you sitting five feet from your doctor, from a doctor, when something like that happens? I think in any other place at any other time in the world, Jerry Lawler’s no longer with us,” Triple H said. “Dr. Sampson, our [WWE] doctor, to me is a hero, a lifesaver. He saved Jerry Lawler’s life. To see, at this point, the remarkable recovery that Jerry has made; and to see him at home; and to see him walking around like nothing happened is mind-boggling to me, because it was not what I was witnessing that night [at Raw in Montreal].
“I’m not a big believer in all those [miraculous claims], but this is nothing short of a miracle. I don’t understand the how’s or why’s, but somehow, for some reason, Jerry Lawler is still with us. It’s nothing short of a miracle, because anybody there that night that was backstage or privy to what was going on would have never, never imagined this outcome.”
Courtesy of Miami Herald
How old is too old?
By Scott Fishman
Court Bauer, Sonjay Dutt, Dory Funk Jr., Hurricane Helms, JBL, Lance Storm, FOW, R-Pro, Steve Keirn, TNA, Triple H react to Jerry Lawler incident
An NFL football player in his late 30s is viewed as past his prime. Baseball, basketball, hockey, same thing. However, in pro wrestling, you see the likes of Terry Funk, Ric Flair and Mae Young competing in the ring in their 60s and beyond.
The heart attack Jerry The King Lawler, 62, suffered during WWE Monday Night Raw’s live TV show in Montreal has begged the question: how old is too old to still be wrestling?
For former WWE writer Court Bauer, the answer isn’t simple. A decade ago Bauer launched Major League Wrestling, which included stars such as Dusty Rhodes, Funk and even Lawler.
“I wish it was as simple as my belief that everyone has a right to work,” Bauer said. “If you can pass your meds, then you should have the right to work. However, there’s no criteria that requires such in pro wrestling. The majority of states have deregulated wrestling, and even those that still maintain a commission are a farce when it comes to their meds and monitoring the wellness of talent.”
Former ECW, WCW and WWE wrestler Lance Storm has seen wrestling evolve in his more than two decades in the business. The veteran currently heads the Storm Wrestling Academy in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. A handful of his students signed with WWE’s developmental group Florida Championship Wrestling (WWE NXT).
When it comes to Lawler, Storm believes it’s important to stress the fact that King worked a fairly full-time schedule on the independent scene with an occasional WWE match. He did all this performing with no known issues.
“To this end I think everything has to be on a case-by-case basis, and at the end of the day if a person can pass the required medicals and wants to wrestle, I don’t see how anyone has the right to stop them,” Storm said.
“If WWE stopped booking Jerry [or anyone else] from wrestling, and they still want to wrestle, they will just get booked somewhere else. Adults are responsible for their own heath, and if you are able, willing and can pass the medicals, why not let them wrestle.
“The key to this for me is passing a physical and getting medical clearance. I think from a safety standpoint, especially someone big like WWE, probably once guys get late 40s, maybe past 50, they should make sure they’ve passed a full medical annually before they allow them to wrestle.”
For high-flyer Sonjay Dutt, currently seen on TNA Impact Wrestling, just because someone is older doesn’t necessarily mean they are unfit to perform in the ring.
“I don’t think there should be an age restriction across the board, but each case should be judged on its own,” Dutt said. “Not every 20-year-old is healthy, and not every 60-year-old is unhealthy. It’s certainly up to each individual.”
Former WCW and WWE wrestler Shane Hurricane Helms added: “I would have to say it’s a case by case basis. It’s still a free country, and everyone deserves the right to make a living as long as they’re capable. If their health is a risk factor, then for sure, a case can be made to limit or not allow them to compete.
“But contrary to a very popular cliché, not everyone is created equal, and if a person still has the ability to perform, then they deserve the right to make that decision for themselves. We all have our limits, and hopefully we realize for ourselves what they are.”
WWE Hall of Famer Dory Funk Jr. is the coach of the Funking Conservatory Wrestling School in Ocala, Fla. A longtime pro wrestler, he made his debut at age 21 in 1963. He is now 71. Not only does he train wrestlers, but he runs shows and occasionally gets in the ring.
Does age matter?
Funk responded: “How old is too old to run track, play basketball, do karate, work out at the gym, swim 200 meters, snow ski in the mountains, surf the big waves, throw a football, jump on a trampoline, play tennis or walk the high wire? If you are happy and enjoy doing what you do, why would you ever quit?”
