Lex Luger's induction into WWE Hall of Fame brings to light troubled past with Miss Elizabeth
ATLANTA, GEORGIA: Lawrence Wendell Pfohl, 64, better known by his ring name 'Lex Luger' was one of the biggest names in the wrestling business during the 1990s and early 2000s. The WWE Legend may be up for inclusion in the WWE Hall of Fame. A&E recently aired a biography on the star. However, this event also brings into focus his tumultuous relationship with former professional wrestler Elizabeth Ann Hulette aka Miss Elizabeth, his manager, and girlfriend, who died in 2003. On Thursday, August 4, 2022, was the 25th anniversary of Luger defeating 'Hollywood' Hulk Hogan on the 1997 episode of WCW Monday Nitro.
After an initial stretch as the villainous 'Narcissist', Luger had the chance to fill Hulk Hogan’s shoes, but the superstar ultimately went through immense struggles following his ring career. "It’s mind-boggling. I’m in phenomenal health. Other than my mobility issues from my spinal cord issue, I’m very healthy, and that’s a miracle of God after what I put my body through. I usually use a wheelchair or a walker, but I can walk some," Luger said.
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During his long career, he had a tragic relationship with Hulette. Luger was first married to his ex-wife Peggy Fulbright, with whom he had two children -- a son named Brian and a daughter named Lauren Ashley. They divorced in 2003. Luger started a relationship with Hulette while he was still married. The duo stayed together as a couple after leaving WCW in 2000. After her departure from wrestling, Hulette began working at the front desk at Main Event Fitness in Marietta, Georgia, a gym that Luger had owned during their wrestling days.
On April 19, 2003, Luger was charged with a misdemeanor count of battery after authorities responded to a domestic dispute call to the townhouse he shared with Hulette in Marietta, Georgia. Cobb County police found Hulette with a cut lip, a head bump, and two bruised eyes when they arrived, injuries Luger maintained occurred when she got tangled in the leashes of their two dogs while walking them a week earlier.
Nevertheless, he was charged, booked, and released on bond. Luger admits he and Hulette argued that night but said he wasn’t sure what prompted his neighbor to call the cops. He said that she was crying because of the argument but no "physical thing" occurred.
Just two days later, Luger was arrested for DUI after rear-ending another vehicle. The police report stated Luger, who was driving on a suspended license, had bloodshot eyes and his speech was slurred. Elizabeth was reportedly a passenger in the vehicle and was sent home by the cops in a taxicab.
With his wrestling career at a crossroads, the death of Hulette at the young age of 42 due to "acute toxicity" brought on by a mixture of alcohol and painkillers, was a turning point in his life. While Luger wasn’t charged in Hulette’s death as it was ultimately ruled an accident, he was charged with 13 felony counts of possession of a controlled substance and a misdemeanor count of distribution of a dangerous substance as several narcotics were found in the home. He pleaded guilty, was sentenced to five years probation, and paid a $1,000 fine. He was later sentenced to four months in jail for violating that probation.
In 2011, he was hired by WWE to help with the company’s Wellness Policy. Luger said he took the position to help a new generation of pro-wrestlers to avoid going down the same path he and many in his profession did. Luger said being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame would be the "cherry on top" of his career.
"I might pop out of the chair for that. I would take that chance if that moment comes. That honor would be the cherry on top of my career," he said. "It’s mind-boggling. I’m in phenomenal health," Luger said, adding, "Other than my mobility issues from my spinal cord issue, I’m very healthy, and that’s a miracle of God after what I put my body through. I usually use a wheelchair or a walker, but I can walk some."