Name	Memphis
Settlement type	City
Nickname	The River City, The Bluff City, M-Town
Website	www.memphistn.gov
Image flagsize	15px
Image seal	Memphis TE Seal-.svg
Image sealsiza	15px
Map caption	Location in Shelby County and the state of Tennessee
Pushpin map	USA
Pushpin map caption	Location in the United States
Coordinates region	US-TN
Subdivision type	Country
Subdivision type1	State
Subdivision type2	County
Subdivision name	United States
Subdivision name1	Tennessee
Subdivision name2	Shelby
Leader title	Mayor
Leader name	A C Wharton
Established title	Founded
Established title2	Incorporated
Established date	1819
Established date2	1826
Area magnitude	1 E8
Area total km2	763.4
Area total sq mi	313.8
Area land km2	723.4
Area land sq mi	302.3
Area water km2	40.0
Area water sq mi	15.4
Population as of	2010
Population total	646,889 (20th)
Population metro	1,316,100
Population blank1 title	Demonym
Population blank1	Memphian
Population density sq mi	2140
Timezone	CST
Utc offset	-6
Timezone dst	CDT
Utc offset dst	-5
Elevation m	103
Elevation ft	337
Postal code type	ZIP Codes
Postal code	37501, 37544, 38002, 38016, 38018, 38028, 38088, 38101, 38103–38109, 38111–38120, 38122, 38124–38128, 38130–38139, 38141, 38145, 38147–38148, 38150–38152, 38157, 38159, 38161, 38163, 38166–38168, 38173–38175, 38177, 38181–38182, 38184, 38186–38188, 38190, 38193–38194, 38197
Area code	901
Blank name	FIPS code
Blank info	47-48000
Blank1 name	GNIS feature ID
Blank1 info	1326388

Memphis is a city in the southwestern corner of the U.S. state of Tennessee, and the county seat of Shelby County. The city is located on the 4^th Chickasaw Bluff, south of the confluence of the Wolf and Mississippi rivers.

Memphis had a population of 646,889 at the 2010 census, making it the biggest city in the state of Tennessee, the third largest in the Southeastern United States, and the 20th largest in the United States. The greater Memphis metropolitan area, including adjacent counties in Mississippi and Arkansas, had a 2010 population of 1,316,100. This makes Memphis the second largest metropolitan area in Tennessee, surpassed only by metropolitan Nashville, which has overtaken Memphis in recent years. Memphis is the youngest of Tennessee's major cities. A resident of Memphis is referred to as a ''Memphian'', and the Memphis region is known, particularly to media outlets, as the "Mid-South".

History

Early history

Because it occupies a substantial bluff rising from the Mississippi River, the site of Memphis is a natural location for settlement. The area was first settled by the Mississippian Culture and then by the Chickasaw Indian tribe. For 10,000 years they occupied the bluffs along the river, building a large mound on the bluff. European exploration came later, beginning in the 16th century with Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto and French explorers led by René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle.

In 1795 the Spanish governor of Louisiana, Manuel Gayoso de Lemos, acquired land for a fort from the Chickasaw. Fort San Fernando de las Barrancas was built in the summer of 1795 on the fourth Chickasaw Bluff, just south of the Wolf River. It gave Spain control of navigation on the Mississippi River in the region until 1797 when it was abandoned in keeping with Pinckney's Treaty. The fort was dismantled, its lumber and iron shipped away. Its ruins went unnoticed when Memphis was laid out twenty years later.

The land comprising present-day Memphis remained in a largely unorganized territory throughout most of the 18th century. In 1796, the site became the westernmost point of the newly admitted state of Tennessee, located in the Southwest United States.

19th century

Memphis was founded in 1819 by John Overton, James Winchester and Andrew Jackson. The city was named after the ancient capital of Egypt on the Nile River. Memphis developed as a transportation center in the 19th century because of its flood-free location, high above the Mississippi River.

As the cotton economy of the antebellum South depended on the forced labor of large numbers of African-American slaves, Memphis became a major slave market. In 1857, the Memphis and Charleston Railroad was completed, the only east-west railroad across the southern states prior to the Civil War.

Tennessee seceded from the Union in June 1861, and Memphis briefly became a Confederate stronghold. Union ironclad gunboats captured the city in the naval Battle of Memphis on June 6, 1862, and the city remained under Union control for the duration of the war. Memphis became a Union supply base and continued to prosper throughout the war. Meanwhile, Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest harassed Union forces in the area.

In the 1870s, a series of yellow fever epidemics devastated Memphis. The worst outbreak, in 1878, reduced the population by nearly 75% as many people died or fled the city permanently. Property tax revenues collapsed, and the city could not make payments on its municipal debts. As a result, Memphis temporarily lost its city charter and was a taxing district from 1878–1893. The city was rechartered in 1893.

20th century

Memphis grew into the world's largest spot cotton market and the world's largest hardwood lumber market. Into the 1950s, it was the world's largest mule market.

From the 1910s to the 1950s, Memphis was a place of machine politics under the direction of E. H. "Boss" Crump. During the Crump era, Memphis developed an extensive network of parks and public works as part of the national City Beautiful movement. Determined never to suffer plagues again, it rebuilt with meticulous sanitation and drainage. But it did not encourage heavy industry and allowed Mr. Crump's censor to ban movies.

During the 1960s, the city was at the center of civil rights issues, notably a sanitation workers' strike. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated on April 4, 1968, at the Lorraine Motel, the day after giving his prophetic ''I've Been to the Mountaintop'' speech at the Mason Temple.

Memphis is well known for its cultural contributions to the identity of the American South. Many renowned musicians grew up in and around Memphis and moved from the Mississippi Delta. These included such musical greats as Elvis Presley, Three 6 Mafia, Jerry Lee Lewis, Muddy Waters, Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash, Robert Johnson, W. C. Handy, B.B. King, Howlin' Wolf, Isaac Hayes, Booker T. Jones, Al Green, and many others.

Geography

Memphis is located in southwestern Tennessee at . According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 313.8 sq mi (763.4 km²), of which 302.3 square miles (723.4 km²) is land and 15.4 square miles (40.0 km²), or 5.24%, is water.

Cityscape

Downtown Memphis rises from a bluff along the Mississippi River, and the city sprawls outward over southwest Tennessee and into northern Mississippi and eastern Arkansas. Several large parks are scattered through the city, notably Overton Park in Midtown and the 4,500 acre Shelby Farms. The city is a national transportation hub and Mississippi River crossing for Interstate 40, (east-west), Interstate 55 (north-south), barge traffic, Memphis International Airport (Fed Ex's home) and numerous freight railroads that serve the city.

Aquifer

Shelby County is located over four natural aquifers, one of which is recognized as the "Memphis sand aquifer" or simply as the "Memphis aquifer". This artesian water is pure and soft. This particular water source, located some underground, is estimated by Memphis Light, Gas and Water to contain more than 100 trillion gallons (380 km³) of water.

Climate

Memphis has a humid subtropical climate, with four distinct seasons. Winter weather comes from the upper Great Plains or from the Gulf of Mexico, leading to drastic swings in temperature. Summer weather may come from Texas (very hot and dry) or the Gulf (hot and humid). July has an average high and low of and , with high levels of humidity due to moisture encroaching from the Gulf of Mexico. Afternoon and evening thunderstorms are frequent during some summers, but usually brief, lasting no longer than an hour. Early autumn is pleasantly drier and mild, but can be hot until late October. Late autumn is rainy and cooler; precipitation peaks again in November and December. Winters are mild to chilly, with average January high and low temperatures of and . Snow occurs sporadically in winter, with an average yearly snowfall of . Ice storms are a bigger danger, pulling tree limbs down on power lines.

Annual precipitation is high () and is relatively evenly distributed throughout the year, though August through October is much drier, and peaks in March–May and November/December.

Demographics

For historical population data, see: History of Memphis, Tennessee.

According to the 2006–2008 American Community Survey, the racial composition of Memphis was:

Black or African American: 62.6%

White: 31.7% (Non-Hispanic Whites: 29.5%)

Hispanic or Latino (of any race): 5.0%

Asian: 1.7%

Native American: 0.2%

Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander: 0.1%

Some other race: 2.7%

Two or more races: 1.2%

As of the census of 2000, there were 650,100 people, 250,721 households, and 158,455 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,327.4 people per sq mi (898.6/km²). There were 271,552 housing units at an average density of 972.2 per sq mi (375.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 61.41% African American, 34.41% White, 1.46% Asian, 0.19% Native American, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.45% from other races, and 1.04% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.97% of the population.

The median income for a household in the city was $32,285, and the median income for a family was $37,767. Males had a median income of $31,236 versus $25,183 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,838. About 17.2% of families and 20.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 30.1% of those under age 18 and 15.4% of those age 65 or over.

The Memphis Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), the 42nd largest in the United States, has a 2010 population of 1,316,100 and includes the Tennessee counties of Shelby, Tipton, and Fayette, as well as the Mississippi counties of DeSoto, Marshall, Tate, and Tunica, and the Arkansas county of Crittenden.

Religion

Since its founding, Memphis has been home to persons of many different faiths. An 1870 map of Memphis shows religious buildings of the Baptist, Catholic, Episcopal, Methodist, Presbyterian, Congregational, and other Christian denominations and a Jewish congregation. In 2009, places of worship exist for Christians, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists, and Muslims.

The international headquarters of the Church of God in Christ, the largest Pentecostal denomination in the United States, is located in Memphis. Named after the denomination's founder, Charles Harrison Mason, Mason Temple is where Martin Luther King, Jr. gave his famous "I've Been to the Mountaintop" speech the day before he was killed. The church's Temple of Deliverance is the venue of the National Civil Rights Museum's Freedom Awards.

Bellevue Baptist Church is a Southern Baptist megachurch in Memphis that was founded in 1903. Its current membership is approximately 27,000. For many years, it was led by the now late Adrian Rogers, a three-term president of the Southern Baptist Convention.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has two stakes and one temple in Memphis as well as two Family History Centers/Genealogical Libraries.

Other notable and/or large churches in Memphis include Second Presbyterian Church (EPC), Evergreen Presbyterian Church (PCUSA), Colonial Park United Methodist Church, Christ United Methodist Church, Idlewild Presbyterian Church (PCUSA), The Pentecostal Church (UPCI), Calvary Episcopal Church, and Elliston Baptist Church.

Memphis is home to two cathedrals. The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception is the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Memphis, and St. Mary's Episcopal Cathedral is the seat of the Episcopal Diocese of West Tennessee.

Memphis is home to an estimated 10,000 to 15,000 Muslims of various cultures and ethnicities.

Memphis is home to Temple Israel, a Reform synagogue that has approximately 7,000 members, making it one of the largest Reform synagogues in the country. Baron Hirsch Synagogue is the largest Orthodox shul in the United States.

Culture

Cultural events

One of the largest celebrations the city has is Memphis in May. The month-long series of events promotes Memphis' heritage and outreach of its people far beyond the city's borders. There are four main events, the Beale Street Music Festival, International Week, the World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest, and the Sunset Symphony. The World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest is the largest pork barbecue cooking contest in the world.

In April, there is an event in downtown Memphis called Africa in April Cultural Awareness Festival, or simply known as Africa in April. The festival was designed to celebrate the arts, history, culture, and diversity of the African diaspora. Africa in April is a three-day festival with vendor's markets, fashion showcases, blues showcases, and an international diversity parade.

During June, Memphis is home to the Memphis Italian Festival at Marquette Park. For over 20 years, the festival has hosted musical acts, local artisans, and Italian cooking competitions. It also presents chef demonstrations, the Coors Light Competitive Bocce Tournament, the Galtelli Cup Recreational Bocce Tournament, a volleyball tournament, and pizza tossing demonstrations.

Carnival Memphis, formerly known as the Memphis Cotton Carnival, is an annual series of parties and festivities in June that salutes various aspects of Memphis and its industries. An annual King and Queen of Carnival are secretly selected to reign over Carnival activities. The African-American community staged a parallel event known as the Cotton Makers Jubilee from 1935 to 1982, when it merged with Carnival Memphis.

A market and arts festival, the Cooper-Young Festival, is held annually in September in the Cooper-Young district of Midtown Memphis. The event draws artists from all over North America and includes local music, art sales, contests, and displays.

Memphis is also home to several film festivals, the Indie Memphis Film Festival, Outflix, and the Memphis International Film and Music Festival. Indie Memphis Film Festival is in its 14th year and held November 3-6 in 2011. Recognized by MovieMaker Magazine as one of 25 "Coolest Film Festivals" (2009) and one of 25 "Festivals Worth the Entry Fee" (2011), Indie Memphis offers Memphis year-round independent film programming including Global Lens international film series, IM Student Shorts student films, and an outdoor concert film series at the historic Levitt Shell. The Outflix Film Festival, also in its 14th year, takes place September 9-15 in 2011. Outflix features a full week of GLBT interested cinema, including short films, features, and documentaries. The Memphis International Film and Music Festival is held in April and is in its 11th year and takes place at Malco's Ridgeway Four.

Formerly titled the W.C. Handy Awards, the International Blues Awards are presented by the Blues Foundation (headquartered in Memphis) for Blues music achievement, with weeklong competitions and an awards banquet including a night of performance and celebration.

The arts

Memphis is the home of founders and establishers of various American music genres, including blues, gospel, rock n' roll, Buck, crunk, and "sharecropper" country music (in contrast to the "rhinestone" country sound of Nashville). Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, Roy Orbison, Booker T. & the M.G.'s, Otis Redding, Isaac Hayes, Sam & Dave and B.B. King all got their start in Memphis in the 1950s/60s.

Beale Street is a national historical landmark, and showcases the impact Memphis has had on American blues, particularly after World War II as electric guitars took precedence. Sam Phillips' Sun Studio, the most seminal recording studio in American popular music, still stands, and is open for tours. Elvis, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and Roy Orbison all made their first recordings there and were "discovered" by Phillips. Many great blues artists recorded there prior to that as well. Lastly, Stax Records created a classic 60's soul music, much grittier and horn-based than Motown. Booker T. and the M.G.'s were the label's backing band for most of the classic hits that came out of Stax, by Sam and Dave, Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, and many more. The sound still lives on in the ''Blues Brothers'' movie, in which many of the players themselves starred.

