Lex Luger
272874
225139837
2008-07-12T02:28:05Z
69.23.151.9
/* In wrestling */
{{Infobox Wrestler
|name=Lex Luger
|names='''Lex Luger'''<ref name="OWW">{{cite web|url=http://www.midwestwrestling.com/images5/llus.jpg|title=Lex Luger's Profile|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|accessdate=2008-04-17}}</ref><ref name="acceleratorbio">{{cite web|url=http://www.midwestwrestling.com/images5/llus.jpg|title=Lex Luger's Bio|publisher=Accelerator's Wrestling Rollercoaster|accessdate=2008-04-17}}</ref><br />The Total Package<ref name="OWW"/><ref name="acceleratorbio"/><br />The Narcissist<ref name="OWW"/><ref name="acceleratorbio"/>
|image= LexLuger.jpg
|height={{height|ft=6|in=5}}<ref name="acceleratorbio"/><!-- Lex Luger's billed height in professional wrestling has always been 6'5" tall, please do not change this. If you want to note that he's actually 6'3" then please make a note of that somewhere else in the article. Noting that his billed height is 6'3" is misinformation that's being relayed on an article that's supposed to be as accurate as possible. -->
|weight={{convert|265|lb|kg st|abbr=on}}<ref name="OWW"/><ref name="acceleratorbio"/>
|birth_date ={{birth date and age|1958|6|2}}<ref name="OWW"/><ref name="acceleratorbio"/>
|birth_place =[[Buffalo, New York]]
|billed=[[Chicago]], [[Illinois]]<ref name="OWW"/><br />[[Atlanta, Georgia]]<ref name="acceleratorbio"/><br />[[Boca Raton, Florida]]
|trainer=[[Bob Roop]]<ref name="OWW"/><br />[[Yasuhiro Kojima|Hiro Matsuda]]<ref name="OWW"/>
|debut=[[September 1985]]<ref name="OWW"/><ref name="acceleratorbio"/>
|retired=[[September 18]], [[2006]]
}}
'''Lawrence''' "'''Larry'''" '''Wendell Pfohl''' (born [[June 2]], [[1958]]),<ref name="OWW"/><ref name="acceleratorbio"/> best known by his [[ring name]] '''Lex Luger''', is an [[United States|American]] former [[Professional wrestling|professional wrestler]] and [[American football|football player]]. He is best known for his work with the [[National Wrestling Alliance|NWA]], [[Total Nonstop Action Wrestling|TNA]], [[World Championship Wrestling|WCW]], and the [[World Wrestling Entertainment|WWF]].
He received success in NWA/WCW as a [[List of WCW World Heavyweight Champions|2 time]] [[WCW World Heavyweight Championship|WCW World Heavyweight Champion]],<ref name="wcwtitle"/><ref name="titlehistory">{{cite web|first=Richard|last=Lopez|date=[[2008-05-18]]|url=http://wrestlertitles.blogspot.com/2008/05/lex-luger.html|title=Lex Luger's Title History|work=Blogger|accessdate=2008-05-17}}</ref> [[List of WWE United States Champions|5 time]] [[WWE United States Championship|United States Heavyweight Champion]],<ref name="ustitle"/><ref name="titlehistory"/> [[List of WCW World Television Champions|2 time]] [[WCW World Television Championship|Television Champion]],<ref name="wcwtv"/><ref name="titlehistory"/> [[List of WCW World Tag Team Champions|2 time]] [[WCW World Tag Team Championship|World Tag Team Champion]],<ref name="wcwtag"/><ref name="titlehistory"/> [[List of WCW World Tag Team Champions|1 time]] [[WCW World Tag Team Championship|Mid-Atlantic Tag Team Champion]]<ref name="nwatag"/><ref name="titlehistory"/> and as the winner of the [[Jim Crockett Promotions#Jim Crockett Sr. Memorial Cup|Jim Crockett Sr. Memorial Cup Tag Team Tournament]] with [[Sting (wrestler)|Sting]] in [[1988]].<ref name="croccup"/> He never won any title in the WWF but he was the co-winner of the [[Royal Rumble (1994)|1994]] [[Royal Rumble]] with [[Bret Hart]].<ref name="RR94"/><ref name="titlehistory"/>
==Early life==
Larry Pfohl attended high school and played football in [[Orchard Park (town), New York|Orchard Park, New York]]. He then attended [[Pennsylvania State University]] on a football scholarship, but transferred to the [[Miami Hurricanes]] after his freshman year. After sitting out the 1978 season, he started the 1979 season at Offensive Guard until his scholarship was terminated for disciplinary reasons stemming from a hotel damage incident that occurred during an away game at Georgia Tech.
Upon leaving Miami, he played professional football for the [[Montreal Alouettes]] of the [[Canadian Football League]]. According to the Alouettes' website, he played one game in 1979, eleven games in 1980 and two more game in 1981. He then signed with the [[Green Bay Packers]] of the [[National Football League]], but never played in a game and thus is not listed on their all-time roster, though he did spend the entire 1982 season on the team's injured reserve list with a groin problem incurred during training camp. He returned to the Packers training camp in 1983, but he was released before the regular season began. In 1984, Pfohl finished his football career playing in the [[United States Football League]] for the [[Memphis Showboats]], where he was listed as #72, at 6 feet 3 inches and 270 pounds. He also played for the [[Tampa Bay Bandits]] in the USFL, where he was a teammate with future WCW rival [[Ron Simmons]].<ref name="OWW"/>
==Professional wrestling career==
===Training===
In [[1985]], Pfohl met [[Bob Roop]] at a celebrity golfing event in [[Florida]] and was given the chance to get into [[professional wrestling]]. Roop arranged for Pfohl to be trained by [[Yasuhiro Kojima|Hiro Matsuda]],<ref name="OWW"/> who had previously trained [[Hulk Hogan]] and [[Paul Orndorff|"Mr. Wonderful" Paul Orndorff]]. Pfohl adopted the ring name "'''Lex Luger'''", being a fan of the comic book villain [[Lex Luthor]], and made his in-ring debut in September 1985.
===NWA Florida (1985-1986)===
Luger began wrestling in the [[Championship Wrestling from Florida|NWA Florida]] territory, and quickly came to dominate the area. He got his first victory on [[Halloween]] 1985 against Ed "The Bull" Gantner, and won the [[NWA Florida Southern Heavyweight Championship|Southern Heavyweight Championship]] from [[Wahoo McDaniel]] the next month.<ref name="floridasouthern"/> On [[September 1]] [[1986]], he fought [[NWA World Heavyweight Championship|NWA World Heavyweight Champion]] [[Ric Flair]] for the title at a show ''Battle of the Belts'', which resulted in a 60-minute draw. As a result, Flair retained the title.<ref name="OWW"/>
Towards the end of his run in Florida, Luger was involved in a now-legendary [[Professional wrestling match types#Cages|steel cage match]] with [[Frank Goodish|Bruiser Brody]], where Brody [[Shoot (professional wrestling)|stopped cooperating]], leading to Luger leaving the match.<ref name="OWW"/>
===National Wrestling Alliance / World Championship Wrestling (First run, 1987-1992)===
====Four Horsemen (1987-1988)====
In [[1987]], Luger went to work for [[Jim Crockett]]'s [[World Championship Wrestling]] (WCW), which was under the [[National Wrestling Alliance]] (NWA) banner, with the nickname "'''The Total Package'''" and began using the "[[#In wrestling|The Human Torture Rack]]", an [[Backbreaker#Argentine backbreaker rack|Argentine backbreaker]], as his finisher.<ref name="acceleratorbio"/> He was first [[List of professional wrestling slang#B|booked]] as an associate to [[Ric Flair]]'s "[[Four Horsemen (professional wrestling)|Four Horsemen]]" [[List of professional wrestling slang#S|stable]] until [[Ole Anderson]] was kicked out and he became an official member of the group.<ref name="OWW"/> Luger started wrestling as a [[Heel (professional wrestling)|heel]].<ref name="acceleratorbio"/> His first big [[Feud (professional wrestling)|feud]] was with [[Nikita Koloff]], whom he defeated for his first [[WWE United States Championship|NWA United States Heavyweight Championship]] on [[July 11]], [[1987]].<ref name="acceleratorbio"/> Manager [[James J. Dillon|J.J. Dillon]] threw a chair over the top of the cage while the referee, [[Earl Hebner]], was down. Luger knocked Koloff unconscious with it and then lifted up Koloff in the Torture Rack.<ref name="acceleratorbio"/> A revived Hebner then dropped Koloff's arm three times with no response and awarded Luger a submission victory.<ref name="acceleratorbio"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/unitedstates/30445412212|title=Lex Luger's first United States Championship reign|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2008-04-17}}</ref>
He held the title until NWA's first [[pay-per-view]] (PPV) event [[Starrcade (1987)|Starrcade 1987: Chi-Town Heat]] in November, when he [[List of professional wrestling slang#D|dropped]] it to [[Dusty Rhodes (wrestler)|Dusty Rhodes]] in a steel cage. This loss set the stage for Luger leaving the Four Horsemen, as [[manager (professional wrestling)|manager]] J.J. Dillon's interference cost Luger the match. A steel chair thrown in by Dillon was dropped by Luger and Rhodes DDT'd Luger on it prior to pinning him for the win.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/starrcad.html#87|title=Starrcade 1987: Chi-Town Heat results|publisher=Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments|accessdate=2008-04-17|quote=Dusty Rhodes pinned Lex Luger (16:23) in a "steel cage" match to win the NWA US Title.}}</ref> Luger left the Four Horsemen in [[1988]] after he and his stablemates ([[Tully Blanchard]], [[Arn Anderson]], and J.J. Dillon) were the sole wrestlers left in a [[Battle royal (professional wrestling)#Bunkhouse Stampede|Bunkhouse Stampede]] [[Battle royal (professional wrestling)|battle royal]] and Dillon asked the other wrestlers to give themselves up so he could win. Although Blanchard and Anderson complied, Luger [[kayfabe|refused]] and eliminated Dillon, leaving the Horsemen in the process.<ref name="OWW"/>
====Feuding with the Horsemen (1988-1989)====
Out of all the Horsemen, Luger [[List of professional wrestling slang#T|turned]] [[Face (professional wrestling)|babyface]] and befriended [[Barry Windham]], his former Florida ally, and formed a [[tag team]], dubbed"'''"The Twin Towers"''', with him. "The Twin Towers" first teamed on [[March 27]], [[1988]] at the [[Clash of the Champions#Clash of the Champions I|first ''Clash of the Champions'']] to defeat [[Brain Busters|Tully Blanchard and Arn Anderson]] for the [[WCW World Tag Team Championship|NWA World Tag Team Championship (Mid-Atlantic version)]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/clash.html#I|title=Clash of the Champions I results|publisher=Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments|accessdate=2008-04-17|quote=Lex Luger & Barry Windham beat Arn Anderson & Tully Blanchard (9:35) to win the NWA Tag Title when Luger pinned Anderson}}</ref><ref name="nwatag"/> Only a few weeks after the title win, a [[List of professional wrestling slang#S|swerve]] took place in the NWA with Barry Windham suddenly [[List of professional wrestling slang#T|turning]] on Luger during a title defense (against Blanchard and Anderson) and joined his former stable, The Four Horsemen.<ref name="acceleratorbio"/>
Days later, the [[Jim Crockett Promotions#Jim Crockett Sr. Memorial Cup|Jim Crockett Sr. Memorial Cup]] tag team tournament was held with its first night in [[Greenville, South Carolina]]. A partner-less Luger was teamed with [[Sting (wrestler)|Sting]] (whose partner [[Ron Garvin|Ronnie Garvin]] had been [[kayfabe]] injured) and the impromptu team won the entire tournament, defeating Blanchard and Anderson in the finals.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/cup.html#3rd|title=3rd Annual Jim Crockett Sr., Memorial Tag Team Tournament Cup|publisher=Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments|accessdate=2008-04-17}}</ref><ref name="croccup"/>
