Just curious. The late Andy Kaufman took comedy to such extremes I was never sure whether him getting beaten up by the wrestler Jerry Lawler was a setup or not.
Anyone have the Straight Dope?
According to the film Man on the Moon, it was a set up. Apparently Lawler and Kaufman had the same agent. And Lawler played himself in the film, so that lends it a bit of credibility to me.
“Try as hard as they might, Pro Wrestling would kill for a feud as well done as Kaufman vs. Lawler was done. To this day, many people still believe that the two hated each other with a tremendous passion. Take a look at the Kaufman film “I’m From Hollywood” (you can order it by checking the links section below) and you’ll see some of the most entertaining wrestling theatrics of all time. Kaufman at one point offers anyone $10,000 that can put Lawler in the hospital for good. Definitely a must see for any fan of wrestling, period. The feud culminated in a classic confrontation on the David Letterman show that remains one of televisions greatest moments.”
The rec.sports.pro-wrestling FAQ has this to say about the confrontations.
“Kaufman, who had made it known several times that he wished to be a professional wrestling manager, and specifically a heel, began having “intergender” matches in 1981 with women, and course winning easily. He followed this up with a series of insulting video segments directed towards wrestling fans in general, and Memphis wrestling fans in particular. Finally, he was challenged by wrestler Jerry Lawler to a one-on-one match, which Lawler won easily and injured Kaufman’s neck in the process. In July of 1982, Kaufman and Lawler appeared on an episode of Late Night with David Letterman, talking about the rivalry, during which Andy was pushed around by Lawler, and responded with an out-of-control profanity-laden tirade, and walked off the set. It made national headlines. He returned to Memphis shortly after as a heel manager, and Lawler ended up getting his final revenge on Kaufman. All of the above was a carefully crafted work and was 100% fake. Just to clear that up. Lawler and Kaufman were friends in real life.”