Ric Flair on working with Lex Luger

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[@mattlarson8358]

Lex winning the title from Hogan on nitro is 1 of the most memorable Nitros! And as a kid was a Great moment

[@SammyPro820]

One of the biggest pops I ever saw on tv

[@SmithCommaBenjamin]

That was incredible. The promo Luger cut in the beginning of the night was amazing, as soon as he said "Title Defenses every 30 days Hogan, your time is up. I want it tonight!" But, I obviously skipped the PPV the following Sunday because Hogan was obviously going to get his title back, lol

[@804dude6]

I had to push Luger at the airport in his chair good good man great conversation down to earth.I didn't want to drop him off at his gate I helped him through TSA all I can say was he was a great guy.

[@brasidas33]

Did you power slam him?

[@victimaazul2394]

Lex is a legend. Definitely filled the seats.

[@neogeo7861]

Luger's run in the business is greatly underappreciated. Flair's comments about throwing too many guys in the nwo and there being too many different versions of it killing WCW are pretty spot on

[@mox19380]

too many heel/face changes for luger early on in JCP/WCW. they constantly hindered his whatever traction he was gaining

[@mikejohn3265]

I get the logic behind having a huge faction. Think about fans showing up to see hogan and the top guys but it's a house show or non televised. You still hear hogan's or nash's music. Omg it's hogan! No new wait it's Norton.

[@weownbullard5]

I DON’T KNOOOOW!

[@NotThatJonesShow]

@@mox19380 for half a second there I read JCW and not JCP like I don't remember Luger ever wrestling for the juggalos but boy did Scott Hall and Jake Roberts

[@NotThatJonesShow]

@@mikejohn3265 but that's also a boon to the business if people keep expecting to see something only to be disappointed they're gonna stop paying to watch it or even watch the televised weekly show at that point cause all they expect is disappointment at that point

[@benphelan8992]

It’s nice to hear someone talk positive about Lex 👍

[@sevartt9046]

Even Jim Cornette speaks positively about Lex.

[@allencollins5666]

Yeh.

[@robjones2009]

And bret

[@ericcarvelli9773]

I know a lot of people give Lex a lot of grief about the mistakes that he's made in the past, but people need to realize that he is human too, and we all make mistakes and I guarantee you now if you listen to him talk no one regrets their past more than Lex Luger, he's a completely different person now, and I wish him the best because to be completely honest the man is went through hell and I know a lot of it was self-inflicted, but as a fan I will always remember watching Lex Luger as a kid on WCW.... I really wish Vince would give him his due, and induct him into the Hall of Fame, because a lot of people are in there that deserve it a lot less than Lex Luger...

[@theequietstorm]

fax

[@jamieoiler5690]

stop it eric

[@NotThatJonesShow]

I don't even think he's in the other wrestling hall of Fame or am I mistaken

[@CLewey44]

I think Lex reached his highest potential. He put his work in the gym, which is fine, but it hurt his in-ring ability due to not having the background. All-in-all, he had a great run and very successful career.

[@ericcarvelli9773]

I might be in the minority here but I always preferred Lex Luger as a heel... I thought he was outstanding in The Four Horsemen, and he was so raw and young, they should have left him with Rick and Arne for a few more years and then lets him Branch out on his own as a heel.. I always felt the WCW made a mistake trying to force him into being a good guy alongside Sting... Lex Luthor's last run-in WCW when he was the heavyweight champion before he went to the WWF with some of his best work, when he had Harley Race as his manager... I just think that they ended the feud with Luger and Sting too early... I would have loved to have seen him stay and WCW and stay Akil alongside Harley Race and possibly bring in Vader and create a stable for Harley Race sort of like what WWF did with Bobby The Brain Heenan... it would have been great,

[@theequietstorm]

no sir I agree with you I love the heel lex fit his body too I wish him and the old Nikita koloff had formed a tag

[@rocky8084]

Man all of this guys are from my time. I’ll never want to see they go. Rick, lex, sting. Etc., the 80’s and 90’s. Gold years

[@cmiller6501]

Luger & Nikita Koloff. Both were great Flair foes in late 80's!