Several notable singers are from the Memphis area, including Ruth Welting and Kallen Esperian. Justin Timberlake also grew up in the Memphis area. The Metropolitan Opera began coming to Memphis in 1906, their first road show, but in the 1990s decided to only visit larger cities.

Well-known writers from Memphis include American Civil War historian Shelby Foote. Novelist John Grisham grew up in nearby DeSoto County, Mississippi, and many of his books are set in Memphis.

Visual art

In addition to the Brooks Museum and Dixon Gallery and Gardens, Memphis plays host to two burgeoning visual art areas, one city-sanctioned, and the other organically formed.

The South Main Arts District is an arts neighborhood in south downtown. Over the past 20 years, the area has morphed from a derelict brothel and juke joint neighborhood to a gentrified, well-lit, nicely paved home of the "Trolley Night" where patrons of the arts stroll down the street witnessing fire spinners, djs playing in front of clubs, specialty shops and galleries.

Another developing arts district in Memphis is Broad Street. Broad Street (really an east-west avenue) is undergoing neighborhood revitalization by the influx of visual artists and taking up residence and studios in the area. An art professor from Rhodes College holds small openings on the first floor of his home for local students and professional artists. Odessa, another art space on Broad Street, hosts student art shows and local electronic music. Other galleries come and go for semiannual artwalks.

Outside these two areas, Memphis has non-commercial visual arts organizations and spaces, including local painter Pinkney Herbert's Marshall Arts gallery, on Marshall Ave. near Sun Studios, another arts neighborhood characterized by affordable rent.

Many works of fiction and literature use Memphis as their setting, giving a diverse portrait of the city, its history, and its citizens. These include ''The Reivers'' by William Faulkner (1962), ''September, September'' by Shelby Foote (1977), ''The Old Forest and Other Stories'' by Peter Taylor (1985), the Pulitzer Prize-winning ''A Summons to Memphis'' by Peter Taylor (1986), ''The Firm'' (1991) and ''The Client'' (1994), both by John Grisham, ''Memphis Afternoons: a Memoir'' by James Conaway (1993), "Plague of Dreamers" by Steve Stern (1997) ''Cassina Gambrel Was Missing'' by William Watkins (1999), ''The Guardian'' by Beecher Smith (1999), "We are Billion-Year-Old Carbon" by Corey Mesler (2005), ''The Silence of the Lambs'' by Thomas Harris, and ''The Architect'' by James Williamson (2007).

Cultural references

Memphis is the subject of numerous pop and country songs, including "The Memphis Blues" by W. C. Handy, "Memphis, Tennessee" by Chuck Berry, "Queen of Memphis" by Confederate Railroad, "Memphis Soul Stew" by King Curtis, "Maybe It Was Memphis" by Pam Tillis, "Graceland" by Paul Simon, "Memphis Train" by Rufus Thomas, "All the Way from Memphis" by Mott the Hoople, "Wrong Side of Memphis" by Trisha Yearwood, "Walking in Memphis" by Marc Cohn, "Stuck Inside of Mobile with the Memphis Blues Again" by Bob Dylan, "Memphis Skyline" by Rufus Wainwright, and "Sequestered in Memphis" by The Hold Steady.

In addition, Memphis is mentioned in scores of other songs, including "Proud Mary" by Creedence Clearwater Revival, "Honky Tonk Women" by The Rolling Stones, "Life Is a Highway" by Tom Cochrane, "Black Velvet" by Alannah Myles, "Cities" by Talking Heads, "Crazed Country Rebel" by Hank Williams III, "Pride (In the Name of Love)" by U2, "M.E.M.P.H.I.S." by the Disco Biscuits and many others.

Economy

The city's central location has led to much of its business development. Located on the Mississippi River and intersected by five major freight railroads and two Interstate highways, I-40 and I-55, Memphis is ideally located for commerce in the transportation and shipping industry. A third interstate, I-69, is under construction, and a fourth, I-22, has recently been designated from the former High Priority Corridor X. River barges are unloaded onto trucks and trains. The city is home to Memphis International Airport, the world's busiest cargo airport, which serves as the primary hub for FedEx Express shipping and was a secondary hub for Delta Air Lines after it merged with Northwest Airlines in 2008.

Memphis is the home of three Fortune 500 companies: FedEx Corporation, AutoZone Incorporated, and International Paper. In addition, Memphis is home to the pharmaceutical/healthcare firm Schering-Plough Corporation, serving as the company's research and development center. In 2006, a fourth Fortune 500 company, ServiceMaster, announced it was moving its corporate headquarters from Downers Grove, Illinois, to Memphis. In 2007, ServiceMaster became a private company. Other major corporations based in Memphis include Medtronic Sofamor Danek, First Horizon National Corporation, Pinnacle Airlines, Thomas and Betts Corporation, Mueller Industries, Fred's, Verso Paper, Allenberg Cotton Co., Dunavant Enterprises, Accredo Health Group, GE Capital Aviation Services, Baptist Memorial Hospital, Methodist LeBonheur Healthcare, and Baker Donelson, among others. Corporations with major operations based in the Memphis area include Hilton Worldwide, Technicolor Home Entertainment Services, Smith & Nephew, Sharp Manufacturing, Brother International, and Caesars Entertainment Corporation.

The entertainment and film industries have discovered Memphis in recent years. Several major motion pictures have been filmed in Memphis, including ''Making the Grade'' (1984), ''Great Balls of Fire!'' (1988), ''Mystery Train'' (1989), ''The Firm'' (1993), ''Cast Away'' (2000), ''Forty Shades of Blue'' (2005), ''Walk the Line'' (2005), ''Hustle & Flow'' (2006), ''Soul Men'' (2008), and ''The Grace Card'' (2011). ''The Blind Side'' (2009) was set in Memphis but filmed in Atlanta. The 1992 television movie ''Memphis'', starring Memphis native Cybill Shepherd, who also served as executive producer and writer, was also filmed in Memphis. The state of Tennessee has lacked sufficient tax breaks available in other states to compete for many productions that have been interested in filming in Memphis or in the state as a whole. Besides ''The Blind Side'', whose production was lured to Georgia, ''Memphis Beat'', a television series on TNT set in Memphis, has been lured to Louisiana.

Law and government

Memphis is governed by a mayor and thirteen City Council members, six elected at large from throughout the city and seven elected from geographic districts. In 1995, the council adopted a new district plan which changed council positions to all districts. This plan provides for nine districts, seven with one representative each and two districts with three representatives each. The previous mayor of the city of Memphis was W. W. Herenton. He resigned from his office, effective July 30, 2009. After Herenton's resignation, Myron Lowery served as Mayor Pro Tem for less than three months, one of the shortest terms in Memphis history. Former Shelby County mayor A C Wharton is the current mayor.

In recent years, there have been often rancorous discussions of the potential of a consolidation of unincorporated Shelby County and Memphis into a metropolitan government. Consolidation was a referendum item on the 2010 ballot in Memphis and Shelby County, but failed with 85% of the county vote against it.

Crime

Although in 2004 violent crime in Memphis reached a record low for over a decade, that trend subsequently reversed. In 2005, Memphis was ranked the 4th most dangerous city with a population of 500,000 or higher in the U.S. Crime in Memphis increased in 2005, and saw a dramatic rise in the first half of 2006. Nationally, cities follow similar trends, and crime numbers tend to be cyclical. Local experts and criminologists cite gang recruitment as one possible cause of the rise in crime in Memphis and to a reduction of 66% of federal funding to the Memphis Police Department.

In the first half of 2006, robbery of businesses increased 52.5%, robbery of individuals increased 28.5%, and homicide increased 18% over the same period of 2005. The Memphis Police Department has responded with the initiation of Operation Blue C.R.U.S.H. (Crime Reduction Using Statistical History), which targets crime hotspots and repeat offenders. Memphis ended 2005 with 154 murders, and 2006 ended with 160. 2007 saw 164 murders, 2008 had 138, and 2009 had 132. Violent crimes dropped from 12,939 in 2008 to 12,047. Robbery dropped from 4,788 in 2008 to 4,137 in 2009. Aggravated assault dropped 53,870 in 2008 to 47,158 in 2009 (FBI's UCR). In 2006 and 2007, the Memphis metropolitan area ranked second most dangerous in the nation among cities with a population over 500,000. It also ranked as most dangerous in 2002 and second most dangerous in 2001. In 2006, the Memphis metropolitan area ranked number one in violent crimes for major cities around the U.S according to the FBI's annual crime rankings, whereas it had ranked second in 2005.

Recent statistics show a downward trend in crime in Memphis. Between 2006 and 2008, the crime rate fell by 16%, while the first half of 2009 saw a reduction in serious crime of over 10% from the previous year. The Memphis Police Department's use of the FBI National Incident Based Reporting System, which is a more detailed method of reporting crimes than that used in many other major cities, has been cited as a reason for Memphis's frequent appearance on lists of most dangerous U.S. cities.

Education

The city is served by Memphis City Schools, while surrounding suburbs in other areas of Shelby County are served by Shelby County Schools.

The Memphis City School System is home to over 200 elementary, middle, and high schools.

The Memphis area is home to many private, college-prep schools: Briarcrest Christian School (co-ed), Christian Brothers High School (boys), Evangelical Christian School (co-ed), First Assembly Christian School (co-ed), Hutchison School (girls), Lausanne Collegiate School (co-ed), Memphis University School (boys), Saint Benedict at Auburndale (co-ed), St. George's Independent School (co-ed), St. Agnes Academy (girls), Immaculate Conception Cathedral School (girls), and St. Mary's Episcopal School (girls). Also included in this list is Memphis Harding Academy, a co-ed school affiliated with the Churches of Christ.

Colleges and universities located in the city include the University of Memphis (a comprehensive state university), Rhodes College (formerly Southwestern at Memphis), Memphis College of Art, LeMoyne–Owen College, Christian Brothers University, Baptist College of Health Sciences (formerly Baptist Memorial Hospital School of Nursing), Memphis Theological Seminary, Harding School of Theology, Reformed Theological Seminary (satellite campus), William R. Moore College of Technology, Southern College of Optometry, Southwest Tennessee Community College, Tennessee Technology Center at Memphis, and the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (colleges of Dentistry, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Graduate Health Sciences and Allied Health Sciences). Memphis also has campuses of several for-profit post-secondary institutions, including Victory University (formerly Crichton College), Concorde Career College, ITT Technical Institute, Remington College, and University of Phoenix.

The University of Tennessee College of Dentistry was founded in 1878, making it the oldest dental college in the South, and the third oldest public college of dentistry in the United States.

Infrastructure

Transportation

Highways

The Interstate Highways, Interstate 40, Interstate 55, and Interstate 240, are the main expressways in the Memphis area. Interstates 40 and 55 cross the Mississippi River at Memphis into the state of Arkansas.

The nearly-completed Interstate 22 connects Memphis with Birmingham, Alabama, via northern Mississippi (including Tupelo) and northwestern Alabama. This expressway follows the same route as U.S. Route 78. Other important federal highways though Memphis include the east-west U.S. Route 70, U.S. Route 64, and U.S. Route 72; and the north-south U.S. Route 51 and U.S. Route 61, which is the historic highway north to Chicago via Cairo, Illinois.

The future Interstate 69 from northeast to southwest will pass through Memphis when it is completed, linking Brownsville, Texas to the already-existing portion that runs from Indianapolis, Indiana to Port Huron, Michigan. Segments of this highway are complete in DeSoto County, just south of Memphis. The segment of the I-69 Corridor running through the Memphis area is scheduled for completion in 2012.

Railroads

A large volume of railroad freight moves through Memphis, because of its two heavy-duty Mississippi River railroad crossings, which carry several major east-west railroad freight lines, and also because of the major north-south railroad lines through Memphis which connect with such major cities as Chicago, St. Louis, Indianapolis, Louisville, New Orleans, Dallas, Houston, Mobile, and Birmingham.

By the early 20th century, Memphis had two major passenger railroad stations. After passenger railroad service declined heavily through the middle of the 20th century, the Memphis Union Station was demolished in 1969. The Memphis Central Station was eventually renovated, and it still serves the city.

The only inter-city passenger railroad service to Memphis for many decades has been the daily ''City of New Orleans'' train, operated by Amtrak, which has one train northbound and one train southbound each day between Chicago and New Orleans.

Airports

Memphis International Airport is the global "SuperHub" of FedEx Express, the world's largest airline in terms of freight tons flown, and has the largest cargo operations by volume of any airport worldwide.

Memphis International is also a secondary hub of Delta Air Lines and was used by almost 10 million passengers in 2009. Delta operates around 220 daily flights from the airport, including a nonstop transatlantic flight to Amsterdam. Other airlines providing passenger service are Air Canada Jazz, AirTran, American Airlines, Continental Airlines, SeaPort Airlines, United Airlines and US Airways.

There are also several general aviation airports in the Memphis Metropolitan Area, including the Millington Regional Jetport, located at the former Naval Air Station in Millington, Tennessee.

River port

Memphis has the second-busiest cargo port on the Mississippi River, which is also the fourth-busiest inland port in the United States. The International Port of Memphis covers both the Tennessee and Arkansas sides of the Mississippi River from river mile 725 (km 1167) to mile 740 (km 1191). A focal point of the river port is the industrial park on President's Island, just south of Downtown Memphis.

Bridges

Four railroad and highway bridges cross the Mississippi River at Memphis. In order of their opening years, these are the Frisco Bridge (1892, single-track rail), the Harahan Bridge (1916, a road-rail bridge until 1949, currently carries double-track rail), the Memphis-Arkansas Memorial Bridge (Highway, 1949; later incorporated into Interstate 55), and the Hernando de Soto Bridge (Interstate 40, 1973).

Utilities

Memphis's primary utility provider is the Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division (MLGW). This is the largest three-service municipal utility in the United States, providing electricity, natural gas, and pure water service to all residents of Shelby County. Prior to that, Memphis was served by two primary electric companies, which were merged into the Memphis Power Company. The City of Memphis bought the private company in 1939 to form MLGW, which was an early customer of electricity from the Tennessee Valley Authority.

