{"id":739,"date":"2025-05-19T15:43:37","date_gmt":"2025-05-19T15:43:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/votters.com\/about\/?p=739"},"modified":"2025-05-19T15:51:06","modified_gmt":"2025-05-19T15:51:06","slug":"lex-luger","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/votters.com\/about\/lex-luger\/","title":{"rendered":"About Lex Luger"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Lex
Lex Luger<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Real Name:<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Lawrence Wendell Pfohl<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ring Name(s):<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
    \n
  • Lex Luger<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • “The Total Package”<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • “Made in the USA” Lex Luger<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Narcissist (briefly in WWF)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    Born:<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    June 2, 1958<\/strong> \u2013 Buffalo, New York, USA<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Height:<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    6 ft 4 in (193 cm)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Weight:<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    265\u2013275 lbs (120\u2013125 kg) during peak career<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Billed From:<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Chicago, Illinois
    (Also billed from \u201cThe United States of America\u201d during his patriotic babyface run)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Trained By:<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
      \n
    • Hiro Matsuda (also trained Hulk Hogan)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Bob Roop<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Larry Sharpe (Monster Factory)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
      \n\n\n\n

      Athletic Background<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
        \n
      • College football at Penn State and University of Miami<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Brief pro football career with CFL’s Montreal Alouettes and briefly with the NFL\u2019s Green Bay Packers (preseason)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
        \n\n\n\n

        Pro Wrestling Debut:<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

        1985<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \n\n\n\n

        Wrestling Promotions<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
          \n
        • Jim Crockett Promotions \/ NWA<\/strong> (1987\u20131991)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • World Championship Wrestling (WCW)<\/strong> (1987\u20131992, 1995\u20132001)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • World Wrestling Federation (WWF\/WWE)<\/strong> (1993\u20131995)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Total Nonstop Action (TNA)<\/strong> \u2013 brief appearances in 2003\u20132004<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
          \n\n\n\n

          Gimmicks & Personas<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

          “The Total Package” Lex Luger<\/strong> (WCW\/NWA)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
            \n
          • Muscular, confident, and physically dominant<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • Known for his chiseled physique and athletic power style<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • Often used the Torture Rack<\/strong> as his finisher (an Argentine backbreaker)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

            The Narcissist<\/strong> (WWF, 1993)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
              \n
            • Introduced by Bobby “The Brain” Heenan<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • Portrayed as a vain, self-obsessed heel who admired his own body in mirrors<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • Entrance involved posing on a platform with mirrors and pyro<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

              \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8 “Made in the USA” Lex Luger<\/strong> (1993\u20131995)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
                \n
              • Turned babyface in 1993 as the new American hero after Hulk Hogan\u2019s departure<\/li>\n\n\n\n
              • Famously body-slammed Yokozuna<\/strong> on the USS Intrepid on July 4, 1993<\/li>\n\n\n\n
              • Rode a red, white, and blue Lex Express bus around the U.S. to build momentum<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
                \n\n\n\n

                Major Career Achievements<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

                WCW World Heavyweight Champion \u2013 2\u00d7<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
                  \n
                • First reign in 1991<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                • Second reign in 1997 (defeated Hollywood Hogan during nWo era)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

                  WCW United States Heavyweight Champion \u2013 5\u00d7<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
                    \n
                  • Holds record for longest cumulative reign<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

                    WCW World Television Champion \u2013 2\u00d7<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

                    WCW World Tag Team Champion \u2013 3\u00d7<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
                      \n
                    • With Sting (2), The Giant (1)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

                      1994 WWF Royal Rumble Co-Winner<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
                        \n
                      • Shared the win with Bret \u201cThe Hitman\u201d Hart<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

                        PWI Most Improved Wrestler of the Year (1989)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

                        PWI Comeback of the Year (1993)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
                        \n\n\n\n

                        Notable Feuds<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
                          \n
                        • Ric Flair<\/strong> \u2013 multiple NWA\/WCW title matches in the late \u201980s and early \u201990s<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                        • Sting<\/strong> \u2013 both ally and rival throughout WCW history<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                        • Yokozuna<\/strong> \u2013 WWF\u2019s top heel vs. Luger\u2019s patriotic hero<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                        • Hollywood Hogan & the nWo<\/strong> \u2013 key part of the WCW vs. nWo storyline<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                        • The Four Horsemen<\/strong> \u2013 Luger was once a member but feuded with the group after leaving<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
                          \n\n\n\n

                          In-Ring Style<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
                            \n
                          • Power-based offense with suplexes, clotheslines, and high-impact moves<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                          • Finisher: Torture Rack<\/strong> (Argentine backbreaker submission)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                          • Also used a loaded forearm smash (in WWF), kayfabe explained by a steel plate from surgery<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
                            \n\n\n\n

                            Later Career and Retirement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
                              \n
                            • Continued to wrestle in WCW until its closure in 2001<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                            • Appeared briefly in TNA<\/strong> (2003\u20132004)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                            • Suffered a spinal stroke in 2007<\/strong>, leaving him temporarily paralyzed<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                            • Regained some mobility but remains largely confined to a wheelchair<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                            • Now works as a WWE wellness and community ambassador<\/strong>, promoting health and spirituality<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
                              \n\n\n\n

                              Outside the Ring<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
                                \n
                              • Authored an autobiography: \u201cWrestling with the Devil\u201d<\/em> (2013), detailing his career, health issues, substance abuse, and religious transformation<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                              • Now a born-again Christian<\/strong>, involved in motivational speaking and charity work<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                              • Acknowledged for turning his life around after years of personal struggles<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
                                \n\n\n\n

                                Legacy<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
                                  \n
                                • One of wrestling\u2019s most iconic physiques and faces of the late ’80s and early ’90s<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                                • Helped carry WCW through multiple eras<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                                • While never a WWE world champion, he was a central figure in major WWF storylines<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                                • Not yet inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame<\/strong>, but widely considered a future inductee<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
                                  \n\n\n\n

                                  Signature Moves<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
                                    \n
                                  • Torture Rack<\/strong> (finishing submission hold)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                                  • Running forearm smash<\/strong> (sometimes loaded)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                                  • Powerslam<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
                                  • Superplex<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
                                    \n\n\n\n

                                    Trivia<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
                                      \n
                                    • Former bodyguard for bands including The Rolling Stones<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                                    • Once roommates with Scott Hall (Razor Ramon) in WCW<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                                    • Has appeared in multiple wrestling video games and documentaries<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                                      Real Name: Lawrence Wendell Pfohl Ring Name(s): Born: June 2, 1958 \u2013 Buffalo, New York, USA Height: 6 ft 4 in (193 cm) Weight: 265\u2013275 lbs (120\u2013125 kg) during peak career Billed From: Chicago, Illinois(Also billed from \u201cThe United States of America\u201d during his patriotic babyface run) Trained By: Athletic Background Pro Wrestling Debut: 1985 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":745,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pagelayer_contact_templates":[],"_pagelayer_content":"","_FSMCFIC_featured_image_caption":"","_FSMCFIC_featured_image_nocaption":"","_FSMCFIC_featured_image_hide":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[156],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-739","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-wrestlers"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/votters.com\/about\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/739","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/votters.com\/about\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/votters.com\/about\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/votters.com\/about\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/votters.com\/about\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=739"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/votters.com\/about\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/739\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":749,"href":"https:\/\/votters.com\/about\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/739\/revisions\/749"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/votters.com\/about\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/745"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/votters.com\/about\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=739"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/votters.com\/about\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=739"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/votters.com\/about\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=739"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}