Scott Bowden presents Kentucky Fried Rasslin

The Sun has confirmed that Jerry Lawler is contemplating another run at the mayor’s office in my hometown of Memphis following the long-awaited abdication of Mayor Willie Herenton (often less-than-affectionately referred to as “King Willie” by the locals).

Apparently, Lawler voiced his interest during an interview with a local radio station, which the local FOX News affiliate picked up. The Sun’s Mike Aldren, a wrestling writer/fan who posts on the Wrestling Classics Board, heard about it and called the King for confirmation. Only fitting that the newspaper best known in the UK for its Page 3 Girls (a topless model appears on the third page of each edition) would help break the Lawler story.

Writes Aldren:

JERRY ‘THE KING’ LAWLER is considering entering the next elections for Mayor of Memphis because he is sick of the way his home city is being run.

The former WWE announcer told SunSport that he is testing the waters before he launches an official campaign later this week.

He said: “I am going to do some media interviews and see what level of support is out there before I officially declare. The people of Memphis are so tired of the political circus that we have been living in for the past 18 years and hopefully, are tired of politicians in general. I would be an alternative to that since I am not a politician and never want to be one. “Just someone who could bring some common sense to the office of mayor and hopefully make my hometown of Memphis a city that people want to come to, instead of move away from. I will be making an announcement by the end of this week.”

This would be the second time that Lawler has ran for mayor. During a 1999 run he garnered 11.7% of ballots, laying the SmackDown on twelve of the fifteen candidates. His platform focused on making the streets safer for residents, beautifying the city, and improving the quality of education. The 59-year-old WWE Hall of Famer — who has held more than 140 championships in his glittering career — is perhaps inspired by fellow grappler Jesse Ventura, who successfully ran for the governorship of Minnesota.

In addition to that part about Ventura, I had to laugh over Lawler saying, “I’m not a politician.” I beg to differ, sir. A different arena, perhaps, but Lawler has been one of the best politicians the wrestling business has ever seen. While I think he’d be a natural in that sense, I just can’t see him committing to, y’know, actual work for a change. Let’s face it, the King of Wrestling isn’t exactly cut out for a 9-to-5 job. (As Jim Ross might say regarding Lawler, he does not get paid on a per-piledriver basis, folks.) I am nearly certain this is not much more than a publicity stunt, similar to his ’99 campaign. I believe he initially did have some interest 10 years ago; however, when his campaign gained momentum, Lawler admitted to me that he was worried he’d actually win the race. Turns out the job doesn’t pay all that great, and he was also dismayed to learn about the required attendance for certain meetings and city functions. There’s also a part of me that doubts Lawler would invite closer inspection by the media (not to mention political rivals) into his personal affairs.

Still, it would be interesting if Lawler pulled the proverbial strap and entered the political fray. I can see his mayoral staff now: Dave Brown, chief of staff; Buddy Wayne, city council chairman; Downtown Bruno, city manager; Mr. Guy Coffee, city clerk; Grand Master Sexxay, drug czar; Nate the Rat, city inspector; and Reggie B. Fine, treasurer. All city council meetings under Mayor Lawler would be held under Hospital Elimination Match rules…within the confines of a steel cage, of course.