Where Are They Now? Lex Luger
Catching up with Lex Luger
From WWE.com
With the impressive physique he had upon leaving the gridiron for the squared circle, it’s perfectly understandable why Lex Luger was something of a “Narcissist.” Who could have guessed that the former football player who began training with Hiro Masada in 1985 would become the “Total Package”? (PHOTOS)
While playing football, becoming a decorated champion inside the ring was not on Luger’s mind. But after hearing from many of his peers that his chiseled physique could earn him a career in film or television, the decorated athlete decided to heed their advice.
In the beginning
“In the off-season, I walked into NWA [WCW] in Florida, and they had Hiro Masuda train me," Luger recalled. "I went back to football, but six months later, I was in the ring and became Southern Heavyweight Champion a few weeks after that.”
Before long, the young ring warrior was thrust into the spotlight and found himself working with one of the most legendary groups in the history of the industry.
“I had a great opportunity there, which I didn’t even realize at the time with Ric Flair and the Four Horsemen,” Luger said. “That was a tremendous time and opportunity, and the fans loved to hate us.”
After rising in the ranks to United States Champion, and then even higher to capture the World Championship, Luger moved on from WCW, and after a brief stint with the World Bodybuilding Federation, he was introduced to the WWE Universe as “The Narcissist.”
“It was a blast,” he recalled. “I got introduced by Bobby Heenan at my first pay-per-view [Royal Rumble 1993], and I was psyched about the opportunity.”
A change of scenery
The Narcissist’s opportunity, however, proved to be short-lived, thanks to an even greater break just around the corner.
“We had the ‘Lex Express Tour’ after ‘The Slam Heard Round the World’ with Yokozuna. What a tour that was; the crowds and excitement it generated was a phenomenal experience.”
Luger credits WWE and its Chairman, Vince McMahon, for making that July 4, 1993 moment in New York City possible.
“I thought, how am I going to go from being The Narcissist and a bad guy to slamming Yokozuna on the U.S.S. Intrepid and a good guy in one clean swoop?” said the former WCW Champion. “It was amazing. Yokozuna was standing there, with Mr. Fuji, eating rice and rubbing it in people’s faces because nobody could slam him.
“Other wrestlers and football players, athletes, strong men all tried slamming him but couldn’t. Then down I came in the helicopter and swooped in, and the excitement in that crowd when I slammed him was off the chain. It was amazing …. definitely one of the biggest, if not the biggest, highlights of my career.”
One of the biggest highlights, though it never translated into a championship during Luger’s tenure with WWE, which came to a close just a couple years later. In September 1995, The Total Package had returned to WCW.
Back where it started
“I went back to WCW when the Monday Night Wars started, coincidentally,” Luger said. “That was a special time with how the crowds reacted … another highlight of my career. It was tremendous.
“I went back with some regret at the time, as I felt I left a lot of things unfinished and had so many great opportunities with WWE that I didn’t capitalize on. But with the Monday Night Wars going on, I felt that it brought out the best in both companies. It helped bring out the best of what we’re seeing now.”
WWE would emerge victorious in the Monday Night Wars, buying out WCW six years later in 2001. For Luger, it signaled the end of his own longstanding ring career, and ushered in a dark time in his personal life – a period that ultimately resulted in legal problems and incarceration. Today, however, Luger considers it the opening of a door that allowed him to see the error of his ways and change his life completely.
“I made a lot of regrettable, bad decisions in my life,” he admitted. “Many times, the decisions we make affect and hurt your closest friends and family the most. I have a lot of regrets, in that regard. But God has forgiven me, which I am very thankful for. It has enabled me to forgive myself and move forward one day at a time.”
Luger credits the start of his personal redemption to “a jail chaplain who came into my life. When I got out [of jail], he chased me down.” The chance meeting would change the decorated legend’s outlook on life completely, starting him on a path to reform his life for the better.
“He shared the Sinner’s Prayer and the Plan of Salvation in a hotel room on April 23, 2006,” said the former champion. “My life from then on has been a supernatural transformation. At that point, I had pretty much given up hope. But now I know that, by God’s grace and mercy, none of us have to.”
Trials and tribulations
Devoting himself to God, Luger began trying to help and pass his experiences onto others in need. Unfortunately, the path ahead would be just as challenging for him - just a short time later, he would face one of the toughest setbacks in his life.
