WWE Announcer Collapes During Live Telecast

WWE announcer Jerry Lawler collapsed during USA Network's live telecast of WWE Monday Night Raw and was rushed to a local hospital, according to the pro wrestling outfit.

Lawler, a regular on the popular weekly series, was announcing a match at ringside when he collapsed and was immediately given medical attention by ringside doctors, according to the L.A. Times. According to the report, Lawler, 62, was given CPR and rushed to a Montreal hospital.

Later in the telecast, Lawler's co-broadcast partner Michael Cole informed viewers of Lawler's collapse, adding that Lawler was responsive at the hospital.

Lawler had competed in the ring earlier in the telecast, and later appeared fine in an on-camera segment before collapsing, according to the L.A. Times.

USA's WWE Monday Night Raw averages more than 4 million viewers. The three-hour series recently celebrated its 1,000th episode.

R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.