Former WWE world champion John Bradshaw Layfield feels age hasn’t stopped some of the greatest athletes from performing at a high level. Why should pro wrestlers be any different?
“You look at [boxer] George Foreman who won a world championship in his mid-40s,” Layfield said. “[Boxer] Bernard Hopkins is still fighting and still fighting very well. [UFC fighter] Randy Couture is another one. [Golfer] Tom Watson wins a major at almost age 60. I think it’s a case-by-case basis.
“When you look at some guys who are in their early 20s, you see it in the NFL, you see it in boxing and all kinds of sports where they should not be continuing. Jerry is a non-smoker, a non-drinker and what everybody thought was a pretty healthy guy. He never drank from what I understand. I certainly never heard of it. He never smoked, and he wrestles every single weekend. So I really do think you have to take it on a case-by-case basis.”
Of course, health is important.
Funk added: “I am under the care of a doctor with regular physicals. With the help of my wife, Marti, I am very careful on watching my diet. No salt, no trans fats, maintain my wrestling weight of 220, no alcohol, don’t smoke, don’t do drugs.
“In addition to training our wrestlers four nights a week, I am in the gym every other day for one hour with a weight and cardio program that far exceeds what I do in the wrestling ring. Complete warm up and stretching before going into the ring are a must. If I am wrestling, no food later than lunch at noon.”
Bauer believes the closest thing to any kind of company program to monitor the health of talent so intricately is WWE. He says the company has done an incredible job in being proactive and not reactive when it comes to their talents’ well being.
“MVP had his life saved due to the WWE’s enhanced medical testing,” Bauer said.
“They are also proactive in rehabilitation for talent dependent on drugs and prescription pills. There’s not an organization more dialed in to this issue than WWE. Could they even get more proactive? Sure, but the rest of the industry has a lot of catching up to do before they can even touch WWE’s comparatively high standards.
“No other organization, whether it’s TNA or the local indy [promotions] does wellness testing ranging [from] prescription and illegal drugs [to] cardio and neurological baseline med testing.”
Bauer understands not everyone has the immense capital of WWE.
“If you care about the sport, the talent, the fans and the brand you’re building, you should be doing all you can, but it often becomes a matter of economics,” Bauer said. “Should a promoter spend their budget on drug testing or cable TV advertising? Cardiograms or bringing in a former WWE wrestler fresh off TV? The answer is easy for a promoter. They’re desperately hustling to build their company and that means profit, profit, profit.
“Drug testing and baseline medical testing is cost prohibitive, even if they don’t spend the money on advertising or bringing in big names. The industry remains in a state of contraction coupled with a severely depressed economy. Plus, promoters and decision makers tend to have a relatively short-sighted point of view on these matters.”
Paul Levesque, better know to fans as WWE superstar Triple H, stood backstage in his executive position — executive vice president of Talent and Live Events — when Jerry Lawler passed out at the announce table on Raw. Thankfully, WWE has the resources to medically assist their talent, and they also help former wrestlers.
“We’ve said it a million times; we’re all like a tight family,” Triple H said.
Steve Keirn (Fabulous Ones, Skinner, Doink the Clown), president of FCW, the feeder group to WWE, added: “There’s a mutual admiration and respect for everybody in this industry. When one of our guys goes down with a heart attack or something life threatening, it puts us all in that eye awakening situation, ‘That could have been me.’ Jerry Lawler’s only a few years older than me. Anytime anybody could have a serious health issue. So my sympathies are with his family, and my prayers are with Jerry to recover, and I’m sure he will. He’s a really tough guy.”
That night on Raw was eye opening for everyone.
Triple H continued: “You watch somebody [Lawler] who you’re very close with, and something tragic happens to him, and we’re backstage. When something like that happens, there’s mass confusion. No one knows what’s going on, and they’re looking for answers, and they’re watching this guy get worked on, and then he gets wheeled out. Is he going to make it? Is he not going to make it? No one seems to know, and there’s a lot of chaos.
“When you’re in [business] roles that you’re in, you have to hold it together. You have to be that straight line. If they see you panic, then all bets are off.”
Jerry The King Lawler, who along with his duties as a broadcaster on Raw and pay-per-views, maintained a schedule of wrestling and appearance dates for a variety of companies.
