( CNN ) -- World Wrestling Entertainment announcer Jerry `` The King '' Lawler was in stable condition after suffering a heart attack , WWE said . As of Tuesday morning , Lawler was in a cardiac care unit and his vital signs were stable , WWE said in a written statement . Lawler , a larger-than-life figure even within the flamboyant world of professional wrestling , suffered a heart attack and collapsed during a show Monday night , the show 's producers announced . Lawler , 62 , was given CPR in the locker room of the arena in Montreal before being taken to a hospital , co-host Michael Cole told viewers during a break in the televised program . Lawler was in the emergency room and breathing on his own , but `` this is an extremely serious situation . This is not part of tonight 's entertainment , '' he said . `` This is a real-life situation . '' Cole said the star was responding to tests and would be given a CT scan at the hospital , adding , `` Jerry , my friend , my prayers are with you . '' `` I 'm shaken by the news of my friend Jerry Lawler 's medical emergency in Montreal . Hands shaking . Prayers for the King . I feel helpless , '' WWE announcer Jim Ross said on Twitter . Lawler made his name in wrestling in the 1970s , but he became famous beyond the wrestling world for a 1982 bout with comedian Andy Kaufman . The Great Ruse : Andy Kaufman , the comedic genius who rocked wrestling . Kaufman , who had begun wrestling women during his nightclub act , accepted a challenge from Lawler , who accused him of demeaning the sport . Kaufman trash-talked both the wrestler and the crowd in Memphis , Tennessee , before the match , and the 6-foot , 243-pound Lawler trounced the skinny comedian , who was hauled away in a stretcher . A few weeks later , the pair appeared on `` Late Night with David Letterman '' and got into an argument that ended with Lawler slapping Kaufman , followed by Kaufman delivering a profanity-laced tirade and being chased off the set . The wrestler gave as good as he got in trash-talking the comedian , letting loose with : `` Andy Kaufman 's mom wanted a girl , his father wanted a boy , and they were both satisfied ! '' Lawler lists the slapping of Kaufman on the Letterman show as the highlight of his career . But like much of Kaufman 's shtick , the feud was an elaborate put-on . `` They 'd be at the coliseum , supposedly trying to kill each other , and then I 'd get off the 10 o'clock newscast and walk into the newsroom , and Jerry and Andy would be sitting in an edit booth discussing what had happened and where to go from there , '' veteran Memphis wrestling announcer Dave Brown told CNN earlier this year . Lawler was inducted into the Connecticut-based WWE 's Hall of Fame in 2007 and played himself in the 1999 Kaufman biopic `` Man on the Moon . '' A native of Memphis , with bright blue eyes and a baby face into his 60s , Lawler describes himself as loved in his hometown but hated in his wrestling federation , `` where his arrogant , egotistical attitude got him into feuds with former WWF champ Bret Hart and federation head Vince McMahon . '' The WWF is the former name of the WWE . He started wrestling in 1970 in Memphis , where he won multiple regional championships and the Mid-South Wrestling circuit . He career had gone national by the mid-1970s , and he continued to wrestle for decades . In recent years , he has been known better as a commentator . `` We are hopeful Jerry makes a full recovery and returns to WWE in the near future . Our thoughts are with Jerry and his family , '' the WWE said on its website . Previously on CNN.com : Pro wrestler ditches ring for rod with new extreme fishing show . Previously on CNN.com : Brooke Hogan wanted to follow in dad 's footsteps . Previously on CNN.com : Why wrestling is booming in Senegal .
NEW : Lawler is in stable condition , World Wrestling Entertainment says . Lawler collapsed during a WWE show in Tennessee and is hospitalized . `` This is a real-life situation , '' co-host Andy Kaufman told viewers . The WWE hall of famer is famous for his feud with comedian Michael Cole .