Jerry Lawler, a legendary wrestler and artist, takes us on a trip down memory lane to his childhood and how his passion for both wrestling and art developed. His man cave, filled with memorabilia from his childhood, reminds him of his love for Cleveland sports and Beatlemania. He reflects on how his artistic talent was a God-given gift and how he took it for granted. In his early years, his artistic abilities were recognized by his teacher in the first grade. However, it was wrestling that brought his artwork into the limelight.
Jerry recalls watching wrestling with his dad, who worked as an usher, and would draw pictures of wrestlers and send them to the TV station that aired wrestling. Lance Russell, a commentator, used his drawings to illustrate the events that took place. Jerry’s drawings caught the attention of Jackie Fargo, a famous wrestler at that time, who hired him to paint caricatures of him and Eddie Bond in his nightclub. Despite being around celebrities, Jerry was too embarrassed to express his desire to become a wrestler.
Jerry’s dream came true when he stepped into the ring for the first time without any training. He was knocked out cold, but the experience was something he had never felt before. The cheering crowd, the clapping hands, the excitement of the match, all of it made him want to do it again. Jackie Fargo, however, was not pleased, telling him that he was too good an artist to be a wrestler.
Jerry’s journey to becoming a wrestler and artist has been an exciting one. His love for wrestling and art has brought him fame and recognition. His man cave is a testament to his childhood memories and his passion for both art and wrestling. His story inspires us to pursue our passions, whether it be wrestling, art, or something entirely different.