Luger began a feud with the Four Horsemen, after his partner Barry Windham had betrayed him and joined the Horsemen. He began hunting their leader Ric Flair for the [[NWA World Heavyweight Championship]]. At the [[June 8]] [[Clash of the Champions#Clash of the Champions II: Miami Mayhem|edition]] of ''Clash of the Champions'', it was announced that Luger would challenge Flair for the NWA title at The Great American Bash on July 10 in Baltimore.<ref name="acceleratorbio"/> The contract was signed on a [[yacht]] with Flair delivering the line "You gotta make it to Baltimore..." to Luger.<ref name="acceleratorbio"/> As Luger arrived at ''The Clash'' in a [[limousine]] he was attacked by The Four Horsemen, leaving him (kayfabe) injured and bleeding in the parking lot on live television.<ref name="acceleratorbio"/> The build up to the Flair/Luger match at [[The Great American Bash#1988|The Great American Bash 1988]] helped the event draw a 14,000 person crowd, only to see Luger lose the match in one of the biggest wrestling [[Screwjob (professional wrestling)|controversies]] ever. While Luger had Flair in the "Torture Rack" and Flair was about to submit, the match was abruptly stopped by the [[Referee (professional wrestling)|referee]] who cited (kayfabe) "Maryland State Athletic Commission" rules about a cut that had opened up on Luger's forehead "bleeding excessively".<ref name="OWW"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/gabash.html#88|title=The Great American Bash 1988: The Price of Freedom|publisher=Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments|accessdate=2008-04-17|quote=NWA World Champ Ric Flair beat Lex Luger (23:13) when the match was stopped due to Luger's excessive bleeding.}}</ref>
Luger faced Flair in many rematches across the country, never winning the title - although he did frequently win their matches by [[professional wrestling#disqualification|disqualification]]. The Luger/Flair feud came to an end after December's [[Starrcade (1988)|Starrcade 1988: True Gritt]] where Flair pinned Luger in a rematch [[main event]] for the NWA title by illegally using the ropes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/starrcad.html#88|title=Starrcade 1988: True Gritt results|publisher=Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments|accessdate=2008-04-17|quote=NWA World Champ Ric Flair pinned Lex Luger (30:59).}}</ref>
====Longest Reigning U.S. Champion (1989-1990)====
After losing to NWA Champion Flair twice and failing to win the title from Flair, Luger ended the feud with Flair. He was matched up against old foe Barry Windham at [[Chi-Town Rumble|The Chi Town Rumble]] winning his second NWA United States Heavyweight Championship from him.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/miscppv.html#chi|title=Chi-Town Rumble results|publisher=Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments|accessdate=2008-04-17|quote=Lex Luger pinned Barry Windham (10:43) to win the NWA U.S. Title.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/unitedstates/30445412131|title=Lex Luger's second United States Championship reign|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2008-04-17}}</ref> Luger defended the U.S. Championship regularly, remaining one of the top [[List of professional wrestling slang#D|draws]] in the NWA. His major title defense was against [[Jack Victory]] in a [[List of professional wrestling slang#D|dark match]] on the [[April 2]], [[1989]] [[Clash of the Champions#Clash of the Champions VI: Ragin' Cajun|edition]] of ''Clash of the Champions''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/clash.html#VI|title=Clash of the Champions VI: Ragin' Cajun results|publisher=Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments|accessdate=2008-04-17|quote=''NWA U.S. Champ Lex Luger beat Jack Victory''}}</ref>
He teamed up with [[Michael Hayes (wrestler)|Michael P.S. Hayes]] against Barry and [[Kendall Windham]] in a match which saw Hayes turn on Luger, setting himself as a contender to the U.S. Title.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.angelfire.com/wrestling/cawthon777/wcw88-89.htm#VI|title=WCW Show Results 1989|publisher=Angelfire|accessdate=2008-04-18|date=March 18|quote=Barry & Kendall Windham (w/ Hiro Matsuda) defeated NWA US Champion Lex Luger & Michael Hayes at 5:16 when Barry pinned Luger following a lariat from Kendall and Hayes causing his partner to trip; after the bout, Hayes and the Windhams triple teamed Luger, with Kendall holding Luger up for Hayes to drop him with an elevated DDT}}</ref> In what was considered a shocking upset at the time, Hayes defeated Luger for the US title at [[WrestleWar#1989|WrestleWar 1989: Music City Showdown]] when a surprise appearance by Hayes's ex-[[Fabulous Freebirds|Freebird]] teammate [[Terry Gordy]] helped cost Luger the match.<ref name="acceleratorbio"/> As a [[sleep inertia|groggy]] Hayes had Luger pinned, Luger put his foot on the ropes trying to negate the pin but Gordy removed his foot.<ref name="acceleratorbio"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/w-war.html#89|title=WrestleWar 1989: Music City Showdown results|publisher=Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments|accessdate=2008-04-17|quote=Michael Hayes pinned Lex Luger (16:06) to win the NWA US Title.}}</ref> Luger regained the U.S. Title from Hayes in a rematch a couple of weeks later, beginning a [[Heel (professional wrestling)|heel]] turn when he broke the rules by pulling Hayes' tights while pinning Hayes to win the match and begin his third NWA United States Heavyweight Championship reign.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.angelfire.com/wrestling/cawthon777/wcw88-89.htm|title=WCW Show Results 1989|publisher=Angelfire|accessdate=2008-04-18|date=May 22|quote=Lex Luger defeated NWA US Champion Michael Hayes to win the title}}</ref><ref name="luger3">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/unitedstates/304454122111|title=Lex Luger's third United States Championship reign|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2008-04-18}}</ref> The turn became "official" shortly after, when on the [[June 14]] [[Clash of the Champions#Clash of the Champions VII: Guts and Glory|edition]] of ''Clash of the Champions'', Luger attacked the popular [[Ricky Steamboat|Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat]] after Steamboat had defeated [[Terry Funk]] by disqualification.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.angelfire.com/wrestling/cawthon777/wcw88-89.htm|title=WCW Show Results 1989|publisher=Angelfire|accessdate=2008-04-18|date=June 14|quote=Ricky Steamboat defeated Terry Funk via disqualification at 12:52 when Funk took the ringside mic and repeatedly hit Steamboat with it; after the bout, NWA US Champion Lex Luger ran out with a steel chair, clearing Funk from the ring; moments later, Luger grabbed a mic and defended accusasions he had recently been to arrogant; he helped Steamboat to his feet, hit a clothesline, hit Steambot with a chair, and then put Steamboat in the Torture Rack; Luger then grabbed the mic again and said "There lays your number one contender," referring to Steamboat}}</ref>
Luger cried out in frustration about the former world champion Steamboat continuing to be the #1 contender for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship and a feud between the two occurred with matches around the country for Luger's U.S. Title, with Luger always coming out on top. Eventually, Luger and Steamboat faced each other at [[The Great American Bash#1989|The Great American Bash 1989]] in July with Luger winning by disqualification after Luger refused to wrestle Steamboat until the match's no-disqualification clause had been waived.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/gabash.html#89|title=The Great American Bash 1989 results|publisher=Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments|accessdate=2008-04-18|quote=NWA U.S. Champ Lex Luger beat Ricky Steamboat (10:26) via DQ.}}</ref> Steamboat departed the NWA shortly afterward.
In the fall of 1989, Luger's U.S. Title began taking a back seat to the main event feuds occurring between Flair, Sting, Terry Funk, and [[Keiji Mutoh|The Great Muta]], relegating Luger to defend the U.S. Title against lower caliber opponents such as [[Tommy Rich]].<ref name="luger3"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/clash.html#VIII|title=Clash of the Champions VIII: Fall Brawl results|publisher=Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments|accessdate=2008-04-18|quote=NWA U.S. Champ Lex Luger pinned Tommy Rich (10:36).}}</ref> Things picked up for Luger again as [[Brian Pillman|Flyin' Brian Pillman]] challenged him at [[Halloween Havoc#1989|Halloween Havoc 1989: Settling the Score]]. Luger won the match by [[Pin (professional wrestling)|pinning]] Pillman,<ref name="luger3"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/havoc.html#89|title=Halloween Havoc 1989: Settling the Score|publisher=Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments|accessdate=2008-04-18|quote=NWA U.S. Champ Lex Luger pinned Brian Pillman (16:48)}}</ref> [[Push (professional wrestling)|pushing]] Luger back into the spotlight. He defeated Pillman in a rematch on the [[November 15]] [[Clash of the Champions#Clash of the Champions IX: New York Knockout|edition]] of ''Clash of the Champions'' to retain the title and end the feud.<ref name="luger3"/><ref name="clash9">{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/clash.html#IX|title=Clash of the Champions IX: New York Knockout results|publisher=Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments|accessdate=2008-04-18|quote=NWA U.S. Champ Lex Luger pinned Brian Pillman (12:38)}}</ref> After the main event of the card, which saw Ric Flair and Terry Funk in a (now famous) [["I Quit" match]], Luger made a surprise [[List of professional wrestling slang#R|run in]], attacking both Flair and [[Sting (wrestler)|Sting]], who had come out to save Flair from a post match attack by The Great Muta.<ref name="clash9"/>
December's [[Starrcade (1989)|Starrcade 1989: Future Shock/Night of the Iron Men]] featured an "[[Iron Man match|Ironman]]" tournament between Flair, Sting, Luger, and Muta. The tournament featured 15 minute time limit matches pitting all of the men against each other, with no titles on the line, and points awarded for victories. Though Sting eventually won the tournament, Luger was the only participant to go undefeated (Sting got [[Pin (professional wrestling)|pinfall]] victories over Muta and Flair, giving him the most points to win the tournament).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/starrcad.html#89|title=Starrcade 1989: Future Shock/Night of the Iron Men results|publisher=Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments|accessdate=2008-04-19}}</ref> This elevated Sting to the status of #1 contender for Flair's world title.
