"That was crazy" - Pro wrestler Lex Luger recounts winning WCW World Heavyweight title from Hulk Hogan

Lex Luger winning WCW World Heavyweight in 1997 (Image via WWE)
Lex Luger winning WCW World Heavyweight in 1997 (Image via WWE)

Lex Luger might not be as popular as Hulk Hogan, but he is still one of the most renowned wrestlers in America. Hogan is indeed known globally and is considered a wrestling icon, mainly because of his involvement in the WWF (World Wrestling Federation) and WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment). However, Lex Luger had his own dedicated fan base.

The retired wrestler recently appeared on Insight with Chris Van Vliet, where he touched upon multiple topics, including his time working with Diamond Dallas Page, bodyslamming Yokozuna in 1994 on the USS Intrepid (an aircraft carrier built during the Second World War), and the spinal cord injury that left him paralyzed.

Additionally, he spoke about his present relationship with WWE and, of course, his victory over Hulk Hogan to win the WCW World Championship in 1997. When asked about his famous match with Hogan, Luger said:

"That was crazy. They didn’t tell me until I went to the ring. Back then, the phones and the internet were hitting. They didn’t want anyone to know. Eric Bischoff and Hogan took me aside right before going to the ring and go, ‘Hey, we’re switching the belt.’ ‘What are you takling about?’ ‘We’re switching the belt tonight.’ ‘On me? With Hogan? Hogan is going to put me over on national TV? Not pay-per-view?’ ‘It’s Nitro. You guys have been left laying for 63 straight weeks. We need to throw the fans a little bone. We’re going to put the title on you tonight. You’re red hot. Sting is coming out of the ceiling, but you’re there every week and the fans are with you."

You can check out the full episode of Insight with Chris Van Vliet, where Lex Luger opens up about his life and everything that's been going on with him.

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Let's learn more about the retired wrestler, Lex Luger

Lawrence Wendell Pfohl, commonly known by his ring name Lex Luger, is a retired professional wrestler born on June 2, 1958. In addition to wrestling, Luger was also a prominent bodybuilder and a dedicated football player.

The 66-year-old Luger is of Scottish and German heritage. He married Peggy Fulbright in 1979, but the couple divorced in 2003. They share two children: a son, Brian, and a daughter, Lauren Ashley.

Luger won several championships, including five NWA/WCW United States Heavyweight Championships and two WCW World Heavyweight Championships. Not many people know this, but Luger was trained by Hiro Matsuda, who was also the trainer of Hulk Hogan. Interestingly, his ring name, Lex Luger, was inspired by the comic book villain Lex Luthor.

He began his wrestling career in September 1985, marking the first time he stepped into the ring. In March of this year, it was announced that the retired wrestler would be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.

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Edited by Ritika Pal