90s wrestling icon left paralysed by freak gym incident nets new WWE deal amid WrestleMania hope

Lex Luger’s iconic WWE career and dramatic life outside the ring represent a tale worthy of being told.

At the peak parts of his career, Luger was WWE headliner, challenging for the company’s world championship on numerous occasions.

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He battled Yokozuna at SummerSlam in 1993 and, having co-won the Royal Rumble alongside Bret Hart in one of the most iconic finishes ever, the ripped grappler featured again at WrestleMania 10.

In New York City at Madison Square Garden he was beaten by Yokozuna shortly before Hart’s iconic title win, but remained one of WWE’s most popular stars in what was the New Generation era following the dominance of the likes of Hulk Hogan and Macho Man Randy Savage.

He was one of the first high-profile figures to switch WWE for WCW after his contract with Vince McMahon’s organisation came to an end and went on to win the world title there for a second time.

As well as multiple triumphs, Luger has also faced tragedy and controversy, having fallen foul of the law and served time in jail, as well as being inexorably linked to the death of wrestling valet Miss Elizabeth, though not directly responsible for it.

Health issues, too, have plagued the now 66-year-old who, shortly before a wrestling appearance in 2007, suffered a freak injury while rushing through a workout.

The accident would eventually lead to paralysis, with the man formerly known as The Total Package sharing the incredible details of the horrifying ordeal in a new interview with Chris Van Vliet.

“I had to get in that one last heavy work out and shower and run to the airport for an overnight red eye flight,” he explained.

“I got in a heavy shoulder, neck and trap workout, which they say might have been a factor, might not, [but] that was my last heavy workout ever.

“I was talking to somebody on the plane and had my head turned, right after that workout, and I turned my head back [and] had this burning, stabbing pain between my shoulder blades.

“Football, wrestling, we get aches and pains and pinched nerves all the time, but [I thought]: ‘That didn’t feel good, that didn’t feel right.’”

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Luger remains adamant the workout played a role in the sensation and what came next when he woke from a sleep at the hotel.

He added: “I had the worst burning, stabbing pain in my lower neck, shoulder blade area – unbelievable.

“I was trying to get to a phone, I figured maybe I could get to the phone like a seal and hit it with my nose, I was in so much pain I fell off the bed on to the floor.”

The veteran described feeling as though he was being pulled through the floor by magnets but described an immense calm coming over him, adding: “I felt like god was almost speaking to me.

“I didn’t hear a voice, but that resonated so much to me that my breathing calmed down, and my heart rate, and I lay there for hours before they came… they had to knock my door down.”

Having not surfaced for his planned appearance, worried personnel – including fellow veteran DDP – crashed through the door to render assistance.

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“They knew when I didn’t open the door but it was locked that I had to be in there,” he stated.

“That’s when they called 911 and bashed my door down.”

DDP – himself a WWE and WCW star – is an icon in his own right as much for his own wrestling career as for the help he’s offered other stars in recovering from the impacts of injury and addiction.

Luger had no mobility in his limbs after the ordeal and, despite a partial recovery, was left using a wheelchair full time by 2021, until reuniting with DDP who helped work more of his incredible magic.

Sessions with the yoga and rehab specialist have again enabled the star to stand unaided again, New York native Luger showing phenomenal positivity in his outlook.

Always keen to see their old favourites get another day in the spotlight, wrestling fans have for years been calling for the master of the Torture Rack acknowledged with a spot in WWE’s Hall of Fame.

Claiming ‘good things come to those who wait,’ the main himself is philosophical about an induction but admitted it would be ‘the cherry on top’ of his career. “I’m hopeful,” he said, “but I still had a great career.”

He confirmed his career with WWE has ‘quietly’ continued over the last decade, saying: “People don’t know, I’ve been on the legends progamme for ten years. I’m just into my third five-year [deal] now, quietly.”

Of WWE, he insisted: “I’m thankful. They’ve been a blessing to me, including financially. I am very thankful to them for welcoming me back into their family.

“The Hall of Fame would be the whipped cream and cherry on top, for sure. If I never get into the Hall of Fame, I feel like I’ve had a great career and that won’t change it.”

Almost 20 years removed from the last match in a career cut short by the most freakish of injuries, there’s plenty of hope Luger will have at least one more high-profile outing in WWE.

With WrestleMania and the Hall of Fame weekend fast approaching, you can – as they say – never say never in the world of wrestling.