With Sting and Flair set to square off at [[WrestleWar#1990|WrestleWar 1990: Wild Thing]] in February, Luger seemed to be dwindling away from the main event scene. He was booked to defend the U.S. Title against [[Steve Williams (wrestler)|"Dr. Death" Steve Williams]] on the card, but a [[legit (professional wrestling)|legitimate]] injury to Sting caused the entire booking of the card to get changed. Luger was elevated to face Flair for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship. This marked a double turn as Flair turned heel while Luger began his second face turn. An injured Sting appeared in Luger's corner during the match, eventually being attacked by Ole and Arn Anderson. When Luger left the ring to help Sting he was counted out, giving the match to Flair.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/w-war.html#90|title=WrestleWar 1990: Wild Thing results|publisher=Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments|accessdate=2008-04-19|quote=NWA World Champ Ric Flair beat Lex Luger (38:08) via countout.}}</ref> The idea here was to build Luger up as a "changed man" that had "gained [[Self-esteem|self-respect]]" by saving Sting. Luger challenged Flair across the country in rematches, but similar to their 1988 feud, the matches always ended with Luger not winning or winning but not earning the title. In the final match of the feud, a few months after ''WrestleWar'', another screwjob finish occurred where Luger won by disqualification against Flair in a [[Professional wrestling match types#Cages|steel cage match]] when the cage rose up from the ground and outside interference marred the match.<ref name="OWW"/>
In mid-1990, Luger's focus went back to defending his U.S. Championship while the NWA focused on Sting and his reign as World Heavyweight Champion. It became difficult coming up with opponents to feud with Luger. He continued to have successful title defenses against the likes of the big [[The Undertaker|"Mean" Mark Callous]] at [[The Great American Bash#1990|The Great American Bash 1990: New Revolution]]<ref name="luger3"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/gabash.html#90|title=The Great American Bash 1990: New Revolution results|publisher=Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments|accessdate=2008-04-19|quote=NWA U.S. Champ Lex Luger pinned Mark Callous (12:10).}}</ref> and Ric Flair on the [[September 5]], [[1990]] [[Clash of the Champions#Clash of the Champions XII: Fall Brawl '90|edition]] of ''Clash of the Champions''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/clash.html#XII|title=Clash of the Champions XII: Fall Brawl/Mountain Madness results|publisher=Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments|accessdate=2008-04-19|quote=NWA U.S. Champ Lex Luger beat Ric Flair (15:28) via DQ.}}</ref> until [[Stan Hansen]] entered the company and the two of them feuded for a brief period of months, with Luger eventually [[List of professional wrestling slang#D|dropping]] the title to Hansen at [[Halloween Havoc#1990|Halloween Havoc 1990: Terror Rules the Ring]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/havoc.html#90|title=Halloween Havoc 1990: Terror Rules the Ring results|publisher=Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments|accessdate=2008-04-19|quote=Stan Hansen pinned Lex Luger (9:30) to win the NWA U.S. Title}}</ref> though he won it back at [[Starrcade (1990)|Starrcade 1990: Collision Course]] beginning his fourth NWA United States Heavyweight Championship reign.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/starrcad.html#90|title=Starrcade 1990: Collision Course results|publisher=Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments|accessdate=2008-04-19|quote=Lex Luger pinned Stan Hansen (10:13) in a "bullrope" match to win the NWA US Title.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/unitedstates/3044541111211|title=Lex Luger's fourth United States Championship reign|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2008-04-19}}</ref> Luger's third title reign lasted a total of [[List of WWE United States Championship reigns by length|523 days]], making him, the longest reiging WWE United States Champion in history. As of [[2008]] this record still stands, as it is longer than any other reign for the belt in the NWA, WCW, or WWE.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://wrestling-titles.com/nwa/others/us-h.html |title=NWA US Title history |accessdate=2008-01-09 |publisher=wrestling-titles.com }}</ref>
:''<small>Beginning in 1991 [[World Championship Wrestling]] began to withdraw from the [[National Wrestling Alliance]] to become its own company. For more information see '''[[NWA World Heavyweight Championship#WCW withdraws|here]]'''.''</small>
WCW withdrew from NWA in [[1991]] and the US title was renamed the ''WCW'' United States Heavyweight Championship. Luger started a feud with [[Dan Spivey]], whom he defeated at [[WrestleWar#1991|WrestleWar 1991: WarGames]] to retain the US title.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/w-war.html#91|title=WrestleWar 1991: WarGames results|publisher=Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments|accessdate=2008-04-20|quote=WCW US Champ Lex Luger pinned Danny Spivey (12:52).}}</ref> Following their match, Nikita Koloff suddenly appeared to attack Luger, reigniting their feud from 1987. It didn't last long, however, as Koloff found himself being pushed into an [[List of professional wrestling slang#A|angle]] with Sting instead of Luger, which began at [[SuperBrawl#SuperBrawl I|SuperBrawl I: Return of the Rising Sun]] when Sting and Luger challenged the [[Steiner Brothers]] for the [[WCW World Tag Team Championship]]. During the match, Koloff interfered and hit Sting with a chain, which was intended for Luger.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/s-brawl.html#I|title=SuperBrawl I: Return of the Rising Sun results|publisher=Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments|accessdate=2008-04-21|quote=WCW Tag Champs Rick & Scott Steiner beat Sting & Lex Luger (11:09) when Scott pinned Sting.}}</ref> Luger again began to challenge Ric Flair for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship after becoming #1 contender by defeating The Great Muta on the [[June 14]], [[1991]] [[Clash of the Champions#Clash of the Champions XV: Knocksville USA|edition]] of ''Clash of the Champions''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/clash.html#XV|title=Clash of the Champions XV: Knocksville USA results|publisher=Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments|accessdate=2008-04-21|quote=WCW U.S. Champ Lex Luger pinned The Great Muta (3:43).}}</ref> With the history of "[[Screwjob (professional wrestling)|screwjob]] finishes" between Flair and Luger, their title match was set to be contested at [[The Great American Bash#1991|The Great American Bash]] in a [[Professional wrestling match types#Cages|Steel cage match]] with the added [[stipulation]] that, should Flair get disqualified he would lose the title. The match never occurred, however, as Ric Flair began to have disagreements with [[Jim Herd]], the head of WCW, over his future and salary. He eventually quit the company (being "stripped" of the title in the process) and took [[Big Gold Belt|the World Title belt]] with him.
====World Champion (1991-1992)====
With the WCW title now vacant, Barry Windham was declared the #2 contender and was set to face Luger in the cage match at [[The Great American Bash#1991|The Great American Bash 1991]]. During the match, a [[List of professional wrestling slang#D|double turn]] took place when [[Harley Race]] and [[Curtis Hughes|Mr. Hughes]] came to ringside and "ordered" Luger to [[Piledriver (professional wrestling)|piledrive]] (an illegal maneuver) Windham. He did it, winning his [[List of WCW World Heavyweight Champions|first]] [[WCW World Heavyweight Championship]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/gabash.html#91|title=The Great American Bash 1991 results|publisher=Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments|accessdate=2008-04-21|quote=Lex Luger pinned Barry Windham (12:25) in a "steel cage" match to win the vacant WCW World Title.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/3044541105|title=Lex Luger's first WCW Championship reign|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2008-04-21}}</ref>
After Luger won the WCW title, he [[List of professional wrestling slang#G|got over]] as champion and top heel, including a controversial [[Racism|racial]] angle with [[Ron Simmons]] where he asked Simmons to join his entourage, but as a [[chauffeur]]. Luger retained the title at [[Halloween Havoc#1991|Halloween Havoc 1991: Chamber of Horrors]] in a [[two out of three falls match]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/havoc.html#91|title=Halloween Havoc 1991: Chamber of Horrors results|publisher=Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments|accessdate=2008-04-21|quote=WCW World Champ Lex Luger beat Ron Simmons (18:59) in three falls.}}</ref> Eventually, Luger began to have his own issues with WCW, and the contract he had, seemed to have him wrestling less and less while still collecting money. After ending his feud with Simmons, Luger had a brief feud with [[Rick Steiner]], defeating him on the [[November 19]] [[Clash of the Champions#Clash of the Champions XVII|edition]] of Clash of the Champions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/clash.html#XVII|title=Clash of the Champions XVII results|publisher=Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments|accessdate=2008-04-21|quote=WCW World Champ Lex Luger pinned Rick Steiner (11:30).}}</ref> The next month's [[Starrcade (1991)|''Starrcade'']] was booked with the '''BattleBowl''' format, with Sting winning #1 contendership at the end of the night.
