Rather Brilliant Torch Column

[Guest Dave O'Neill, Journalist]

Guest Editorial

By Peter Zed

Torch Team Contributor

 

When I woke up on Thursday morning, I went through my usual routine of checking the news, checking my email, and checking the latest wrestling updates on the web. My jaw nearly hit the floor when I read that Lex Luger (real name Lawrence Pfohl) would be returning to wrestling courtesy of NWA-TNA and their bankrollers at Panda Energy International.

 

The hiring of Larry Pfohl by NWA-TNA is the most tasteless act ever committed by a wrestling company. Even worse, by allowing Pfohl an opportunity to return to the ring, NWA-TNA and Panda Energy have set a dangerous precedent by condoning and promoting the use of deadly and illegal drugs within their company.

 

In May of this year, Pfohl was arrested on thirteen counts of felony drug possession after his girlfriend and fellow wrestling personality Elizabeth Hulette was found dead in his home. Autopsy reports showed that Hulette died of "acute toxicity" - a fatal mixture of painkillers, alcohol, and nausea medication.

 

By giving Pfohl a job, the decision-makers at NWA-TNA are sending a message to their employees that actions outside of the ring - and outside of their wrestling character - are irrelevant to their position within the company. In other words, no matter what you do, no matter how low you go, you always have a place in Nashville. The company might as well publicly announce that talent and work ethic comes second place to name recognition and gossip-generating sensationalism.

 

Instead of working to build an industry rid of the drug culture that has dominated the business for so long, NWA-TNA has reinforced the long-held belief that wrestlers are little more than circus-animals. Performers to be exploited for the sake of a PPV buyrate. Almost overnight, Luger goes from being an accomplice, albeit unwilling, in the death of Hulette, to the main event slot in wrestling's number two promotion.

 

Then you have the safety issue. One of the drugs Pfohl was arrested with was Xanax, a drug described for individuals with mood-disorders, namely anxiety. The notion of allowing a wrestler who needs drugs to control a psychological disorder into the ring and trusting him with the lives and careers of his fellow employees, gives new meaning to the term "unsafe working conditions."

 

We are not even one week removed from the industry-wide black eye of a steroid bust in Tampa that nabbed several prominent wrestlers. NWA-TNA could have used this incident as a reference point to provide their roster with valuable education and information about the dangers of illegal drugs. Instead, they've taken the lowest road possible by throwing money at a dangerous and unbalanced drug addict, and by doing so, given a big "thumbs up" to illegal behavior.

 

Shame on NWA-TNA for slapping the fans and employees in the face. Shame on NWA-TNA for perpetuating the sports entertainment "culture of death" we have all come to know and dread. Hawk, Mr. Perfect, Bobby Duncum Jr., Elizabeth, Brian Pillman, Rick Rude...the list goes on. If there is something to be learned by the tragic deaths of these athletes, it's that we, as fans, need to do anything we can to prevent further deaths that continue to erode the talent pool of performers who entertain us.

 

According to company literature, Panda Energy is a "drug-free work environment." Maybe someone needs to give CEO Bob Carter a call and tell him who exactly is violating that policy. I know I plan to. If fans can get together and voice their opinions as a cohesive unit, perhaps we can send a message to the Carter and Jarrett families. If they aren't interested in protecting the lives of their employees, perhaps the energy and PPV-buying public will.

 

To contact Panda Energy, and voice your opinion about the hiring of Lex Luger AKA Lawrence Pfohl, use the information below.

 

Panda Energy International, Inc. 4100 Spring Valley, Suite 1001 Dallas, Texas 75244 (972) 980-7159 phone (972) 980-6815 fax [email protected] [email protected]

 

To contact NWA-TNA directly:

 

TNA Entertainment, LLC 209 Tenth Avenue South Suite 302 Nashville TN 37203 [email protected] Media Relations: [email protected]

 

Torch Team Contributor Peter Zed can be reached at [email protected]

 

You are encouraged to respond to this commentary. Please indicate in the subject header the date and title of the article you are responding to. Direct your e-mails, signed with your name and city/state/country, to: feedback@pwtorch. com.

 

***

[syxx2001 0]

Im not condoning anything but

 

I find it funny how people can say "It was his choice" and stuff, but when Liz died from the pill mixture, everyone blamed Lex like he was forcing her to do it or something.

