On the August 4, 1997 episode of WCW Nitro, Lex Luger submitted Hulk Hogan to win the WCW World Heavyweight Title.
Hogan had been the champion for 359 days, holding it from nearly the moment he transformed into "Hollywood" Hulk Hogan.
Speaking to Chris Van Vliet on Insight, Luger reflected on defeating Hogan.
"That was crazy. They didn’t tell me until I went to the ring. Back then, the phones and the internet were hitting. They didn’t want anyone to know. Eric Bischoff and Hogan took me aside right before going to the ring and go, ‘Hey, we’re switching the belt.’ ‘What are you takling about?’ ‘We’re switching the belt tonight.’ ‘On me? With Hogan? Hogan is going to put me over on national TV? Not pay-per-view?’ ‘It’s Nitro. You guys have been left laying for 63 straight weeks. We need to throw the fans a little bone. We’re going to put the title on you tonight. You’re red hot. Sting is coming out of the ceiling, but you’re there every week and the fans are with you.’ They had me rack all the NWO guys before that. ‘You’re red hot. We’re going to throw them a bone. Our ultimate goal will be Sting, you’re gonna put it back the following week on Hogan at Sturgis, but we’re going to put the belt on you.’ Pee Wee, the referee, when he signals for the bell, he was looking at me like, ‘Really?’ I go, ‘What’s the finish?’ ‘Torture Rack.’ ‘He’s taking the rack? Submit?’ [Nods head]."
When CVV noted that Hogan didn't put a lot of people over, Luger replied, "Submission. He had me kick out of his finish during the match too. He put me over big time. We always got along really good, and still do. They let Hogan pick anyone he wanted to work with and he picked me. Massive respect for him from me."
Luger's title reign lasted five days as he lost the title back to Hogan at WCW Road Wild 1997.
Elsewhere during the interview, Luger credited Bret Hart for the Royal Rumble 1994 finish. You can find his full comments by clicking here.
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