Luger's contract only required him to work a specific number of dates, and having fulfilled them he "sat out" the end of 1991 and beginning of 1992. This left Sting to build the feud against him on his own. Aside from one title defense against [[Masahiro Chono]] at [[WCW/New Japan Supershow#II|WCW/New Japan Supershow II (Starrcade 1992 in Tokyo Dome)]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/japanppv.html#II|title=WCW/New Japan Supershow II results|publisher=Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments|accessdate=2008-04-21|quote=WCW World Champ Lex Luger pinned Masa Chono (15:09).}}</ref> Luger did not wrestle a match until [[Superbrawl#SuperBrawl II|SuperBrawl II]], where he lost his WCW title [[List of professional wrestling slang#C|cleanly]] to Sting.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/s-brawl.html#II|title=SuperBrawl II results|publisher=Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments|accessdate=2008-04-21|quote=Sting pinned Lex Luger (13:02) to win the WCW World Title.}}</ref>
===World Bodybuilding Federation (1992)===
After losing to Sting at SuperBrawl, Luger negotiated a departure from WCW and joined [[Vince McMahon]]'s [[World Bodybuilding Federation]] (WBF), appearing regularly as a co-host on its Saturday morning program, ''WBF BodyStars''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/lonnie14.htm |title=The Return Of Gary Strydom! |accessdate=2007-04-25 |publisher=[[Bodybuilding.com]] |quote=WBF BodyStars was a weekly television program that aired in 1992 on USA Network. It was co-hosted by Vince McMahon, Cameo Kneuer, and Lex Luger. }}</ref> He also made an appearance at [[WrestleMania VIII]], taking part in an on air interview with [[Bobby Heenan|Bobby "The Brain" Heenan]] and [[Gorilla Monsoon]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm8/factsstats/ |title=WrestleMania VIII facts/stats |accessdate=2007-04-18 |publisher=WWE.com |quote=Lex Luger did an interview at WrestleMania VIII, just weeks after signing with World Wrestling Entertainment. }}</ref> He was slated to guest pose at a WBF [[pay-per-view]] event, but was injured in a [[motorcycle]] [[accident]] and became long term paralized.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pwtorch.com/artman/publish/article_20068.shtml |title=RETRO SPECIALIST – WWE 15 Yrs. Ago: The Best & Worst Moments of 1992 (Part 1 of 2) |accessdate=2007-04-25 |publisher=PWTorch |quote=Luger plugged his upcoming appearance at the WBF (in which he didn’t show due to a motorcycle accident) competition. }}</ref> By the time he recovered, the WBF was out of business.
===World Wrestling Federation (1993-1995)===
====The Narcissist (1993)====
After his accident and the closure of the WBF, Luger joined the [[World Wrestling Entertainment|World Wrestling Federation]] (WWF). [[Bobby Heenan|Bobby "The Brain" Heenan]] began hyping a man named '''Narcissus''', who he claimed was "beyond perfect." Heenan "unveiled" him as Lex Luger, with the slightly modified moniker of '''The [[Narcissism|Narcissist]]''', at [[Royal Rumble (1993)|Royal Rumble 1993]]. A narcissistic (as the name suggested) heel, Luger posed before full-length mirrors before every match.<ref>{{cite book |last=Reynolds |first=R.D. |authorlink=RD Reynolds |coauthors=Baer, Randy |title=WrestleCrap |origyear=2003 |accessdate=2007-04-18 |publisher=[[ECW Press]] |language=English |isbn=1-55022-584-7 |pages=161 |chapter=Moonlighting |quote=The WWF convinced Luger to get back into the ring, teaming him with Bobby Heenan and adopting the character of The Narcissist. As the Narcissist, Luger would stare into the mirror, commenting on how fabulous he looked.}}</ref> The WWF also incorporated his motorcycle accident into his gimmick, capitalizing on the fact that he had a "metal plate" (so they say) inserted into his forearm which was [[kayfabe|said]] to cause more damage when it struck an opponent. This caused a number of his opponents to demand that he wear a cover over it during matches when he had a streak of [[Knockout|knocking people out]]. This eventually lead to WWF officials demanding that Luger wear an elbow pad, though he would sometimes remove it.
The Narcissist's one major feud was with [[Curt Hennig|Mr. Perfect]]. The feud was based on Heenan, his advisor, calling him "more than perfect," in a slight at Mr. Perfect, his former managerial client. The rivalry ended at [[WrestleMania IX]] when Luger defeated Perfect.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm9/results/ |title=WrestleMania IX official results |accessdate=2008-04-21 |publisher=WWE|quote="The Narcissist" Lex Luger def. Mr. Perfect}}</ref> At [[King of the Ring#1993|King of the Ring 1993]], Luger participated in the first-ever King of the Ring tournament on [[pay-per-view]] (it was originally a non-televised event), but was eliminated in the quarterfinals after a time limit draw with [[Chris Chavis|Tatanka]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/wweppv/kingofthering93.html|title=King of the Ring 1993 results|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|accessdate=2008-04-21|quote=Lex Luger vs (draw) Tatanka}}</ref>
====The All-American (1993-1994)====
In mid-1993, after [[Hulk Hogan]]'s departure from the company, Luger was transformed from a heel to a "mega-face" with the nicknames "Made in the USA" and "The All-American". On [[Independence Day (United States)|July 4]], he took part in a memorable event where he arrived (by a red helicopter) on the dock of the ''[[USS Intrepid (CV-11)|USS Intrepid]]'' and [[Professional wrestling throws#Body slam|body slammed]] the over 500 [[Pound (mass)|pound]] (227 kg) WWF champion [[Rodney Anoa'i|Yokozuna]] after a number of other athletes, both inside the WWF and out, attempted and failed.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam07/history/greatestmoments |title=The greatest moments in SummerSlam history |accessdate=2007-04-18 |quote=Lex Luger had done the unthinkable and bodyslammed Yokozuna aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln on the Fourth of July.}}</ref> Following this he began the "Lex Express" tour, traveling the country in a [[Flag of the United States|Red, White, and Blue]] painted bus to greet fans and to "campaign" for a shot at the WWF Title, thus beginning a feud with the champion Yokozuna. Luger got his shot at [[SummerSlam (1993)|SummerSlam 1993]], with the stipulation that this would be Luger's only shot at the title. Luger, with the use of the metal plate in his forearm, eventually won the match, but the count-out victory meant that Yokozuna retained the title.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam07/history/1993/results/|title=SummerSlam 1993 official results|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2008-04-21|quote='''WWE Championship Match:''' Lex Luger def. Yokozuna via count-out}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam/history/1993/mainevent/ |title=Lex Luger vs. Yokozuna w/ Mr. Fuji for the WWE Championship |accessdate=2007-04-18 |quote=Yokozuna was knocked out cold from the maneuver, largely due to a steel plate that was inside of Luger's arm, and he could not make it back to the ring before the 10-count. Luger walked away the winner, but could not walk out with the gold since the championship cannot change hands on a count-out.}}</ref>
In late [[1993]], Luger began a feud with another foreigner [[Tony Halme|Ludvig Borga]] who disliked America because of pollution. At [[Survivor Series (1993)|Survivor Series 1993]], Luger captained a team dubbed "All-Americans" (Lex Luger, [[The Undertaker]], and the [[Steiner Brothers]] against Yokozuna's team "Foreign Fanatics" ([[Brian Adams (wrestler)|Crush]], Yokozuna, Ludvig Borga, and [[Jacques Rougeau|Quebecer Jacques]]) in a 4-on-4 Survivor Series match. Luger's team won the match after he pinned Borga.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/survivorseries/history/1993/results/|title=Survivor Series 1993 official results|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2008-04-21|quote=Lex Luger, The Steiner Brothers & Undertaker def. Quebecer Jacques, Yokozuna, Ludvig Borga & Crush}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/survivorseries/history/1993/mainevent/|title=Lex Luger, The Steiner Brothers & Undertaker def. Quebecer Jacques, Yokozuna, Ludvig Borga & Crush|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2008-04-21|quote=Luger was a house of fire and connected with a flying forearm for the pin and the victory.}}</ref> At [[Royal Rumble (1994)|Royal Rumble 1994]], Luger participated in the [[Royal Rumble#Match|Royal Rumble match]] where he and [[Bret Hart]] were declared "co-winners" of the Royal Rumble match after both men went over the top rope and had their feet hit the ground simutaneously.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/198811421/results/|title=Royal Rumble 1994 official results|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2008-04-21|quote=Bret Hart and Lex Luger declared co-winners of the Royal Rumble when they were simultaneously eliminated}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/198811421/mainevent/ |title=Bret Hart (spot No. 27) and Lex Luger (spot No. 23) declared co-winners of the Royal Rumble Match |accessdate=2007-04-18 |publisher=WWE |quote=Bret Hart (spot No. 27) and Lex Luger (spot No. 23) were the final two competitors, and their feet hit the floor at exactly the same time. After much confusion, co-victors were announced.}}</ref> As such, both received shots at the [[WWE Championship|WWF Championship]] at [[WrestleMania X]]. Luger was originally slated to win the title from [[Tony Halme|Ludvig Borga]] at Wrestlemania<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.softwolves.pp.se/wrestling/wwf/substitutions.html|title=World Wrestling Entertainment Substitutions|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2008-04-21|quote=Soon after, he was scheduled to drop the title to Ludvig Borga before Wrestlemania. This would've set up a match against Lex Luger at Wrestlemania since Luger was scheduled to be the lone winner of the Royal Rumble.}}</ref>. However, Burga was injured<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.softwolves.pp.se/wrestling/wwf/substitutions.html|title=World Wrestling Entertainment Substitutions|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2008-04-21|quote=Ludvig Borga absolutely destroyed his ankle during a match (either against Rick Steiner or in a battle royal), and the WWF had to let him go.}}</ref>, and Luger had to win the title over Yokozuna. Luger leaked the story to a journalist at a bar the night before, who ran the story the next day. In order to protect kayfabe and punish Luger, he didn't get the title reign<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/info/faq/luger.shtml |title=Lex Luger FAQ}}</ref>. Luger was [[Professional wrestling#Disqualification|disqualified]] in his title match against Yokozuna,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm10/results/|title=WrestleMania X official results|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2008-04-21|quote='''WWE Championship:''' Yokozuna w/ Mr. Fuji and Jim Cornette def. Lex Luger by DQ (Mr. Perfect was special guest referee)}}</ref> and later that night Hart went on to win the title from Yokozuna.
