[1995-09-11-WCW-Nitro] Hulk Hogan vs Lex Luger

[Loss]

Talk about it here.

[Loss]

Just the post-match, although Hogan/Luger was kind of an Apter mag dream match at the time. Hogan wants to know whose side he's on and why the Dungeon only attacked Hogan and not him. Sting mediates and suggests that since Vader is out of the picture, Luger would make a great replacement. Savage would rather go in a man down since he doesn't trust Luger, so Hogan is the swing vote, and Hogan reluctantly agrees to let Luger join their team. Luger wants the title shot that Vader was promised down the line if he agrees to team with them. They did a good job making the most of Luger during this time.

[Dooley]

I'm amazed it took almost two years for them to do Hogan-Luger on PPV. In hindsight, Starrcade '95 would have been as good a time and place as any. Luger had cemented his heel turn by attacking Hogan at Halloween Havoc and they never did really resolve that.

[PeteF3]

Mentioned already, but there was genuine intrigue over what the result of this match would be, which wasn't the case for any of Hulk's WCW matches before. Vader's gone AWOL, brother! Hogan points out that the DOD didn't put their hands on Lex, but Sting immediately takes up Lex's side. Oh, Sting. Savage would rather go 4-on-3 than team with Luger, and makes a strong argument. The bickering gets so bad that even Jimmy Hart gets dragged into it. This was something pretty new in the face of what the WWF had been doing for its whole existence, with all babyfaces being friends all the time.

 

Scott Keith is Scott Keith and all, but his proposal that WCW run the MegaPowers vs. Luger & Sting on PPV, at Starrcade or elsewhere, is a very good one that would have drawn big money.

[flyonthewall2983]

Luger as the ultimate tweener during this time was an interesting experiment, but it's good that they would do away with that and make him a total babyface during the NWO run. The match with Hogan was good, though it felt like a regular TV match of the time and not what would become standard eventually during the MNW.

[cactus]

Fresh off his jump to WCW after a failed 2 year run in the WWF, Luger takes on Hogan. It's crazy to think how big of a deal this match would of been in 1995 as these two have never crossed paths before this. This was a compact version of your typical Hogan match until the DOD runs in to cause the DQ just as Hulk had the match won.There's not much here and the DOD were unbearably cheesy and camp, but I did enjoy the spots where both Luger and Hogan no-sold each other's slam at the start of the match.

★½

[Superstar Sleeze]

WCW World Heavyweight Champion Hulk Hogan vs Lex Luger - WCW NItro 9/11/95

Second Nitro and this has a huge fight feel! Luger looks like a million bucks.

Not too much meat on the bone in this match. They give you enough that doesn’t feel like a ripoff. Luger more than the Warrior for me personally is the dream match for Hogan. This is Arnold vs Sylvester brutha. One thing that’s interesting even though the crowd is majority pro-Hogan to the point where Bischoff could claim absolute victory for the Hulkster by the crowd he claims it is a 50/50 split. He is really trying to push the shades of grey. 
 

Babyface Vs babyface clash of the titans symmetry. Each no-selling the other’s suplex was awesome. Hogan misses a charge and a Luger powerslam. He is calling for the Rack!!! LUGER RACKS HOGAN!!! The Hulkster withstands the pain long enough that Luger has to relinquish. Hogan Hulk-Ups after the pin fall attempt. Basic Hulk Up and the Dungeon attacks so we don’t know if Luger would kick out or not. It casts enough doubt in people’s head. 
 

Savage and Sting make the save BUT the Dungeon never touch Luger. The resulting brouhaha with Mean Gene whether Luger’s blood is running red & yellow or if he is Dungeon 4 Life! Is great pro wrestling theatre. I love how all four stay true to their characters and their motivations. Sting wants to win at Wargames and he has been friends with Luger for almost ten years. Savage is a paranoid lunatic and doesn’t want to be stabbed in the back. The uncertainty is killing the Hulkster and he has to just know one way or the other. Luger is willing to help them out if he gets another title shot down the line. It is genius. This is how pro wrestling should be.