MLGW still buys most of its power from TVA, and the company pumps its own fresh water from the Memphis Aquifer, using more than 180 water wells.

Health care

The Memphis and Shelby County region supports numerous hospitals, including the Methodist and Baptist Memorial health systems, two of the largest private hospitals in the country.

Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare, the largest healthcare provider in the Mid-South, operates seven hospitals and several rural clinics. ''Modern Healthcare'' magazine ranked Methodist Healthcare in the top 100 integrated healthcare networks in the United States. Methodist Healthcare operates, among others, the Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, which offers primary level 1 pediatric trauma care, as well as a nationally recognized pediatric brain tumor program.

Baptist Memorial Healthcare operates fifteen hospitals (three in Memphis), including Baptist Memorial Hospital. According to Health Care Market Guide's annual studies, Mid-Southerners have named Baptist Memorial their "preferred hospital choice for quality".

The St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, leading pediatric treatment and research facility focused on children's catastrophic diseases, resides in Memphis. The institution was conceived and built by the late entertainer Danny Thomas in 1962 as a tribute to St. Jude Thaddeus, patron saint of impossible, hopeless, and difficult causes.

Memphis is also home to the Regional Medical Center at Memphis, which is locally referred to as "The Med". In recent years, the hospital has experienced severe funding difficulties that nearly led to a reduction or elimination of emergency room services. In July 2010, The Med received approximately $40.6 million in federal and local funding to keep the Elvis Presley Trauma Center operational.

Memphis is home to Delta Medical Center of Memphis, which is the only employee-owned medical facility in North America.

Tourism and recreation

Museums and art collections

Many museums of interest are located in Memphis.

National Civil Rights Museum The National Civil Rights Museum is located in the former Lorraine Motel where Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated. It includes a historical overview of the American civil rights movement.

Brooks Museum of Art The Memphis Brooks Museum of Art, founded in 1916, is the oldest and largest fine art museum in the state of Tennessee. The Brooks' permanent collection includes works from the Italian Renaissance and Baroque eras to British, French Impressionists, and 20th-century artists.

Children's Museum of Memphis The Children's Museum of Memphis exhibits interactive and educational activities for children to take part in, including a skyscraper maze, an airplane cockpit (donated by FedEx), a fire engine, an art studio, grocery store, and, most recently, a mechanic's garage sponsored by AutoZone, Inc.

Graceland Graceland, the former home of music legend Elvis Presley, is one of the most visited houses in the United States (second only to the White House), attracting over 600,000 domestic and international visitors a year. Featured at Graceland are two of Presley's private airplanes, his extensive automobile and motorcycle collection and other Elvis memorabilia. On November 7, 1991, Graceland was listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Pink Palace The Pink Palace Museum serves as the Mid-South's major science and historical museum, and features exhibits ranging from archeology to chemistry. It includes the third largest planetarium in the United States and an IMAX theater. One exhibit features a replica of the original Piggly Wiggly store, the first self-service grocery store, commemorating the invention of the supermarket by Memphian Clarence Saunders in 1916.

Memphis Walk of Fame The Memphis Walk of Fame is a public exhibit located in the Beale Street historic district, which is modeled after the Hollywood Walk of Fame, but is designated exclusively for Memphis musicians, singers, writers, and composers. Honorees include W. C. Handy, B.B. King, Bobby Blue Bland, and Alberta Hunter, among others.

Mud Island River Park Mud Island River Park and Mississippi River Museum is located on Mud Island in downtown Memphis. The park is noted for its River Walk, a 2112:1 scale working model showing of the Lower Mississippi River, from Cairo, Illinois to New Orleans, Louisiana and the Gulf of Mexico. in the model equal of the Mississippi River. The Walk stretches roughly , allowing visitors to walk in the water and see models of cities and bridges along the way.

Victorian Village Victorian Village is a historic district of Memphis featuring a series of fine Victorian-era mansions, some of which are open to the public as museums.

Cotton Museum The Cotton Museum is a museum that opened in March 2006 on the old trading floor of the Memphis Cotton Exchange at 65 Union Avenue in downtown Memphis.

Stax Museum The Stax Museum is a museum located at 926 McLemore Avenue, the former location of Stax Records. The original building, a converted movie theatre where artists such as Otis Redding, Isaac Hayes, Booker T. & the M.G.'s, Sam & Dave and many others recorded throughout the 60's and 70's, was torn down, but the original front was reconstructed on the original property. It is operated by Soulsville USA, which also operates the adjacent Stax Music Academy. The original Satellite Record Shop was also reconstructed beside it. It is the only museum in the United States to be devoted entirely to soul music.

Chucalissa Indian Village Chucalissa Indian Village is a Walls Phase mound and plaza complex that was occupied, abandoned and reoccupied several times throughout its history, spanning from 1000 to 1550 CE. Civilian Conservation Corps workers discovered Native American artifacts on the site in 1938 and archaeological excavations of this Mississippian mound complex were initiated. The facility has been operated by the University of Memphis since 1962. In 1973 Chucalissa Indian Village was added to the National Register of Historic Places. Later, in 1994, it was declared a National Historic Landmark. It is the site of the Southeast Indian Heritage Festival held annually in October.

Parks

Major Memphis parks include W.C. Handy Park, Tom Lee Park, Audubon Park, Overton Park including the Old Forest Arboretum, the Lichterman Nature Center (a nature learning center), and the Memphis Botanic Garden.

Shelby Farms park, located at the eastern edge of the city, is one of the largest urban parks in the United States.

Cemeteries

The Memphis National Cemetery is a United States National Cemetery located in north Memphis.

Historic Elmwood Cemetery is one of the oldest rural garden cemeteries in the South, and contains the Carlisle S. Page Arboretum. Memorial Park Cemetery is noted for its sculptures by Mexican artist Dionicio Rodriguez.

Elvis Presley was originally buried in Forest Hill Cemetery, the resting place of his backing band's bassist, Bill Black, but after an attempted grave robbing, his body was moved to the grounds of Graceland.

Other points of interest

Beale Street Blues fans can visit Beale Street, which used to be the center of the Black community, where a young B.B. King used to play his guitar. He occasionally appears there at the club bearing his name, which he partially owns. Street performers play live music, and bars and clubs feature live entertainment until dawn.

Memphis Zoo The Memphis Zoo, which is located in midtown Memphis, features many exhibits of mammals, birds, fish, and amphibians from all over the world. The zoo's giant panda exhibit is one of only five in North America. The Memphis Zoo is one of few that have successfully resulted in live births of rhinoceros in captivity.

Peabody Hotel The Peabody Hotel is well-known for the "Peabody Ducks" that live on the hotel rooftop, making the journey to the hotel lobby in a daily "March of Ducks" ritual.

Sun Studio Sun Studio is available for tour, which is where Elvis Presley first recorded "My Happiness" and "That's When Your Heartaches Begin". Other famous musicians who got their start at Sun include Johnny Cash, Rufus Thomas, Charlie Rich, Howlin' Wolf, Roy Orbison, Carl Perkins, and Jerry Lee Lewis. It now contains a museum as well as the still-functioning and operating studio.

The Orpheum Theatre The Orpheum Theatre was built in 1928 upon the former property of the Grand Opera House, which was burnt to the ground in 1923 during a strip tease performance by Blossom Seeley. After vaudeville's popularity waned, the building was purchased by the Malco theater chain in 1940 and presented first-run movies until Malco sold the building in 1976. The Orpheum is now managed by the Memphis Development Foundation and presents 10 to 12 Broadway shows each year. The theatre is also home to two of Memphis' local arts groups, Ballet Memphis and Opera Memphis.

The New Daisy Theater The New Daisy Theater is an all-ages concert venue located on Beale Street. After 11 PM, only those at least 18 years of age are allowed on Beale—unless they are going to (or from) a destination point like the New Daisy. The New Daisy routinely presents some of the biggest acts to come to the Mid South. Possibly the most popular venue in Memphis, past acts have included Ani DiFranco, AFI, Cannibal Corpse, GWAR, Insane Clown Posse, Keller Williams, Lamb of God, and Led Zeppelin, among many others. The venue also, on occasion, hosts the Gorilla Production Battle of the Bands as well as Mixed Martial Arts fights.

Mud Island Amphitheater Located on Front Avenue, the Mud Island Amphitheater is a concert venue with an approximate capacity of 5,000 viewers. As one of the two major concert venues in Memphis, past acts have included the likes of R.E.M., Phish, 311, The Black Crowes, Fall Out Boy, Journey, New Kids on the Block, O.A.R., Pat Benatar, Smashing Pumpkins, Steely Dan, and Willie Nelson.

The Pyramid The Pyramid Arena is a former athletic and music venue. It is one of the first sights seen when entering the city from West Memphis via the Memphis-Arkansas Memorial Bridge. The facility was built in 1991 and was originally owned and operated jointly by the city of Memphis and Shelby County. Its unique structure plays on the city's namesake in Egypt, known for its ancient pyramids. At , it is the sixth-largest pyramid in the world behind the Great Pyramid of Giza (456 ft), Khafre's Pyramid (448 ft), the Luxor Hotel (348 ft), the Red Pyramid (341 ft) and the Bent Pyramid (332 ft). As a music venue, it was the largest in Memphis, presenting such acts as R.E.M., Phish, Aerosmith, Janet Jackson, The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, The Doobie Brothers, and Lynyrd Skynyrd. Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band is reputed to be the last concert ever held in The Pyramid.

It has been host to the University of Memphis NCAA basketball team, the Memphis Grizzlies NBA team, the Great Midwest Conference basketball tournament, the Southeastern Conference basketball tournament, the Conference USA basketball tournaments, and the 2003 Conference USA women's basketball tournament. It has also hosted first and second rounds of the NCAA Tournament and a pay-per-view event by the WWF. The Pyramid was the venue of the boxing match between Lennox Lewis and Mike Tyson in 2002.

In 2008, the City of Memphis began leasing The Pyramid to Bass Pro Shops; the facility is to become Bass Pro's largest superstore in the country with a projected grand opening in November 2011.

Other Other Memphis attractions include the Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, the FedExForum, and Mississippi riverboat day cruises.

Sports

The University of Memphis college basketball team, the Memphis Tigers, has a strong following in the city due to its recent competitive success. The Tigers finished 2nd to the Kansas Jayhawks in the 2008 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship. However, in 2009, an NCAA investigation revealed that Derrick Rose's SAT scores had been invalidated, making him retroactively ineligible to play for Memphis. As a result, the NCAA vacated Memphis' entire 2007-08 season, including the tournament appearance, and forced the University to repay all tournament revenues. Head Coach John Calipari, having already left Memphis to coach for the University of Kentucky, was not reprimanded by the NCAA. The current coach of the Memphis Tigers is Josh Pastner, who coached the Tigers to an NCAA appearance in the 2010-2011 season.

The Memphis Grizzlies of the National Basketball Association is the only club from one of the "big four" major sports leagues in the city; however, the minor leagues are well represented. The Memphis Redbirds of the Pacific Coast League is a Class AAA baseball farm team for the St. Louis Cardinals. The Mississippi RiverKings, formerly the Memphis RiverKings, is a professional hockey team of the Central Hockey League "Class AA" which plays its home games in DeSoto County.

Memphis is home to Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, the site of University of Memphis football, the Liberty Bowl and the Southern Heritage Classic. The annual St. Jude Classic, a regular part of the PGA Tour, is also held in the city. Each February the city hosts the Regions Morgan Keegan Championships and the Cellular South Cup, which are men's ATP World Tour 500 series and WTA events, respectively.

Memphis has a significant history in pro wrestling. Jerry "The King" Lawler is the sport's greatest name to come out of the city. Sputnik Monroe, a wrestler of the 1950s, like Lawler, promoted racial integration in the city. Ric Flair also noted Memphis as his birthplace.

Memphis has been represented by several now-defunct professional sports franchises, including the Memphis Pharaohs of Arena Football, the Memphis Maniax of the XFL, the Memphis Xplorers of the AF2, the Memphis Showboats of the USFL, the Memphis Southmen of the WFL, the Memphis Houn'Dawgs of the ABA, the Memphis Sounds of the original ABA in the late 1960s and early 1970s, and the Memphis Mad Dogs of the CFL.

In the 1970s and early 1980s, the former WFL franchise Memphis Southmen / Memphis Grizzlies sued the NFL in an attempt to be accepted as an expansion franchise. In 1993, the Memphis Hound Dogs was a proposed NFL expansion that was passed over in favor of the Jacksonville Jaguars and Carolina Panthers. Memphis also served as the temporary home of the former Tennessee Oilers while the city of Nashville worked out stadium issues.

See also

1865 Memphis earthquake

List of mayors of Memphis, Tennessee

List of neighborhoods in Memphis, Tennessee

List of people from Memphis, Tennessee

Memphis Mafia

References

Further reading

Dowdy, G. Wayne. ''Crusades for Freedom: Memphis and the Political Transformation of the American South'' (University Press of Mississippi; 2010); 176 pages. Examines the political rise of two minorities, African-Americans and Republicans, after the demise of the machine politics of the Shelby County Democratic Party and the political boss Ed Crump.

Rushing, Wanda. ''Memphis and the Paradox of Place: Globalization in the American South''. Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press, 2009, on economic development

Rushing, Wanda. "Memphis: Cotton Fields, Cargo Planes, & Biotechnology" ''Southern Spaces'' (2009) online

External links

City of Memphis official website

Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau

Memphis Chamber of Commerce

Memphis History

Memphis Daily Newspaper - The Commercial Appeal

Memphis, Back in the Day - slideshow by ''Life magazine''

Bird's eye view of the city of Memphis, Tennessee 1870. (Library of Congress)

Perspective map of the city of Memphis, Tenn. 1887. (Library of Congress)

Category:Cities in Tennessee Category:County seats in Tennessee Category:Memphis metropolitan area Category:Planned cities in the United States Category:Populated places established in 1819 Category:Tennessee populated places on the Mississippi River Category:Populated places in Tennessee with African American majority populations Category:United States places with Orthodox Jewish communities

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Currentholder	Brian Christopher
Won	November 4, 2010
Promotion	Memphis Wrestling
Created	July 27, 1974
Mostreigns	Jerry Lawler (52 times)
Firstchamp	Jerry Lawler
Longestreign	Jerry Lawler (246 days)
Shortestreign	Jerry Lawler (1 hour)
Pastnames
Titleretired	}}

The Memphis Wrestling Southern Heavyweight Championship is a major professional wrestling title in the Memphis Wrestling promotion. The title is part of a long lineage that is best known while the title was named the AWA Southern Heavyweight Championship for Continental Wrestling Association during the 1970s and 1980s.

