WWE Hall of Famer Lex Luger has praised legendary wrestling announcer Jim Ross for playing a major role in shaping his early career.
Speaking on an episode of his podcast Lex Expressed, Luger reflected on how crucial Ross’s commentary was in helping establish his presence in professional wrestling.
“I don’t think I realised at the time how instrumental Jim Ross was in the early parts of my career,” Luger said. “He is one of the best, if not the best ever, and he can set up your background and your athletic background. He is just an amazing talent at what he’s done, and he was a huge factor in putting so many of us on the map.”
Ross called many of Luger’s matches during his run in WCW, particularly from the late 1980s up until 1992, when Luger left to join WWE. Ross himself departed WCW the following year, joining WWE in 1993, where he would continue to call several of Luger’s matches before Luger’s return to WCW in 1995.
Ross went on to become one of the most recognisable voices in wrestling history, notably as the lead announcer during the Attitude Era alongside Jerry “The King” Lawler. He is currently working with AEW as an announcer, analyst, and senior advisor.
What Pitch Did Lex Luger Make To Vince McMahon Following WrestleMania 10?
Lex Luger recalled a pitch he made to Vince McMahon following WrestleMania 10, where he failed to capture the WWE Championship from Yokozuna, and where Bret Hart would go on to win the title in the main event of the show, due to the fact that both Luger and Hart were co-winners of the 1994 Royal Rumble meaning they both earned a title shot at WrestleMania.
Luger said that he’d pitched to McMahon for him to turn heel on Hart following WrestleMania and to feud with Hart for the WWE Title. However, McMahon ultimately passed on the idea, and Luger began to feud with other stars until he left the company the following year.
H/t to TJRWrestling.net