Jerry Lawler's Big Chance.

If you are a loyal viewer of WWE television, you know at WWE's next Pay Per View Jerry Lawler will be competing for the WWE Championship.  This raises some eyebrows because Lawler is 61 and has spent the greater part of the previous decade as an announcer.  Some feel he doesn't have the credibility at this point, even given his lucrative career.
I feel that this is a great choice for the WWE though.  Let's look at some the business side of it.  Lawler is not a name that will draw a ton of money in 2011, but he's definitely drawn some interest.  The current title holder, The Miz, has been booked as a beatable champion as he's escaped his title defenses by the skin of his teeth.  One of those defenses was against Lawler.  This has led to a sub feud between Jerry and The Miz.  The Miz might be the champion, but he's still fresh to the product and has much room for growth.  Flair isn't around to give tips anymore, but Lawler is.  And he still has the ability to wrestle a match.  Working a program with Lawler gives the Miz an excellent chance to learn and grow as a wrestler.  I'm sure there are many young stars that envy the position and opportunity The Miz is getting.  And as a student of the game and someone who wants to represent the company, The Miz has to be thrilled.  Also, the Elimination Chamber is focused on the namesake of the event.  The matches for the most part set up the rest of the main events at Wrestlemania.  It makes sense that you want to have all the available talent in those matches that could potentially be believable as main event workers.  So Randy Orton, Sheamus, and John Cena need to be in that match.  Elimination Chamber is also a filler PPV between the Royal Rumble and Wrestlemania.  With all of your big talent being occupied in the EC matches, it doesn't hurt to use Jerry Lawler in this role.  And it's something fresh for anyone who might be tired of the same people being in the title hunt.
Now if there is an argument that he is too old to be credible.  Kick-Out's Razor pointed out that a trait he has that others do not is experience and that needs to be put into play.  Lawler does not look like a weak old man, he still looks like he can fight, and I'm sure he can.  Last year everyone said that Brett Favre was too old to play, but he was an interception away from going to the Superbowl.  Despite his age, he showed that he can still play at a high level and challenge for a championship.  Take away the polarizing nature of Favre, it's a story that was compelling to follow.  The Lawler story is merely art imitating life, his TLC with Miz told a story that he can accomplish this goal.  He earned another chance and has a shot at rectifying his mistakes and getting the top prize in the business.  It's nothing long term, just a nice sub story that is interwoven in the Road to Wrestlemania.