Lex Luger on what really killed WCW (Exclusive)
Lex Luger's second WCW run ended in 2001 when then-WWE Chairman Vince McMahon bought the company. In an exclusive interview, the 66-year-old opened up about the real reason why the promotion did not last longer.
The topic of WCW's demise was recently explored in a four-part VICE TV docuseries, Who Killed WCW. The show focused on controversial storylines in the late 1990s and early 2000s. It also told the story of former WCW owner Ted Turner losing power when AOL Time Warner took control of the company.
Some fans and legends blame storyline decisions for WCW going downhill. However, speaking to Sportskeeda Wrestling Senior Editor Bill Apter, Luger agreed that executives were ultimately responsible for the organization's sale:
"I have not seen the footage of that yet. I mean, I believe personally that, corporately, that AOL Time Warner and the powers-that-be for a long time were looking for an out. They just didn't want wrestling as part of what they did, so first opportunity they got to close it out, which it ended up being merged with WWE, that was an easy decision for them." [3:23 – 3:54]
Watch the video above to find out which WCW legend Luger wants to induct him into the WWE Hall of Fame.
Lex Luger on Ted Turner's role in WCW's success
In 1988, Ted Turner bought Jim Crockett Promotions (JCP) and renamed the company World Championship Wrestling (WCW). The billionaire was a huge wrestling fan and wanted WCW to succeed despite other higher-ups having little interest in the promotion.
Lex Luger echoed what many other wrestling legends, including Hulk Hogan, have said about Turner keeping WCW in business until 2001:
"Once Ted Turner was out as far as everyday decisions at that company when they merged, corporately, I believe it was only a matter of time." [4:04 – 4:13]
Luger also gave his honest thoughts on the war of words between Bill Goldberg and Bret Hart over the WCW Starrcade 1999 incident.
What do you think killed WCW? Hit the discuss button and let us know.
Special thanks to Tommy Fierro and Independent Superstars of Pro Wrestling (ISPW) for this interview.
Please credit Sportskeeda WrestleBinge and embed the video if you use Lex Luger's quotes from this article.