WWE occasionally uses the WWE Hall of Famer in the ring at events such as Raw on Sept. 10. Fans love nostalgia. However, what happened to Lawler (even though it didn’t happen in the ring) may lead promoters and creative team members to think twice before booking older stars in matches.
“It is the nature of being a wrestler and performer to always pursue opportunities to make money and perform,” former WWE writer Court Bauer said.
“Whether it’s a gimmick battle royal at WrestleMania or a big pay day at an independent event, there’s always going to be temptation. It’s the wrestling company that must resist temptation, and WWE I am sure now more than ever will be very sensitive to this issue and judicious with how they utilize guys getting up there in age.
“The nature of a promoter is such that they make decisions out of convenience and greed. Thusly, I believe you can’t rely on them to be proactive with the well being of talent. They will always be seduced by making that dream match or unique special attraction showcasing a legend. It’s been going on for decades.
“Fortunately, most reputable arenas, such as Madison Square Garden and [Fort Lauderdale] War Memorial Auditorium require per their contracts with event operators that you have medical technicians and an ambulance present for your events. In states where wrestling is still regulated, such as New York, talent is required to obtain a license and much go through a process. This is a great thing, and it could be frankly enhanced.”
Bauer brings up that this isn’t the first time something like this has happened in WWE. Ricky The Dragon Steamboat, who had participated in WWE matches, was hospitalized for a brain aneurism two years ago.
“…And Bret ‘Hitman’ Hart realistically risked neurological trauma by wrestling Vince McMahon at WrestleMania [26] as he cannot take any shots to the head,” Bauer said.
“They crafted a great match that avoided that, but all you need is one slip up, and Bret could’ve been in a precarious situation. Obviously, that WrestleMania wasn’t the last time Bret engaged in a physical exchange with other talent in WWE. You really are playing with fire in these situations.
“Operators of wrestling companies have to be judicious in their utilization of talent and realistic about the risk versus the reward. You cannot be naive or conveniently passive when talent 50 plus years of age says they are ready to go. It’s that simple.”
Once wrestling is in your blood, it’s hard to leave it. WWE Hall of Famer Dory Funk Jr., who debuted in 1963, shares a passion for the business with so many of his colleagues of all ages.
“As Mad Dog Vachon once said, ‘You must love this business,’” Funk Jr. quoted. “Would it be hard for you to stop writing? There is no bigger thrill than to see wrestlers you have had a part in their training appear on Monday Night Raw, TNA or hear about their success overseas.
“For that matter, there is no thrill like I had the privilege so many times of performing for one hour for thousands of fans and millions on television and feeling the response of my opponent and that of the fans in attendance. I am Blessed.
“At the present, I am first a trainer and teacher of wrestlers, but why would I ever quit what I enjoy?”
Bauer thinks guys such as Lou Thesz, Gypsy Joe or Terry or Dory Funk Jr. could compete in their advanced years.
“At times I myself booked and presented older talent, in MLW, like Terry Funk, Jerry The King Lawler and Abdullah the Butcher, and hindsight being what it is, I do not think I would do such again because of the inherit risks,” Bauer said.
“But that’s easy to say from my position since I’m not tempted by the opportunity today because I am not promoting or a matchmaker today. I will say, though that I had an ambulance at 80 percent of my events. We could not fit an ambulance at our site in Orlando but had certified EMTs on hand. That provided talent with instant access to medical care in the event it was ever required. That’s a very rare thing in the wrestling business. I suspect that 90 percent of non-WWE promoted wrestling shows don’t provide a physician, EMTs or an ambulance at their events for talent.”
With this in mind, WWE has a full medical team ready for anything, which may have been the difference between life and death for Lawler.
“They don’t do the bare minimum,” Bauer said. “They have an exceptional medical team, trainers, a physician and an ambulance at all events. And because of those resources, they were able to act swiftly and tend to Jerry and ensure he had a chance to survive this. Had this been at an independent show or anywhere else, be it an airplane or a hotel elevator I fear what the odds of survival would’ve been.
“Frankly, outside of being in a hospital when the heart attack occurred, there probably isn’t a better place for such a catastrophic event to have occurred. This sounds like I’m pandering, but it’s just real talk. WWE is light years ahead of everyone else and even where they were as a company a few years ago. That’s a very good thing.