For the summer of 1994, Luger aligned himself with [[Chris Chavis|Tatanka]] until (kayfabe) rumors began to swirl that Luger was planning to join [[Ted DiBiase]]'s [[Million Dollar Corporation]].<ref>{{cite news | author = PWI Staff | title = Pro Wrestling Illustrated presents: 2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts | work = "Wrestling’s historical cards" | publisher = Kappa Publishing | date = 2007 | pages = 92 | language = English}}</ref> Tatanka and Luger's friendship was strained by the lack of trust between them, and a match between the two took place at [[SummerSlam (1994)|SummerSlam 1994]]. At the event, Tatanka defeated Luger and joined the Corporation.<ref>{{cite news | author = PWI Staff | title = Pro Wrestling Illustrated presents: 2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts | work = "Wrestling’s historical cards" | publisher = Kappa Publishing | date = 2007 | pages = 92 | language = English}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam07/history/1994/results/|title=SummerSlam 1994 official results|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2008-04-21|quote=Tatanka def. Lex Luger}}</ref> Luger continued to feud with The Million Dollar Corporation, leading a [[Professional wrestling tag team match types#Elimination tag team match|Survivor Series]] team consisting of himself, [[Nelson Frazier, Jr.|Mabel]], [[Bryan Clark|Adam Bomb]], and [[The Smokin' Gunns]], dubbed "'''Guts & Glory'''", to a loss against the Corporate team of Tatanka, [[King Kong Bundy]], [[Bam Bam Bigelow]], and [[The Heavenly Bodies]] at [[Survivor Series (1994)|Survivor Series 1994]] - with only King Kong Bundy and Bam Bam Bigelow surviving.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/survivorseries/history/1994/results/ |title=Survivor Series 1994 official results |accessdate=2007-04-18 |publisher=WWE |quote=King Kong Bundy, Tatanka, Bam Bam Bigelow, & The Heavenly Bodies def. Mabel, Lex Luger, Adam Bomb, & The Smokin' Gunns. '''''Sole Survivor: King Kong Bundy'''''}}</ref>
====Allied Powers & Departure (1995)====
{{main|The Allied Powers (wrestling)}}
In the beginning of [[1995]], Luger formed a [[tag team|team]] with [[Davey Boy Smith]], dubbed '''[[The Allied Powers (wrestling)|The Allied Powers]]'''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/a/allied-powers.html |title=Allied Powers profile |accessdate=2007-04-18 |publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref> and they continued to feud with the Million Dollar Corporation. They made a good impact on the tag team division and made their pay-per-view debut as a tag team at [[WrestleMania XI]], defeating the [[Harris Brothers|Blu Brothers]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm11/results/|title=WrestleMania XI official results|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2008-04-21|quote=Lex Luger & British Bulldog def. Eli & Jacob Blu w/ Uncle Zebekiah}}</ref> They wrestled and defeated [[Job (professional wrestling)|jobbers]] on ''[[WWE Raw|RAW]]'' and earned a shot at the [[World Tag Team Championship (WWE)|WWF Tag Team Championship]] against [[Owen Hart and Yokozuna]] at [[In Your House#In Your House 2: The Lumberjacks|In Your House 2]] but failed to win the titles.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/wweppv/inyourhouse2.html#|title=In Your House 2 results|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|accessdate=2008-04-21|quote=TAG TITLE MATCH: Owen Hart & Yokozuna defeated Lex Luger & British Bulldog to retain}}</ref> Bulldog [[List of professional wrestling slang#T|turned]] against partner [[Kevin Nash|Diesel]] in a match against [[Men on a Mission]]. While [[Kevin Nash|Diesel]] fought [[Nelson Frazier, Jr.|King Mabel]] at [[SummerSlam (1995)|Summerslam]], Luger entered the ring. Diesel clotheslined him over the top rope, where he chased [[Robert Horne (wrestler)|Sir Mo]] to the back. Before anything else developed, Luger left for WCW.
===World Championship Wrestling (Second run, 1995-2001)===
====Campaign against Hogan (1995-1996)====
{{main|Dungeon of Doom|Alliance to End Hulkamania}}
In late August 1995, after expressing to Sting that he wanted to leave the WWF, Luger got a call from [[World Championship Wrestling]] Vice-President [[Eric Bischoff]] to set up a meeting about a contract and Luger possibly "jumping ship". Years later, Bischoff would claim that he was never a fan of Luger on a personal or professional level, and decided to hire him only to have his debut be a big shock to wrestling fans on the first episode of ''[[WCW Monday Nitro|Nitro]]''. He made a brief appearance during the start of a match between Sting and Ric Flair, eliciting a "Luger" chant from the crowd.
After Luger's debut, he acted as a sort of [[List of professional wrestling slang#T|tweener]] character, not making his allegiances known, except for his long-time friendship with Sting. He merely claimed that he wanted to stake his claim at Hulk Hogan's WCW World Heavyweight Title, facing him on the [[September 11]], [[1995]] edition of ''Nitro'', which Hogan won by disqualification.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ddtdigest.com/updates/1995092m.htm|title=WCW Monday Night Nitro - September 11th, 1995|publisher=DDT Digest|accessdate=2008-04-22|quote='''For the WCW World Title: (champion) Hulk Hogan Vs Lex Luger'''. Dungeon of Doom come to the ring and cause the DQ by attacking Hogan. '''Winner and STILL WCW World Heavyweight Champion:''' Hulk Hogan via DQ}}</ref> At [[Halloween Havoc#1995|Halloween Havoc 1995]], Luger officially turned heel, attacking Hulk Hogan after his match with [[Paul Wight|The Giant]] and joining [[Kevin Sullivan (wrestler)|Kevin Sullivan]]'s '''[[Dungeon of Doom]]''' stable who had interfered in Luger's match against [[Tonga Fifita|Meng]].<ref name="havoc95">{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/havoc.html#95|title=Halloween Havoc 1995 results|publisher=Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments|accessdate=2008-04-22|quote=Lex Luger beat Meng (13:14) via DQ. Randy Savage pinned Lex Luger (5:23).}}</ref> After the match, Luger would continue his feud with Hogan but also feud with [[Randy Savage|"Macho Man" Randy Savage]]. The feud began at the same pay-per-view after Luger attacked Hogan and the match also occurred at that pay-per-view, where Luger ended up losing to Savage.<ref name="havoc95"/> Luger and Savage had a rematch at [[WCW World War 3#1995|World War 3 1995]], which Luger won.<ref name="ww395">{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/ww3.html#|title=World War 3 1995 results|publisher=Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments|accessdate=2008-04-22|quote=Lex Luger beat Randy Savage (5:28) via submission.}}</ref> Later that night, Luger participated in the first-ever [[Battle royal (professional wrestling)#World War 3|three ring, 60 man battle royal]] for the vacant WCW World Title won by Savage.<ref name="ww395"/>
Strangely enough, however, despite being a heel, he would retain his friendship with Sting. At [[Starrcade#1995|Starrcade 1995: World Cup of Wrestling]], Luger participated in a WCW vs [[New Japan Pro Wrestling|NJPW]] World Cup of Wrestling where he represented WCW in a winning effort against NJPW representative [[Masahiro Chono|Masa Chono]].<ref name="starrcade95">{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/starrcad.html#95|title=Starrcade 1995: World Cup of Wrestling|publisher=Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments|accessdate=2008-04-22|quote=Lex Luger (WCW) beat Masa Chono (NJ) (6:41) via submission. Ric Flair beat Lex Luger and Sting (28:03) via countout in a "triangle" match.}}</ref> Later that night, he participated in a [[Professional wrestling match types#Basic non-elimination matches|triangle match]] with Sting and Ric Flair; Flair won after both Sting and Luger got [[Professional wrestling#Countout|counted-out]], making Flair #1 contender to the WCW title.<ref name="starrcade95"/> The two men teamed up to defeat [[Harlem Heat]] for their first [[WCW World Tag Team Championship]] on the [[January 22]], [[1996]] edition of ''Nitro'',<ref name="wcwtag"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ddtdigest.com/updates/1996014m.htm|title=WCW Monday Night Nitro - Monday, January 22nd, 1996|publisher=DDT Digest|accessdate=2008-04-22|quote='''For the WCW World Tag Team Titles-(champions) Harlem Heat Vs Sting/Lex Luger'''. Luger knocks Booker out with silver dollars!! Luger goes for the cover 1-2-3!! '''Your Winners:''' and NEW WCW World Tag Team Champions Sting and Lex Luger}}</ref> with Luger constantly teasing dissension due to his allegiance to the Dungeon of Doom, but always seeming to stay on the same path as his friend. Luger would also defeat [[Marc Mero|Johnny B. Badd]] for the [[WCW World Television Championship]] on [[February 17]], losing it back to him the next night.<ref name="wcwtv"/> However, he regained the television title from Badd by beating him on [[March 6]], thus beginning his second WCW World Television Championship reign.<ref name="wcwtv"/>
As tag champions, Luger and Sting defended the tag titles against teams such as the [[Blue Bloods]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/clash2.html#XXXIII|title=Clash of the Champions XXXIII results|publisher=Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments|accessdate=2008-04-22|quote=WCW Tag Champs Sting & Lex Luger beat Bobby Eaton & Steven Regal (7:46) when Sting forced Eaton to submit}}</ref> and [[Road Warriors]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/s-brawl.html#VI|title=SuperBrawl VI results|publisher=Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments|accessdate=2008-04-22|quote=WCW Tag Champs Sting & Lex Luger DDQ Road Warriors (13:56).}}</ref> The Dungeon of Doom aligned with the [[Four Horsemen (professional wrestling)|Four Horsemen]] to form the '''[[Alliance to End Hulkamania]]''' and feud with Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage. At [[WCW Uncensored#1996|Uncensored 1996]], 9 members from the Alliance To End Hulkamania participated in a "[[Professional wrestling match types#Triple Cage match|Tower of Doom Steel Cage match]]", but were unsuccessful in defeating the team of Hogan and Savage.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/uncensor.html#96|title=Uncensored 1996 results|publisher=Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments|accessdate=2008-04-22|quote=Hulk Hogan & Randy Savage beat Ric Flair, Arn Anderson, Meng, Barbarian, Lex Luger, Kevin Sullivan, Ze Gangsta, & The Ultimate Solution (25:16) in a "tower of doom" match when Savage pinned Flair.}}</ref> Luger was blamed for the loss because he accidentally punched teammate Ric Flair, and was kicked out of the stable, thus turning him face again.
