Jerry Lawler interview – split announce teams at WM32?, returning to heel commentator role, WWE injuries, WM32 ticket sales, new Memphis restaurant

PWTorch editor Wade Keller presents a special Thursday Flagship edition of the Wade Keller Pro Wrestling Podcast featuring a WrestleMania 36 Preview with ex-WWE Creative Team member and professional stand-up comedian Matt McCarthy.

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WWE announcer Jerry Lawler appeared on “Cerrito Live” Memphis radio on Saturday covering several subjects:

– Lawler said there is talk of doing split announce teams at WrestleMania so that he and Mauro Ranallo will be part of the broadcast. “It’s not a done deal or anything like that,” Lawler said.

– Lawler said it was his idea to go back to the heel commentator role with Mauro Ranallo and Byron Saxton on Smackdown.

Lawler said he pitched the idea to Vince McMahon, who liked the change. Lawler recalled McMahon saying he missed the old “king” gimmick and how he used to be.

“I’m just trying to ease into it gradually,” Lawler said, “and have just scratched the surface.” Lawler said it’s more fun being this type of character even in today’s world where he has to be more politically correct about things he says.

– Lawler talked about the injury situation heading into WrestleMania. Included was a line about WM32 main-eventer Roman Reigns “being a little shaky if he will be back in time from surgery” for WrestleMania, which could be interpreted as Lawler playing up Reigns’s storyline write-off.

– In local news, Lawler said the deal is not finalized on a bar/grill restaurant in Memphis, but they hope to close a deal on the location on Beale Street.

Lawler said he plans to be very hands-on with the restaurant location, which will be a mix of Memphis wrestling and music as the attraction.