[Styles 0]

I think they're overreacting. One has to assume that Luger is now clean because of his indictment, and I see it as providing a favor to one of their performers (Sting) by allowing his best friend another oppurtunity to show he has turned his life around and at the same time provide a big wrestling name from the past as a treat for fans. If he fails, he will be gone. He can't fall any lower, I think Luger's mere prescense will be a lesson in itself to the rest of the lockerroom.

 

On a side note, I could also go the route that Hogan is an admitted drug user too, Steve Austin is a convicted wife beater and alcoholic and is the top star on RAW (where he frequently makes light of both counts), Booker T is a convicted felon, RVD openly condones drug use and countless other examples. No one's an angel. Stop with the hypocricy just because you don't like the guys ring work. He's suffered enough.

Oh, and 1inch I know you didn't write the column, but you posted it, so what about your precious Raven, who admits in a recent Torch interview to have been on every kind of drug for nearly 2 years?

[1234-5678 0]

A lot of self righteous preaching in there. Who is this guy to try and rob Luger of work, work that just may be therapeutic after the passing of his girlfriend, Elizabeth. Everyone makes mistakes, albeit Lex's was a huge one, but still. I am sure the guy who wrote this article has made a few mistakes himself.

[Styles 0]

Exactly. I'm not the religious type at all, but I would love nothing more than for Sting to sit down with Luger, reconcile whatever differences they have and turn him to Christ or something. He has reached rock bottom, and I for one will be rooting for him to give the performance of his career and find some peace in his turbulent life. If he doesn't...well I think we all know through countless examples this year alone what will happen if he doesn't...

[SamoaRowe 0]

Yeah, that article meant jack shit to me. If you're going to get upset over Lex Luger being hired because of his history, you have to get mad about countless others. I don't approve of the drug use, but I don't complain about it. I think Lex Luger can do good on TNA next week (half the reason I'm getting the show next week is to see how he does).

 

And yes, Raven can hardly remember his WCW days due to his drug and alcohol use. No one flips out over him working anywhere, so .... yeah... commone sense.

[Tawren 0]

I could care less about his drug use, I just don't want him there because he sucks so much.

[SamoaRowe 0]

I could care less about his drug use, I just don't want him there because he sucks so much.

See, that's a good argument. It's a known and oftenly proven fact that Lex Luger is NOT a good worker.

[Mystery Eskimo 0]

It could be worse, they could have brought in Bagwell.

[Fökai 0]

Looky here...a writer who tries to use a professional wrestler's real name to instill credibility into his argument.

 

Too bad the argument had no credibility to begin with, or maybe he would've had something here.

[tommytomlin 0]

That is the stupidest article I have ever read, but I kind of expect that from the Torch these days.

[Guest Dave O'Neill, Journalist]

Is everyone here blined by their devotion to Jarrett and his "genius and brilliance"that they don't see the legit points in this article?????

 

The people in this forum drive me nuts

 

Here's another to read

 

 

http://www.smarkschoice.com/main.php?subac...t_from=&ucat=1&

 

And before anyone asks, I'm blinded by my hatred of Jarrett to see beyond any legit points anyone brings up

[Guest Dave O'Neill, Journalist]

Oh, and 1inch I know you didn't write the column, but you posted it, so what about your precious Raven, who admits in a recent Torch interview to have been on every kind of drug for nearly 2 years?

Raven isn't a complete and utter scumbag who

 

-is/was implicated in the death of a known wrestling personality in the past years

 

-refused to job to Sean O'Haire on the last WCW PPV out of spite

 

-up until the incident where Elizabeth died, had been bragging that the WWE was gonna call him "any day", and furthermore, belongs to an "elite" group of gobshites who believe that their physical look, not their wrestling talent, or lack therof, will secure them a WWE Job

 

But, hey, He'll job to Jarrett, let him in the door

 

Fuck Jarrett, Fuck Luger

[Fökai 0]

Oh, and 1inch I know you didn't write the column, but you posted it, so what about your precious Raven, who admits in a recent Torch interview to have been on every kind of drug for nearly 2 years?

