Lawler opens today’s show by speaking about the passing of his long-time friend, Mean Gene Okerlund. He says the after Okerlund’s passing, some fans sent him videos and pictures of him working with Okerlund throughout the years, and that was very special to him. One video showed Okerlund introducing Lawler for a match all the way back in 1983.

He goes on to say that Okerlund was a great guy who always had a smile on his face and drink in his hand. Okerlund was always there to help anyone, and he’d do whatever he could to make any show he was on better.

There are few interviewers in the history of the business who could take the attention of the viewer away from the wrestler, but Okerlund could do just that with his charisma and his wit. He was a star in his own right, and had the ability to lift any segment he was a part of.

WWE announced that Hulk Hogan will be returning to RAW this coming Monday to address the passing of Okerlund, and Lawler is excited to see Hogan return to WWE programming. He just wishes Hogan’s return could be under better circumstances. It appears that Ric Flair will be returning to RAW this week to talk about Okerlund as well, and Lawler says it’ll be nice to see Flair again.

Lawler comments on the announcement of AEW (All Elite Wrestling). The new company will be funded by the Khan family who are reportedly worth $7 Billion. Lawler notes that this company will be a force to be reckoned with, especially with that amount of money because they’ll be able to land some big-name talent.

However, he’s not sure if the climate is right for someone to be pouring that amount of money into a wrestling company. He points out that financing a wrestling company can quickly make a millionaire out of a billionaire because it’s an expensive endeavour.

Everywhere Lawler goes he constantly hears from fans that they’d love to see a more adult-oriented product and he’s sure that type of product would find success, but he notes that that type of programming is frowned upon by big advertisers.

Lawler points out that Jim Ross tweeted out this past week, noting that today’s wrestling product is over-scripted. Lawler agrees with this sentiment entirely, and thinks a more relaxed, ad-libbed environment would be better for the performers and for the fans.

Lawler talks about the recent video from an indie show, which featured one female talent sticking her tampon down her opponent’s throat. Lawler is speechless while watching that footage, and echoes Jim Ross’ words that this was an embarrassing spot.

Lawler informs that he’s looking forward to being at the Royal Rumble at the end of the month. He doesn’t specify what his role will be at the show.

That sums up this week’s episode of Dinner With the King. You can listen to the show yourself anytime here, and I’ll catch ya next week for another recap!