[@DveMcGuire]

The respect he deserves.. very critical, but so respectful the critique goes unnoticed.

[@loringbush1455]

I also still remember Lex Luger starring in the 1990 Superboy 📺 series!

[@billcowan5539]

I would have liked to see Rick Rude vs Lex Luger, thats a match than never happened , 2 big guys with Amazing physiques with big egos flexing at the crowd would have been fun to see

[@pulsarlights2825]

Rick Rude looked like he skipped leg day every week for a decade. Luger was almost bodybuilder level compared to Rude...

[@billcowan5539]

@Spade me too

[@theequietstorm]

also would have made a good tag team

[@ONEWRESTLINGNATION_OWNIT]

It didn't happen because Rude slapped Luger backstage. That's probably why

[@AntiLifeEquation1]

​@@pulsarlights2825 Rick always said wrestling was a upper body business lol.

[@lancemorrisonrealtortothep8459]

One of the coolest thing I ever did when I was a Submarine sailor was party with Ric and Arn at the Jukebox in Charleston back around 1990.

[@10dev785]

I remember those matches like it was yesterday. Looking back now I understand how you carried these matches….you are the greatest Rick

[@stankormy5717]

Lex Luger deserves to be in the HOF!

[@billblanchard2510]

Yes he does

[@tplomonte]

What ? Sorry Lex Luger two moves the elbow and torcher rack. To stiff! Not fluent. Created his own issue's. Better person now? let's hope so

[@claywilliams1594]

Lex is still a legend house hold name in the 80s he was battling hulk hogan on the Body and muscles in wrestling magazines. When I was a kid lex was a hero baby face people love him at wcw /nwa sting was his best friend.

[@jonpike9502]

I loved the 80s luger. The arrogant egotistical character was great 👍

[@yoholmes273]

Regardless of what the modern day Mark revisionist history will say..... THE TOTAL PACKAGE was OVER!!!

[@neilallen529]

I think Lex was a bigger star than Shawn Michaels. Michaels was a big deal when the business was in the gutter. Lex was able to hold his own in the era of Hogan, Warrior, Flair, Savage, and Sting.

[@rolltide9547]

Micheals was 1000x the worker and performer.

[@kalebsmith4907]

Lex has never been a bigger star than HBK. When he went to the WWF Vince tried pushing him as the biggest star in the company with the Lex express and the fans didn't buy into it. The business had moved past the era of the big body builders that couldn't work and the fans wanted to see the guys that could go in ring like Bret & HBK.

[@rolltide9547]

@@kalebsmith4907 Not even a prime Flair could make Lugar into a major star carrying him over and over in matches. Lugar was a top end midcarder.

[@egomaniac247]

@@kalebsmith4907 It's silly to say he's never been a bigger star than HBK. He was main eventing shows in the late 80's before Michaels ever appeared on the national scene. Long term, yes. But you can't say he was NEVER a bigger star.

[@shoeplayisbad1]

@@egomaniac247 and he main evented in front of small studio crowds Shawn main evented in front of thousands

[@adamrenfrow]

Love Lex Luger as a heel.

[@dashdash3615]

I met Lex in NC convention this past weekend. GREAT GUY

[@ucookin]

lex was one of the most over guys in the monday night war era

[@JardoniJovonovich]

They should have left him in the Horsemen for a couple of years and he would've grown. I liked Lex in the Horsemen . He fit as the powerhouse the Horsemen needed to go up against Nikita , Sting and the Road warriors.

