[1993-11-15-WWF-Monday Night Raw] Lex Luger vs Pierre

Lex Luger vs Pierre - WWF RAW 11/15/93

A couple of interesting notes: this is the highest rated match of Luger’s derided WWF tenure according to Cagematch. It is non-obvious what the answer to the question is and if this ends up being the case then it was truly a pathetic run. Also interesting is this would be the peak of Luger’s push which would roughly date from July 4, 1993 to WrestleMania X. It seems this was his longest, most high profile RAW singles match of that stretch. He is likes but he is NOT over. He is nowhere near Hogan or Savage. The fans seem to be more into the USA vs World storyline but you could probably stick any American wrestler in Luger’s spot and expect the same reaction. As a Luger fan, that’s a bummer.

The match is good but that’s more thanks to Pierre than Luger. Pierre really brought the energy. He took some hard bumps and did some big high spots. I love Luger but he just not wrestling like he did in that 88-91 stretch. Way too many punches which is not his style. He jumpstarts the match with punches. He whips Pierre from pillar to post with Pierre taking great buckle bumps BUT the shine just doesn’t have any oomph. Raven as Johnny Polo is just so weird. Pierre has a couple false starts into heat but when Luger is In the ropes he charges and knocks Luger out of the ring. He slams Luger into hard metal objects. Polo teases hitting Luger with the mallet but never does. We get some cool highspots from Pierre like Vaderbomb, Piledriver, a crazy top rope leg drop and a missed Cannonball. Luger puts the brakes on as Pierre takes a hard Bret Bump into the buckles. Couple clotheslines, powerslam, decks Johnny Polo and Bionic Forearm finishes it for our American Hero.

I get some clarity around Survivor Series. So apparently Tatanka was originally slated to be on the All-Americans but was injured by Foreign Fanatics which is why Undertaker is on the team aaaahhhhh that makes so much more sense. Luger blasting Pierre with his Bionic Forearm is why Crush joins the Foreigners. I will say based on the highlight package to open RAW that Crush heel turn had some juice! So a good idea to get him in a main event slot. Pierre’s offense & bumping pushes this above average but Luger is just not clicking in the WWF. ***