LogFAQs > #905426239

#13 - Lex Luger Nominated by: Tom Bombadil

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It's time. It's time to discuss the wrestler with the greatest sound effects in the history of the industry. It's time to discuss the man that, despite being considered by many to be a mediocre talent with failing mic skills, has a sizable fanbase on this board. It's time to discuss the Express that is... Lex.

Lex Luger, simply put, is the most integral part of the greatest relationship in the history of wrestling. And that relationship is founded upon Sting's Becky Lynchian overtrust issues and Lex Luger's lack of friendships anywhere else. From almost the very get-go, Lex would jettison himself from his best friend Sting time and again only to return to him when he burned bridges elsewhere. I think the best example of how Luger used Sting as an unknowing accomplice to Luger's own selfish ends springs out of Luger's return to WCW in 1995. As the Dungeon of Doom is gearing up its assault on the notion of Hulkamania, Luger stuns the audiences of WCW by returning outside of a Gap Clothing Outlet in Minnesota. Hogan and Savage don't trust Luger but Sting wholeheartedly embraces his old friend (who once tried to murder him as a member of the Four Horsemen less than a decade before), rebuffing the accusations made by Savage. Luger clearly is only interested in allying with Savage and Hogan so that he can worm his way into the title picture. Sting gives this impassioned plea, and then after the Dungeon lose to Hulkamania, he begins tag teaming with Luger.

I think there aren't angles that are much better at explaining relationships than this one:

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Luger, in an effort to cover up his clear attempt to prevent his so-called friend from succeeding at a level above him, throws a match. But Luger, and I've always liked how he has this sort-of meat-headed jock personality, attempts to cleverly manipulate the good guy into thinking that he would never do this. "I was hurt Sting." "Look, let me prove it to you!" "We should be a tag team." Luger plays a risky game, bluffing that he has footage; Sting believes him and never calls for footage that would clearly incriminate Luger. Instead, Luger and Sting begin tag teaming. Sting believes that he's helping Luger repair his reputation and turn over a new leaf in this tag team.

In reality, Luger is using Sting to earn more gold. I will never forget one of my all-time favorite little angles. After Luger and Sting win the tag titles, they come out for an exhibition match against the Harlem Heat. Sting is high-fiving all the kids and waving, and Luger is right behind him doing the same thing. But every time Sting turns his back on Luger, Luger starts ignoring the kids and pushing them away while rolling his eyes. If Sting turns back around, however, Luger is suddenly high-fiving and glad-handing the crowd again.

This is just a little snippet of the relationship that I think was the best part of WCW for a long time. Sting and Luger would separate and rejoin from time to time. It was Luger's distrust of Sting that led to Sting becoming the Crow, and it was the reparation of their relationship that brought Sting into the nWo Wolfpac.

Luger also was the hottest WCW in 1997 for a while. For a brief period he held the World Title, stealing it out from under Hogan. But Luger isn't a hero. He's a coward, and he always wants the easy way out. That's why he dropped the title back to Hogan a few days later. Sure, he COULD be the top guy, but Luger isn't the hero WCW needs. He's only in it for Luger. And that's why he's so great. Because, inevitably, Luger's demons will always shout down his better angels.
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