Looking back on pro wrestling history, it’s surprising that fans didn’t side with the heels more than they do today. More often than not, when presenting a case arguing their rationale, the bad guys were the ones actually in the right.
Take the Four Horsemen and Lex Luger, for instance.
In 1987, Lex Luger — a rising prospect in the game — did all he could to gain the consideration of wrestling’s premier faction, the Four Horsemen. After some deliberation, Ric Flair, Arn Anderson, Tully Blanchard, and
manager J.J. Dillon welcomed him into the fold. Not long after, Dillon helped Luger defeat Nikita Koloff for the United States Title.
Life was great.
Until it wasn’t — for Luger, at least.
After losing the U.S. Title to Dusty Rhodes at Starrcade that year, Luger got upset that Dillon’s interference backfired. He told Dillon he was welcome to join him at ringside in the future, but from then on — no more interference.
Okay, Lex. Have it your way.
Then, as Christmas rolled around, everyone but Luger was in the giving spirit. During a Bunkhouse Stampede battle royal, Luger, Blanchard, Anderson, and Dillon were the final four competitors in the ring. After being told by the referee there must be a winner, Dillon — whose best days as a wrestler were behind him — humbly asked Arn and Tully for their understanding and a chance to have one last shot at glory.
Appreciative of their manager’s contributions to their careers, Blanchard and Anderson gave Dillon a high five and eliminated themselves. Luger was expected to do the same. Instead, he put himself first, taking advantage of a 45-year-old semi-retired wrestler and dumping him over the ropes.
Fans were going wild — but not for the Horsemen. Instead, they backed Benedict Arnold-Luger, who put himself ahead of the team. Suffice it to say, Luger was excommunicated from the group with extreme prejudice.
As for the fans? They rallied around Lex. However, just over a year later, Luger would turn his back on them in pursuit of the U.S. Title in 1989, proving what the Horsemen had learned the hard way:
Lex Luger was always about Lex Luger.
