If you look at my criteria list on why I have Lawler #1, not one of those involves out of the ring stuff. Selling, Bumping, Punching, Carrying Wrestlers and feuds that produced great matches. The feuds produced great matches. All in-ring stuff. The TV and the promos and the angles. That's the whipped cream and cherry on top.
There is also a huge difference between your love of 90s WWF and my love of Memphis. Besides Apter mags, I don't recall ever knowing about Memphis wrestling. There is no nostalgia or reminiscing to be had. No memories from my youth to make me pop. That is reserved for UWF and Crockett and even mid 80s WWF. My love of Memphis has come form the past ten years collecting and watching footage from a distance.
It's not foolish and it can be done. If you think Lawler is all character development and promos, I am not going to convince you otherwise. I have devoted enough time on podcasts and in projects trying to get people to see the Lawler love. Some get it. Others don't. I am perfectly fine with it.