“What needs to be examined are the requirements by independent companies and TNA. Whether it’s regulating wrestling or arenas requiring a higher level of emergency medical services, I truly believe this is an issue that needs to be addressed. The question is will anyone think twice about what they would do in this situation a week from now? A month from [now]? Doubtful.”
The safety and well being of talent is a top priority of TNA Impact Wrestling, according to Chris Thomas, the company’s public relations manager. He said at TNA Impact Wrestling TV shows at Universal Studios Orlando they have a doctor, a physical trainer, an EMT team and an ambulance.
“Universal Health Services and Fire Department are also on site,” he added. “At all live events we have an EMT team.”
The company also requires health screenings before the wrestlers compete.
“TNA takes the health and welfare of our athletes, staff and fans very seriously,” TNA Impact Wrestling President Dixie Carter said. “We make every effort to ensure their safety. In the unfortunate circumstance something does go wrong, we have experts available to provide the best care possible.”
Smashing Pumpkins music frontman Billy Corgan is attached to Resistance Pro Wrestling, an indie group based in Chicago.
Lissa Druss Christman, a public relations representative for the promotion, says they usually have two doctors on staff for each show. According to Christman, R-Pro has not used stars that are over the age of 60 and has no plans on doing so.
“Veteran stars are still extremely valuable to the business, but not necessarily on an in-ring basis,” she said. “They are far more valuable in mentor, agent or managerial roles where their experience can be put to far greater use.”
Longtime Florida indy manager Fabulous Frank Munguia, also a promoter with (South Florida) FOW, believes having any kind of medical presence at indy shows is rare.
“It is something you would love to have as a promoter, but the cost makes it difficult,” he said. “Most independent promoters are struggling to just try to break even, so a large added expense like that isn’t economically feasible. It would certainly be great to have medical crews at every single little league or youth sport event, but the costs make it impossible to do so. We put ourselves at risk every time we get behind the wheel of a car. While it would be nice to have an ambulance following you on I-95 every day, obviously that can’t be done.
“Certainly, WWE has the means to provide outstanding medical crews, and it is great that they do so. Just like the NFL, where players are bigger, stronger and moving faster than players at lower levels, the WWE superstars are pushing their bodies to much higher limits than the independent wrestler who has a couple of matches a month. It is wonderful that the NFL and WWE are able to have the resources in place to protect their athletes.”
With the added risk, Munguia doesn’t think setting an arbitrary age limit for wrestlers to compete is required.
“The unique thing about pro wrestling is that the participants are engaging in sports entertainment, and the level of physical involvement can be controlled for each participant,” he said.
“Most of the veteran wrestlers have the experience and knowledge needed to entertain a crowd with a minimum of physical exertion. When fans come to see an aging legend at a show, they are mostly going for nostalgic reasons and have limited expectations as to what they will see in the ring.”
Munguia makes a valid point concerning Lawler.
“Given that Jerry Lawler’s heart attack seemed to be something that he was genetically predisposed to, it most likely would have occurred sooner or later, regardless of whether or not he was an active wrestler,” Munguia said. “The fact that it was probably expedited by him wrestling that night would have ended up saving his life most likely. Had he been anywhere other than the arena, he most likely would not have survived. The fact that he maintains excellent health and physical conditioning due to his ongoing wrestling career seems to be the prime factor behind what seems to be a very quick recovery he is making.”
Thanks to the medical expertise at Raw, especially Dr. Michael J. Sampson, who is WWE’s ringside physician, Jerry The King Lawler is alive.
“How many times in life are you sitting five feet from your doctor, from a doctor, when something like that happens? I think in any other place at any other time in the world, Jerry Lawler’s no longer with us,” Triple H said. “Dr. Sampson, our [WWE] doctor, to me is a hero, a lifesaver. He saved Jerry Lawler’s life. To see, at this point, the remarkable recovery that Jerry has made; and to see him at home; and to see him walking around like nothing happened is mind-boggling to me, because it was not what I was witnessing that night [at Raw in Montreal].
“I’m not a big believer in all those [miraculous claims], but this is nothing short of a miracle. I don’t understand the how’s or why’s, but somehow, for some reason, Jerry Lawler is still with us. It’s nothing short of a miracle, because anybody there that night that was backstage or privy to what was going on would have never, never imagined this outcome.”
