On a recent edition of his “Lex Expressed” podcast, Lex Luger expressed his surprise that more wrestlers haven’t used the Torture Rack as a submission finisher, given its effectiveness and the crowd’s response.
You can check out some highlights from the podcast below:
On more wrestlers not using the Torture Rack: “I’m surprised no one’s used The Torture Rack as their finish. I know it’s not an easy finish to put on anybody. There’s some guys who have some good physiques out there who could pull that off. I got a young guy, Jonathan Young from [Survivor]…he’s starting to train to be a wrestler and he could be the ‘Total Package 2.0’ and maybe use the Torture Rack as his finish if he ends up geting into wrestling. So there’s a possibility in the future. There’s a guy in AEW, Powerhouse Hobbs, he’s using The Rack a little bit. He’s got a good look. I respect him.”
On Powerhouse Hobbs contacting him to ask him permission to use the Torture Rack: “I’m like, ‘Man, rack ’em up! I don’t consider it like ‘my move.’ It’s a great finish, and Dusty [Rhodes] loved it. Dusty gave me the finish because he liked the way it showed my body.”
The Torture Rack: A Forgotten Wrestling Finisher
In the world of professional wrestling, finishers are an essential part of a wrestler’s arsenal. These signature moves not only showcase their unique style but also leave a lasting impression on the audience. One finisher that has been largely forgotten over the years is the Torture Rack, a devastating submission hold that was popularized by legendary wrestler Lex Luger.
Luger recently expressed his surprise on his podcast, “Lex Expressed,” that more wrestlers haven’t utilized the Torture Rack as their finisher. He believes that its effectiveness and the crowd’s response make it a perfect choice for any aspiring wrestler.
The Torture Rack involves the wrestler lifting their opponent onto their shoulders, facing upwards, and then applying pressure to their back by bending them over their shoulders. This puts immense strain on the opponent’s spine, causing excruciating pain and often leading to submission.
One of the reasons why the Torture Rack is not commonly seen today is its difficulty to execute. It requires significant strength and technique to lift an opponent, especially those who may be larger or heavier. However, Luger believes that there are many wrestlers with impressive physiques who could pull off this move with ease.
Luger even mentioned a young wrestler named Jonathan Young from Survivor who is currently training to become a professional wrestler. Luger sees him as a potential successor to his “Total Package” persona and believes that he could incorporate the Torture Rack as his finishing move.
Interestingly, Luger also mentioned Powerhouse Hobbs from All Elite Wrestling (AEW), who has been using the Torture Rack in his matches. Luger expressed his respect for Hobbs and appreciated that he reached out to ask for permission to use the move. Luger sees the Torture Rack as a great finisher that can be passed down and used by future generations of wrestlers.
The popularity of finishers in wrestling often depends on their visual appeal and the way they showcase a wrestler’s physique. Luger believes that the Torture Rack was favored by legendary wrestling promoter Dusty Rhodes because it highlighted Luger’s impressive body. This further emphasizes the potential for wrestlers with similar physiques to utilize the move effectively.
While the Torture Rack may not be as prevalent in today’s wrestling landscape, Luger’s comments have sparked a renewed interest in this forgotten finisher. As more wrestlers explore different ways to captivate audiences and leave a lasting impact, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Torture Rack make a comeback.
In conclusion, the Torture Rack is a submission finisher that has been largely overlooked in recent years. However, its effectiveness and crowd appeal make it a potential game-changer for any wrestler looking to stand out. With wrestlers like Powerhouse Hobbs already incorporating the move into their repertoire, it may only be a matter of time before we see the Torture Rack regain its popularity and become a staple in professional wrestling once again.