It was made when the NWA Southern Junior Heavyweight Championship, in use since 1939, was renamed the NWA Southern Heavyweight Championship ''(Memphis version)'' in 1974. The title's name changed again in 1978, when it was renamed the AWA Southern Heavyweight Championship due to a partnership with the American Wrestling Association. It was also called the Mid-Southern Heavyweight Championship in Pro Wrestling Illustrated and its sister publications, in order for this title to not be confused with Championship Wrestling from Florida's version of the title.

The title was revived in the United States Wrestling Association from 1989 until 1997 when the USWA closed. It was known as the USWA Southern Heavyweight Championship and later simply the USWA Heavyweight Championship during that time; however, unlike the previous Southern title in Memphis, this one played a secondary role to the USWA Unified World Heavyweight Championship. It was revived in Memphis Championship Wrestling as the MCW Southern Heavyweight Championship in 2000 and 2001. It was later revived and renamed in 2004 for use in Memphis Wrestling, where it is still defended today.

Title history

''Silver areas in the history indicate periods of unknown lineage. An '''' beside a date indicates that a title change occurred no later than the date shown.''

NWA Mid-America / Continental Wrestling Association

''(NWA Mid-America 1974–1977, Continental Wrestling Association 1977–1987; AWA from 1978)''

Wrestler:	Times:	Date:	Location:	Notes:
colspan=5 style="background: #ccddcc;" align=center	NWA Southern Heavyweight Championship ''(Mid-America version)''
Jerry Lawler	1	July 27, 1974	Chattanooga, Tennessee
Robert Fuller	1	October 23, 1974	Nashville, Tennessee
Jerry Lawler	2	October 30, 1974	Nashville, Tennessee
style="background: #dddddd;" colspan=5	''The title was vacated in December 1974.''
	1	December 29, 1974	Memphis, Tennessee
	1	June 9, 1975	Memphis, Tennessee
Jerry Lawler	3	July 14, 1975	Memphis, Tennessee
The Mongolian Stomper	2	July 28, 1975
style="background: #dddddd;" colspan=5	''The title was held up after a match against Bob Armstrong in Memphis, Tennessee on August 9, 1975.''
Bob Armstrong	1	September 29, 1975
Jerry Lawler	4	October 20, 1975	Huntsville, Alabama
Bob Armstrong	2	November 24, 1975
style="background: #dddddd;" colspan=5	''The title was held up in November 1975.''
Jerry Lawler	5	December 15, 1975	Memphis, Tennessee
Jerry Lawler	6	January 19, 1976	Memphis, Tennessee
Tommy Rich	1	February 22, 1976	Memphis, Tennessee
Jerry Lawler	7	April 5, 1976
Jack Brisco	1	August 9, 1976	Memphis, Tennessee
Jerry Lawler	8	August 19, 1976	Memphis, Tennessee
Tommy Rich	2	September 14, 1976	Memphis, Tennessee
colspan=5 style="background: #aaaaaa;"
Jerry Lawler	9	October 4, 1976
Jackie Fargo	1	October 4, 1976	Memphis, Tennessee
colspan=5 style="background: #aaaaaa;"
Jerry Lawler	10	October 1976
Rocky Johnson	1	November 1, 1976	Memphis, Tennessee
colspan=5 style="background: #dddddd;"	''The title moved from NWA Mid-America to the Continental Wrestling Association on March 20, 1977.''
Jerry Lawler	11	April 11, 1977	Memphis, Tennessee
Bob Armstrong	3	April 28, 1977	Knoxville, Tennessee
Jerry Lawler	12	May 1, 1977	Memphis, Tennessee
Paul Orndorff	1	May 29, 1977	Memphis, Tennessee
Jerry Lawler	13	July 18, 1977	Memphis, Tennessee
Bill Dundee	1	July 25, 1977	Memphis, Tennessee
Jerry Lawler	14	August 1, 1977	Memphis, Tennessee
Bill Dundee	2	August 22, 1977	Memphis, Tennessee
Jerry Lawler	15	August 29, 1977	Memphis, Tennessee
colspan=5 style="background: #dddddd;"	''Lawler retired temporarily and vacated the title after a match against Bill Dundee on September 13, 1977.''
Jimmy Valiant	1	September 25, 1977	Louisville, Kentucky
Jerry Lawler	16	October 10, 1977	Memphis, Tennessee
Jimmy Valiant	2	November 28, 1977	Memphis, Tennessee
Jerry Lawler	17	December 5, 1977	Memphis, Tennessee
style="background: #dddddd;" colspan=5	''Title renamed the ''AWA Southern Heavyweight Championship'' in July 1978, when the CWA established a working relationship with the American Wrestling Association.''
Jos LeDuc	1	August 7, 1978	Memphis, Tennessee
Jerry Lawler	18	August 14, 1978	Memphis, Tennessee
Jos LeDuc	2	August 28, 1978	Memphis, Tennessee
Jerry Lawler	19	September 4, 1978	Memphis, Tennessee
Don Fargo	1	November 6, 1978
Tommy Gilbert	1	November 20, 1978	Memphis, Tennessee
Don Fargo	2	November 27, 1978	Memphis, Tennessee
Jerry Lawler	20	December 4, 1978	Memphis, Tennessee
Austin Idol	1	December 25, 1978	Memphis, Tennessee
Ron Fuller	1	January 15, 1979	Memphis, Tennessee
Charles Kalani, Jr.	Toru Tanaka	1	February 12, 1979	Memphis, Tennessee
Buzz Sawyer	1	March 31, 1979	Memphis, Tennessee
style="background: #dddddd;" colspan=5	''The title was held up after a match against The Mongolian Stomper on April 2, 1979.''
The Mongolian Stomper	3	April 23, 1979	Memphis, Tennessee
Robert Fuller	1	June 4, 1979	Memphis, Tennessee
Ronald Herd	Ron Bass	1	June 1979	Bluefield, West Virginia
Randy Taylor	1	June 1979
Ron Bass	2	July 2, 1979	Memphis, Tennessee
Bill Dundee	3	August 27, 1979	Memphis, Tennessee
style="background: #dddddd;" colspan=5	''The title was held up in after a match against Ron Bass on September 11, 1979 in Memphis, Tennessee.''
Bill Dundee	4	September 17, 1979	Memphis, Tennessee
Jerry Lawler	21	September 24, 1979	Memphis, Tennessee
Bill Dundee	5	October 1, 1979	Memphis, Tennessee
Jerry Lawler	22	October 15, 1979	Memphis, Tennessee
Jimmy Valiant	3	January 3, 1980	Jackson, Tennessee
Paul Ellering	1	April 7, 1980	Memphis, Tennessee
Bill Dundee	6	July 7, 1980	Memphis, Tennessee
style="background: #dddddd;" colspan=5	''The title was vacated when Dundee won the CWA World Heavyweight title from Billy Robinson on August 4, 1980 in Memphis, Tennessee.''
	1	August 11, 1980	Memphis, Tennessee
Jimmy Valiant	4	August 25, 1980	Memphis, Tennessee
Tommy Rich	3	September 1, 1980	Memphis, Tennessee
Jimmy Valiant	5	September 9, 1980	Memphis, Tennessee
Tommy Rich	4	October 6, 1980
style="background: #dddddd;" colspan=5	''The title was vacated in November 1980.''
Jimmy Valiant	6	January 17, 1981	Memphis, Tennessee
Jerry Lawler	23	February 15, 1981	Memphis, Tennessee
Jimmy Hart	1	June 22, 1981	Memphis, Tennessee
Chick Donovan	1	June 27, 1981	Memphis, Tennessee
Steve Keirn	1	July 20, 1981	Memphis, Tennessee
	1	August 16, 1981	Jackson, Tennessee
Jerry Lawler	24	August 24, 1981	Memphis, Tennessee
The Dream Machine	2	September 7, 1981	Memphis, Tennessee
Jimmy Valiant	7	September 14, 1981	Memphis, Tennessee
The Dream Machine	3	October 1981
Dutch Mantel	1	October 26, 1981	Memphis, Tennessee
Jerry Lawler	25	January 18, 1982	Memphis, Tennessee
Dutch Mantel	2	February 14, 1982	Memphis, Tennessee
Jerry Lawler	26	March 1, 1982	Memphis, Tennessee
Dutch Mantel	3	March 22, 1982	Memphis, Tennessee
Jerry Lawler	27	March 29, 1982	Memphis, Tennessee
Kazuo Sakurada	Kendo Nagasaki	1	May 1982
Jerry Lawler	28	May 24, 1982	Memphis, Tennessee
Kamala (wrestler)	Kamala	1	June 7, 1982	Memphis, Tennessee
Jerry Lawler	29	August 9, 1982	Memphis, Tennessee
Nick Bockwinkel	1	October 11, 1982	Memphis, Tennessee
Jerry Lawler	30	November 8, 1982	Memphis, Tennessee
Cocoa Samoa	Sabu the Wildman	1	November 15, 1982	Memphis, Tennessee
Terry Taylor	1	November 29, 1982	Memphis, Tennessee
Jacques Rougeau	1	January 30, 1983	Memphis, Tennessee
Terry Taylor	2	February 14, 1983	Memphis, Tennessee
Bill Dundee	7	March 21, 1983	Memphis, Tennessee
Dutch Mantel	4	May 9, 1983	Memphis, Tennessee
Bill Dundee	8	May 16, 1983	Memphis, Tennessee
Dutch Mantel	5	May 30, 1983	Memphis, Tennessee
Jerry Lawler	31	May 30, 1983	Memphis, Tennessee
Bill Dundee	9	May 30, 1983	Memphis, Tennessee
Jerry Lawler	32	June 6, 1983	Memphis, Tennessee
Rick Link	Man Mountain Link	1	June 20, 1983	Memphis, Tennessee
Jerry Lawler	33	June 20, 1983	Memphis, Tennessee
Man Mountain Link	2	July 1983
Jerry Lawler	34	July 4, 1983	Memphis, Tennessee
style="background: #dddddd;" colspan=5	''Lawler was stripped of the title in September 1983, for failing to defend within 30 days.''
Jerry Lawler	35	September 10, 1983	Memphis, Tennessee
Jesse Ventura	1	September 1983
Jerry Lawler	36	October 3, 1983	Memphis, Tennessee
Jesse Ventura	2	October 10, 1983	Memphis, Tennessee
Jerry Lawler	37	November 1983
Lord Humongous	1	April 30, 1984	Memphis, Tennessee
Jerry Lawler	38	May 21, 1984	Memphis, Tennessee
Rick Rude	1	June 11, 1984	Memphis, Tennessee
Tommy Rich	5	July 16, 1984	Memphis, Tennessee
King Kong Bundy	1	July 30, 1984	Memphis, Tennessee
Jerry Lawler	39	November 12, 1984	Memphis, Tennessee
style="background: #dddddd;" colspan=5	''The title was held up after a match against Eddie Gilbert on January 28, 1985 in Memphis, Tennessee.''
	1	February 1985	Memphis, Tennessee
Jerry Lawler	40	February 12, 1985	Memphis, Tennessee
Randy Savage	1	March 17, 1985	Memphis, Tennessee
Jerry Oske	1	May 7, 1985	Louisville, Kentucky
Randy Savage	2	May 13, 1985	Memphis, Tennessee
Jerry Lawler	41	June 3, 1985	Memphis, Tennessee
Bota the Witch Doctor	1	June 24, 1985	Memphis, Tennessee
Jerry Lawler	42	July 29, 1985	Memphis, Tennessee
Ion Croitoru	Tarras Bulba	1	August 16, 1985	Selmer, Tennessee
Jerry Lawler	43	September 6, 1985	Martin, Tennessee
Bill Dundee	10	October 19, 1985	Memphis, Tennessee
Jerry Lawler	44	December 21, 1985	Memphis, Tennessee
Bill Dundee	11	December 30, 1985	Memphis, Tennessee
Jerry Lawler	45	April 8, 1986	Memphis, Tennessee
Bill Dundee	12	May 2, 1986	Memphis, Tennessee
Buddy Landel	1	June 2, 1986	Memphis, Tennessee
style="background: #dddddd;" colspan=5	''The title was immediately vacated.''
Buddy Landel	2	June 16, 1986	Memphis, Tennessee
Bam Bam Bigelow	1	July 28, 1986	Memphis, Tennessee
Jerry Lawler	46	September 8, 1986	Memphis, Tennessee
Austin Idol	2	February 2, 1987	Memphis, Tennessee
Jerry Lawler	47	April 20, 1987	Memphis, Tennessee
Austin Idol	3	April 27, 1987	Memphis, Tennessee
Jerry Lawler	48	June 8, 1987	Memphis, Tennessee
Brickhouse Brown	1	July 6, 1987	Memphis, Tennessee
Jerry Lawler	49	July 13, 1987	Memphis, Tennessee
style="background: #dddddd;" colspan=5	''Title held up after a match against Don Bass on August 3, 1987 in Memphis, Tennessee.''
Don Bass	1	August 3, 1987	Memphis, Tennessee
Jerry Lawler	50	August 1987
Don Bass	2	August 24, 1987	Memphis, Tennessee
Jerry Lawler	51	August 31, 1987	Memphis, Tennessee
Bobby Jaggers	1	October 19, 1987	Memphis, Tennessee
Jerry Lawler	52	November 21, 1987	Memphis, Tennessee

United States Wrestling Association

''(1990–1997)''