Raven isn't a complete and utter scumbag who

 

-is/was implicated in the death of a known wrestling personality in the past years

 

-refused to job to Sean O'Haire on the last WCW PPV out of spite

 

-up until the incident where Elizabeth died, had been bragging that the WWE was gonna call him "any day", and furthermore, belongs to an "elite" group of gobshites who believe that their physical look, not their wrestling talent, or lack therof, will secure them a WWE Job

 

But, hey, He'll job to Jarrett, let him in the door

 

Fuck Jarrett, Fuck Luger

I'm sure you had credibility, Dave.

 

Just not sure when.

 

--------

 

Is everyone here blined by their devotion to Jarrett and his "genius and brilliance"that they don't see the legit points in this article?????

 

First off, the guy tries to gain credibility by using Luger's real name. LAWRENCE PFOHL's life is none of his business, unless he actually had a point to his article. Pfohl didn't kill Hulette, nor has the writer proved that Pfohl hasn't cleaned himself up since then.

 

In addition, there's no evidence that Pfohl abused those drugs anyway - he was arrested because he was in possession of them. The cache was large enough for Pfohl to be a distributor, and not necessarily a user.

 

And the quote to top it off...

 

If there is something to be learned by the tragic deaths of these athletes, it's that we, as fans, need to do anything we can to prevent further deaths that continue to erode the talent pool of performers who entertain us.

 

Protesting Luger working with TNA, will solve these deaths?

 

What a jackass.

[Guest Devin]

I guess it's time Stevie Richards was fired from the WWE, labelled a murderer, and blackballed from the entire wrestling industry right? I mean, he was there when Crash died choking on his own vomit, just the same as Luger was there when Liz died.

[Guest Dave O'Neill, Journalist]

I happen to like Stevie

 

And anyway, where's it said that Richards was there. For all we know, Mike could just have been staying there

[Guest Dave O'Neill, Journalist]

-refused to job to Sean O'Haire on the last WCW PPV out of spite

 

-up until the incident where Elizabeth died, had been bragging that the WWE was gonna call him "any day", and furthermore, belongs to an "elite" group of gobshites who believe that their physical look, not their wrestling talent, or lack therof, will secure them a WWE Job

 

The NBT- Totally Buff match was supposed to be a resonable, competitve match going about 10 minutes, Luger object to jobbing, and told O'Haire and Chuck that they wer'e gonna go out and lay down after a minute. The ten miuntes was duly taken up by one of Luger's patented 1985 boring-ass "I'm impotant to the business" interviews

 

And yes, I've seen Greed, so I know what I'm talking about

 

-Luger had been rubbing people the wrong way on the WWA tour he was on by making the WWE claims. Saying that, for all we know, they could be true

[Guest Devin]

I like Stevie too, that's not the point. Stevie was there, Crash was staying in his house, and he died by choking on his own vomit. It's the same as Luger and Liz.

 

Now if you don't like Luger because he sucks as a wrestler, just be man enough to say it. Don't try acting holier then thou saying they shouldn't hire him because of Liz's death, yet think it's ok Stevie's still employed because "you like Stevie".

[Guest Dave O'Neill, Journalist]

I like Stevie too, that's not the point. Stevie was there, Crash was staying in his house, and he died by choking on his own vomit. It's the same as Luger and Liz.

 

Now if you don't like Luger because he sucks as a wrestler, just be man enough to say it. Don't try acting holier then thou saying they shouldn't hire him because of Liz's death, yet think it's ok Stevie's still employed because "you like Stevie".

I don't like Luger because he's one of those idiots who think that the business owes them something, and that gives them the right to object to jobbing to rookies, demanding special treatment when they do indy shows, and go on radio shows protesting that the WWE wont go near them

 

See also: Bagwell, Buff, and The Road Warriors.

 

I like Stevie too, that's not the point. Stevie was there, Crash was staying in his house, and he died by choking on his own vomit. It's the same as Luger and Liz.

 

Stevie wasn't beating the crap out of Crash

[Guest Dave O'Neill, Journalist]

Furthermore, Stevie hasn't been implicated in Crash's death. All wev'e heard is that he died at Stevie's, and Stevie was there. When Elixabeth's death broke, Luger's (alleged) involvement was brought up almost immediately

[Guest Devin]

Stevie wasn't beating the crap out of Crash

But Austin was beating the shit out of Debra, and I don't see you causing an uproar over his employment.

