LEX LUGER was famed for his incredible physique back in his wrestling heyday – but now looks completely unrecognisable.
The 65-year-old was one of the biggest names in the business during the 1990s and early 00s after being a major high school and college football star as a youngster.
WWELex Luger was a huge star in WWE back in the 1990s[/caption]
HannibalThese days he looks completely different physically[/caption]
Luger made his breakthrough in the ring and became a heavyweight champion in WCW before moving to rival WWE in 1993.
Vince McMahon debuted the star as a huge heel nicknamed ‘The Narcissist’ who posed in a mirror pre-match to admire his bulking body.
But the powerhouse was then transformed into an All-American hero persona following the departure of Hulk Hogan from the company and was the joint-winner of the 1994 Royal Rumble along with Bret ‘Hitman’ Hart.
Luger left WWE in 1995 and made a shock return to WCW Nitro to kickstart the Monday Night Wars as he continued to get bigger and bigger physically.
But things took a turn for the worse following his retirement from wrestling full-time when in April 2003 he was charged with battery after a domestic dispute left his girlfriend Elizabeth Hulette with facial injuries.
Luger was arrested two days later for driving under the influence after police found him with slurred speech and bloodshot eyes while his licence was still suspended.
Then, a month later, there was further heartache when Hulette died in the house that she shared with the former Four Horseman Member.
The ex-bodybuilder was charged with drug possession when cops found illicit substances including steroids and pain meds at the house and he pleaded guilty and was fined $1,000 while Hulette’s death was ruled accidental.
Things began to spiral for Luger both in his life and physically when his wrestling career ended in 2007.
He was left paralysed after suffering a nerve impingement in his neck but bravely regained mobility with the use of a walking cane.
Show any 90s wrestling fan an image of Luger from his heyday and they will instantly be able to recognise him.
But after admitting to popping plenty of pills and drugs throughout his years at the top, not many could point him out these days.
Speaking to ESPN in 2007, he said: “If you snort it, spray it, shoot it, inject it, I did it, buddy. Or I was around it. That was my life.
“Alcohol? I abused it all, buddy. I took a lot of pills. I was a pill popper.”
Now the born-again Christian speaks openly about his demons in order to help others.
And he has even returned to WWE to help with their wellness programme.
WWEThe ‘Narcissist’ used to admire himself in a mirror before and after matches[/caption]
WWELex Luger was the joint-winner of the 1994 Royal Rumble along with Bret Hart[/caption]