Wrestler:	Times:	Date:	Location:	Notes:
colspan=5 style="background: #ccddcc;" align=center	USWA Southern Heavyweight Championship
Dick Slater	1	September 1, 1990
Jeff Jarrett	1	October 6, 1990	Nashville, Tennessee
Eddie Gilbert (wrestler)	Eddie Gilbert	1	October 29, 1990	Memphis, Tennessee
style="background: #dddddd;" colspan=5	''The title was vacated in December 1990 when Gilbert left the promotion.''
Jeff Jarrett	2	January 14, 1991	Memphis, Tennessee
style="background: #dddddd;" colspan=5
Jeff Jarrett	3	March 1991
Tom Prichard	1	March 15, 1991	Dallas, Texas
Jeff Jarrett	4	April 5, 1991	Dallas, Texas
Jeff Jarrett	5	April 12, 1991	Dallas, Texas
Eric Embry	1	May 3, 1991	Dallas, Texas
Bill Dundee	1	May 13, 1991	Memphis, Tennessee
Eric Embry	2	May 20, 1991	Memphis, Tennessee
Tom Prichard	2	November 4, 1991	Memphis, Tennessee
Eric Embry	3	November 9, 1991	Memphis, Tennessee
Tom Prichard	3	December 2, 1991	Memphis, Tennessee
Eric Embry	4	December 9, 1991	Memphis, Tennessee
Tom Prichard	4	February 8, 1992	Memphis, Tennessee
Dr Death	1	March 10, 1992	Louisville, Kentucky
Jimmy Valiant	1	March 16, 1992	Memphis, Tennessee
Brian Lawler	Brian Christopher	1	March 23, 1992	Memphis, Tennessee
style="background: #dddddd;" colspan=5	''The title was held up on April 20, 1992 after a match against Tom Prichard.''
Brian Christopher	2	April 27, 1992	Memphis, Tennessee
Brian Christopher	3	May 4, 1992	Memphis, Tennessee
Tom Prichard	5	June 29, 1992	Memphis, Tennessee
Brian Christopher	4	July 20, 1992	Memphis, Tennessee
Tom Prichard	6	July 27, 1992	Memphis, Tennessee
Brian Christopher	5	August 3, 1992	Memphis, Tennessee
Neil Hargrove	Reno Riggins	1	August 10, 1992	Memphis, Tennessee
style="background: #dddddd;" colspan=5	''The title was held up on September 14, 1992 after a match against Brian Christopher in Memphis, Tennessee.''
Brian Christopher	6	September 21, 1992	Memphis, Tennessee
Jeff Jarrett	6	December 21, 1992	Memphis, Tennessee
Brian Christopher	7	January 11, 1993	Memphis, Tennessee
Jeff Jarrett	7	March 1, 1993	Memphis, Tennessee
Brian Christopher	8	May 1, 1993	Memphis, Tennessee
Jeff Jarrett	8	June 28, 1993	Memphis, Tennessee
David Heath (wrestler)	Vampire Warrior	1	July 18, 1993	Memphis, Tennessee
Jeff Jarrett	9	August 23, 1993	Memphis, Tennessee
style="background: #dddddd;" colspan=5	''The title was renamed the USWA Heavyweight Championship in September 1993.''
Tommy Rich	1	September 13, 1993	Memphis, Tennessee
style="background: #dddddd;" colspan=5	''The title was held up on September 25, 1993 in Memphis, Tennessee after a match against Jeff Jarrett, in which the referee raised Rich's hand in victory when Jarrett had actually won.''
Jeff Jarrett	10	October 4, 1993	Memphis, Tennessee
Buddy Landel	1	November 22, 1993	Memphis, Tennessee
Brian Christopher	9	December 5, 1993	Memphis, Tennessee
Doug Gilbert	1	February 7, 1994	Memphis, Tennessee
Brian Christopher	10	February 14, 1994	Memphis, Tennessee
Doug Gilbert	2	February 21, 1994	Memphis, Tennessee
Brian Christopher	11	February 28, 1994	Memphis, Tennessee
Eddie Gilbert	2	March 14, 1994	Memphis, Tennessee
Brian Christopher	12	March 19, 1994	Memphis, Tennessee
Doug Gilbert	3	May 2, 1994	Memphis, Tennessee
Brian Christopher	13	May 9, 1994	Memphis, Tennessee
Troy Graham	The Dream Machine	1	June 6, 1994	Memphis, Tennessee
Brian Christopher	14	July 11, 1994	Memphis, Tennessee
Doug Gilbert	4	August 1, 1994	Memphis, Tennessee
style="background: #dddddd;" colspan=5	''Gilbert was stripped of the title on September 24, 1994 for not defending within 45 days.''
Tommy Rich	2	October 3, 1994	Memphis, Tennessee
Brian Christopher	15	December 5, 1994	Memphis, Tennessee
Tommy Rich	3	December 19, 1994	Memphis, Tennessee
Brian Christopher	16	December 31, 1994	Memphis, Tennessee
Brian Lee	1	April 3, 1995	Memphis, Tennessee
style="background: #dddddd;" colspan=5	''The title was held up after a match against Brian Christopher on April 10, 1995 in Memphis, Tennessee.''
Brian Lee	2	April 17, 1995	Memphis, Tennessee
Doug Gilbert	5	May 13, 1995	Memphis, Tennessee
Brian Christopher	17	May 29, 1995	Memphis, Tennessee
Billy Jack Haynes	1	June 26, 1995	Memphis, Tennessee
Brad Armstrong (wrestler)	Brad Armstrong	1	August 4, 1995	Knoxville, Tennessee
Billy Jack Haynes	2	August 7, 1995	Memphis, Tennessee
Brian Christopher	18	September 11, 1995	Memphis, Tennessee
Brian Gerard James	Jesse James Armstrong	1	October 7, 1995	Memphis, Tennessee
Brian Christopher	19	October 23, 1995	Memphis, Tennessee
style="background: #dddddd;" colspan=5	''The title was held up after a match against Tex Slazenger on November 13, 1995 in Memphis, Tennessee.''
	1	November 22, 1995	Memphis, Tennessee
Brian Christopher	20	November 27, 1995	Memphis, Tennessee
Tex Slazenger	2	December 2, 1995	Memphis, Tennessee
Jerry Lawler	1	January 10, 1996	Memphis, Tennessee
Tommy Rich	4	January 13, 1996	Memphis, Tennessee
Brian Christopher	21	February 14, 1996	Memphis, Tennessee
Nelson Frazier, Jr.	Mabel	1	March 16, 1996	Memphis, Tennessee
Jerry Lawler	2	May 20, 1996	Memphis, Tennessee
Brian Christopher	22	June 1, 1996	Memphis, Tennessee
Ric Hogan	1	October 28, 1996	Memphis, Tennessee
Brian Christopher	23	November 18, 1996	Memphis, Tennessee
Kelly Wolfe	Wolfie D	1	December 14, 1996	Memphis, Tennessee
Brian Christopher	24	January 2, 1997	Memphis, Tennessee
Harry Del Rios	Elijah	1	February 9, 1997	Memphis, Tennessee
Brian Christopher	25	March 29, 1997	Memphis, Tennessee
Billy Travis	1	June 14, 1997	Memphis, Tennessee
Harry Del Rios	Spellbinder	2	July 12, 1997	Memphis, Tennessee
Glenn Jacobs	Doomsday	1	July 13, 1997	Memphis, Tennessee
Steve Doll	Steven Dunn	1	September 6, 1997	Memphis, Tennessee

Memphis Championship Wrestling

''(2000–2001)''

Wrestler:	Times:	Date:	Location:	Notes:
colspan=5 style="background: #ccddcc;" align=center	MCW Southern Heavyweight Championship
Jerry Lawler	1	March 25, 2000	Tunica, Mississippi
	1	April 12, 2000	Robinsonville, Mississippi
Masked Man #1	2	May 24, 2000	Tunica, Mississippi
Darren Matthews	Lord Steven Regal	1	June 21, 2000	Memphis, Tennessee
Jason Arhndt	Joey Abs	1	August 19, 2000	Memphis, Tennessee
K-Krush	2	August 19, 2000	Memphis, Tennessee
Steve Bradley	1	November 3, 2000	Manila, Arkansas
Joey Abs	2	June 16, 2001	Jackson, Tennessee
Steve Bradley	2	July 7, 2001	Manila, Arkansas
Kevin Fertig	Seven	1	July 7, 2001	Manila, Arkansas
Kryptonite	1	November 17, 2001	Dyersburg, Tennessee

Memphis Wrestling

''(2004–present)''

Wrestler:	Times:	Date:	Location:	Notes:
	1	March 6, 2004	Memphis, Tennessee
	1	March 2005	Memphis, Tennessee
Jerry Lawler	1	July 2005	Memphis, Tennessee
	1	March 2007	Memphis, Tennessee
Jerry Lawler	2	April 2008	Memphis, Tennessee
	1	November 4, 2010	Memphis, Tennessee

See also

American Wrestling Association

Continental Wrestling Association

Memphis Championship Wrestling

Memphis Wrestling

NWA Southern Junior Heavyweight Championship

United States Wrestling Association

National Wrestling Alliance

References

External links

AWA Southern Heavyweight title history at Wrestling-Titles.com

Memphis Wrestling History

Category:American Wrestling Association championships Category:Continental Wrestling Association championships Category:Heavyweight wrestling championships Category:Memphis Championship Wrestling championships Category:Mid-Southern Wrestling championships Category:United States Wrestling Association championships Category:Regional professional wrestling championships Category:National Wrestling Alliance championships Category:1974 establishments

es:Memphis Wrestling Southern Heavyweight Championship

Memphis Wrestling is an American professional wrestling promotion based in Memphis, Tennessee.

History

Memphis Wrestling evolved from an earlier short-lived promotion called Memphis Championship Wrestling.

Television

The Memphis Wrestling in-studio television show, ''Memphis Wrestling: Home of Rhythm and Bruise'', is broadcast weekly on WLMT (CW30), the Memphis, Tennessee affiliate of The CW Television Network, and is produced in the WLMT studio. It was originally broadcast every Saturday morning at 11 AM CT, beginning on May 17, 2003. In 2006, due to numerous conflicts with other Saturday morning broadcasting commitments, such as college football, the weekly broadcast moved to 10 PM CT and was re-named ''Memphis Wrestling Prime Time''. The promotion also aired internationally on The Fight Network in Europe and Canada until The Fight Network went bankrupt.

As of January 2008, Memphis Wrestling is running repeats of previously-aired shows.

On August 9, 2008, Memphis Wrestling returned to its 11 AM Saturday spot, now on channel 50.

Championships

Memphis Wrestling Light Heavyweight Championship

Memphis Wrestling Southern Heavyweight Championship

Memphis Wrestling Southern Tag Team Championship

Memphis Wrestling Southern Television Championship (defunct)

Clash of Legends

Roster

Wrestlers

"Too Sexy" Brian Christopher

Jimmy Valiant

Bill Dundee

Jimmy Hart

Jerry Lawler

Chase Stevens

Andy Douglas

Mr. Hughes

Chris Harris

Shock/The Spellbinder

Sinn

King Mable

Koko B. Ware

Tag teams and stables

Too Cool II - (Flex & Tim Grind) w/Shock

The Lawler's Coalition - (Jerry Lawler, Brian Lawler, Too Cool II w/ Jimmy Hart)

The Posse - Simon Reed & Lil Chris

The New Era - Johnny Dotson & Derrick King w/ Rashard Devon

The Alternative Express - (Chase Stevens and Andy Douglas) w/The Goddess Athena

External links

Yahoo Sports Group

Memphis Wrestling History

Jerry Lawler's Official Website

Memphis Wrestling - Yahoo group

Category:American professional wrestling promotions Category:Sports in Memphis, Tennessee Category:Wrestling in Tennessee

pt:Memphis Wrestling

Name	James Hart
Names	"The Mouth of The South" Jimmy HartThe Colonel
Billed height
Real height
Real weight
Birth date	January 01, 1944
Birth place	Jackson, Mississippi
Resides	Tampa, Florida
Billed	Memphis, Tennessee }}

James Ray Hart (born January 1, 1944) is a professional wrestling manager, executive, composer, and musician currently signed with WWE. He is best known for his work in the World Wrestling Federation and World Championship Wrestling under his nickname "The Mouth of the South." He has managed many professional wrestlers, including Hulk Hogan, Bret Hart, Jim Neidhart, Jerry "The King" Lawler, Ted DiBiase, and The Honky Tonk Man. He is a one-time AWA Southern Heavyweight Champion.

Before becoming involved with professional wrestling, Hart was a member of rock band The Gentrys, best known for their 1965 top five Billboard Hot 100 hit, "Keep on Dancing".

Professional wrestling career

Early career

Jimmy Hart was brought into wrestling by Jerry "The King" Lawler, with whom he had attended Memphis Treadwell High School. Having been asked to sing back-up with Lawler, Hart later became Lawler's manager.

After splitting from Lawler, Hart created a stable known as Hart's First Family of Wrestling to attack Lawler, which among others included King Kong Bundy, "Ravishing" Rick Rude, Lanny Poffo, Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart, Ox Baker, Kamala, Randy Savage, "Hot Stuff" Eddie Gilbert, The Iron Sheik and Kevin Sullivan.

In 1982, Hart earned national headlines doing a program with comedian and television star Andy Kaufman. Hart, Lawler and Kaufman would continue this feud for over a year. Around this time, Hart became known as "The Wimp", a nickname given to him by Lawler and chanted by fans, and was the subject of the song "Wimpbusters," which was sung by Lawler to the tune of "Ghostbusters" by Ray Parker, Jr.; a music video was also made featuring Lawler, announcer Lance Russell, and wrestlers such as Randy Savage, Jimmy Valiant, Dutch Mantel, Tommy Rich, and Rufus R. Jones, along with footage of Lawler beating Hart and his "First Family".

In 1981 through 1984, Hart led Austin Idol, Masao Ito, and Gilbert to NWA/AWA International titles.

World Wrestling Federation (1985–1993)

In 1985, Hart's friend Hillbilly Jim recommended him to WWF owner Vince McMahon, who hired him. He was termed "The Mouth of the South" after his trademark megaphone. Throughout the years, Hart used the megaphone to instruct and encourage his proteges, to discourage and annoy opponents as well as announcers (especially Gorilla Monsoon) and also as a weapon.

Hart's first acquisition in the WWF was Greg "The Hammer" Valentine, then the Intercontinental Champion. After Valentine lost the Intercontinental title to Tito Santana, Hart briefly co-managed the Dream Team (Valentine and Beefcake), until he was phased out and gave full control to "Luscious" Johnny Valiant.