[Fökai 0]

The NBT- Totally Buff match was supposed to be a resonable, competitve match going about 10 minutes, Luger object to jobbing, and told O'Haire and Chuck that they wer'e gonna go out and lay down after a minute. The ten miuntes was duly taken up by one of Luger's patented 1985 boring-ass "I'm impotant to the business" interviews

 

And yes, I've seen Greed, so I know what I'm talking about

 

-Luger had been rubbing people the wrong way on the WWA tour he was on by making the WWE claims. Saying that, for all we know, they could be true

 

These claims makes Luger a "complete and utter scumbag" in your eyes, yet a past drug abuser in Raven (a noted abuser while in THREE DIFFERENT promotions) gets a free pass because he'll job to a new star?

 

 

Furthermore, Stevie hasn't been implicated in Crash's death. All wev'e heard is that he died at Stevie's, and Stevie was there. When Elixabeth's death broke, Luger's (alleged) involvement was brought up almost immediately

 

It's implied that it was a domestic dispute that led to her death, which turned out to be horribly false.

 

If Lockwood was a female and involved with Stevie, same accusations would've popped up.

[Guest Devin]

Furthermore, Stevie hasn't been implicated in Crash's death. All wev'e heard is that he died at Stevie's, and Stevie was there. When Elixabeth's death broke, Luger's (alleged) involvement was brought up almost immediately

So smarks bringing up Luger's name on message boards after Liz died constitutes an implication?!? He was never charged with anything concerning Liz's death.

[Guest Dave O'Neill, Journalist]

So smarks bringing up Luger's name on message boards after Liz died constitutes an implication?!? He was never charged with anything concerning Liz's death.

 

If by smarks, you mean Dave Meltzer, Wade Kellare and whatever gobdaw is running 1bob these days, then yes.

 

These claims makes Luger a "complete and utter scumbag" in your eyes, yet a past drug abuser in Raven (a noted abuser while in THREE DIFFERENT promotions) gets a free pass because he'll job to a new star?

 

Well, since you put it that way, yeah. Raven isn't a whiny bitch. Put it this way, if Luger's doing the j-o-b next week, it'll be to Sting, and not AJ

 

QUOTE (Dave O'Neill, Journalist @ Nov 8 2003, 08:39 PM)

 

Stevie wasn't beating the crap out of Crash

 

But Austin was beating the shit out of Debra, and I don't see you causing an uproar over his employment.

 

He apologised, got arrested, did community service (did he????, or did she drop the charges) and everyone involved has left it behind

 

Anyway, I don't like Austin for completely different reasons

[Guest Dave O'Neill, Journalist]

Aw crap, here comes Mad Dog to defend Jarrett to the end of the Earth

[Fökai 0]

If by smarks, you mean Dave Meltzer, Wade Kellare and whatever gobdaw is running 1bob these days, then yes.

They only noted that Luger was taken in, not knowing that he was taken in for drug possession (not because of an involvement with Hulette's death).

Well, since you put it that way, yeah. Raven isn't a whiny bitch. Put it this way, if Luger's doing the j-o-b next week, it'll be to Sting, and not AJ

 

Since it is Sting's last contracted appearance, I'm PRETTY SURE that any heel jobs will go through Styles.

 

He apologised, got arrested, did community service (did he????, or did she drop the charges) and everyone involved has left it behind

She dropped the charges, either because she was exaggeratig the claims, or that they reconciled (though they're legally seperated.)

[Guest Devin]

If by smarks, you mean Dave Meltzer, Wade Kellare and whatever gobdaw is running 1bob these days, then yes.

 

Yes, they would be considered smarks making assumptions as well. Although they never implicated Luger in her death either. Police obviously found no reason to arrest or charge him in any involvement of her death.

 

He apologised, got arrested, did community service (did he????, or did she drop the charges) and everyone involved has left it behind

 

The same exact thing could be said for Luger, that makes it alright?

[Guest Dave O'Neill, Journalist]

Debra ain't dead and/or is/was taking drugs to get over her shitty lot in life

[Guest Salacious Crumb]

Please stop using your personal biases in this argument. Just b/c you like them doesn't make it any better than what Luger did.

[Guest Dave O'Neill, Journalist]

Ok, that doesn't make any sense