====Face turn & War with nWo (1996-1997)====
During the summer, Luger began a feud with [[Paul Wight|The Giant]] for the [[WCW World Heavyweight Championship]], unsuccessfully challenging him at [[The Great American Bash#1996|The Great American Bash 1996]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/gabash.html#96|title=The Great American Bash 1996 results|publisher=Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments|accessdate=2008-04-22|quote=WCW World Champ The Giant pinned Lex Luger (9:21).}}</ref> During this time, [[Scott Hall]] and [[Kevin Nash]], both former WWF superstars, began appearing on WCW television and claimed they were "taking over" the company. Randy Savage spearheaded the WCW wrestlers against them, with Luger and Sting by his side. Luger, along with Savage and Sting, took on Nash and Hall (who called themselves [[The Outsiders (professional wrestling)|The Outsiders]]) and a third, mystery, partner that they claimed was an "[[treason|insider]]" at [[Bash at the Beach (1996)|Bash at the Beach 1996]]. In the first few minutes of the match Luger went down to a (kayfabe) injury, leaving Sting and Savage on their own when the mystery partner revealed himself to be Hulk Hogan. With Luger no longer around, Savage and Sting were "easy prey" for the three who announced themselves as the [[New World Order (professional wrestling)|New World Order]] (nWo).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/beach.html#96|title=Bash at the Beach 1996 results|publisher=Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments|accessdate=2008-04-22|quote=Kevin Nash, Scott Hall, & Hulk Hogan NC Randy Savage, Sting, & Lex Luger (16:00).}}</ref>
Luger continued to be one of the leaders for the WCW's siege against the nWo, wrestling and feuding with a number of their members including Outsiders and<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/roadwild.html#96|title=Hog Wild results|publisher=Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments|accessdate=2008-04-22|quote=Scott Hall & Kevin Nash beat Lex Luger & Sting (14:36) when Hall pinned Luger.}}</ref> The Giant<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/starrcad.html#96|title=Starrcade 1996 results|publisher=Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments|accessdate=2008-04-22|quote=Lex Luger pinned The Giant (13:23).}}</ref>. At [[SuperBrawl#SuperBrawl VII|SuperBrawl VII]], Luger and The Giant defeated Outsiders to win the WCW World Tag Team Championship.<ref name="wcwtag"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/s-brawl.html#VII|title=SuperBrawl VII results|publisher=Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments|accessdate=2008-04-22|quote=The Giant & Lex Luger beat Scott Hall & Kevin Nash (8:53) when Giant pinned Hall. Luger & Giant won the WCW Tag Title, but the belts were returned to Hall & Nash because Luger didn't have a medical release to wrestle.}}</ref> The titles were returned to Outsiders by nWo member and WCW President [[Eric Bischoff]]. Luger won a [[Professional wrestling match types#Basic non-elimination matches|Four Corners match]] to become the #1 contender for Hogan's WCW title at [[Spring Stampede#1997|Spring Stampede 1997]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/stampede.html#97|title=Spring Stampede 1997 results|publisher=Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments|accessdate=2008-04-22|quote=Lex Luger beat The Giant, Booker T, and Stevie Ray (18:18) in a "four corners" match.}}</ref> and teamed with his new ally, The Giant, to defeat Hogan and basketball star [[Dennis Rodman]] at [[Bash at the Beach#1997|Bash at the Beach 1997]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/beach.html#97|title=Bash at the Beach 1997 results|publisher=Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments|accessdate=2008-04-22|quote=Lex Luger & The Giant beat Dennis Rodman & Hulk Hogan (22:30) when Rodman pinned Hogan.}}</ref> On the [[August 4]], [[1997]] edition of ''Nitro'', Luger defeated Hogan to win his second WCW World Heavyweight Championship in an impromptu match,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/nitro/1997.html|title=''WCW Monday Nitro'' results, 1997|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|accessdate=2008-04-22}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/3044541101|title=Lex Luger's second WCW Championship reign|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2008-04-22}}</ref> before [[List of professional wrestling slang#D|dropping]] the title back to Hogan just five days later at [[Road Wild#1997|Road Wild 1997]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/roadwild.html#97|title=Road Wild 1997 results|publisher=Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments|accessdate=2008-04-22|quote=Hulk Hogan pinned Lex Luger (16:15) to win the WCW World Title.}}</ref> His victory, however, marked the first time in a year that WCW had "won their world title back" from the nWo.<ref name="WTHeavy">{{cite web |url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/wcw/wcw-h.html |title=WCW World Heavyweight Title |accessdate=2007-04-17 |publisher=Wrestling-Titles.com}}</ref>
Luger began a [[Feud (professional wrestling)|program]] with Scott Hall after both men [[Pin (professional wrestling)|pinned]] each other in [[tag team]] matches (Luger's partner was [[Diamond Dallas Page|DDP]] and Hall's partner was Randy Savage)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/clash2.html#XXXV|title=Clash of the Champions XXXV results|publisher=Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments|accessdate=2008-04-22|quote=WCW Tag Champs Scott Hall & Randy Savage (sub for Kevin Nash) beat Diamond Dallas Page & Lex Luger (9:55) when Hall pinned Luger.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/fall.html#97|title=Fall Brawl 1997: WarGames results|publisher=Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments|accessdate=2008-04-22|quote=Lex Luger & Diamond Dallas Page beat Scott Hall & Randy Savage (10:19) in a "no DQ" match when Luger pinned Hall.}}</ref> before facing each other in a 1-on-1 match at [[Halloween Havoc#1997|Halloween Havoc 1997]] which Luger won.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/havoc.html#97|title=Halloween Havoc 1997 results|publisher=Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments|accessdate=2008-04-22|quote=Lex Luger beat Scott Hall (13:02) via submission. Larry Zbyzsko was the special referee.}}</ref> He had a short feud with [[Buff Bagwell]] in the fall of 1997, culminating in a match at [[Starrcade (1997)|Starrcade 1997]], which Bagwell won.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/starrcad.html#97|title=Starrcade 1997 results|publisher=Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments|accessdate=2008-04-22|quote=Buff Bagwell pinned Lex Luger (16:36).}}</ref> In the first half of [[1998]], Luger feuded with Savage and defeated him at [[Souled Out#1998|Souled Out 1998]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/nwoppv.html#98|title=Souled Out 1998 results|publisher=Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments|accessdate=2008-04-22|quote=Lex Luger beat Randy Savage (7:07)}}</ref> and [[SuperBrawl#SuperBrawl VIII|SuperBrawl VIII]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/s-brawl.html#VIII|title=SuperBrawl VIII results|publisher=Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments|accessdate=2008-04-22|quote=Lex Luger pinned Randy Savage (7:26) by submission}}</ref> His final feud with the nWo was against [[Scott Steiner]], whom Luger defeated at [[Uncensored#1998|Uncensored 1998]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/uncensor.html#98|title=Uncensored 1998 results|publisher=Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments|accessdate=2008-04-22|quote=Lex Luger pinned Scott Steiner (3:53).}}</ref> At [[Spring Stampede#1998|Spring Stampede 1998]], he teamed with Scott's brother and former tag team partner Rick to defeat Scott and Buff Bagwell.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/stampede.html#98|title=Spring Stampede 1998 results|publisher=Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments|accessdate=2008-04-22|quote=Rick Steiner & Lex Luger beat Scott Steiner & Buff Bagwell (5:58) when Luger forced Bagwell to submit.}}</ref>
====Joining nWo (1998-1999)====
After a long war with the nWo, Luger finally joined '''[[New World Order (professional wrestling)#nWo Wolfpac|nWo Wolfpac]]''', the babyface faction of the nWo.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ddtdigest.com/updates/1998054m.htm |title=Monday Nitro results - May 25, 1998 |accessdate=2007-04-17 |publisher=DDT Digest|work= }}</ref> Luger played a central role in the group's war with Hogan's [[New World Order (professional wrestling)#nWo Hollywood|original nWo]] (nWo Hollywood), and even convinced the long standing anti-nWo Sting to join.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ddtdigest.com/updates/1998061m.htm |title=Monday Nitro results - June 1, 1998 |accessdate=2007-04-17 |publisher=DDTDigest.com}}</ref> On the [[August 10]], [[1998]] edition of ''Nitro'', he defeated [[Bret Hart]] to win his fifth and final WCW United States Heavyweight Championship in an impromptu title match,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/nitro/1998.html|title=''WCW Monday Nitro'' results, 1998|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|accessdate=2008-04-22}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/unitedstates/30445411213|title=Lex Luger's fifth United States Championship reign|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2008-04-22}}</ref> before [[List of professional wrestling slang#D|dropping]] the title back to Hart just one day later on ''[[WCW Thunder|Thunder]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/thunder/2000.html|title=''WCW Thunder'' results, 2000|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|accessdate=2008-04-22}}</ref> He also took part in the incident that became known as [[The Fingerpoke of Doom]], in which both nWo factions united against the dominant [[Bill Goldberg]] in early 1999.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ddtdigest.com/updates/1999011m.htm |title=Monday Nitro - January 4, 1999 |accessdate=2007-04-17 |publisher=DDTDigest.com}}</ref> He remained a member of the new nWo until he was sidelined with a (legitimate) biceps injury.