At WrestleMania, Hart managed King Kong Bundy as he defeated S.D. "Special Delivery" Jones. Hart later traded Bundy's contract to Bobby "The Brain" Heenan for The Missing Link and Adrian Adonis. He helped the latter to establish his ''"Adorable Adrian"'' gimmick. Also in 1985, Hart managed Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart.

In 1985, Hart took the Funk Family under his wing. The Funks included Terry, Hoss, and kayfabe brother Jimmy Jack Funk.

1985 also marked the appearance of Bret "Hitman" Hart. Jimmy Hart teamed him up with Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart to form The Hart Foundation. On January 26, 1987, Hart guided the Hart Foundation past the British Bulldogs for the WWF World Tag Team Title. Disgraced-referee-turned-wrestler Danny Davis also was managed by Jimmy Hart. Davis and the Hart Foundation wrestled the Bulldogs and Tito Santana at WrestleMania III.

When The Honky Tonk Man turned heel, Hart became his manager. In this position, Hart was nicknamed "The Colonel" in a reference to Tom Parker, the manager of Elvis Presley. With Hart in his corner, The Honky Tonk Man captured the Intercontinental title from Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat on June 2, 1987 and held it until August 1988. "The Colonel" monniker stuck with him for years, even after the Honky Tonk Man departed the company in early 1991.

Also in 1987, Hart managed the WWF Women's Tag Team champions Judy Martin and Leilani Kai, known as the Glamour Girls.

Hart was named ''Pro Wrestling Illustrated'''s Manager of the Year in 1987, an award he won again in 1994.

At WrestleMania IV, Hart received a haircut from Brutus "The Barber" Beefcake.

When he dropped the Hart Foundation in 1987, Hart managed The Fabulous Rougeau Brothers to feud with his former team; the angle was that Hart still retained the managerial rights to his former team and gave it to the Rougeaus, giving them the right to appear at ringside whenever the Hart Foundation wrestled. At SummerSlam 1988, Hart accompanied Demolition and Mr. Fuji to help retain their WWF Tag Team title against the Hart Foundation. Ax used Hart's megaphone as a foreign object to strike Bret and secure the victory.

In 1989, Hart brought Dino Bravo into his stable after the departure of Frenchy Martin. Then at a push-up contest between the Ultimate Warrior and Bravo, Hart and Bravo invited a large 460 pound man from the audience — later known as Earthquake — into the ring to sit on the contestants' backs. In 1989, Hart groomed Earthquake to be the man to beat Hulk Hogan.

Hart continued his war with his former tag team, the Hart Foundation. In 1990, he combined his proteges Honky Tonk Man and Greg Valentine into the short-lived team of Rhythm and Blues. In 1991, he managed The Nasty Boys to defeat the Hart Foundation for the WWF World Tag Team title at WrestleMania VII, this time using a motorbike helmet as a weapon.

When the Nasty Boys lost the title to the Legion of Doom at SummerSlam 1991, Hart sent The Natural Disasters, a team formed out of Earthquake and his former opponent Typhoon, to disposses the new champions. When the Disasters failed, Hart formed a new team in early 1992: Money Inc., composed of Hart's protege I.R.S. and "The Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase. Money, Inc. defeated the L.O.D. Their title win led to the split between Hart and the Natural Disasters, who as faces feuded with Money Inc. and exchanged the tag team titles twice in 1992.

In 1991, Hart had also brought in The Mountie, who had a short reign as Intercontinental champion in early 1992. Hart would also occasionally manage Ric Flair at house shows, when Mr Perfect had commitments elsewhere.

Late in 1992, Money Inc. regaining the tag team titles from the Natural Disasters led to the Nasty Boys turning on their manager, as he had repeatedly substituted them for Money Inc. in title matches.

Hart broke with Money Inc. early in 1993 and turned face when the team attacked Brutus Beefcake. In the storyline, Hart, conscious of Beefcake's extensive facial injuries from a parasailing accident three years prior, felt that his team went too far, and tried to stop them. Hart even went so far as to cover an unconscious Beefcake to stop them from doing more harm. Beefcake's friend Hulk Hogan came out the following week and expressed gratitude to Hart for his uncharacteristically heroic actions. He managed both Beefcake and Hogan who at WrestleMania IX lost to Money Inc. by disqualification. At King of the Ring, Hart was in Hogan's corner as he lost the WWF title back to Yokozuna. This appearance was Hart's last in the WWF, as both he and Hogan departed the company.

World Championship Wrestling (1993–2001)

Following their departure from the WWF, Hogan and Hart briefly toured Mexico. After their return, Hart wrote music and occasionally appeared on Hogan's television show, ''Thunder in Paradise''. Hogan then had Hart manage him when they went to World Championship Wrestling (WCW). At Bash at the Beach in 1994, Hart managed Hogan to win his first WCW World title by defeating "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair.

At Halloween Havoc in 1994, Hart turned on Hogan to help The Giant. Hart also became the manager of the evil faction, The Dungeon of Doom, created by Kevin Sullivan. During that era, he managed Ric Flair to a 12th world title victory over Macho Man Randy Savage. After the demise of the Dungeon of Doom, Hart recreated The First Family. After the demise of the First Family, Hart was placed in charge of booking TBS's ''WCW Saturday Night'' show prior to the program's cancellation. At Spring Stampede in 2000, Hart faced radio personality Mancow. The two had a rematch later in the year at Mayhem. In February 2001, Hart joined WCW's booking committee.

Independent circuit; Wrestlicious (2002–present)

After the sale of WCW to the then rival WWF, Hart and a close consortium of wrestlers and investors decided to create a wrestling organization—the Xcitement Wrestling Federation (XWF)—that would replace WCW as well as take wrestling back to early 1990s style of fun, family-oriented entertainment with minimal story lines and more solid wrestling. In 2002, Hart restarted his feud with Jerry Lawler by buying, for the XWF, part of the upstart Memphis Wrestling promotion.

In 2005, Hart appeared at the PMG Clash of Legends. On November 7, 2008, Hart appeared at the Jerry "The King" Lawler 35th anniversary event. He also made a few appearances with Florida Championship Wrestling, WWE's developmental territory, as a color commentator in 2008. He made multiple appearances for ''Axxess'' during the week leading up to The 25th Anniversary of WrestleMania.

In May 2006, Hart traveled to The Funking Conservatory, owned by Dory Funk Jr and Marti Funk, to shoot promos with the students. His most notable ones being with Studio Sar Ah when he discusses his move from World Wrestling Entertainment to TNA Wrestling and as well as Wrestlicious. Both promos can be found on the Studio Sar Ah fan page on Facebook and as well as Youtube. Hart continues to work at the school and shoot promos.

On March 19, 2010, Hart announced that his all-female wrestling promotion Wrestlicious would be premiering on MavTV and BiteTV on March 1, 2010.

Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (2003, 2005, 2010–2011)

In October 2003 Hart made his debut for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA), hyping a match between Hulk Hogan and Jeff Jarrett, which was eventually scrapped as Hogan decided to return to WWE instead. On June 19, 2005 at Slammiversary pay-per-view, The Naturals were assisted in a title defense against Team Canada by Hart, who ran to ringside and threw his megaphone to Chase Stevens, who hit Petey Williams with it and pinned him. Hart acted as the manager of The Naturals until October 3, 2005.

On February 14, 2010, at Against All Odds, Hart made his return to TNA as a heel by helping The Nasty Boys defeat Team 3D in a tag team match. The alliance, however, was short lived as on March 29, 2010, news broke that the Nasty Boys had been released by TNA following an incident at a TNA function with Spike executives present. Hart stayed with the company following the incident, but his role was unknown. Hart was seen on the January 20, 2011, edition of ''Impact!'', when Kurt Angle yelled at him to play his entrance music upon entering the Impact! Zone.

Return to WWE (2011)

On March 1, 2011, it was reported that Jimmy Hart had left Total Nonstop Action Wrestling and re-signed with WWE to work on WrestleMania-related projects. Hart has since hosted various house shows.

On August 14, Hart made an appearance at the SummerSlam, teasing a managerial position with R-Truth during a backstage segment.

Other media

Music

Before wrestling, Hart, as a teenager, was a vocalist in the 60s band The Gentrys who had a million selling record "Keep on Dancin." Before becoming The Gentrys, there were known as just "The Gents." Their production manager told them that if they did not change their name, then they would not succeed in the music industry. Later, after the leader of the group Larry Raspberry left, Hart took over and they had a few minor hits most notably "Why Should I Cry" and a cover of Neil Young's "Cinnamon Girl". Hart and the band were successful in the Memphis area nightclub circuit. The group was under contract to Stax Records at the time of its bankruptcy, and Stax could not properly promote them.

During his years in the professional wrestling business, Hart composed many theme songs for wrestlers in the WWF and WCW. Some of the wrestlers for whom he composed music were Honky Tonk Man, Jimmy Snuka, Brutus "The Barber" Beefcake, The Rockers, The Hart Foundation, Crush, the Fabulous Rougeau Brothers, Dusty Rhodes, the Legion of Doom, the Nasty Boys, Ted DiBiase, the Mountie, Hulk Hogan, the nWo Wolfpac, and 3 Count. One of Hart's most notable compositions is Shawn Michaels's entrance theme, "Sexy Boy."

In the late 1980s, Hart released a music album (also available on cassette tape) entitled ''Outrageous Conduct''. The release consisted of comical songs done in character; such as "Barbra Streisand's Nose" and "Eat Your Heart Out Rick Springfield." In 1995, Hulk Hogan released the album "Hulk Rules." Hart, as well as Hogan's then wife Linda, were a part of the band The Wrestling Boot Band and helped write and sing many of the album's songs.

Television appearances

In September 2007, Hart appeared on an episode of ''The People's Court'' as a witness for a defendant.

Hart is a close friend of Hulk Hogan and is featured on many episodes of Hogan's VH1 reality series, ''Hogan Knows Best''. Hart was also a judge on ''Hulk Hogan's Celebrity Championship Wrestling''.

Hart also appears in hair restoration advertisements for Medical Hair Restoration, as a client. He also does a comedic women's wrestling show called Wrestlicious, which can be viewed at Wrestlicious.com.

Hart has appeared a few times in Hulk Hogan's TV-show Thunder in Paradise. He also sang the intro music for the episode "Deadly Lessons, Pt. 1".

In wrestling

Wrestlers managed

Teams and stables managed

:*The Dungeon of Doom :*The Faces of Fear (Meng and The Barbarian) :*The First Family (Memphis) :*The First Family (WCW) (Brian Knobbs, Hugh Morrus, Jerry Flynn, The Barbarian) :*The Funk Brothers (Dory Funk, Jr. and Terry Funk) :*The Glamour Girls (Leilani Kai and Judy Martin) :*The Hart Foundation (Bret Hart and Jim Neidhart), with "Dangerous" Danny Davis :*Money Inc. ("Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase and Irwin R. Schyster (I.R.S.)) :*The Nasty Boys (Brian Knobbs and Jerry Sags) :*The Natural Disasters (Earthquake and Typhoon) :*The Naturals (Andy Douglas and Chase Stevens) :*The New York Dolls (Rick McGraw and Troy Graham) :*Rhythm and Blues (The Honky Tonk Man and Greg "The Hammer" Valentine) :*The Fabulous Rougeau Brothers (Jacques Rougeau and Raymond Rougeau)

Nicknames

"The Mouth of the South"

"The Colonel"

Championships and accomplishments

Pro Wrestling Illustrated

*Manager of the Year (1987, 1994)

World Class Wrestling Association

*Hall of Fame (2006)

World Wrestling Entertainment

*WWE Hall of Fame (Class of 2005)

Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards

*Manager of the Year (1983)

*Best Interviews (1984)

Notes

References

External links

WWE Hall of Fame Profile

TNA Wrestling profile

Memphis Wrestling History

Jimmy Hart Interview with In Your Head on Sep 25, 2005

Jimmy Hart Interview with In You Head on Dec 4, 2008

Interview recap from In Your Head Interview (Dec 06 08)

Category:Professional wrestling managers and valets Category:People from Tennessee Category:American male singers Category:Professional wrestling executives Category:1944 births Category:Living people Category:People from Memphis, Tennessee Category:People from Jackson, Mississippi Category:WWE Hall of Fame

da:Jimmy Hart de:Jimmy Hart es:Jimmy Hart fr:Jimmy Hart it:Jimmy Hart nl:Jimmy Hart ja:ジミー・ハート no:Jimmy Hart pt:Jimmy Hart fi:Jimmy Hart

Name	Jerry Lawler
Names	Jerry LawlerJerry "The King" Lawler
Height
Weight
Birth name	Jerry O'Neil Lawler
Birth date	November 29, 1949
Birth place	Memphis, Tennessee
Resides	Memphis, Tennessee
Billed	Memphis, Tennessee
Trainer	Jackie Fargo
Debut	1970 }}

Jerry O'Neil Lawler (born November 29, 1949) is an American professional wrestler, wrestling commentator, musician, businessman, commercial artist and film actor, known throughout the wrestling world as Jerry "The King" Lawler. He is currently signed to WWE, working on its Raw brand as the color commentator and occasional wrestler. He also wrestles and occasionally commentates for the Memphis Wrestling promotion.

Lawler has held 164 championships throughout his career. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2007. Overall, Lawler has held more championships than any other current WWE performer, though he has never won any WWE championships since joining the company.

Wrestling endeavours

1960s–1990s

While working in Memphis, Tennessee as a disc jockey, Lawler's artistic ability attracted the attention of local wrestling promoter Aubrey Griffith. The two made an agreement in which Lawler would give Griffith free publicity in exchange for free wrestling training. Lawler debuted as a wrestler in 1970 and won his first championship in September 1971 by winning a battle royal. He soon won the NWA Southern Tag Team Championship under the managerial service of Sam Bass with partner Jim White. In 1974, Lawler began feuding with Jackie Fargo, who had been his trainer and mentor. This led to a match for the NWA Southern Heavyweight Championship. On July 24, 1974, Lawler was booked to win the belt and the title of "King of Wrestling." While Lawler began his career as a heel, he became a face after splitting from Bass at the end of 1974. On November 12, 1979, while working in the Continental Wrestling Association (CWA), Lawler defeated Billy Graham to become the CWA World Champion. In 1980, his career was put on hold due to a broken leg, but he returned to the ring after several months.