[@jackson5781]

The company wanted him as a rival of Hogan cause of them rivaling WWE

[@richbrisco3190]

Well I’ll keep him in the group on the game

[@billcowan5539]

I loved the Flair Luger Wars from ‘88 to ‘90 , Starcade ‘88 was my favorite one and Wrestle War 90, Luger and Sting vs The Steiner Brothers in 91 was one Hell of a match, I always loved Lex as a Heel , I remember Starcade 95 the Triple Threat match with Flair, Sting and Lex when Ric went on to beat Savage for title number 12 after beating Sting and Lex by count out

[@cpthurme]

Great matches. I love Luger vs Steamboat GAB 89’ and Luger vs Pillman at New York Knockout.

[@bjs001001]

One word keeps coming up, and it is why I became a wrestling fan in the first place. The word "Believable". They made it believable and kept the kafabe alive so that no one could say it wasn't real. That's what I fell in love with, that's why I became a wrestler myself, and that's why today's wrestling does nothing for me.

[@user-hc9qv9yb9m]

What?

[@ronfroehlich4697]

It was so much better when they pretended it was real, so much better.

[@peacethroughstrength172]

The internet killed all that, but I hear you!

[@joshualewis9654]

Lex is my all time favorite. The reason I’m a pro wrestler

[@ProfessionalEXhusband]

Nature boy please do something about the echoing in the background it will make your podcast way more enjoyable WHOOOOOOOOOO

[@ericcarvelli9773]

Steroids are not, in his prime, I don't know if the single wrestler ever had a better physique then Lex Luger...

[@blake7871]

Only one who was close was Kerry Von Erich.

[@GD-eh3mj]

Just a week off the snickers bars

[@kalipiana3880]

lex luger and ultimate warrior are tied #1 for the best physique in pro wrestling history !

[@pulsarlights2825]

Flair is wrong, Barry joined the Horsemen in April 1988, Tully and Arn left the Horseman in September 1988, so the actual 4 Horseman lasted only about 5 months. Flair, Barry and JJ continued until the Starrcade, the end of the year. JJ was replaced with Hiro Matsuda and Flair lost the belt to Steamboat in early 1989, so the Horseman were basically over at that point. Luger was in the 4 Horseman for most of the year 1987 with all 4 members...

[@realtalkfbs]

Lex was one of my favorites! He was great in 89 and 97! WWE screwed him in the Yokozuna match. Win he didn't win the title it sucked the air out of his push. That's on Vince not him. Ric definitely made him in 88! The starrcade match was his best match!

[@chadk890]

Bret was more Over and fans wanted The Hitman to be Champ let's be honest and I like Luger

[@realtalkfbs]

@@chadk890 Nah I mean the 93 summerslam match against Yoko win he won by countout. Should've let Lex win the title and drop back to Yoko later. Bret winning in 94 mania was definitely the right move.

[@danielburger1775]

@@chadk890 LOL

[@jamieoiler5690]

lex beat yoko by countout stop it

[@bourbon646]

@@realtalkfbs He was close to winning the world title. Bret Hart kept crying backstage that Vince promised Bret the belt for 7 years. Bret was boring as fuck. Since many veterans and wrestlers supported Bret Vince did the Count out win at Summerslam. Then all those veterans and Bret blamed Lex for the house shows not doing well. By Royal rumble seeds were planted by Bret and the veterans that Luger should not be given the belt. All that had nothing to do with Bret being over. It was all about Vince insecurity that WWF may do bad. Bret got the belt and still flopped. Veterans still kept pushing Vince to put the belt on Bret. Vince got tired and then told Bret to leave WWF because he had no intentions of making Bret the champion again and with too many Bret fans boys it wasnt drawing. Vince didn't want to pay Bret so much.

[@mcwhorter141mcwhorter8]

I like lex but truthfully he had years to improve his in ring ability and didn't really try but with that said I was a fan .

[@Muertes-tf2oj]

Horsemen w/Ole was the best version.

[@terminalpower.]

Luger was my brothers favorite wrestler, when we were young children we called him the underwear man lol I met Luger a few years ago and asked him ab his time with The Horsemen. He told me that they had a lot of fun and then reiterated the fun part lol.

[@HereBeRabbit]

Team Package!