====The Total Package (1999-2001)====
In mid-1999, Luger began another heel run, now going by the stage name '''The Total Package''' (though he returned to being Lex Luger after a few months). He started off by bringing back [[Miss Elizabeth]] as his [[Manager (professional wrestling)|manager]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ddtdigest.com/updates/1999094m.htm |title=Monday Nitro resulrs - September 27, 1999 |accessdate=2007-04-17 |publisher=DDTDigest.com }}</ref> Under his new moniker, he began to (kayfabe) break the arms of his opponents by placing the arm inside a closed steel chair and stomping on it. He wrestled guys such as Meng,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/mayhem.html#99|title=Mayhem 1999 results|publisher=Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments|accessdate=2008-04-22|quote=Meng pinned Lex Luger (5:23)}}</ref> Sting,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/starrcad.html#99|title=Starrcade 1999 results|publisher=Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments|accessdate=2008-04-22|quote=Sting beat Lex Luger (5:25) via DQ.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/uncensor.html#2000|title=Uncensored 2000 results|publisher=Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments|accessdate=2008-04-22|quote=Sting pinned Lex Luger (7:01) in a "lumberjack with casts" match}}</ref> Hulk Hogan,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/s-brawl.html#X|title=SuperBrawl 2000 results|publisher=Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments|accessdate=2008-04-22|quote=Hulk Hogan pinned Lex Luger (8:10)}}</ref> and [[Buff Bagwell]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/stampede.html#2000|title=Spring Stampede 2000 results|publisher=Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments|accessdate=2008-04-22|quote=Shane Douglas & Buff Bagwell beat Ric Flair & Lex Luger (8:29) to win the vacant WCW Tag Title.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/slambore.html#2000|title=Slamboree 2000 results|publisher=Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments|accessdate=2008-04-22|quote=Lex Luger beat Buff Bagwell (9:30) via submission}}</ref>
{{main|Totally Buff}}
He had no major feud during the summer before he returned to being Lex Luger in October. He had a long feud with Goldberg<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/nitro/2000.html |title=''WCW Monday Nitro'' results, 2000 |accessdate=2007-04-17 |publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/mayhem.html#2000|title=Mayhem 2000 results|publisher=Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments|accessdate=2008-04-22|quote=Goldberg pinned Lex Luger (5:53)}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/starrcad.html#2000|title=Starrcade 2000 results|publisher=Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments|accessdate=2008-04-22|quote=Bill Goldberg pinned Lex Luger (7:19)}}</ref> and formed a [[tag team]] with Buff Bagwell<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ddtdigest.com/updates/2000123m.htm |title=Monday Nitro results - December 18, 2000 |accessdate=2007-04-17 |publisher=DDT Digest}}</ref> named "'''[[Totally Buff]]'''".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ddtdigest.com/updates/2000123t.htm |title=Thunder results - December 20, 2000 |accessdate=2007-04-17 |publisher=DDT Digest}}</ref> They defeated Goldberg and [[Dwayne Bruce]] in a tag team match at [[WCW Sin|Sin]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/miscppv.html#sin|title=Sin results|publisher=Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments|accessdate=2008-04-22|quote=Lex Luger & Buff Bagwell beat Bill Goldberg & Dwayne Bruce (11:00) in a "no DQ" match when Luger pinned Goldberg.}}</ref> Luger stayed in the team until WWF [[World Wrestling Entertainment#Acquisition of WCW and ECW|purchased WCW]].
Since Luger's WCW contract was not a part of the WWF's purchase of WCW's assets, Luger collected the remainder of his guaranteed contract through a subsidiary of [[Time Warner]] that had been set up to handle outstanding debts and business from WCW.{{Fact|date=April 2007}}
===Semi-retirement===
===World Wrestling All-Stars===
In late 2002, Luger joined the [[Europe]]an tour of WWA. He debuted on November 28, 2002 in [[Dublin]], [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]], teaming with Sting to defeat Buff Bagwell and [[Jerry Tuite|Malice]]. At [[List of WWA pay-per-view events#Retribution|Retribution]], Luger defeated Sting to win the vacant [[WWA World Heavyweight Championship]] after [[Jeff Jarrett]] interfered on his behalf.<ref name="SolieWWAS">{{cite web |url=http://www.solie.org/titlehistories/whtwwas.html |title=WWAS - World Heavyweight Title |accessdate=2007-04-13 |publisher=Solie's Title Histories}}</ref> In [[Manchester]], [[England]] on December 7, Luger and Sting faced Bagwell and Jarrett in a match in which both Luger's WWA World Heavyweight Championship and Jarrett's [[NWA World Heavyweight Championship]] were on the line, though neither title changed hands, as Sting pinned Bagwell.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/wwa/021207.html |title=WWAS results - December 7, 2002 - Manchester, England |accessdate=2007-04-13 |publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref> Luger made his final appearance with WWA on December 13, in [[Zürich]], [[Switzerland]], when he lost the WWA World Heavyweight Championship to Sting in a three way dance that also featured Malice.<ref name="SolieWWAS" />
===Total Nonstop Action Wrestling===
In late 2003 Luger began working for [[Total Nonstop Action Wrestling]] (TNA); he teamed with Jeff Jarrett on November 12 in a loss to Sting and [[A.J. Styles]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/tna/031112.html |title=NWA:TNA PPV results - November 12, 2003|accessdate=2007-04-13 |publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref>
Throughout 2004 and 2005, Luger made sporadic appearances on the [[independent circuit]].<ref name="OWW" /> He returned to TNA in 2006, first appearing during the April 27 ''[[TNA Impact!]]'' as the second of Sting's potential tag team partners for [[TNA Sacrifice#2006|Sacrifice]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/tnaimpact/060427.html |title=TNA Impact! results - April 27, 2006 |accessdate=2007-04-13 |publisher=Online World of Wrestling|quote=Sting then asked for the person behind Door #2 to come out ------ Lex Luger slowly walked out with his jacket on..}}</ref> Throughout September and October, he appeared on ''Impact!'' as one of the people (along with Buff Bagwell) helping Sting to "prepare" for his upcoming match against Jarrett at [[Bound for Glory (2006)|Bound for Glory]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/tnaimpact/060928.html |title=TNA Impact! results - September 28, 2006 |accessdate=2007-04-13 |publisher=Online World of Wrestling|quote=Jim Cornette said Lex Luger & Sting have been training with Sting and claim he is ready for Bound for Glory..}}</ref> After Sting won the [[NWA World Heavyweight Championship]], Luger retired from wrestling.
==In wrestling==
*'''Finishing and signature moves'''
:*'''''Attitude Adjustment''''' ([[Piledriver (professional wrestling)#Texas piledriver|Piledriver]])
:*'''[[Professional wrestling attacks#Elbow smash|Running elbow smash]]''' / '''[[Professional wrestling attacks#Forearm smash|Running forearm smash]]'''
:*'''''Torture Rack''''' ([[Backbreaker#Argentine backbreaker rack|Backbreaker rack]])
:*[[Professional wrestling throws#Hip toss|Hip toss]]
:*[[Professional wrestling throws#Gorilla press slam|Military press slam]]
:*[[Neckbreaker]]
:*[[Powerslam#Scoop powerslam|Scoop powerslam]]
:*[[Professional wrestling throws#Scoop slam|Scoop slam]]
:*[[Suplex#Superplex|Superplex]]
*'''[[Manager (professional wrestling)|Managers]]'''
:*[[James J. Dillon|J.J. Dillon]]
:*[[Miss Elizabeth]]
:*[[Ric Flair]]
:*[[Jimmy Hart]]
:*[[Yasuhiro Kojima|Hiro Matsuda]]
:*[[Harley Race]]
:*[[Bob Roop]]
:*[[Kevin Sullivan (wrestler)|Kevin Sullivan]]
*'''[[Nickname]]s'''
**The Total Package
**Made in the USA (WWF)
==Championships and accomplishments==
*'''[[Championship Wrestling from Florida]]'''
:*[[NWA Florida Bahamian Championship]] ([[NWA Florida Bahamian Championship#Title History|1 time]])<ref name="floridabahamas">[http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/fl/nwa/bahamas-h.html NWA Bahamas Heavyweight Title history] At wrestling-titles.com</ref>
:*[[NWA Florida Southern Heavyweight Championship]] ([[NWA Florida Southern Heavyweight Championship#Title History|3 times]])<ref name="floridasouthern">[http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/fl/nwa/fl-south-h.html NWA Florida Southern Heavyweight Title history] At wrestling-titles.com</ref>
:*[[NWA Florida Television Championship]] ([[NWA Florida Television Championship#Title History|1 time]])<ref name="floridatv">[http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/fl/fl-tv.html NWA Florida Television Title history] At wrestling-titles.com</ref>
*'''[[Jim Crockett Promotions]] | [[World Championship Wrestling]]'''<ref name="titlehistory"/>
:*[[WWE United States Championship|NWA United States Heavyweight Championship]] ([[List of WWE United States Champions|4 times]]) '''(Last)'''<ref name="ustitle">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/unitedstates/|title=WWE United States Championship official title history|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2008-04-17}}</ref>
:*[[WCW World Tag Team Championship|NWA World Tag Team Championship ''(Mid-Atlantic version)'']] ([[List of WCW World Tag Team Champions|1 time]]) – with [[Barry Windham]]<ref name="nwatag">[http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/midatlantic/nwa/ma-nwa-t.html NWA World Tag Team Title (Mid-Atlantic/WCW) history] At wrestling-titles.com</ref>
:*[[WWE United States Championship|WCW United States Heavyweight Championship]] ([[List of WWE United States Champions|1 time]]) '''(First)'''<ref name="ustitle"/><sup>1</sup>
:*[[WCW World Heavyweight Championship]] ([[List of WCW World Heavyweight Champions|2 times]])<ref name="wcwtitle">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/|title=WCW Championship official title history|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2008-04-17}}</ref>
:*[[WCW World Tag Team Championship]] ([[List of WCW World Tag Team Champions|2 times]]) – with [[Sting (wrestler)|Sting]] (1) and [[Paul Wight|The Giant]] (1)<ref name="wcwtag">[http://www.wrestling-titles.com/wcw/wcw-t.html WCW World Tag Team Title history] At wrestling-titles.com</ref>
:*[[WCW World Television Championship]] ([[List of WCW World Television Champions|2 times]])<ref name="wcwtv">[http://www.wrestling-titles.com/wcw/wcw-tv.html NWA/WCW World Television Title history] At wrestling-titles.com</ref>
:*[[Jim Crockett Promotions#Jim Crockett Sr. Memorial Cup|Jim Crockett Sr. Memorial Cup]] Tag Team Tournament (1988) <small>with [[Sting (wrestler)|Sting]]</small><ref name="croccup">{{cite web |url=http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/wcw/croccup.htm |title=NWA The Crockett Cup Tournament |accessdate=2007-04-17 |publisher=Wrestling Information Archive}}</ref>
:*[[Triple Crown Championship#WCW Triple Crown|WCW Triple Crown Champion]] '''(First)'''<sup>2</sup>
:*WCW Grand Slam Champion '''(First)'''
*'''[[World Wrestling All-Stars]]'''
:*[[WWA World Heavyweight Championship]] ([[WWA World Heavyweight Championship#Title History|1 time]])<ref name="SolieWWAS" />
*'''[[World Wrestling Entertainment|World Wrestling Federation]]'''<ref name="titlehistory"/>
:*[[Royal Rumble]] ([[Royal Rumble (1994)|1994]]) <small>with [[Bret Hart]]</small><ref name="RR94">{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/198811421/mainevent/ |title=TV Shows > Royal Rumble > History > 1994 > Rumble Match |accessdate=2008-04-17 |publisher=WWE.com}}</ref>
*'''[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards]]'''
:*[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Worst Worked Match of the Year|Worst Worked Match of the Year]] (1996) <small>with [[Arn Anderson]], [[Tonga Fifita|Meng]], [[Sione Vailahi|The Barbarian]], [[Ric Flair]], [[Kevin Sullivan (wrestler)|Kevin Sullivan]], [[Tom Lister, Jr.|Z-Gangsta]], and [[Robert Swenson|The Ultimate Solution]] vs. [[Hulk Hogan]] and [[Randy Savage]], [[Uncensored#1996|WCW Uncensored]], [[Professional wrestling match types#Triple Cage match|Towers of Doom match]], [[Tupelo, Mississippi|Tupelo, MS]], March 24</small>
:*[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Most Improved|Most Improved]] (1989)
<small><sup>1</sup>Luger's 4th NWA United States Heavyweight Championship reign carried over to World Championship Wrestling when it was renamed the WCW United States Heavyweight Championship, making him the last NWA United States Champion and first–ever WCW United States Champion.</small><br>
<small><sup>2</sup>Luger and Sting are technically tied for being the first WCW Triple Crown Champion.</small>
==Personal life==
Pfohl is divorced and has two children, a son, Brian and a daughter, Lauren .<ref>[http://www.lordsofpain.net/news/2007_/articles/1188508323.php Divorce came soon after, as did embarrassment for his daughter, now 16, and his son, who plays basketball for Mercer University.]</ref><ref>[http://www.mikemooneyham.com/pages/viewfull.cfm?ObjectID=12D94301-367E-11D7-8AB4009027F9877F Brian Pfohl, a 6-8, 230-pound junior at Atlanta's Pace Academy, is averaging 23 points and 13 rebounds a game. Luger's daughter, Lauren, is a member of SwimAtlanta and is considered one of the top swimmers in her age group (sixth grade) in the Southeast.]</ref>
===Legal problems===
[[Image:Lexlugermug.jpg|right|thumb|Pfohl's [[mug shot]]s after being arrested in May 2003 on 14 [[drug possession]] charges and then in April 2003 for [[misdemeanor]] [[Battery (crime)|battery]] charges.]]
