Lex Luger to Join WWE Hall of Fame This Weekend

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Lex Luger, a Buffalo native and renowned professional wrestler, will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame on April 18 during WrestleMania weekend in Las Vegas. Luger, 66, will receive this honor at the Fontainebleau Las Vegas, where he will be inducted by his longtime friend, Diamond Dallas Page.

Having faced numerous challenges in life, Luger has spent recent months training and reflecting at Page’s home in Panama City Beach, Fla. “This isn’t just about wrestling — it’s about the power of never giving up. The comeback is always stronger than the setback. Proud doesn’t even begin to cover it,” Page recently shared on social media.

After retiring in 2006, Luger has faced significant health issues, requiring a wheelchair since 2014. Page’s DDP Yoga program has played a pivotal role in helping Luger regain his mobility and strength. “Over the past few years, I’ve watched Lex fight like hell to take back control of his life—physically, mentally, and emotionally,” Page stated.

Known as “The Total Package” and “The Narcissist,” Luger has had a notable journey in sports. He excelled in football during his youth in Orchard Park, later playing at Penn State and Miami, Fla. Before diving into professional wrestling, Luger played for the Montreal Alouettes in the CFL and signed with the Green Bay Packers in the NFL.

Luger made his wrestling debut in 1985, joining the Championship Wrestling from Florida territory. His rise to fame began with the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) and World Championship Wrestling (WCW), where he held the United States title for a record 523 days. In 1993, he debuted for the WWF, now WWE, at the Royal Rumble with a persona crafted by Bobby “The Brain” Heenan.

His career took a transformative turn after Hulk Hogan’s departure from the WWF, as Luger was repackaged as an “All-American” hero. He gained fame for body slamming WWE champion Yokozuna on the USS Intrepid during a July 4 event in 1993, captivating fans across the nation. Despite his popularity, he never captured the WWE championship.

Luger later returned to WCW during its iconic “Monday Nitro” debut, marking a significant chapter in the wrestling rivalry between WCW and WWE. His notable victory came when he defeated ‘Hollywood’ Hulk Hogan on August 4, 1997, on Monday Nitro, only to lose the title shortly after.

WrestleMania 41 is set to occur on April 19-20 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. Luger recently spoke to local media, reflecting on his childhood in Western New York, his sporting passions, and the complex emotions tied to his wrestling career. “I’ve lived a full life but had an empty heart,” he admitted, noting his journey toward finding a higher purpose.

The WWE Hall of Fame ceremony will also honor several other legends, including Michelle McCool and the tag team The Natural Disasters. Prominent figures like Dory Funk Sr., Ivan Koloff, and Kamala will be inducted into WWE’s Legacy Wing. The event can be streamed on Peacock following the conclusion of SmackDown.

Luger’s induction not only acknowledges his wrestling achievements but also highlights his resilience in overcoming personal hardships.