“I injured my neck on an airplane from Atlanta to San Francisco,” he explained. “The way I had turned my neck while sitting on the plane had basically cut off my blood flow. It was just a freak accident, but it caused massive swelling from my C6 [vertebra], at the base of your neck, to my D5 in my chest. It paralyzed me from the neck down.”
The incident was tragic, and the prognosis bleak. But Lex did not lose faith. Through his determination and belief of his newfound convictions, he worked incredibly hard to overcome his debilitating condition, surpassing what many believed he’d ever be able to recuperate.
“I was in a hospital in Stanford, Calif., where they ran every test on my heart and brain,” Luger said. “They told me that I was a healthy 49 year-old, though I‘d be paralyzed from the neck down for the rest of my life and need 24-hour medical care. But my recovery has been just phenomenal. Now I live on my own, I’m walking and I’m thankful for that. Nobody knows if I’ll make a 100-percent recovery, but I’ve gotten so much back already … more than anybody would ever have thought.”
These days, the former “Total Package” is showing he is precisely that, using his life experiences in an effort to help others.
Paying it forward
“One of the things I do is try to get a positive message out there in the local schools and tell my story,” he said. “I also do a lot of faith-based speaking, sharing my story and testimony, to help show what God has done in my life and what he can do in others’ lives.”
And that’s just on his weekends. The rest of his week is dedicated toward rehabilitative therapy at the place where he’d been hospitalized from Nov. 2007 until March 2008 - the Shepherd Center, a world-class rehab center for ABI and SCI, core brain injuries and spinal cord injuries.
“It’s an amazing facility, and my recovery has just been astounding,” he said. “I’m also involved in volunteer services there. Eighty percent of the injuries, especially spinal cord injuries such as my own, occur with young men between the ages of 15 and 24. This has given me the awesome opportunity to provide family and peer support, to give back and encourage the families that it does get better. I do that as much as I can, as it’s a privilege and an honor that they allow me to do that.”
Luger also tries to help various ministries with which he has become associated.
“I’m involved in quite a few ministries as a bridge builder, trying to match generous givers and donors to other ministries. Based on my past, I’m also involved in mainly the prison ministry. I go to jails and prisons and share my story, trying to give them some hope.”
So many hats, so little time
Luger wears many other different hats, with his hand in numerous projects, from online nutrition stores, writing for magazines and even lobbying for healthcare reform.
“I’m involved with a nutrition superstore online at SupplementDepot.net, where we offer advice and counseling,” he revealed. “It is an awesome business and we’re growing very rapidly. I’m really excited about that.”
Luger also writes for Christian Living Magazine, where he has a featured nutrition column on the magazine’s Web site, which caters to fitness and healthy living. Recently, he has thrown his hat into the political arena, focusing on healthcare at the state level.
“I’m talking with some great people in Georgia and Washington D.C., working toward cutting down healthcare costs and dealing with obesity, which ties in with nutrition. I’m also involved in a research project on muscle fiber recruitment with waves and vibrations. It’s already in the clinical level in hospitals, but I’m working with a group of people that want to bring it to the mainstream.”
Obviously, the past several years have presented difficult times for Lex Luger. But he has done more than progress by leaps and bounds throughout his recovery and road to redemption. And through it all, he has never forgotten his fans, with whom he continues to reconnect through his association with PromoLastEvents.com.
“I love going back to those events and seeing the fans,” he stated. “I try to schedule those every few months as I have a blast.
“I want to thank the fans so much for their support through the years,” Luger concluded. “Even as undeserving as I was, they were a big part of my being able to move forward and put my life back together. They’re the greatest. They’re the ones who make the stars. For their support throughout my career and today, I love them and thank them.”
WWE BRAGGING RIGHTS ( WWE Pay-Per-View )
SmackDown vs. Raw WWE Bragging Rights Tag Team Match (WWE Bragging Rights)
WWE Champion Randy Orton vs. John Cena (One Hour, Anything Goes WWE Iron Man Match) WWE Bragging Rights
Intercontinental Champion John Morrison vs. United States Champion The Miz (WWE Bragging Rights)
SmackDown Divas vs. Raw Divas Tag Team Match (WWE Bragging Rights)
SmackDown vs. Raw WWE Bragging Rights Tag Team Match (WWE Bragging Rights)
Just as the name of the first-ever WWE Bragging Rights pay-per-view suggests, the Superstars of SmackDown and Raw will meet in a massive tag team confrontation to determine brand supremacy. In the midst of this 14-Superstar melee, only one pinfall will be needed to decide the winning team.
The two WWE brands can each claim that they have plenty to brag about after each holding five stirring qualifying matches.
