It was the slam heard worldwide and a viral video before the term viral video was created. On July 4, 1993, WWF (now WWE) superstar Lex Luger landed in a helicopter on the USS Intrepid Museum in NYC and slammed the nearly 600-pound Yokozuna in the middle of the ring, sending thousands in attendance into a frenzy. The video clip would make its way to every news channel, newspaper, and more, making it into every bit of what we would now call a viral moment.
For Luger, it was the moment he desperately needed to reignite his career as his run with the WWF at the time didn’t launch the way many thought it would. Although Luger’s career started in 1985 with Championship Wrestling from Florida, it wasn’t until he signed with Jim Crockett’s World Championship Wrestling (WCW) in 1987 that he would make his presence felt. This was when he was given the moniker “The Total Package” because of his fantastic physique, blond hair, and good looks. He hit all the wickets to be a wrestling star in the 80s, and his moniker would become legendary within the wrestling business and one that is still remembered to this day. Luger would be part of the iconic Four Horseman and win the Television and World Heavyweight titles. Although Luger was wildly popular, he was always considered a great number two and not the guy that could carry a company like Ric Flair, Dusty Rhodes, or anyone like that.
In 1992, Luger left WCW and first got into the WWF through the WBF Body Stars (World Body Building Federation), where he hosted shows, a new venture for Vince McMahon and Co. Luger got into a motorcycle accident and by the time he recovered from his injuries, the WBF was non longer. He was then transitioned into the WWF in 1993 as “The Narcissist.” He was managed by the great Bobby “The Brain” Heenan. That character lasted only a few months as the fans just didn’t connect with the character as they did with Luger when he was in WCW. After Hulk Hogan left the company, leaving a massive void for an All-American good guy, the WWF decided to give Luger a shot, and it was the boost he needed at the time.
Fast forward to the 4th of July that year, the WWF set up a fan fest on top of the USS Intrepid Museum flight deck in NYC. Thousands of fans were in attendance, and the headline was about who could pick up and slam Yokozuna, a great heel managed by “The Mouth of the South” Jimmy Hart. After celebrities, athletes, and wrestlers fail to do so, a helicopter is shown flying and landing on the Intrepid. Once landed, Lex Luger dripped with an American Flag-themed Jacket, hopped out of the helicopter, and headed towards the ring. The crowd popped loud as they knew if anyone was capable, Luger was. After some back and forth between Luger and Yokozuna, they got into it, and Luger slammed him, sending the crowd into a frenzy. Just like that, Luger was a fan favorite, and he created a memory that would last forever in the wrestling world.
Unfortunately, Luger’s run with the WWF wouldn’t be a big hit, and he would return to the WCW where he could be gimmick-free, and the fans accepted him for being “The Total Package” and nothing more. Luger is a Hall of Fame wrestler who will live throughout the history of wrestling, but that moment on July 4, 1993, will live forever, just as March 16 will always be considered Stone Cold Day.