In 1982, Lawler began a notorious feud with comedian Andy Kaufman. At the time, Kaufman wrestled women as part of his skits and had declared himself the Intergender Heavyweight Champion. On April 5, Lawler, who had taken exception to the skits, wrestled Kaufman in Memphis. During the course of the match, Lawler delivered two piledrivers to his opponent, sending him to the hospital. On July 29, Lawler slapped Kaufman in the face on an episode of ''Late Night with David Letterman''. Kaufman responded by throwing his coffee on Lawler. Years later, Lawler appeared as himself in the Kaufman biopic ''Man on the Moon''; the movie revealed that Lawler's feud with Kaufman had been kayfabe (staged). Lawler later revealed that not only was his entire feud with Kaufman staged, but the two were actually very good friends.

On March 7, 1983, Lawler won the AWA International Championship by defeating Austin Idol. He also defeated Ken Patera on July 25 to begin his second reign as the International Champion. Lawler became the NWA Mid America Champion on April 12, 1984 when he was booked to defeat Randy Savage for the title. In 1985, Lawler traveled to Japan, where he won the Polynesian Pacific title on January 25, 1986. He later returned to the United States, where he defeated Bill Dundee on July 29, 1986 to begin a new reign as the AWA International Champion. Lawler feuded with Tommy Rich, Austin Idol, and Paul E. Dangerously throughout early 1987. The animosity began after controversy over an AWA World Championship title shot involving Nick Bockwinkel. During the feud, the trio defeated Lawler in a steel cage match and cut his hair, which caused a riot in the Mid-South Coliseum.

Lawler won the AWA World Heavyweight Championship from Curt Hennig. During his reign, Lawler feuded with World Class Championship Wrestling's Champion Kerry Von Erich. He defeated Von Erich on December 15, 1988 at Superclash III to unify the two titles. Soon after, Lawler's issues with Verne Gagne led to his departure from the AWA. In 1991 and 1992, while working in the United States Wrestling Association (USWA), Lawler teamed with Jeff Jarrett in a match against The Moondogs over the USWA World Tag Team Championship.

World Wrestling Federation (1992–2001)

Lawler began his WWF career in December 1992 as an announcer on ''WWF Superstars of Wrestling''. From 1993 to 1995, he feuded with Bret Hart and the rest of the Hart family. The feud began at King of the Ring when Lawler interrupted Hart's victory ceremony and attacked Bret. Lawler claimed that he was the only true king in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), and the two were scheduled to wrestle at SummerSlam to settle the dispute. At the event, however, Lawler came to the ring on crutches and claimed that he could not wrestle because of injuries suffered in a car accident. Hart faced Lawler's "court jester", Doink the Clown instead, and beat him by submission. Lawler then attacked Hart, revealing that he was not injured. Hart defeated Lawler by submission but refused to release the Sharpshooter. As a result, the referee reversed the decision and awarded the title of "Undisputed King of the World Wrestling Federation" to Lawler.

Simultaneously, in a form of cross-promotion, Lawler engaged in a bitter feud with Vince McMahon (who at the time was never acknowledged as the actual owner of the World Wrestling Federation) back in the USWA. There Lawler played the babyface to his hometown Memphis audience, whereas McMahon (who had always played face in the WWF) was being portrayed as a smug heel intent on dethroning Lawler as the king of professional wrestling. As part of the cross-promotion, McMahon, Bret and Owen Hart, Giant González, Tatanka, and "Macho Man" Randy Savage would begin appearing on USWA television to further the feud. While the program continued in the USWA, the feud between Lawler and McMahon would not be acknowledged on WWF television.

The Hart Family (Bret, Owen, Bruce, and Keith) were scheduled to face a team captained by Lawler in an elimination match at Survivor Series. However, Shawn Michaels had to take Lawler's place because Lawler was facing legal troubles. As a result, the feud between Lawler and Vince McMahon back in the USWA was also abruptly discontinued. Lawler did not face Bret Hart at another pay-per-view until the first In Your House, when he beat Hart after Hakushi and his manager Shinja interfered. This set up a "Kiss My Foot" match at King of the Ring 1995, which Bret won. As a result, Lawler was forced to kiss Bret's feet. The feud took one final turn when Lawler introduced his "dentist" Isaac Yankem, D.D.S.. After Hart defeated Yankem by disqualification, however, the feud quickly disappeared.

Following the end of his legal troubles which kept him out of Survivor Series 1993, Lawler eventually returned to the WWF at WrestleMania X, which was also the first WWF pay-per-view he ever commentated at. During the main event of the night, "Rowdy" Roddy Piper served as special guest referee for the second WWF championship match. During this Lawler began making disparaging remarks about him. Lawler would continue to berate Piper on later episodes of ''Monday Night Raw'', including bringing a skinny kid into the ring dressed as Piper and forcing him to kiss his feet. This ultimately led to a match between the two at King of the Ring 1994 which Lawler lost.

In the fall of 1994, Lawler initiated a feud with Doink the Clown. Lawler popped the balloons carried by Doink's midget sidekick, Dink. After Doink and Dink retaliated, Lawler introduced a midget sidekick of his own, who he named Queasy. In the following weeks, Doink added two more sidekicks, Wink and Pink, while Lawler introduced Sleazy and Cheesy. This led to an elimination match at Survivor Series 1994, which Lawler's team won. After the match, however, Lawler's team turned on him, joining with Doink's team to attack Lawler.

In late 1994 and early 1995, Lawler wrestled briefly in Smoky Mountain Wrestling (SMW) while still continuing to commentate sporadically for the WWF. During his absences, Shawn Michaels filled in for him as color commentator on ''Monday Night Raw''. He defeated Tony Anthony for the promotion's top title in January 1995. By 1996, Lawler wrestled occasionally on ''WWF Superstars'' where he would take on jobbers while holding a microphone in the ring to, essentially, "do the commentary on (his) very own matches" while occasionally serving as the official cornerman for Isaac Yankem D.D.S. After a brief feud with the Ultimate Warrior, Lawler began feuding with Jake Roberts after making fun of Roberts' drug and alcohol problems. The two met in a match at SummerSlam 1996, which Lawler won. After the match, Lawler poured Jim Beam whiskey down Roberts' throat.

In 1997, Lawler became heavily involved in the working relationship between the WWF and Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW). In interviews and commentary, he referred to the promotion as "Extremely Crappy Wrestling". His frequent insults toward ECW eventually led to the promotion "invading" ''Monday Night Raw'' in February 1997 and ultimately to a match with ECW wrestler Tommy Dreamer at ECW's Hardcore Heaven pay-per-view in August, which Dreamer won.

In mid-1997, Lawler entered the King of the Ring tournament for the first time and advanced to the semi-final round where he was defeated by Mankind. By the fall, the WWF introduced a new "light-heavyweight division" to compete with World Championship Wrestling's cruiserweight division. Lawler's son, Brian Christopher, was one of the major superstars in the division, although the WWF played up an angle where both Lawler and Christopher would deny their family relationship, even though the two would aide each other in matches and so on.

By 1998, Lawler rarely wrestled in the WWF and focused on commentary. Despite their feud in the USWA in 1993, by 1998, Vince McMahon had turned heel in the WWF for the first time and left the announce position, to which Lawler began praising McMahon's name on commentary as part of his own heel persona, much to the chagrin of Jim Ross. It was McMahon's departure from the commentary team which led to the strong on-screen chemistry between Lawler and Ross in subsequent years. This played a key role in a change of Lawler's character; although he still supported the heels, he showed a sense of right and wrong, and would condemn actions of heels when they went too far. This began when Lawler surprisingly attacked Tazz when he started bullying Ross. At SummerSlam, The King wrestled Tazz in defense of Ross. With the creation of the XFL in 2001, Lawler was given the job as an announcer for the new football league. Lawler claims that he never wanted to announce for the XFL, but that he agreed to it after McMahon and Kevin Dunn asked him.

Post–WWF and the independent circuit (2001)

In February 2001, Lawler's then-wife Stacy "The Kat" Carter was released by the WWF, and Lawler quit the company in protest. In his account, there was no clear notice as to why she was fired; when Jim Ross broke the news to him, he stated that the Creative Team simply said that Stacy had "an attitude problem."

During his absence from the WWF, Lawler made appearances on the independent circuit in both Australia and North America, as well as joining the fledgling Xcitement Wrestling Federation promotion alongside WCW veteran Tony Schiavone as a color commentator.

Return to the World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment (2001–present)

Commentator and part-time wrestler (2001–present)

On November 19, 2001, Lawler returned to the WWF. He was reintroduced by Vince McMahon on ''Raw'' as the replacement for color commentator (and Alliance member) Paul Heyman, who had been (kayfabe) fired in the aftermath of the Alliance's loss at the previous night's ''Survivor Series''. As he had been before his departure, Lawler once again became color commentator on ''Raw'' and pay-per-view events alongside Jim Ross and ''SmackDown!'' with Michael Cole, until the brands were separated and Lawler became exclusive to ''Raw''. Lawler stated that his well-worked chemistry with Jim Ross has been a result of their different styles; according to Lawler, Jim Ross is a fine storyteller and keeps fans well-versed with current storylines, whereas he provides reaction and emotion to liven the commentary.

In 2003, ''Raw's'' announce team of Lawler and Jim Ross feuded with ''Sunday Night Heat'''s team of Jonathan Coachman and Al Snow. At Unforgiven, Lawler and Ross lost a match against Coachman and Snow, thus losing their right to do commentary on ''Raw''. In a rematch, however, Ross defeated Coachman, winning Lawler and Ross their position back.

In June 2006, Extreme Championship Wrestling was re-launched and began a small invasion within WWE again. ECW and WWE went head to head for several weeks on ''Raw'', which spanned to include the ''SmackDown!'' superstars. This created tension between the Raw and SmackDown! announce teams, as Tazz, an ECW alumnus, insulted and criticized Jim Ross until Lawler came to Ross' defense, reigniting their feud from 2000. The feud concluded when Tazz and Lawler faced each other in a match at One Night Stand, which Tazz won in only 30 seconds by making Lawler pass out to the Tazzmission after a distraction from Joey Styles.

In July 2006, Randy Orton began a feud with Hulk Hogan. Lawler attacked Orton in defense of Hogan, which set up a match between them on ''Raw''. Orton defeated Lawler after a low blow and an RKO.

On March 31, 2007, Lawler was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame by William Shatner, whom Lawler had a memorable altercation with on a January 1995 episode of ''Raw''. In August, King Booker claimed to be the only one entitled to be known as "King". After being beaten by Booker in the ring, Lawler was supposed to be forced to crown his opponent at an August 13 show in Madison Square Garden. During the ceremony, however, Lawler announced another king as a new opponent for Booker, "The King of Kings" Triple H. This led to a worked brawl between Lawler and Booker.

On the July 7, 2008 edition of ''Raw'', Lawler was attacked by Kane after saving Michael Cole from a similar attack, in which Kane repeatedly asked "Is he alive or is he dead?" Later that summer, he teamed with "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan to face Ted DiBiase and Cody Rhodes for the World Tag Team Championship but lost.

On the March 23, 2009 edition of ''Raw'', Lawler challenged Chris Jericho to a match because of his disrespect and erratic behavior to WWE Hall of Famers, which Jericho accepted. The following week, Lawler lost to Jericho after submitting to the Walls of Jericho. After the match, Jericho outlined how he would remain supreme against WWE Hall of Famers at WrestleMania XXV.

On the July 20 episode of ''Raw'', Lawler announced himself as the opponent against The Brian Kendrick. He went on to defeat Kendrick. On the November 16 edition of ''Raw'', after recent acquisition Sheamus attacked the timekeeper in frustration for not receiving an opponent, Lawler left the announce table to confront Sheamus and check on the victim, only to receive a kick to the head for his troubles. On June 7, 2010, during a Viewer's Choice edition of Raw, Lawler lost his crown to the IRS because he had apparently not paid his taxes, but it was regained by Quinton Jackson later on. At the end of the night, Lawler was one of the many employees at ringside that were brutally attacked by the season 1 NXT rookies. Lawler however, was the only person at ringside that fought back, as he used punches and chops to attack the NXT rookies assaulting him until it was a 3-on-1 assault. The following week on Raw, Lawler and the Raw roster fought off the now-called "The Nexus" when they attempted to ambush John Cena a second time. On June 28, Lawler, Ricky Steamboat, Michael Hayes, Arn Anderson, Mike Rotunda, and Dean Malenko were severely attacked by the Nexus, just as they were celebrating Steamboat's career. Josh Mathews replaced Lawler on color commentator for the remainder of the show.

On the July 26, 2010 episode of ''Raw'', Lawler teamed with Mark Henry, Goldust, Yoshi Tatsu, Evan Bourne and The Hart Dynasty in a tag team elimination match versus the Nexus. Lawler was eliminated by Heath Slater.

Feuds with The Miz and Michael Cole (2010–2011)

On the November 29 episode of the King of the Ring special of ''Raw'', Lawler, who was celebrating his 61st birthday, would challenge The Miz for his WWE Championship, to which Miz would decline. Miz's decision would be reversed by the anonymous ''Raw'' General Manager, who made the match the main event of the night, making it Lawler's first shot at the title, with the match type being a Tables, Ladders and Chairs match. Miz would retain his title from Lawler after interference by Alex Riley and Michael Cole.

Cole's interference would cause tension between the two. On the December 6 episode of ''Raw'', Cole would first apologize to Lawler, only for him to take it back and demand an apology from Lawler to himself. After Lawler threatened to attack Cole, the anonymous ''Raw'' General Manager would then issue a "cease and desist" order, which barred any physicality between them and that if either of them violated the order, that individual would have their contract terminated immediately.