[@cogekacc]

lex luger was excellent 1996 to 1999. I dont know what the host is talking about. Even when he was heel with Liz that was great.

[@justinc22443]

Lex in 1997 was super over. When he beat Hogan on Nitro for the belt, the place went absolutely crazy. But he had to give it right back to Hulk because of the build up to Starrcade. And after that it was just a slow decline for his popularity.

[@michaeltaylor6253]

Anybody remember when towards the end of WCW team package with flair,luger and Elizabeth 👍

[@titansrule72]

lex was a guy for a long long time in the biz. 86' to 2001 I believe.

[@billcowan5539]

I love your podcast

[@ReeseMan]

I agree lex had got a lot of bad 😞 luck and unfortunate situations happen to him in his life he was a remarkable wrestler and he is a good human being I hope everyone will support him like Ric does much respect to Ric flair and lex luger and all the guys and gals that gave their life for professional wrestling and for fans like me watching them through the years

[@ppnc7332]

I remember Flair wrestling Luger in the Bob Martinez Center in Tampa long before Luger got a real push towards JCP.

[@SujoyChakravarthi93]

I know three boys from Ireland who would be super interested in this video AAUGH (Lex Luger Selling Noise)

[@HA-409]

That summer in 1988 The 4 Horseman 🐎 were at their absolute best, they held the NWA 🌎, Tags, & U.S. 🇺🇸 Titles. I saw them in July & September in Philly that time in wrestling was great.

[@billycain9890]

Someone asked me the other day do I think Ric Flair is the greatest wrestler ever I said no I think Kurt Angle is the greatest wrestler ever but Ric Flair will always be the goat because he was great at so many things he's the greatest champion we've ever seen the greatest performer we've ever seen he gave the best promos and he was the greatest talker he was the best at selling and making other performers look better than they were. when you put all that together and you're the best of all those things that gives you goat status.

[@shoeplayisbad1]

the greatest talker is roddy piper and Jake the snake

[@billycain9890]

@@shoeplayisbad1 Roddy Piper was pretty good nowhere near the best and Jake the Snake Roberts come on now

[@shoeplayisbad1]

@@billycain9890 yes piper was the best and most wrestlers say the same thing and watch Jake's stuff number 2 ever on the mic

[@billycain9890]

@@shoeplayisbad1 brother I'm 56 years old I've been watching wrestling since 1981 and rowdy Piper was entertaining as hell I've never heard a wrestler say he was the best talker he's real good Dusty Rhodes was the first great talker and then Ric Flair took it to another level and I really can't ever recall or remember Jake The Snake giving it great promos at all but hey if you think so and it's all good

[@shoeplayisbad1]

@@billycain9890 I'm early 40s flair has said piper himself and a few others Dusty was amazing your are right about that.

[@bradgaines]

Flair, Arn and Tully were the nucleus of the horsemen. Ole was an original but Barry was the greatest 4th member of the Horsemen. Once Arn and Tully left for WWF the Horsemen died in my eyes. Mainly because Tully never rejoined them.

[@ziggypop79]

Hi Ric you made Lex, but I think he’s grateful. Also love your 1st wwf run.

[@TheBestEVER4LIFE]

Flair has gotten alot better answering all these questions. Im enjoying the podcast

[@cpthurme]

I think they had a wonderful chemistry in the ring. Love Flair and Luger matches! ❤️

[@Jimbeam151]

Barry is my favorite non original member.

[@cliffbeavers6158]

Despite how anyone feels about Lex, he should be in the Hall of Fame.

[@timezonewatchman9501]

Ric is dam good wrestling and he knows his stuff

[@Ziplok_]

Ric I love you forever you will always be in my favorites always awesome work always inspiring. SALUTE.

[@Ziplok_]

woooooo

[@rolltide9547]

Lex was at his best with Flair carrying him.

[@jessedavis7555]

We love you Ric! I loved Dusty and hated you when I was young but I have grown up and realized you were doing your job Great 😊

[@pulsarlights2825]

Loved Dusty? You have a thing for fat guys or something?

