BigVitoMark
Lap cheong Level: 83
Posts: 1138/1509 EXP: 5210527 For next: 221717
Since: 10.8.02 From: Queen's University, Canada
Since last post: 6822 days Last activity: 6731 days
| ICQ: | |
| |
| #41 Posted on 8.7.04 1318.16 Reposted on: 8.7.11 1319.13 | I guess it depends on how you define someone as being better off. Luger was at or around the top of the card in WCW for a good two and a half years after he jumped, and probably made a good deal more money in that time than he would have with the WWF. And, as someone already said, by the time the WWF boom came along he'd have been old news like the Road Warriors were. At least this way he was around for one company's boom. | SKLOKAZOID
Bierwurst Level: 90
Posts: 738/1821 EXP: 6969453 For next: 219183
Since: 20.3.02 From: California
Since last post: 1692 days Last activity: 822 days
| #42 Posted on 8.7.04 1519.07 Reposted on: 8.7.11 1519.52 | Originally posted by Nag I think when the bottom fell from the Lex Express push, Vince wasn't about to throw a rope down to save the guy. I remember him missing the KOR94 card, then losing to guys like Tantaka, Backlund and even King Kong Bundy to close out 94. The Allied Powers team was a good idea, but for whatever reason, never seemed to get any momentum going. From my eyes they seen him as damaged goods, and he was pretty much stuck in limbo by Summer95.
With Davey Boy Smith getting the big push after Summerslam 95, Lex would have more than likely been used to put him over. Then slapped with horrid feud with Mable maybe even Owen Hart. If turned heel, he might have had a run with HBK at the top sometime in 96, but where would he have fit in during the Attitude transition? Cause I really don't see him playing a major role alongside Austin, D-X and Foley. He would have probably been giving the LOD treatment, the big dumb old guy from the 80's being upstaged by the quick-witted smart ass with ATTITUDE.
So the with whole Wheel Chair Wrestling mentality, probably tacked on a few "productive" years to Luger's career. You put Luger next to Hogan or Nash, well he magically don't look so dated.
Vince couldn't throw a rope to save the guy, because he couldn't even save his own company at the time. McMahon was very, very off-the-mark in this period, and full of horrible ideas (such as the Mabel push). Vince had tons of main event talent around then, but insisted on trying to bring back King Kong Bundy's career and stripping Diesel of his darker side as WWF Champion.
Luger may have lost fans to Bret, but he still was a big name with a fanbase. The Allied Powers were also not given a strong push. They had the opening match at WrestleMania XXI, were repeatedly jobbed to the tag champions, and basically put in the position to not-succeed. I believe the reason for which being that Luger had not signed a new WWF Contract, so they couldn't get behind this tag team. That's totally fine, but it was not a reflection of Luger's popularity. It was a reflection of Luger as a politician/businessman.
When Nitro premiered, the WWF's numbers weant steadily down to the point where in 1996 and 1997, they had some of their lowest ratings ever. Luger was on the other channel, and was a prominent part of the show. Everything from 1993 - late '96 was Vince at the very bottom of his game. WrestleMania 12 possibly being the sole exception, but even that show had problems.
So, if Vince McMahon circa 1995 decided not to rescue Luger, I don't see that as an indication that Luger was a failure in the WWF, but rather a failure of Vince at the time to see marketable talent.
(edited by SKLOKAZOID on 8.7.04 1320) | ALL ORIGINAL POSTS IN THIS THREAD ARE NOW AVAILABLE |
| |