Joining co-captains Triple H and Shawn Michaels of DX are several of the Monday night brand’s most electrifying Superstars, including Unified Tag Team Champion Big Show, Mark Henry, Cody Rhodes, Jack Swagger and Kofi Kingston.
Team SmackDown co-captain, Unified Tag Team Champion Chris Jericho, must also be feeling confident, however – Kane declared himself co-captain with Jericho, and their squad consists of some of the finest Friday night ring warriors, including Dolph Ziggler, Cryme Tyme’s Shad & JTG, Eric Escobar and Drew McIntyre.
Unlike more traditional matches which are generally decided by each individual combatant’s strength and courage, the outcome of this unprecedented event will rely profoundly on which side can produce a more cohesive combination of team chemistry and tactics.
Many of the match’s participants will be forced to team with frequent foes, while others will be required to scuffle with existing allies. It’s extraordinarily rare, for instance, for co-holders of the Unified Tag Team Championship to be on opposing sides, while bitter rivals like DX and Rhodes to be united together.
Can each of the Superstars focus on the pride they have for their respective brands, or will they ultimately address their own personal vendettas? And will a match including this many combatants become unmanageable to officiate?
Offering the opportunity of a lifetime for the WWE Universe to watch their favorite members of Monday and Friday night’s rosters cross paths, this innovative multi-Superstar encounter is certain to make history in Pittsburgh's Mellon Arena. Now all that needs to be answered is which team that history will favor.
Be sure to catch this inaugural event on Oct. 25 at 8/7 CT, live and only on pay-per-view.
World Heavyweight Champion The Undertaker vs. CM Punk vs. Batista vs. Rey Mysterio (Fatal Four Way Match) WWE Bragging Rights
From WWE.com-
At WWE Bragging Rights, new World Heavyweight Champion The Undertaker will defend his title in a Fatal Four Way Match against three former Word Champions: CM Punk, Rey Mysterio and Batista.
The Deadman defeated CM Punk inside The Devil’s Playground at Hell in a Cell to win his seventh World Title. (PHOTOS) Five days later, The Straightedge Superstar stormed his way onto Friday night, demanding that SmackDown General Manager Theodore Long give him his mandatory rematch on his terms. But before the issue could be resolved, Mr. McMahon emerged to “help” Long make “his” monumental announcement – the former Straightedge Champion’s rematch would be a Fatal Four Way at WWE Bragging Rights, and it would also include The Master of the 619 and The Animal.
With his most recent acquisition of the gold, The Phenom has arguably transcended other SmackDown Superstars to reach a level of competition all his own. The Undertaker’s reputation has become as intimidating as his deadly arsenal of weapons. And now that he holds the World Title as his “holy grail,” is it conceivable that any Superstar will ever overcome his wrath?
However, in a Fatal Four Way the odds are against The Undertaker. And because he does not have to be pinned to lose his championship, the fate of the World Title could ultimately end up out of his control.
The Undertaker’s history of battle with Batista has been nothing short of epic, and SmackDown’s “blue chip acquisition” has shown no sign that WWE Bragging Rights will be any different. Since moving from Monday Night Raw, The Animal has been more ferocious than ever, scoring victories over the likes of Unified Tag Team Champions Chris Jericho & Big Show, respectively. With his outrageous momentum driving this fierce competitor like never before, Batista is capable of knocking anyone off the mountain so that he can have it all to himself.
Despite losing the title to The Demon from Death Valley, Punk’s aggressive performance at Hell in a Cell will stay etched in the minds of the WWE Universe forever. He has continued to show his ability to emerge as a strong competitor for any type of match thrown at him, no matter the odds. His A-list skills, fused with an anything-to-win attitude, make the three-time World Champion a very dangerous threat to the gold.
And if the match wasn’t explosive enough already, enter the TNT-like assault of the ultra-athletic Rey Mysterio. The Master of the 619 has refused to be denied as one of the top Superstars in WWE, as his high octane-offense has continued to propel him to new heights. Second only to his heart is his barrage of dangerous maneuvers that may allow him to walk out of WWE Bragging Rights with the gold around his waist.
The fast-paced fury and unpredictable mayhem of a championship Fatal Four Way will test four of the most dominant Superstars on SmackDown. Who will emerge with the World Heavyweight Championship? Find out live at WWE Bragging Rights, Oct. 25 at 8/7 CT, only on pay-per-view.
