Jerry Lawler Reveals Ridiculous Hospital Bill After Near-Death Experience
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
Jerry "The King" Lawler had a near-death experience on a live episode of WWE Raw in 2012. He recently shared details of the medical bill he received after the incident.
Speaking on Busted Open Radio, Lawler recalled suffering a cardiac arrest during the September 10, 2012, show. He said that he has no memory of the event happening.
Jerry Lawler's Memory Of The Incident
Lawler was told by Michael Cole that it looked like he was snoring at the announce table. He then collapsed during the broadcast.
"I don't remember it because Michael Cole said he thought I was snoring, and he looked over and I was just falling out onto the announce table," Lawler stated (H/T to Ringside News). "I didn't know anything."
He explained that his heart had stopped beating. A doctor at ringside was able to provide immediate medical attention.
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"What happened was my heart stopped beating, and luckily the doctor was right there at ringside," he said. "They rushed me to the hospital and got my heart beating again."
Lawler clarified the nature of his medical emergency. He noted that once his heart was restarted, he felt well again quickly.
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - DECEMBER 04: Professional wrestler Jerry "The King" Lawler poses for a photo during Emerald City Comic Con at the Washington State Convention Center on December 04, 2021 in Seattle, Washington.
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - DECEMBER 04: Professional wrestler Jerry "The King" Lawler poses for a photo during Emerald City Comic Con at the Washington State Convention Center on December 04, 2021 in Seattle, Washington."It wasn't a heart attack—it was just that my heart stopped beating," Lawler said. "And once they got it back on the right track, I was back well again right away."
The Hospital Bill And WWE's Role
The WWE Hall of Famer was kept in a Canadian hospital for several days. After his stay, he received a significant bill.
"But they kept me in the hospital for a few days in Canada. Free healthcare you're supposed to get in Canada—that's a big lie," Lawler said.
He revealed the total cost of his care. He also confirmed who covered the expense.
"They sent me a bill for $20,000. Yes, WWE paid [the bill]," he stated.
His health took a significant turn in February 2023 when he suffered a massive stroke. This event severely impacted his speech and the mobility on the right side of his body, requiring extensive rehabilitation. Although his WWE contract was not renewed, he remains on a Legends deal.
Today, Lawler is recovering at home and frequently appears at wrestling conventions. While his speech and motor skills, particularly his ability to draw, are still affected by the stroke, he reports feeling good and remains in high spirits. He has also had a recent knee replacement as he continues to manage his health.
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