[@hossra2013]

@@pulsarlights2825 probably also likes Merle Haggard and torn blue jeans. Horsemen fans listen to Mozart and drink Dom Perignon. :))

[@lancemorrisonrealtortothep8459]

Lex was also there that night and wrestled Stan Hanson that night.

[@chriswillis1585]

Glad you changed your mind about him Ric.

[@sherryirbvin7448]

I think Lex was underrater. Glad he is doing better. Health rise.

[@rambidee4184]

Madden is so good as the presenter - Great Work keep the JR sounding goof off - Rick and Madden Works !

[@masoodal5863]

beautifull man

[@raymondroberts991]

To me Brett was the most technically sound wrestler,but Ric was truly the total package.and they both are my favorite wrestlers ever

[@NotThatJonesShow]

Back in the day everyone thought Luger was a bore especially by the time he was on Nitro but nowadays he's gotten the appreciation for his work he deserves and every major promotion would kill to have someone who could work like Luger in his prime

[@megasor]

Wooooo leexx

[@tremainndis]

Team package was the greatest tag team. Luger and Flair...hands down.

[@ubermensch6669]

Lex Luger was very underrated

[@johnreece5540]

Everyone loves the original lineup of "The Four Horsemen". My favorite lineup of "The Four Horsemen" are "Nature Boy", "The Enforcer", "Sid Vicious", Barry Windham.

[@BIGDADDYKNOWSBEST1011]

I love RICK he is the best

[@charles2675]

2022/August

[@d.brownjr.4845]

Wish ric would talk about tommy rich and mr. wrestling 2. Bob Armstrong. Talk more about dusty. And Gordon solely.

[@timezonewatchman9501]

Ric I s awesome his daughter is a force to be ready for

[@djmeduna2009]

Wow

[@dante040]

When fights are stopped in boxing or MMA due to blood it counts as a title changing victory

[@chriskasatka2095]

Lex Luger in 1997 was a god.

[@dr.roberts4508]

Saw Flair Vs Lex in Little Rock, Ark

[@michaeltaylor8835]

Hope Lex is happy

[@marxmaxmuscle1]

11:00 nice to here him talking good about Bret, maybe bret will return the favor

[@beeetchwatutalkinbout5972]

Rick I love you man no Homo

[@KizzMyAbs]

Luger is so good imo. Wendy be the best worker or anything but he stood the test of time and looked great doing it

[@tonymanero1015]

Lex was the man in the 80s and early 90s could of rivaled Hulk but Flair did not want to drop the title to him !!

[@rolltide9547]

Sting was the bigger star. Luger was not championship material. He could not work or sell.

[@AntiLifeEquation1]

​@@rolltide9547 Longest US champion in Nwa/WCW history...4x...2x world champion, 2x tag champion 2x television champion and crocket cup winner with Sting...and your saying Lex isn't championship material? Lex has had just as many championships as Sting, if not more.

[@blaze3884]

Lex and Kerry Von Erich had the most awesome bodies in the wrestling world.

[@scunir1451]

why is ric flair speaking to colonel sanders and why da colonel askin him questions

[@robkearsy2995]

Well The Starrcade 88 match was awesome. Totally worked by a master. Also their Wrestle War 90 that match was also excellent with the storytelling. Great American Bash 88 match was hurt cause of blood stopping a match Ric Flair bled a lot no matches were stopped. Also another match they had Capital Combat 90 great match terrible ending a DQ in a cage match come on.

[@thedragonchaser]

"SuperBrawl Saturday?!"

[@charles2675]

Howdy.

[@john5mac]

Lex lugers name backwards is Regul Xel

[@sprintkick9793]

Remember Lex from Florida days. Great body but always thought he wasn’t athletic enough.

[@DL-rp4lu]

Lex was a very good wrestler.

[@gumdeo]

Yes, the nWo should have stayed as Hall, Nash, Hogan.