On April 19, 2003, Pfohl was involved in a [[domestic violence|domestic dispute]] with his then-current live-in girlfriend, former [[Manager (professional wrestling)|valet]] [[Miss Elizabeth|Elizabeth Hulette]], in the [[garage (house)|garage]] of their [[townhouse]] in [[Marietta, Georgia|Marietta]], [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]]; Pfohl had allegedly struck her. [[Cobb County, Georgia|Cobb County]] [[police]] found Elizabeth with two bruised eyes, a bump on her head, and a cut lip. Pfohl was charged with a [[misdemeanor]] count of [[Battery (crime)|battery]] and released on $2,500 [[bail bondsman|bond]]. Two days later on April 21, Pfohl was arrested for [[driving under the influence]] after [[rear-end collision|rear-ending]] another car while driving his [[Porsche]]. According to the report on the [[arrest]], Pfohl had slurred speech and [[Conjunctivitis|bloodshot eyes]] and could not locate his [[driver's license]]. Pfohl had a 9 mm [[handgun]] in the car. Elizabeth was a passenger in the vehicle, and was sent home in a [[taxicab]]. Pfohl was also driving with a suspended license for not appearing in court on March 5, 2003 for a [[Hearing (law)|hearing]] on a previous [[Offence (law)|offence]] (driving with expired tags and having no proof of [[insurance]]).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.1wrestling.com/news/newsline.asp?news=13615|title= Luger's arrests |publisher=Marietta Daily Journal|accessdate=2007-11-04|date=May 4, 2003}}</ref>
On May 1, 2003, Hulette died in the townhouse they shared in Marietta, after mixing pills of [[hydrocodone]], [[Alprazolam]] (Xanax), and [[anabolic steroid]]s (testosterone and sazien) with [[vodka]]. Pfohl was arrested later that day after a search of the residence revealed a number of illicit [[controlled substance]]s, including anabolic steroids, [[Oxycodone|OxyContin]], synthetic [[growth hormone]], [[testosterone]], and [[Alprazolam]]. He was charged with 14 drug possession counts, 13 of them [[Felony|felonies]]. He was released the following day on [[United States dollar|$]]27,500 [[bail]]. Hulette's death was eventually ruled accidental. Pfohl pled guilty to the charges on February 3, 2005. He was given a $1,000 fine, sentenced to five years probation, and required to submit to periodic [[drug test]]ing.<ref>[http://www.lordsofpain.net/news/2005_/articles/1131997269.php Lex Luger discusses Miss Elizabeth's death in emotional interview]</ref>
In December 2005, Pfohl and fellow wrestlers Marcus "Buff" Bagwell and [[Scott Steiner]] were removed from a flight from [[Minneapolis, Minnesota]] to [[Canada]]. They were detained for several hours before Bagwell and Steiner were released, while Pfohl was held without bail as a result of two outstanding felony charges in the state of Georgia (he had neglected to obtain permission to leave the country from his [[parole|parole officer]]). Pfohl was detained in the [[Hennepin County, Minnesota|Hennepin County]] jail for two weeks before being extradited to Georgia to stand trial on December 22, 2005. Pfohl was sentenced to nine weeks imprisonment, and was released in February 2006.<ref>[pwinsider.com/ViewArticle.asp?id=16862&p=1] ''Lex Luger talks about his recent trip to jail, drug testing, Sting, TNA and more''</ref>
=== Trinity Broadcasting Network appearance ===
On September 28, 2006, Pfohl appeared on ''[[Praise the Lord (TV program)|Praise the Lord]]'', the flagship talk program of the [[Trinity Broadcasting Network]], and declared himself a [[Born again Christianity|born again Christian]]. In an interview conducted by guest host [[Sting (wrestler)|Steve Borden]], Pfohl emotionally discussed the downward turn of his career and personal life -- including the events surrounding Hulette's death -- and how it led to his religious conversion.
=== Present Circumstances ===
Pfohl credits Steve Baskin, the pastor of Western Hills Baptist Church in [[Kennesaw, Georgia]], with pulling him from a terminal tailspin. The jail chaplain met Pfohl in early 2006 and sensed the former wrestler was spiritually bankrupt. As of July 2007, Pfohl lives in a spare bedroom in Baskin's apartment and is trying to figure out a path in life.
<ref>{{cite
"Wrestling can leave lives on the ropes", Torpy, Bill, ''The Atlanta Journal-Constitution'', 07/01/07 [http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/fayette/stories/2007/07/01/0701metwrestler.html?cxntlid=homepage_tab_newstab] Wrestling can leave lives on the ropes by BILL TORPY, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution</ref><ref>{{cite
"Wrestling can leave lives on the ropes", Torpy, Bill, ''The Atlanta Journal-Constitution'', 07/01/07 [http://herochat.com/forum/index.php?topic=142903.0;wap2]Wrestling can leave lives on the ropes by BILL TORPY, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution REPRINT</ref>
=="Spinal Stroke"==
On October 19, 2007, Pfohl suffered a nerve impingement in his neck that led to temporary paralysis. He was at [[Stanford Hospital]] in stable condition. He underwent intravenous antibiotic treatment and was expected to make a full recovery.<ref name="Moniz">{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestle-complex.com/headlines/full_update_on_the_conditi.shtml|author=Moniz, Shawn|title=Good News On The Condition Of Lex Luger|publisher=Wrestle-Complex.com|accessmonthday=October 21|accessyear=2007|date=[[October 21]], [[2007]]}}</ref>
Pfohl issued a statement thanking all of his fans for their continued support. He mentions that doctors are puzzled how this happened, and are not sure if the damage done is permanent. He continues to say that life is fragile, and not to take it for granted.<ref name="Moniz-2">{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestle-complex.com/headlines/lex_luger_issues_statement_on_his_condition.shtml|author=Moniz, Shawn|title=Lex Luger issues statement on his condition.|publisher=Wrestle-Complex.com|accessmonthday=November 2|accessyear=2007|date=[[November 2]], [[2007]]}}</ref>
Nearly a month after his "spinal stroke", Pfohl was finally transferred from [[California]] to an [[Atlanta, Georgia|Atlanta]] hospital. He was still in a [[quadriplegia|quadriplegic]] state, having no movement in either his arms or legs. Pfohl was scheduled to have [[hip replacement]] surgery the week before, had it not been for the stroke. Doctors had told him that they would be amazed if he was able to walk without the surgery.<ref>[http://www.lordsofpain.net/news/2007_/articles/1195245305.php Latest On Lex Luger, Hulk Hogan To Star In "Scary Movie"?, Bischoff's Latest Reality Show<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
Despite regaining some feeling and movement, Pfohl still remains paralyzed.<ref>[http://www.lordsofpain.net/news/2007_/articles/1198000768.php Lex Luger Still Paralyzed, Triple H vs. Flair On New Years Eve<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
[[Nikita Koloff]] appeared on the Wrestling-Radio.com online show and gave an update on Pfohl. He said he's traveled twice recently to see Pfohl. He said Pfohl is still in a [[wheelchair]] after the [[San Francisco, California|San Francisco]] wrestling convention [[wiktionary:fiasco|fiasco]], and that for a long time, he was paralyzed from the neck down. After Pfohl spent a week at Stanford Hospital, tests determined nothing. He was sent to an Atlanta [[physiotherapy|rehab]] facility where their testing also came back with no answers. According to Koloff, "Lex said his spinal column short circuited," but lately he's been making "remarkable improvement." According to Koloff, Pfohl can lift his legs and move his torso, and can hold a can in his hand. Koloff quoted Pfohl as saying, "I've had 49 good years with these legs, and if I never walk again, I'll be the best wheelchairer for [[Jesus]] you've ever seen."
He was recently seen in April of 2008 at the hospital in Atlanta pushing himself around with his arms in a standard wheelchair.
In the May/June issue of Christian Living, Luger reported that he could now stand up out of his wheelchair.
==Notes==
{{reflist|3}}
On July 4, 2008, Lex was seen in his wheel chair out front of the Shepherd Center in Atlanta cheering on the 55,000 runners in the Peachtree Road Race.
==External links==
{{Portal|Professional wrestling|break=yes}}
{{wikiquote}}
* [http://www.flexwithlex.org Official Website]
* {{imdb name|id=0679567|name=Lex Luger}}
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[[da:Lex Luger]]
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[[fr:Lex Luger (Lawrence Pfohl)]]
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