Jerry “The King” Lawler has spent decades being treated like royalty in Memphis, and now the city is putting his name on the street.
A portion of Homer Street at Given Avenue near Treadwell Elementary has been honorarily renamed for the wrestling legend, with a ceremony held Thursday to make it official. The location carries some real history for Lawler, who grew up nearby on Vernon Avenue and used to walk through the neighborhood on his way to Treadwell High School. Standing near the fields he remembered from his childhood, Lawler reflected on just how personal the area still is to him.
“There were so many memories on this street.”
Lawler wasn’t alone for the moment. His son Kevin, Jimmy Hart, legendary Memphis wrestling announcer Dave Brown and several local political figures were among those who showed up for the ceremony. Brown used the occasion to put Lawler’s career into perspective, pointing out that “The King” didn’t just become a Memphis wrestling star — he eventually became known around the world.
“He got some breaks, but he made his own breaks. He grew to become not only good in Memphis, he became the king of Memphis. Then he became the king of wrestling. And that’s where he is right now — the king of wrestling.”
Brown also noted how far Lawler’s name eventually traveled beyond Tennessee.
“He was local. He was regional. He was national. He’s international.”
The street honor had been in the works for months. Memphis City Council approved the move during its June 9 meeting, clearing the way for Lawler’s name to officially become part of the neighborhood where he grew up.
Lawler’s connection to Memphis wrestling goes back decades, both as an in-ring star and one of the major figures behind the territory during its glory years. Now that history is literally sitting on a Memphis street sign. For a guy who became known everywhere as “The King,” getting his own piece of Memphis feels pretty fitting.
What do you think about Memphis honoring Jerry Lawler with his own street? Let us know what you think and leave your feedback in the comments.
