http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_v-vSfCAF0Y Lex Luger was the golden child of WCW. Tall, muscular and with flowing blond locks, he was intended to be WCWs answer to Hulk Hogan. Following the long-established route of first coming in as a heel, he joined the Four Horsemen, instantly announcing himself as a headliner. After turning babyface, he became a thorn in World Champion Ric Flairs side, challenging him for the title on numerous occasions but always coming up just short, often due to technicalities or interference. But WCW creative went to the well once too often, and fans gave up hope of Luger ever winning the World title, something he only did once Flair left the promotion. In 1992, Lugers WCW contract expired and he went to the WWF (via the short-lived World Bodybuilding Federation). Again, the intention was to make him the new face of the company in a post-Hogan era, and again, he came in as a heel called The Narcissist Lex Luger. Posing in front of a full length mirror, it was an age-old gimmick which he played perfectly. But the intention was to always turn him face, and he did so in the most unexpected way imaginable. On July 4th 1993, the WWF held a competition on board the USS Intrepid, to see if anyone could bodyslam the 600 lbs World Champion Yokozuna, who also happened to be an evil foreigner. Athletes from the WWF and outside of wrestling all tried and failed. Just when it looked as if nobody would succeed, a helicopter touched down. Luger emerged, dressed in patriotic red, white and blue. Fans didnt quite know what to make of it as he had never been presented in this way before. Luger successfully slammed Yokozuna and won the challenge and immediately became the top contender to the WWF World title. At SummerSlam 1993, Luger challenged Yokozuna for the belt. All signs pointed to a Luger victory and a July 4th style ticker tape celebration, especially when it was stated that this would be Lugers only shot at the belt. But, just like in WCW, he came up just short, winning by countout, which meant that he didnt win the title itself. The fans had been bullt up and let down, although they had never really taken to the new patriotic babyface Luger who was being shoved down their throats.. Luger moved onto a new feud and was then entered into the 1994 Royal Rumble. The Rumble ended with both Luger and Bret Hart touching the floor simultaneously and being declared co-winners for the only time in Rumble history. Tellingly though, the crowd cheered for Hart far more than they did for Luger. The fans had spoken and Vince McMahon listened. At WrestleMania X, the WWF World title was to be defended twice: Yokozuna would face Luger again, with the winner facing Hart later in the same evening. Luger was disqualified after shoving referee Mr Perfect and Hart went on to win the title at the end of the night. McMahon had decided to go with Hart and not Luger as his new champion. The fans had rejected the new gimmick that had been thrust upon them the previous summer. Luger was then downgraded to the mid card, tagging with Davey Boy Smith as The Allied Powers before switching back to WCW in 1995.
Dean Ayass is a well known name to British wrestling fans. A commentator, manager, booker and ring announcer who has been involved in the business since 1993, Dean's insight into the business is second to none.