He began his career in the very late 1960s and won his first title in September of 1971, winning a battle royal to become the Tri-State Heavyweight Champion. He would go on to feud with Jackie Fargo, who Lawler credits with helping him get into the business, and won several tag team titles alongside Jim White, Jackie Fargo and Steve Kovac in the ensuing years. Lawler won his first major title in 1979, defeating Superstar Billy Graham for the CWA World Title in Memphis Tennessee, his home town. 

    He would suffer a broken leg and leave the business temporarily, but returned in one of wrestling's greatest feuds in 1981 against the actor and comic Andy Kaufman. The feud was commemorated in the 1999 bio-pic "Man on the Moon" starring Jim Carrey as Andy Kaufman. Lawler played himself in the film, recounting how Kaufman was calling himself the "Inter Gender Champion" and wrestling only women. Lawler came down to put a stop to it, setting up a match where Lawler gave Kaufman two pile drivers, breaking Kaufman's neck. The jury is still out whether Kaufman actually sustained an injury as Kaufman was THAT GOOD at presenting his gimmick. Kaufman and Lawler would end up on the David Letterman Show where Kaufman threw water in Lawler's face before the King drilled him with a fist to knock him down. Kaufman threatened to sue. So convincing were these two that fans still wonder if the feud wasn't, at leart, partially REAL. 

    Lawler would continue to have legendary feuds with some of wrestling's all time greats like Randy Savage, who he defeated to become NWA Mid-Atlantic Champion, Superstar Bill Dundee, Ric Flair, Hulk Hogan, Jimmy Hart, Lars Anderson and others. He become the American Wrestling Association Heavyweight champion, the last on record, defeating Curt Hennig in May of 1988. He went on to unify that belt by defeating Kerry Von Erich for the WCCW World Heavyweight Title in December, establishing himself as the first ever USWA World Heavyweight Champion in a new organization he co-founded with Jerry Jarrett. Lawler would have a backstage dispute with Verne Gagne and was stripped of the title, becoming one in a long line of wrestlers who had difficulty with the promoter. 

    The USWA was Lawler's well-known home throughout the rest of his active career. It lasted until 1997 and enjoyed a working agreement with the WWF starting in 1992 when Lawler began as a part time broadcaster and wrestler on WWF programming and where Bret Hart and others popped in for special matches in the USWA rings. The USWA would be responsible for developing some of the major players of the 1990s and 2000s including Kane, the Rock and Jeff Jarrett. Lawler's first major appearance in the WWF was during an edition of WWF Wrestling Challenge where he came in to replace Bobby Heenan, who had become one of the hosts of the new WWF Monday Night Raw program. Lawler would gradually replace Heenan on WWF Superstars of Wrestling as well in late 1992. He was one of 30 wrestlers competing in the 1993 Royal Rumble Match and helped eliminate Mr. Perfect after being eliminated himself. His first major WWF angle came when he interupted Bret Hart's coronation ceremony at the 1993 King of the Ring, setting the stage for them to meet at Summer Slam. Lawler showed up at the event on crutches and sent Doink the Clown to do his dirty work, however, Bret not only defeated Doink but Lawler as well. Lawler blamed Doink, setting up a match at the 1993 Survivor SEries where Lawler teamed with three "midget Princes" against Doink and his three little pals. In a rather embarassing moment, Lawler was beaten up by Doink and all three of the little people, who won the match. Lawler was falsely accused of assault and left the WWF to address the lawsuit, but returned at Wrestlemania X to broadcast with Vince McMahon. Lawler would feud with a returning Rowdy Roddy Piper, leading to Piper defeating Lawler at the 1994 King of the Ring. Lawler competed in the 1996 Royal Rumble and feuded with Goldust and the Ultiamte Warrior before phasing out of the ring wars to become the lead heel announcer of the WWF alongside Jim Ross for RAW and pay per views. 

    Lawler was the chief instigator in the feud between the WWF and ECW superstars in 1997, going so far as to appear on ECW wrestling cards to battle with Tommy Dreamer and others. ECW superstars would show up on RAW, including Rob VanDam and Sabu, but the feud never truly climaxed. Lawler would later reprise his anti-ECW role during the ECW One NIght Stand build up in 2005 and always has friction with Paul Heyman on WWE programming to keep up the pretense of a lengthy bitterness between Lawler and the ECW alumni. When Joey Styles replaced Jim Ross at the broadcast booth, Lawler reverted back to his "heel" status in the booth after becoming more moderate and during one altercation, slapped Styles, leading him to quit the WWE. In storyline terms, Styles moved into the new ECW brand of WWE. 

    Lawler quit the WWF in protest in 2001 when his then wife, Stacy Carter, was fired by the company. Lawler went on the independent circuit battling other legends like Dusty Rhodes but returned at the conclusion of the InVasion angle to replace Paul Heyman, who had been brought in to replace Lawler at the broadcast booth. Lawler established a record shortly afterwards for appearing as a colour commentator more times than any other broadcaster in Wrestlemania history. 

    Lawler occasionally wrestled, despite his announcing duties, usually helping Jim Ross against some of the nastier rule breakers of the WWE. Lawler would have matches with Ric Flair, Chris Masters, Triple-H and others during his time. He is best known for coining the phrase "PUPPIES" whenever his favourite females, like Debra, Sunny and Sable, came on camera. 

    Lawler also recorded a CD and ran for Mayor in Memphis in 1999. He was also a member of the broadcast team for the short-lived XFL football league created by Vince McMahon in 2001. There is little doubt that the King belongs here in the UWOW Hall of Fame for his great contributions to the sport, both on the independent scene and in the WWE.