Unwrapping The Total Package Part 2
A few months ago I wrote about meeting wrestling legend "The Total Package" Lex Luger. Luger's recent history has been well documented online in many forums & there are a lot of prevailing opinions about him. Some relevant, some not. And if you read that previous post, you'll understand how I felt prior to meeting him & how I felt afterwards. So I figured it would be best to describe the experience of meeting him for a second time.
First off, he walked in on crutches because Luger needs to have his hip replaced. All the physical abuse his body has endured throughout the years from his college & professional football careers, his wrestling career, the wear & tear of the road and quite frankly, the drug/substance abuse has taken a toll on him. But despite his current condition, he still fulfilled his commitment to the booking & appeared as scheduled for Fire Pro Wrestling on September 29th, 2007 in Merrillville, Indiana.
As I saw Luger coming towards the doorway, I remember one of the first lessons I was ever taught in the business; show respect to the veterans who have come before you. I was in the middle of preparing my notes for the evening, but when I saw him, I dropped what I was doing to show him the respect he has earned. And yes, he has earned respect, no matter what you may think of him. What struck me most about this moment (aside from the fact that I made it to him first) is that he remembered my name (well sorta, since to the wrestling world I'm just Double J, but close enough right?) and called me Double J directly. How cool is that?
As with the first time we had him in, Luger drew another huge crowd & we had trouble finding enough seats for those in attendance. And once again, Luger signed autographs. The best part about this was Luger's mentality in doing so. There was a line that took him nearly an hour to get through & he could've made an absolute killing if he charged for everything that people wanted signed. Instead, Luger charged for his 8x10 photos & if you took a Polaroid with him. Otherwise, he signed everything & anything for free. I'm talking magazines, t-shirts, pictures, posters, fliers, programs & I'm sure a lot of other items I didn't even see. He signed everything for everyone who wanted something signed. And he did it all with a smile & appreciation of people still knowing who he was.
In my last blog about Luger, I'm sure you got the same sense that I did about his coherence. Well, this time, he was certainly much more aware & cognizant. And he was as gracious & polite as could be. You can tell he really thrives on being in front of the audience & he definitely senses that he has a lot to give back to the business that gave so much to him. He offered to help Fire Pro Wrestling with whatever we needed, that he could do, and promised that once his hip is better, he will come back & even wrestle for us next time.
A lot gets said about people who claim to have found God, thus turning their lives around. Some people couldn't sound more disingenuous when they make that proclamation (such as Michael Vick did during his half-hearted apology after pleading guilty). When you talk to Luger & you hear him speak about the influence of God & religion in his life, you actually feel like you're listening to someone who has truly been moved by that. Whatever your belief system may be, you have to respect someone who has turned themselves around.
It was a pleasure to have had Luger in for a show again & I don't doubt that it won't be the last time. I just hope that when that next time comes, he will have continued to make improvements & that he is well on the road to recovery.
I can't wait until I get another chance to say "Ladies & Gentlemen, Former World Heavyweight Champion, 'The Total Package' Lex Luger!"
First off, he walked in on crutches because Luger needs to have his hip replaced. All the physical abuse his body has endured throughout the years from his college & professional football careers, his wrestling career, the wear & tear of the road and quite frankly, the drug/substance abuse has taken a toll on him. But despite his current condition, he still fulfilled his commitment to the booking & appeared as scheduled for Fire Pro Wrestling on September 29th, 2007 in Merrillville, Indiana.
As I saw Luger coming towards the doorway, I remember one of the first lessons I was ever taught in the business; show respect to the veterans who have come before you. I was in the middle of preparing my notes for the evening, but when I saw him, I dropped what I was doing to show him the respect he has earned. And yes, he has earned respect, no matter what you may think of him. What struck me most about this moment (aside from the fact that I made it to him first) is that he remembered my name (well sorta, since to the wrestling world I'm just Double J, but close enough right?) and called me Double J directly. How cool is that?
As with the first time we had him in, Luger drew another huge crowd & we had trouble finding enough seats for those in attendance. And once again, Luger signed autographs. The best part about this was Luger's mentality in doing so. There was a line that took him nearly an hour to get through & he could've made an absolute killing if he charged for everything that people wanted signed. Instead, Luger charged for his 8x10 photos & if you took a Polaroid with him. Otherwise, he signed everything & anything for free. I'm talking magazines, t-shirts, pictures, posters, fliers, programs & I'm sure a lot of other items I didn't even see. He signed everything for everyone who wanted something signed. And he did it all with a smile & appreciation of people still knowing who he was.
In my last blog about Luger, I'm sure you got the same sense that I did about his coherence. Well, this time, he was certainly much more aware & cognizant. And he was as gracious & polite as could be. You can tell he really thrives on being in front of the audience & he definitely senses that he has a lot to give back to the business that gave so much to him. He offered to help Fire Pro Wrestling with whatever we needed, that he could do, and promised that once his hip is better, he will come back & even wrestle for us next time.
A lot gets said about people who claim to have found God, thus turning their lives around. Some people couldn't sound more disingenuous when they make that proclamation (such as Michael Vick did during his half-hearted apology after pleading guilty). When you talk to Luger & you hear him speak about the influence of God & religion in his life, you actually feel like you're listening to someone who has truly been moved by that. Whatever your belief system may be, you have to respect someone who has turned themselves around.
It was a pleasure to have had Luger in for a show again & I don't doubt that it won't be the last time. I just hope that when that next time comes, he will have continued to make improvements & that he is well on the road to recovery.
I can't wait until I get another chance to say "Ladies & Gentlemen, Former World Heavyweight Champion, 'The Total Package' Lex Luger!"
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