Subhojeet Mukherjee on March 14, 2025
Lex Luger has accomplished a lot in his pro wrestling career, and after many years of waiting, he will finally get inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame this year. However, it appears that a former WWE name believes Luger doesn’t deserve to get inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.
While speaking on Storytime with Dutch Mantell, Dutch Mantell was asked whether Lex Luger, based on his body of work, deserved to be in the WWE Hall of Fame. Mantell made it clear that he believed Luger did not deserve the honor at all.
Mantell stated that even though Luger was a big name and wrestled in main events, his career had problems from the start. He was the first wrestler to leave Florida for the Mid-Atlantic territory in Charlotte, where he got a big contract. Most wrestlers at the time didn’t get guaranteed money like that, which made some people unhappy.
“No, he doesn’t deserve it. But his name was used in such a way—on top, in the main event—and he was the first one who left Florida. I remember he was there, and then he went to Mid-Atlantic, which was the Charlotte territory. They gave him a pretty good guarantee, and none of the other guys had guarantees. That started him off on the wrong foot.”
Mantell compared Luger to Jade Cargill, saying he had the size and look but didn’t know how to wrestle well. Mentally noted that as a babyface, Luger depended on his opponents to make him look good. The heels would work hard to help him shine and even lose to him in matches. However, some wrestlers said Luger didn’t even thank them afterward.
According to Mantell, it’s important to always show respect after a match, no matter how good or bad it was. However, Luger was known for being difficult to work with, which is why Mantell doesn’t believe he should be in the Hall of Fame.
“He was kind of in the same boat that Jade Cargill is in—he looked great and was big, but he had no clue what to do. Not a clue. He was a babyface, and the heel would go out of his way to make him look good—that was his job.
The heel would take the pin so Lex could look good. But sometimes, I heard he came back and didn’t even thank the guy he was in the ring with. And that’s really a no-no. You always do that. Even if it’s a bad match, you go over and say, ‘Hey, thanks.’ But he was very hard to work with.”
Lex Luger was a big name in wrestling, winning titles and main eventing shows. While many think he deserves to be in the Hall of Fame, others, like Dutch Mantell, believe his attitude and abilities don’t earn him the honor, and such opinions are unlikely to change anytime soon.
Do you believe Lex Luger deserves his spot in the WWE Hall of Fame, or do you agree with Dutch Mantell’s criticism? Drop your thoughts in the comments and join the discussion!
Please credit Ringside News if you use the above transcript in your publication.
March 14, 2025 2:42 pm
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