Lawler would then continue his feud with The Miz, where on the December 20 episode of ''Raw'', Lawler would team with Randy Orton and John Morrison to take on Miz, Riley and Sheamus in a 6-man Tag match with Lawler picking up the win by pinning Miz. This would lead to a rematch between Miz and Lawler the following week, with Lawler once again getting the victory, this time by count-out. Later on that night, Miz would attack Lawler from behind as Lawler was sitting at the announce table. Lawler would once again team with Orton on the January 10, 2011 episode of ''Raw'' to take on Miz and Riley. Lawler was once again successful in getting the victory, this time pinning Riley. On the January 31 episode of ''Raw'', Lawler was placed in a 7-man Raw Rumble match, where the winner would receive a WWE Championship match against The Miz at WWE Elimination Chamber. Lawler would win the match by last eliminating Sheamus. At the pay-per-view, Lawler was unsuccessful in winning the title, ending the feud.

The following night on ''Raw'', Lawler, after having enough of Cole's attitude, which included the mocking of Lawler's mother's recent death, would challenge him to a match at WrestleMania XXVII. Cole would respond by throwing water into Lawler's face, with Lawler chasing Cole off to the backstage area. On the February 28 episode of ''Raw'', Cole would accept Lawler's challenge to a match at WrestleMania and announce that he would be trained in the coming weeks by Jack Swagger for the upcoming match. The following week, Stone Cold Steve Austin was announced as the guest referee for the match. On the March 14 episode of ''Raw'', Lawler was confronted by his son Brian Lawler, who was invited to Raw by Michael Cole, to "expose" his father's character. Brian, in storyline, claimed his dad was never there for him, mentioned that Lawler never mentioned that Brian was his son on commentary, boasted that he competed at WrestleMania before his father, and stated that he was ashamed of him. Brian then slapped Lawler and left. Michael Cole continued to harass Lawler, who still couldn't physically harm him, but was interrupted by a returning Jim Ross. Before JR could attack Cole, Swagger attacked Lawler from behind, and then preceeded to attack and lock in the ankle lock on JR, while Cole harassed him. Lawler tried to stop the attack, but fell victim to the ankle lock as well.

At WrestleMania, Lawler originally won the match by submission, but while he was celebrating his win with Stone Cold, the anonymous ''Raw'' General Manager would reverse the decision, due to Stone Cold physically getting invovled in the match by pushing Cole, thus, making Cole the winner by disqualification. Lawler would announce on the April 11 episode of ''Raw'' that he and Jim Ross will go against Cole and Swagger at Extreme Rules in a Country Whipping match, which they were unsuccessful. Lawler challenged Cole to one last match at Over the Limit, putting his Hall of Fame ring on the line and would personally induct Cole into the Hall of Fame itself if Cole would win. Cole would decline the challenge at first, but Swagger would accept for him later on when Lawler would attack Cole and he saved him. During their contract signing, Cole announced the match would be a "Kiss My Foot" match. At the pay-per-view, Lawler would defeat Cole. After the match, Jim Ross, Eve Torres and Bret Hart would come out and help Lawler make Cole kiss his foot.

Return to full-time commentary (2011)

The following night on ''Raw'', Cole would apologize to Lawler, which Lawler accepted, thus, ending their feud. Lawler would continue to argue with Cole on commentary, as Cole would still favor the heels.

Memphis Wrestling (2007)

In 2007 it was announced that Lawler would be participating in a 'dream match' with Hulk Hogan which had been set to take place in the Memphis Wrestling promotion on April 27. The match had been heavily-hyped by promoter Corey Maclin as Hogan had competed in the Memphis territory early in his career. On April 12, however, Lawler pulled out of the event citing his contractual obligations to WWE rendering him unable to appear on a show that was due to be filmed by VH1 for the television show Hogan Knows Best. On January 11, 2008, Maclin revealed he has recently filed a lawsuit against WWE, claiming that pressure on Lawler (and others) to withdraw from the event violated section two of the Sherman Antitrust Act.

Jerry Lawler's Memphis Wrestling (2010)

In May 2010, Jerry announced a new TV wrestling show called, "Jerry Lawler's Memphis Wrestling." The show is set to debut on Ion Network Channel 50 in Memphis on June 5 at the classic 11AM timespot. 3 episodes were taped May 20, 2010 at the Vine in Memphis. On September 11, 2010, Jerry announced that there would no longer be any new shows, but that the talent was still available for fundraisers.

Non–wrestling endeavors

Lawler has created some musical recordings. Among these are two late-70s singles: "Cadillac Man/Memphis", and "Bad News". During his feud with manager Jimmy Hart (Lawler is a factor for "The Mouth of the South" Jimmy Hart entering professional wrestling; Lawler wanted to record a wrestling album with him singing and, since they had gone to school together, he called Hart and asked him to be a part of it) in the mid-80s, Hart became known as "The Wimp", a nickname given to him by Lawler and chanted by fans. Hart was the subject of the song "Wimpbusters", which was sung by Lawler to the tune of the popular hit ''Ghostbusters'' by Ray Parker, Jr.. A music video was also made, featuring Lawler, legendary announcer Lance Russell, and wrestlers such as Randy Savage, Jimmy Valiant, Dutch Mantel, Tommy Rich, and Rufus R. Jones, along with footage of "The King" beating Hart and his "First Family." A very young Brian Christopher also made an appearance as a young child being bullied, and another child is seen wearing a replica of Tully Blanchard's West Texas State jersey. He also recorded a CD titled "Memphis' Other King".

In 1998, Lawler appeared in the movie ''Man on the Moon'', starring Jim Carrey. According to Lawler's autobiography, ''It's Good To Be The King... Sometimes'', an incident involving Jim Carrey forgetting a line led to animosity between the two actors during filming. Between scenes Jim Carrey often remained in character as Andy Kaufman and at one point spit on Jerry, just as Kaufman had done in 1982. A 'stunned' Lawler reacted by grabbing Carrey by the hair and locked him in a sleeper hold and jerking his neck—supposedly sending Carrey to the hospital.

In 1999, Lawler ran for mayor of Memphis, Tennessee. His platform focused on making the streets safer for residents, beautifying the city, and improving the quality of education. In addition, he vowed to attract businesses to Memphis, improve the flow of traffic, create more parks, and decrease property taxes. Lawler ended up with 11.7% of ballots, beating twelve of the fifteen candidates. Ultimately, however, Mayor Willie Herenton was easily reelected.

In 2000, Lawler made a very brief cameo appearance in the music video of ''I Can't Lie To Me'' By Clay Davidson. In 2002, he released an autobiography titled ''It's Good To Be The King... Sometimes''. On July 8, 2009, Lawler again ran for the position of Mayor of Memphis in a special mayoral election on October 15, 2009. He was in 5th with 4% of the vote.

Lawler is also an accomplished commercial artist, designing a lot of graphics for various companies, including WWE. In 2007, he painted the cover of the wrestling comic book, ''Headlocked''.

Personal life

Lawler has been married three times. He has two children, Brian and Kevin, from his marriage to his first wife, Kay. His son Brian, who has previously wrestled in WWE as "Brian Christopher" and "Grandmaster Sexay," is now wrestling in independent promotions. His other son, Kevin, has dabbled in professional wrestling as both a referee and wrestler under the names "Kevin Christian" and "Freddie Gilbert," the latter of which was used during a stint as the "brother" of Eddie Gilbert. In his book ''It's Good To Be The King ... Sometimes,'' Lawler says he believes Kevin's short physical stature has prevented him from reaching success similar to Brian. In August 2008, Kevin was arrested on charges of trespassing and aggravated burglary. After divorcing Kay, Lawler was later married to Paula from February 14, 1982 to October 2, 1991.

He met his third wife, Stacy "The Kat" Carter, at a charity softball game in Memphis, Tennessee on July 23, 1989. They married in September 2000. In mid-February 2001, Carter (who was a valet and has also made in-ring appearances) was released by the World Wrestling Federation. Lawler then left the company in protest. Carter decided to leave Lawler in July, 2001 and they separated shortly before Lawler rejoined the WWF in November, 2001. Their divorce was finalized on October 15, 2003.

Lawler is the cousin of professional wrestler The Honky Tonk Man.

In 1993, Lawler was indicted for raping and sodomizing a 15-year old girl, which caused him to miss Survivor Series 1993. The charges were later dropped, after the girl admitted she fabricated some of the story. Lawler was arrested on March 16, 1999 after throwing a ticket at a police officer and running over the officer's foot.

Though he has spent most of his life in Memphis, Lawler did spend a part of his childhood in Ohio after his father was transferred to a job in the state. Though this stay was brief, it would have an influence on Lawler throughout his life thereafter. He often cites Cleveland as his second-favorite city behind only Memphis and is a die-hard fan of both the Cleveland Indians and the Cleveland Browns. When WWE comes to Cleveland, Lawler will usually wear a Browns jersey or an Indians jersey, and during baseball season, he will throw out the first pitch at an Indians game.

Jerry Lawler is also a collector of Coca-Cola merchandise

On February 12, 2011, Lawler's mother died from an 8-year battle with cancer, making Jerry unable to attend the Raw event on February 14.

In wrestling

Finishing moves

*''Crown Drop'' (Diving fist drop from the second rope)

*Piledriver

Signature moves

*Dropkick

*Knee Drop

Managers

Sam Bass

Scott Bowden

Ronnie P. Gossett

Gary Hart

Jimmy Hart

Jimmy Kent

*Mickey Pool

Championships and accomplishments

American Wrestling Association

WCWA World Heavyweight Championship (2 times)¹

NWA Mid-America / Continental Wrestling Association / Championship Wrestling Association

AWA Southern Heavyweight Championship (52 times)

AWA Southern Tag Team Championship (10 times) – with Jimmy Valiant (1), Bill Dundee (3), Mongolian Stomper (1), Jos LeDuc (1), Austin Idol (1), Plowboy Frazier (1), and Big Bubba (1)

AWA World Heavyweight Championship (1 time)¹

AWA World Tag Team Championship (2 times) – with Bill Dundee

CWA Heavyweight Championship (1 time)

CWA International Heavyweight Championship (3 times)

CWA World Tag Team Championship (2 times) – with Austin Idol (1) and Tommy Rich (1)

NWA Mid-America Heavyweight Championship (3 times)

NWA Southern Heavyweight Championship ''(Memphis version)'' (7 times)

NWA Southern Heavyweight Championship ''(Mid-America version)'' (10 times)

NWA Southern Junior Heavyweight Championship (5 times)

NWA Southern Tag Team Championship ''(Mid-America version)'' (9 times) – with Jim White (7), Plowboy Frazier (1), and Bill Dundee (1)

NWA Tri-State Heavyweight Championship ''(Alabama version)'' (1 time)

NWA Tri-State Tag Team Championship ''(Alabama version)'' (2 times) - with Steve Lawler

NWA United States Tag Team Championship ''(Mid-America version)'' (1 time) - with Jackie Fargo

*CWA Lord of the Ring (1988)

Georgia Championship Wrestling

NWA Macon Tag Team Championship (2 times) – with Mr. Wrestling II (1) and Don Greene (1)

Gulf Coast Championship Wrestling

NWA Tennessee Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Jim White

Jersey All Pro Wrestling

JAPW Heavyweight Championship (1 time)

Maryland Championship Wrestling

MCW Heavyweight Championship (1 time)

MCW Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with The Bruiser

Memphis Championship Wrestling

MCW Southern Heavyweight Championship (2 times)

Memphis Wrestling

*Memphis Wrestling Southern Heavyweight Championship (2 times)

*Memphis Wrestling Television Championship (1 time)

NWA Polynesian Wrestling

NWA Polynesian Pacific Heavyweight Championship (1 time)

NWA Virginia

NWA All-Star Heavyweight Championship (1 time)

Power Pro Wrestling

PPW Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Bill Dundee

Pro Wrestling Illustrated

PWI Feud of the Year (1992) with Jeff Jarrett vs. The Moondogs

PWI Feud of the Year (1993) vs. Bret Hart

PWI Most Hated Wrestler of the Year (1993, 1995)

PWI Most Inspirational Wrestler of the Year (1988)

PWI ranked him #56 of the 100 best tag teams of the "PWI Years" with Bill Dundee in 2003

PWI ranked him #12 of the 500 best singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 1991

PWI ranked him #23 of the 500 best singles wrestlers in the "PWI Years" in 2003

Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum

(Class of 2011)

Smoky Mountain Wrestling

SMW Heavyweight Championship (2 times)

Traditional Championship Wrestling

*TCW Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Matt Riviera

United States Wrestling Association

USWA Heavyweight Championship (2 times)

USWA Texas Heavyweight Championship (1 time)

USWA Unified World Heavyweight Championship (28 times)

USWA World Tag Team Championship (6 times) – with Jeff Jarrett (4) and Bill Dundee (2)

World Class Wrestling Association

WCWA World Heavyweight Championship (1 time)

WCWA Texas Heavyweight Championship (1 time)

World Wrestling Federation / World Wrestling Entertainment/ WWE

*Slammy Award for I'm Talking and I Can't Shut Up (1996)

*Slammy Award for Most Embarrassing Moment (1996) Kissing his own foot

WWE Hall of Fame (Class of 2007)

Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards

*Feud of the Year (1987) vs. Austin Idol and Tommy Rich

*Feud of the Year (1992) with Jeff Jarrett vs. The Moondogs

*Feud of the Year (1993) vs. Bret Hart

*Worst Feud of the Year (1994) vs. Doink the Clown

*Worst Worked Match of the Year (1994) with Sleazy, Queasy and Cheesy vs. Clowns R' Us at Survivor Series

Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame (Class of 1996)

WrestleSlam Awards

*Announcer of the Year (2010)

¹These title changes took place during an AWA hosted card as part of an interpromotional relationship between the American Wrestling Association, World Class Wrestling Association, and Continental Wrestling Association. Lawler also won the championship during a CWA hosted card. ²Lawler won the championship while wrestling on a CWA card in Memphis, Tennessee during the time when the AWA and CWA had a working partnership. It was the same situation during both of Lawler and Dundee's AWA World Tag Team Championship reigns.

References

Further reading

External links

Official Website

Memphis Wrestling History

WWE profile

Match History at Indy Wrestling News

Jerry Lawler at Online World of Wrestling

Category:1949 births Category:American color commentators Category:American professional wrestlers Category:Collectors Category:Fictional kings Category:Living people Category:People from Memphis, Tennessee Category:Professional wrestling announcers Category:Professional wrestling trainers Category:WWE Hall of Fame

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