There are few wrestlers who elicit the venomous response that Lex Luger has in the years following his retirement from the ring. Both fans and peers alike have criticised him for his attitude, his inability to win the big one and the issues he had away from the squared circle in the wake of WCW's demise. In the process, they have ignored the many things he did accomplish throughout his career, such as enjoying the fourth longest reign as WCW Heavyweight Champion in the the decade-long history of Ted Turner's wrestling empire. With Ric Flair off to WWE following a nasty and personal contract dispute with WCW and Jim Herd, Luger stepped into the Nature Boy's position on the card, defeating Barry Windham in a controversial steel cage match at the Great American on July 14, 1991. Harley Race would become his manager, cementing his status as a heel, his feud with Ron Simmons earning harsh criticisms due to the racial overtones that dominated the story. Like Flair, Luger had conflicts with management over his contract. He had gone over his contracted number of dates and rather than granting him a pay raise to continue working, WCW dug its heels in and Luger opted to spend the rest of his title reign at home. He did return for SuperBrawl II and a showdown with real-life friend Sting. There, he did the right thing in putting the face-painted franchise player over on his way out the door, something Flair had not been so willing to do before him. Some will look at Luger's unwillingness to work after he completed his obligated dates as selfishness but, in reality, it was WCW who wronged him by A) not realizing the issue before it became a legitimate problem and B) for not making it right when the opportunity presented itself.
Erik Beaston is a freelance pro wrestling writer who likes long walks in the park, dandelions and has not quite figured out that this introduction is not for Match.com. He resides in Parts Unknown, where he hosts weekly cookouts with Kane, The Ultimate Warrior, Papa Shango and The Boogeyman. Be jealous.