[@ronfroehlich4697]

First time I saw NWO I thought it was a corny mock-up of the Four Horsemen

[@mox19380]

to the question if luger could have been bigger...i don't think he could've without being more dedicated to the business. guys like flair, hart, hogan, hbk, hhh, austin, etc, etc they lived for the business (at least for a long time). there's a story in the early 90s i've heard that it was either clash or starrcade and he opted not to perform at one of the shows because he had reached his annual contractual obligation for matches. there is also the story that dusty asked him to fill in at a house show and luger refused. i think guys who will be the biggest stars will sacrifice almost everything for the business...that wasn't luger's thing. not a bad thing. just a personal decision

[@jamieoiler5690]

no the thing is flair refused to drop the title to luger in their two matches in 1988 because he said lex wasnt ready to be champion yet

[@tonymanero1015]

Flair is just making excuses for not giving him the title!! Luger was ready to carry NWA or WCW at that time he was over big time regardless how his work ethic was !!! and given the chance he could of rivaled Hulk !! Flair was just jealous Luger had the look and all the women were crazy for him !!!

[@jamieoiler5690]

@@tonymanero1015 shut up,if flair said he wasnt ready he wasnt get out of here!!!

[@tonymanero1015]

@@jamieoiler5690 LOL

[@basedpatriarch]

Luger was better in the ring than he's given credit for. He was fast, good talker, great seller. It's just that by 97 he was another "old" guy that was taking up a big spot when he wasn't that over.

[@mrsain19]

98 yes perhaps. But 97 he was still extremely over.

[@basedpatriarch]

@@mrsain19 yeah you're right.

[@suzanneflowers2230]

Lex had all the world offers.The body of a Greek god, a handsome face, the desire of women, and fame. Yet now he's wealthy beyond measure, because he knows his Savior Jesus Christ and lives for Him in joy. He's got the true Total Package now, and he knows it!

[@bertmch9108]

Shut up ...

[@100aceswid]

If not for Jim Herd, would you have come to the WWF anyway?

[@user-hc9qv9yb9m]

He was a football player. He looked like one. Fans only think big guys look like wrestlers

[@royeastham5277]

Did WCW ever splice in audio of cheers in territories where supposed babyface….(Hogan in particular) got booed? I know WWF and WWE and TNA did!

[@royeastham5277]

NWO shouldn’t have been a gimmick….actual competition to WCW would have made wrestling welcomed back to territories lost by globalization!

[@rolltide9547]

WCW was never a territory.

[@royeastham5277]

@@rolltide9547 never said WCW was territory…. I asked about the crowd cheers in REGIONS of the country that despise Hogan!

[@royeastham5277]

@@rolltide9547 stupid WordCheck changed my words!

[@rolltide9547]

@@royeastham5277 If I remember correctly they did for Hogan. I was at several Nitro and house shows where they handed out NWO. At a nitro in Birmingham they gave out many signs of the NWO.

[@TheBestEVER4LIFE]

Luger couldve been way pushed better in wwf he shouldve been the first “finish the story” character he shouldve beaten yoko at mania 10.. have a title run i wouldve had him lose the belt to bret at survivor series n had him turn heel on bret n then i wouldve had him had a long heel run he was a heel naturally

[@luisortiz3543]

It's a shame, I heard about the break out, I just discovered this podcast about a month ago, and enjoy mark madden picking flair brains. It's unfortunate

[@carloselizondo7671]

What about Nick Bockwinkel?

[@grawakendream8980]

tricky nicky b

[@tafariali-alkebulan3325]

Naitch you made Sting and Luger...i remember the promo you did where you said "for me guys, produce" Sting definitely did and Lex was really gave it his all. Commendable. Lex just was too close to Hogan. The NWA,s attempt to make a Hulk. Btw Ric can you please give us your thoughts on Lesnar and Lashley? This is the most anticipated match in WWE since Cena v Punk 2011 and Danielson Mania XXX build up. This is a legit marquee matchup. The Rumble will be big.