As reported yesterday, WWE has pulled all talent scheduled to work the Memphis shows this weekend. In response to this, Cory Macklin is trying to work out a deal with TNA to begin using their talent.
More details have also come in on exactly how WWE went about telling Jerry Lawler he couldn’t work the 4/27 show. Kevin Dunn called Lawler and told him he couldn’t work the show. He then called him back again later asking if there is anyway they could get the entire show shutdown, saying that WWE would reimburse Cory Macklin for the deposit on the FedEx Forum. Lawler told Macklin about WWE’s offer but Macklin denied it, saying that sponsors were already set, t-shirts already printed, etc. Macklin also felt like pulling the show now would put a bullet in Memphis Wrestling because they have been promising something big and had to deliver.
A lot of people in Memphis are upset with Jerry Lawler about this, since everyone including Hulk Hogan suspected whether McMahon would let him work the show. Instead of asking permission ahead of it, Lawler just moved forward assuming he could work the show. Then, at the press conference, instead of coming out and saying WWE forced him off the show, he made up a story about WWE talent not being allowed to appear on VH1. He then left and Hulk Hogan basically painted a more accurate story of this being about him and WWE.
This has hurt Lawler’s reputation in Memphis and it remains to be seen if he will even be part of Memphis Wrestling from now on.