WWE Champion Randy Orton vs. John Cena (One Hour, Anything Goes WWE Iron Man Match) WWE Bragging Rights
From WWE.com-
One night after Randy Orton won the WWE Championship back within Satan’s Structure at Hell in a Cell, The Viper accepted John Cena’s challenge to defend his gold at WWE Bragging Rights in a One Hour, Anything Goes WWE Iron Man Match.
With the modification that there will be no disqualifications and no count-outs in their WWE Bragging Rights bout, the two men will tear into each other trying to accumulate as many pinfalls and submissions in the allotted time. The man with the most decisions in the end will be declared the victor and walk out as WWE Champion in what both men have agreed to be their final battle – meaning no rematch for either man no matter what happens and if Cena loses, he must leave Raw.
For months, Cena and Orton have waged war, and what the One-hour, Anything Goes WWE Iron Man Match will do is take the hatred both these men have for each other, and use it to determine a decisive winner between the two.
Already having faced one another in a series of bouts including an “I Quit” Match and a Hell in a Cell Match this year, these men have become quite familiar with one another in the ring. Though Orton has prevailed in three out of four of the aforementioned bouts, throughout their storied careers, the two men hold a 5-5 record against one another in all-time pay-per-view matches.
To date, the WWE Iron Man Match has only come into play a handful of times, including the classic match-up pitting Shawn Michaels against Bret Hart at WrestleMania XII. As any man who has done battle in one of these legendary bouts can tell you, this ultimate test of endurance is not for the faint of heart.
Who will stand after what may be considered the truest test of time and walk out with the gold? Find out when the first-ever WWE Bragging Rights airs Sunday, Oct. 25 live on pay-per view.
Intercontinental Champion John Morrison vs. United States Champion The Miz (WWE Bragging Rights)
From WWE.com-
As announced by United States Champion The Miz on Raw, at WWE Bragging Rights he will square off against his former tag team partner and “Dirt Sheet” co-host, Intercontinental Champion John Morrison.
In a match that will surely give one of these two talented ring warriors bragging rights over their former cohort, the duo that once referred to themselves as “the greatest tag team of the 21st century” will do battle in singles action for the first time since they were drafted to separate brands.
Morrison has a little more on the line, however, as he likely hasn’t forgotten how their longstanding partnership ended with a vicious sneak-attack by The Miz. Perhaps this match-up will see the SmackDown Superstar obtain payback for Raw’s self-proclaimed “awesome” one’s betrayal.
After both Superstars went their separate ways, they have had great amounts of success as single competitors on their different brands, as evidenced by the coveted singles titles each champion has around their waist. When they collide, fireworks will fly and in the end, the WWE Universe will know which of these former allies will truly have bragging rights.
Wonder which former “Dirt Sheet” star shines brightest? Find out when the first-ever WWE Bragging Rights airs Sunday, Oct. 25 live on pay-per view.
SmackDown Divas vs. Raw Divas Tag Team Match (WWE Bragging Rights)
From WWE.com-
Six of WWE’s Divas will have the opportunity at WWE Bragging Rights to prove their respective brand consists of the smartest, sexiest and most powerful women.
Women’s Champion Michelle McCool, Beth Phoenix and Natalya will represent Team SmackDown, while Team Raw will include Divas Champion Melina, Kelly Kelly and Gail Kim.
If it wasn’t for this month’s Tri-Diva trade, orchestrated by SmackDown and ECW General Managers Theodore Long and Tiffany as well as recent Raw special guest host Nancy O’Dell, the makeup of these teams would have been considerably different. Melina, after being dealt from SmackDown to Raw, dethroned Jillian that very night to become just the third Diva in WWE history to capture the Divas and Women’s Title in her career. (McCool was the first ever to accomplish this feat earlier this year.)
The Glamazon, meanwhile, didn’t hide her initial displeasure about being shipped over from Raw to SmackDown. Though it didn’t stop the former two-time Women’s Champion from putting the current Women’s Champion on notice. And she wasn’t the only one; less than a week ago, Team SmackDown co-captain Chris Jericho emphasized to Michelle just how important it is that she represent the blue brand well.
Ultimately, showing no jealousy will be essential for all participants in this match. It’s no secret that Phoenix and Natalya desire to become Women’s Champion as it is for Melina’s teammates to become Divas Champion. But first they must concentrate on their opponents at WWE Bragging Rights – not on the gold they hope to obtain in the future.
Which Divas will establish brand supremacy? Be sure to catch all the action at WWE Bragging Rights Sunday at 8/5 PT, exclusively on pay-per-view.